Etherine Tansimore Scholarship

All through my high school years, I have faced numerous challenges that have ultimately shaped me into the person I am today. The process of growth, although difficult, has been instrumental in my personal development. I have learned valuable lessons that I never anticipated encountering. As a result, I have become a self-confident, motivated, diligent, consistent, young Black and Asian leader. Writing about myself may seem daunting to some, but for me, it is an opportunity to inspire and motivate others by showcasing the power of self-confidence. Throughout my life, I have achieved my goals and brought pride to those who raised me. My childhood was filled with various extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, dance, and modeling, which have shaped my diverse skill set and defined my path in life. Being part of a diverse group has influenced my decision to pursue further education. Those who know me describe me as a focused, determined, and confident young woman of distinction. As the child of a Social Worker, I naturally gravitate towards giving back to the community. In Philadelphia, PA, I am involved with a nonprofit organization called I am a Role Model. This program empowers young women and men to make positive impacts in their communities through the Arts and Public Service. We host various events each cycle, aimed at bringing about positive changes in Philadelphia's communities and keeping kids off the streets. One of my favorite memories with the organization was when we organized an event called "Toys for Tots" around Christmas time. We held a toy drive for less fortunate children, and seeing the smiles and joy on their faces was truly amazing. It was even more fulfilling to know that I was one of many girls who helped bring happiness to these children. My participation in the I am a Role Model program, I have acquired numerous life lessons that have shaped my character and influenced who I am today. This program has provided me with valuable skills such as leadership, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. These skills will undoubtedly be assets as I embark on my college journey. My mother's influence has transformed my perspective on life, leading me to mature and approach it with greater seriousness. I am now driven to achieve my goals and make my family proud. Throughout my high school years, I have come to appreciate the importance of hard work and the guidance of a mentor. Witnessing my mother's dedication as a Medical Social Worker, working long hours and pursuing her master's degree at the age of 34, has instilled in me a stronger determination to succeed in all endeavors. I lack guidance and role models in my community, so I strive to better myself despite my surroundings. I help guide my peers towards success through education and extracurricular activities. My support systems, including my parents, siblings, family members, teachers, and mentors, have provided me with guidance and leadership. I am determined to become a trailblazer. I believe that everyone has a calling in life, and I want more out of life, especially as a young woman of color. To achieve this, I am committed to being proficient, efficient, educated, and ready to work. I know that I am truly prepared to attend the college of my dreams with hopes of becoming the first dentist in my family. I am extremely confident and well deserving of this Scholarship.

My name is Aaliyah Camry Lori Alston and I plan to work to make a way for African Americans to stop dying from certain doctors not listening to their concerns. I am currently 17 years old and I attend Philadelphia high school for girls. I have a 3.2 GPA and play field hockey. After school I go to work at Wawa and end my day doing homework and watching my little brother. I was born in a car which is where the name Camry comes from. My mother was a teen mom and couldn’t make it to the hospital in time and had me in a Toyota Camry in a hospital’s parking lot. They called ahead time that we were on the way and as soon as my mom arrived in the parking lot, multiple doctors and nurses rushed the car. My dad couldn’t even hear or see what was going on and my mother was complaining of chest pains while giving birth. After she had me we were rushed inside and I was taken to get cleaned. As I was getting cleaned, my mother issued multiple complaints to her doctor. Not that he listened anyway. 2 hours later my mom was suffering from preeclampsia, which usually happens before birth but in her case it was different. Thank goodness the nurse was there at the right time and alerted the doctor so she could be okay and live. I would not wish that experience on any mother especially as young as mines was. Being African American and in the medical field can sometimes be scary because people look down on you and think you are not good enough. With what happened to my mother and my passion for helping people and saving lives, I knew I wanted to go to college after high school and become a nurse. To help my fellow African American men and women be able to walk in and out of the hospital safely with no complications. To make sure their questions and concerns don’t get pushed to the side and overlooked. To let them know everything will be okay and they are doing great. 1 in 5 African American deaths happen earlier in hospitals rather than whites. And 42% of African Americans are more likely to die in a high risk surgery rather than a white person. I plan to work to make a way for African Americans to stop dying from certain doctors not listening to their concerns. Being able to make this impact on my community while change and save lives.

When I was five years old, I told my mother that I wanted to become a teacher. I enjoyed helping my classmates understand basic concepts and finding words in crossword puzzles. As I got older, I still enjoyed extending my help, but not through being a teacher. Being around healthcare professionals every day when I got home from school impacted me. I often saw many shades of blue scrubs coming in and out of my front door. From my mother working night shifts in the Emergency Room to my Aunt letting me help her with her medicine injections, I received direct access to the medical experience. Around the age of ten, I found out that my mother has Multiple Sclerosis. At the time, I did not know to what extent this disease would affect us. I have seen her symptoms progress over time, from complaints about dizziness and fatigue to concerns about her numb fingers, I have instilled fear and anxiety within myself. One day, she started to complain of horrible chest pain. She experienced shortness of breath and described the pain as if an elephant was sitting on her chest. Though she expected the pain to decrease over a short period, it went on for days. When she finally decided to go to the doctor, she was given an EKG, a stress test, and a cardiac workup. Since those tests showed no serious signs of damage, the doctor explained that she was experiencing anxiety and stress followed by a suggestion that she gets plenty of rest. My mother was skeptical of the doctor’s orders since this was not the first time she had experienced stress. She followed the orders and decided to try and relax. This only stopped the pain temporarily. After a couple of weeks went by, she began to experience the same symptoms once more. My mother went back to the doctor and reported the same concern. She expected to be reseen with quality care and concern, yet this did not happen. They sent her back home with the same information as her first visit. She felt as though they were not listening to her complaints. Once she returned home, she kept describing to me her pain and what her doctors would not do for her. This made me feel powerless and weak since I was not her healthcare provider. The only thing I could offer her was my love and support. That is not enough for me, and it will never be. My mother will forever be my greatest inspiration regarding my goals. I will always choose to protect her. To do so, I must be the change within the American healthcare system people ought to see. Attending a College or University will give me access to strive for the medical rights of underrepresented populations. As a student working towards a Bachelor of Science in nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in nursing, I will learn the fundamental skills of patient care, advocacy, and be well prepared to persevere through hardships and adversity. I will be able to express my concerns about medical discrimination where they are genuinely valued and eventually become a leader to improve the care for minorities in healthcare. My mother’s story is not uncommon to hear, which speaks volumes as to the issue I stand for today.