Jorian Kuran Harris (Shugg) Helping Heart Foundation Scholarship

Moving from Nigeria to America when I was 12 was full of contrasts. Back home in my small village, I was known as bright, athletic and popular. But adjusting to my new American middle school, I faced bullying for my accent, appearance and introverted nature in an unfamiliar culture. Those early struggles taught me perseverance that guides me to this day. Part of my challenge stemmed from medical issues. In Nigeria, I did not have access to healthcare to diagnose and treat my severe asthma. The constant wheezing and shortness of breath made sports difficult. My untreated symptoms limited my energy and stamina, causing me to gain weight. Bullies targeted me for being overweight, awkward and different. I felt isolated and doubts crept in about whether I could make friends in this new environment. But I found refuge in school clubs like chess club and robotics, surrounding myself with open-minded peers who saw beyond surface differences. I also began medical treatment for my asthma, which greatly improved my health and self-confidence. As high school approached, I realized I could not let bullies define me. I advocated for myself to get accommodations like extended time on tests to help account for my asthma impacts. I found my voice by joining the debate team, learning to speak up with poise and skill. By embracing all parts of myself, I gained a community of supportive friends. My proudest accomplishment is being selected for the role of Prospero in our school musical production of The Tempest. Singing and acting publicly terrified me, but I was determined to push past comfort zones. The applause on opening night was affirmation that believing in myself leads to amazing places. This journey has shaped my aspirations to become an entertainment lawyer, helping creatives protect their work. My experiences exposed me to the challenges marginalized groups face, inspiring me to advocate for them. Your scholarship would bring me one step closer to this goal through funding my college education. It would alleviate the financial pressure on my parents, immigrants who have sacrificed so much to provide for me. Your investment would uplift my entire family. In college, I look forward to sharpening my legal interests through pre-law coursework while immersing myself in diverse cultural communities. I aim to gain a broad worldview that will aid me in serving a wide range of clients. I ultimately plan to earn my law degree and open my own practice as an entertainment attorney. My vision is to provide legal support to artists, writers and content creators from underrepresented backgrounds. I want to empower them to share their work without limitations and protect them from exploitation. Through media and art, stories can transform culture. I intend to facilitate those narratives that speak truth to power and strengthen our society. The bullies tried to instill shame in me, but instead they lit a fire. Their prejudice fueled my compassion. The wounds of my past now drive my fight for justice. I am determined, resilient and ready to soar. Your scholarship would lift some of the weight off my shoulders so I can proudly chart the course for my future. I know the road ahead holds challenges, but with faith in myself, I am prepared to achieve my dreams.

Me being a student who dreams of becoming a dentist, I am aware of the financial load that comes with pursuing a profession in healthcare. I'm aware of the high cost of dental school, and many students are forced to take out significant loans to fund their education. So I believe a scholarship would help me achieve my goal of becoming a pediatric dentist. Receiving a scholarship would lessen some of the struggles that come with paying for dental school. As a recipient of this scholarship. I would have the ability to focus more on my studies and clinical work without the worry of tuition and living costs. Which would allow me to focus more on my education and increase my chances of succeeding. A scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, internships and more that can enhance my education and career prospects. I would be able to explore a variety of opportunities that would enhance my education with the financial support of a scholarship. I believe that winning this scholarship would give me confidence. It would be a great recognition of my academic achievements and serve as a motivation to continue striving for excellence. I know when I win or receive awards it gives me the mindset to keep going. I recall a time when I would break down and give up because of frustration with Math, a subject that I struggle with. I realized that this was a subject that I needed to spend extra time on so that I could understand without my notes. Over the years I've learned to push myself and build my confidence when it comes to something I struggle with. I knew though, that I couldn't let my frustration get the best of me. With that faith and prayer, I am now passing math classes with an 80 or higher grade average, which I would not have achieved without God's assistance. Today I am confident that with Faith, I am capable of accomplishing far more than I previously imagined. My experiences taught me the importance of endurance, the power of prayer and the significance of asking for help when required. It also advises me that everyone has their strength and weaknesses, and it is critical not to compare oneself to others, which is something I frequently do. Instead, we should focus on our development and progress, and we should have trust in our ability to attain our goals.