Kennard C. Brown Memorial Scholarship

It is no small task to juggle a full-time work with a college degree; for me, this battle turned into a defining test on my path to reach my objectives. My days were an unrelenting cycle of labor, study, and caregiving. To support my niece, who came to rely on me following a family catastrophe, and myself, working forty hours a week was essential. Along with academic expectations, this financial obligation demanded unusual degrees of discipline, fortitude, and time management. Every week, I would begin my days before dawn, deliberately and with great will getting ready for work. Often leaving physically and emotionally tired, my work gave the financial assistance required for our fundamental necessities. Still, I stayed dedicated to my studies since I knew that for my niece as well as myself, long-term stability and chances depend on my education. Evenings were set aside for study, usually continuing late into the night. Many facets of a normal college experience, including social events and rest, were sacrificed on this demanding calendar. Managing time was only one aspect of juggling these obligations; another was preserving emotional and mental strength. Every finished project, every passing test seemed like a little triumph against the odds. Notwithstanding these personal difficulties, my will to return to my community has remained constant. I have given to kids in need and actively helped food drives. These pursuits are really personal commitments anchored in my own experiences, not only acts of kindness for me. They stand for my wish to make sure others do not have the same challenges by themselves. Volunteering in the community has given me direction and a feeling of connection, therefore strengthening the ideals of solidarity and empathy. Participating in these projects has also made clear how drastically the community lacks in educational tools and support. Many young people have challenges like mine, and I have seen personally how important supportive systems are. This insight has defined my ambition of earning a degree in biology and motivated my educational aspirations. Getting a biology degree is not only a mark of intellectual success for me; it's also a calculated move toward significant community change. Returning to my roots and applying my knowledge to solve the observed educational inequalities is what I want. As a future teacher, I hope to inspire and guide the following generation thereby giving them not only a strong basis in the sciences but also the support to follow their aspirations in spite of challenges. I see creating courses combining practical applications with hands-on science experiences to make the material interesting and relevant. I want to inspire young kids to have a greater knowledge and enthusiasm in the sciences by tying scientific ideas to common challenges and answers. Equipping students with knowledge and critical thinking abilities will help them to be ready for success in both academics and the workplace. Furthermore, my route in juggling study and employment gives me a special viewpoint and empathy I can impart to my pupils. I know the difficulties and sacrifices required of one seeking knowledge under demanding conditions. This realization will help me to connect to my students more profoundly, giving them not only intellectual information but also emotional support and useful guidance. My educational objectives are ultimately closely entwined with my dedication to community service. Being a biology educator will help me to start a chain reaction of good change by raising a new generation of students who can overcome obstacles and help our society to grow.

As a first-generation college student, pursuing a career that no one in my family has before, there are a lot of challenges or obstacles that I have had to overcome in life to achieve my goals. One of my biggest challenges recently has been attending an HBCU that lacks the resources for students on a similar path such as mine. I am a rising Senior attending the illustrious Delaware State University. My HBCU has given me numerous experiences and new relationships I wouldn't exchange for the world. Still, I feel the biggest thing my university lacks is preparing me for my future career. As a current biology major student, I intend on applying for medical school and becoming a physician. The path to medical school can be very rigorous, and without the proper resources and guidance, many may fail. DSU lacks providing its students with necessary materials such as MCAT prep, clinical exposure, and counseling, all of which I believe are crucial for Pre-Med Students. The inadequate support negatively affected me during my first two years as an undergraduate and was a huge obstacle for me to overcome to get on track to achieve my goals. During the Summer after my 2nd year of undergraduate studies when I noticed that I was not on track to achieve my dreams. It was not until I joined a mentorship program provided to me by my Primary care office that this became obvious. Within the program, I was paired with another physician who was distraught after hearing after my sophomore year of college that I still had no set plan on how to become a physician. She enlightened me on how her institution paired each student with a pre-med advisor in a pre-medical department, who assisted each student throughout their journey. She also informed me that there were student organizations on campus to help provide pre-med students with the clinical and research experiences they may need, which all were very common to see among universities. Being the leader that I am, I took the initiative to make a call of action to our University's leaders, addressing the lack of support for its pre-med students and how it is creating challenges and obstacles to becoming competitive medical school applicants. Within this past year, I also recharted a chapter of the Minority Association of Pre-Med Students on my campus, where I served as president. Within the organization, I have provided pre-health students with opportunities to attend conferences and shadow physicians, along with informing them of various internships. The science department of my university has also partnered with a post-grad organization guiding students and has also offered free MCAT prep to students, after my efforts. Even though I grew up in the Philadelphia and Delaware area, I aim to give back to both communities that have shaped me. In Delaware, I have been involved in many health initiatives such as Sickle Cell screenings, health pavilions (which provided free blood pressure, EKG, and STD testing to hundreds of pedestrians), and Blood drives. Being an active student leader on my campus has also allowed me to mentor the youth and be involved in numerous community service initiatives. Within my education, I hope to someday help achieve Health Equity in these areas, and into others as well. Making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all. Also as a future trauma surgeon, I hope to save more lives in the city of Philadelphia with alarming crime rates. I lastly plan on educating the youth inspiring them to pursue higher education and chase their dreams.

Living in a household with my mother and three younger siblings has been challenging, mainly due to recent financial struggles and the upheaval caused by our eviction in August 2023. Despite the hardships, we've secured a new but more expensive place to live. This has strained our finances, leaving us with a half-empty fridge and the constant worry of making ends meet. One of the biggest obstacles I've had to overcome is maintaining my focus on my educational and personal goals amidst these financial difficulties. The stress of our situation often made it hard to concentrate on my studies and artistic pursuits. However, I've learned to adapt and persevere, using my circumstances to motivate me to succeed. These experiences have also shaped my involvement with the greater community. Understanding the struggles faced by families in similar situations, I've dedicated time to volunteering at local food banks and community centers. Through these efforts, I've connected with others facing similar challenges and worked to provide support and resources to those in need. This involvement has reinforced my commitment to giving back and making a difference in my community. My educational goals are driven by a desire to create positive change within my community. I plan to use my education to develop initiatives that address the issues of poverty and housing insecurity that my family and many others face. By pursuing a social work and community development degree, I aim to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement practical solutions and advocate for policies that support vulnerable families. Given our financial circumstances, I intend to allocate 50% of the scholarship funds to support my family. This portion will go towards crucial expenses such as bills and groceries, providing relief and stability to my mother and siblings. The remaining funds will be invested in my education, allowing me to focus on my studies and achieve my long-term goals. The remaining 50% of the scholarship funds will be dedicated to advancing my artistic career. I plan to use this portion to invest in high-quality art supplies, materials, and equipment, including traditional art supplies, painting materials, larger canvases, and easels, all of which are essential for enhancing the quality of my work. The scholarship will empower me to explore new mediums and techniques, fostering creative growth and pushing the boundaries of my artistic expression. In summary, overcoming financial difficulties and housing instability has been a significant challenge. These experiences have shaped my involvement in the community and fueled my determination to pursue educational goals that drive change. With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to continue my journey, support my family, and contribute to the well-being of my community.