Meritus Legacy of Service Scholar Award

I learned early on that education is one of the most powerful forms of service. Growing up with a parent who spent many years as a public school teacher has shaped my values and long‑term goals. Watching my mother dedicate her career to teaching has instilled in me a strong work ethic and inspired my desire to serve others through healthcare, with a focus on pediatric dental care. My mother has worked as a teacher for over twenty-five years in Arizona and overseas. Currently, she is a Department of Defense educator, teaching the children of active‑duty military members, which she has been doing for the past two decades. Her role requires patience and a deep commitment to student well‑being, often under challenging circumstances. I saw firsthand how her job did not end at the classroom door. There is a lot of preparation and care required to support students academically and emotionally. From her, I learned that meaningful service is rooted in education and empathy. That commitment to education became especially important this past year. Due to escalating regional instability in the Middle East, my family was forced to evacuate unexpectedly from Bahrain on March 7th, in the middle of the night, after a week of sustained missile and drone attacks. We left our home of more than thirteen years with only one suitcase each, leaving all our possessions and memories behind. Abruptly starting over in a new place, rebuilding stability, and adjusting to a new school environment was difficult for my family, particularly during the end of my senior year. Prior to the evacuation, I was on track to graduate as the valedictorian at my Department of Defense school, earning a 4.306 weighted GPA and SAT scores of 720 in Math and 750 in Evidence‑Based Reading and Writing. I am now completing my final quarter of high school at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. Throughout high school, I sought leadership roles and service opportunities that aligned with my values. I served on the executive boards of Student Council, the Red Cross Club, Educators Rising, and the National Honor Society, all organizations centered on service, leadership, and community engagement. I completed more than 200 hours of community service, with over 100 hours volunteering independently outside of school-sponsored programs. I also competed in varsity volleyball and soccer and helped lead efforts to raise $16,000 to support initiatives for the Class of 2026. Balancing academics, leadership roles, athletics, and community service has strengthened my time management, resilience, and reliability, which are essential for healthcare. My interest in pediatric dentistry is shaped by my family’s experiences. Both of my parents grew up in financially strained households and lacked access to consistent or preventative dental care as children, leading to dental issues that could have been avoided later in life. I have seen how dental health affects more than physical well‑being. A child’s smile influences confidence and self-perception. Too often, a smile reflects financial circumstance rather than opportunity. I want to be a pediatric dentist who educates children, supports families who may not have had that knowledge, and helps children build healthy habits early in life. Gaining financial support is an important factor in my educational journey. As a military-connected family that recently experienced sudden displacement and significant unplanned expenses, the financial strain has been considerable. At the same time, my parents, both U.S. government employees, experienced lapses in pay tied to ongoing budgetary instability, which added financial stress during an already overwhelming period. The Meritus Legacy of Service Scholarship would reduce the financial burden of my education and allow me to avoid struggling with excessive debt. Being raised by a teacher taught me the importance of showing up consistently and contributing even when work goes unseen. When we sat in our car blocks away from where the military base was attacked, my mother thought little of herself. She worried for the lives of her students, her colleagues, and her family. That is the type of person I want to be. Selfless, compassionate, service-oriented, intelligent, brave, determined, and strong. Some people want to grow up to be a princess or superhero. I have always wanted to grow up to be like my mom. My mother has often felt embarrassed by her teeth, covering her mouth when she smiles. I want to make my mom proud and hope to continue my mother’s legacy by educating children about dental health and helping ensure that every child feels proud to smile.