Private (PVT) Henry Walker Minority Scholarship

At its best, a community is not only a physical environment, but even more so, a group of people connected by a common purpose and a shared commitment to support one another. It is a space, both physically and spiritually, where you feel you can be yourself, no matter where you are in life or in the world. When a community is operating as it should, members are dedicated to one another’s well-being and to paving the way for future generations. I’m proud to say that this has been my experience. All the communities I have been part of have shaped me and helped me grow, while inspiring me to contribute just as much as I receive. Whether in school, extracurricular activities, or my personal life, I have always felt a deep obligation to enrich my various communities, and I believe I have honored this obligation consistently. My local community hasn’t always made me feel safe growing up. Witnessing shootings and violence never sat right with me, but as I got older, I realized it was up to me and my peers to be the change we wanted to see. From here I took it upon myself to become an active member of different communities that would give me the knowledge and experience I needed to become an asset to those around me. I have been an active member in my church community, mentoring youth through our annual summer camp; through Beta Club, I have tutored elementary schoolers at the Boys and Girls Club; and through the Southdown Youth Fraternity, I have participated in monthly service projects, including serving dinner to homeless individuals at St. Vincent de Paul, and completing a sock and blanket drive for the less fortunate during the holidays. Children are impressionable, which makes it all the more important to create an environment for them that will spark their curiosity, nurture their drive, and embrace their individuality. I believe that Fall Fest did just that, and to this day, I remain proud of the time, money, and effort I invested to make it happen. The word community carries weight, for it conveys a sense of togetherness and positivity. It also calls us to be unified. When one person is hurt, the entire community hurts, and when one person prospers, we all do. Above all, we must remember that it is up to the individuals in the community to dedicate themselves to our common cause and to each other. The fact that I have been so actively involved in my school and broader environment has given the

If given the opportunity, I would start a community project focused on providing education and resources for mental health. This is important to me because mental health is a topic that is often stigmatized and ignored, which can lead to serious consequences. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, but it is often overlooked in our society. In my community, there is a lack of resources and education about mental health, which contributes to a larger issue of people not seeking help or feeling ashamed to do so. I believe that by creating a support system, people will be more likely to seek help when they need it and will feel more empowered to take control of their mental health. My community project would involve organizing workshops and events focused on mental health education. These events would provide information on what mental health is, the common disorders, and treatment options. Additionally, I would look to collaborate with local mental health professionals to provide access to free resources, such as counseling and therapy. Another critical aspect of the project would be to focus on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. It would be essential to create a welcoming environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking help. Through various events, I want to promote that it is okay not to be okay. My vision is to create a sustainable network and community that prioritizes mental health and well-being. One way to do this is by creating peer support groups where individuals can connect with others who have had similar experiences and feels supported. This can start the healing process and prevent people from feeling isolated or alone. These support groups can also encourage individuals to seek medical attention and consistent mental health check-ups. Overall, this project's impact would extend beyond my immediate community; it would also contribute to a larger societal shift in prioritizing mental health. Providing education and resources for mental health will decrease the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and encourage individuals to get help. In turn, this can lead to improved well-being and productive communities. In conclusion, I believe that investing in mental health is essential to building healthier and more productive communities. Providing education, resources, and peer support will not only help individuals but will also create better, more compassionate societies. If given the opportunity, I will be grateful to be able to implement this project and create a positive change in my community.

If given the opportunity I would improve issues within the healthcare system for my community. It is important to me because I had a distressing medical care experience during my senior year of high school. My mom wanted to put me on birth control so I could be adjusted to it before college. My gynecologist thought it would be best if I got Nexplanon since it lasts for 3 years. Within the first month, I was bleeding nonstop. I knew that it was an issue but I wasn’t stressing about it because I knew that it takes time to adjust. Fast forward to 3 months and I am still bleeding the entire month. At that point I knew something was wrong, I then made an appointment with my gynecologist and I told her that I may need a different form of birth control She told me that it was normal and should go away at the 6-month mark. Eventually, the 6th month came around and nothing changed, She still didn't want me to give up on it so she recommended that I take the pill simultaneously to combat the long periods. I was a little hesitant at first because that meant double the hormones. Which means double the mood swings, weight gain, and acne. After one month of being on two birth control at the same time, I could tell that my body wasn’t happy so I decided to stop both of them. However, the residual effects were horrible; my periods were irregular, I was depressed all the time, suffered extreme fatigue. About a couple of months passed and I went for a normal checkup, I was then diagnosed with anemia and a b12 deficiency because I was bleeding so much. All of this could have been avoided if she had listened to how I felt instead of trying to persuade me that it was normal. Bleeding for 6 months straight is not normal and trying to combat that by adding an additional birth control was not the way. I now have to take B12 vitamins ,iron pills, and maca root just to get my hormones back aligned. Experiencing this personally, and hearing so many other stories is why I want to work in the healthcare field. There have been multiple studies of black people being disrespected by healthcare professionals. studies show that Black patients are significantly less likely to be prescribed pain medication and that they generally receive lower doses of it when they are. One possible reason for this, supported by existing studies, is that white people believe Black people experience less pain. Many people believed this at one point of time and gaslighted what black women were saying and the pain they felt. Statistics show that black women have a 63% higher rate of severe maternal morbidity and are 3x more likely to die in pregnancy postpartum than white women. I want to be the change that actually listens. I wasn't able to speak up for myself because I was young and didn't really know my options or what I was getting into. However, it is the nurses' job to be an advocate for the kids and make sure they get accurate treatment since they can’t advocate for themselves. That is exactly what I hope to do; be an advocate for my patients. I want to be a nurse who listens and treats people like normal people instead of just patients. It’s a lot of pressure to have someone's life in your hands, so I want to make sure I do everything I can to help them.

If given the chance, I would take the initiative to launch a community program with the primary aim of addressing poverty. This holds significant personal meaning for me because the challenges associated with impoverished conditions often result in stigma and neglect, potentially leading to severe consequences. Despite its profound impact on overall well-being, poverty tends to be marginalized in societal discussions. In the Atlanta community where I attend school, there is a noticeable lack of resources and educational initiatives regarding poverty, exacerbating the problem and causing reluctance among individuals to provide assistance. I firmly believe that establishing a robust support system will motivate individuals to seize opportunities that can bring about positive changes in the lives of others. The core of my community project revolves around organizing outreach events focused on assisting those in need. These gatherings will not only increase awareness about the realities of poverty but also implement strategies for alleviation, such as organizing food drives and clothing collections. Furthermore, my objective is to forge collaborations with local non-profit organizations, fostering a collective effort to address the challenges associated with poverty. Essentially, the project is centered on actively combating conditions of poverty. Through various events, the goal is to promote community efforts and create a positive social climate, as it is of utmost importance. The overarching vision is to establish a sustainable network and community that prioritizes the lives of the impoverished. A crucial aspect of this plan involves the creation of sub-groups to effectively execute efforts, covering various locations within the community. This approach is designed to prevent individuals from feeling ostracized from society due to their well-being. The impact of this project would extend well beyond my local community, contributing to a broader societal shift towards prioritizing and addressing the needs of impoverished demographics on a larger scale. Through education and the implementation of strategic initiatives, my goal is to embody the principle of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Regardless of one's circumstances, we must refrain from creating a social hierarchy based on the situation and instead demonstrate kindness and care for others, as it can have a monumental impact. This effort aims to encourage individuals to offer help, ultimately fostering improved well-being within more productive communities. Fundamentally, I strongly believe that dedicating resources to alleviate poverty is a vital step in constructing healthier and more productive communities. Providing education, resources, and peer support will not only benefit individuals but also play a role in cultivating more empathetic and understanding societies. If given the opportunity, I would appreciate the chance to implement this project and contribute to positive change within my community.