Shepherd E. Solomon Memorial Scholarship

From a young age, I learned that knowledge is most meaningful when it uplifts others. In eighth grade, math became more than a subject I excelled in and it became my first tool for change. I watched classmates struggle with equations that I found intuitive. Rather than letting their frustration grow, I stepped in, tutoring during recess, after school, and whenever I could. My teacher, who had recognized my skill early on, was surprised by my ability to break down difficult concepts for others and help unite our class through understanding. This experience planted the seed for my belief that learning should always serve a greater purpose and it marked the beginning of my journey toward medicine. Now, as a high school student and proud member of the Math National Honor Society and HOSA, I continue helping peers with math and healthcare topics. But my passion for using knowledge to serve others has grown far beyond the classroom. At Perry Hall High School, I’m also an active member of our Environmental Club and Greenhouse Committee, where we advocate for sustainability through tree planting, energy-efficient initiatives, and community education. I care deeply about the well-being of all living things - humans, ecosystems, and communities alike. This drive to improve the world around me naturally led me to explore careers in healthcare. My curiosity in medicine began with simple questions: How does the body work? How do doctors know how to treat disease? But over time, it evolved into something deeper: a calling to become a physician who not only treats illness, but listens, understands, and advocates for those often unheard. As a pre-med student, I’ve spent time volunteering at hospitals, exploring healthcare environments, and immersing myself in experiences that reflect both the science and soul of medicine. Every opportunity, whether shadowing physicians or working behind the scenes in pharmacy or lab settings, has confirmed that I belong in this field. My ultimate goal is to become a physician who serves underrepresented communities and uses my knowledge to drive health equity. I want to work in underserved areas where patients often face barriers not just to treatment, but to trust barriers built over decades of systemic inequity. I believe that increasing racial diversity in healthcare is crucial to breaking these barriers. Patients deserve to see themselves reflected in the people caring for them. Representation fosters trust, communication, and dignity. When patients feel seen, they are more likely to seek care, follow medical advice, and ultimately experience better outcomes. As a Black student pursuing medicine, I understand the importance of visibility. I didn’t grow up seeing many doctors who looked like me but I want to be that person for someone else. I want young students from marginalized backgrounds to look at me and realize that they, too, belong in labs, clinics, and operating rooms. I want them to know their knowledge and compassion can change lives. This scholarship would not only support my educational journey, it would fuel my mission. I am diligent, innovative, and compassionate. I believe that medicine is not just a science, but a human service. I carry with me every math problem I’ve solved, every tree I’ve helped plant, and every patient story that has inspired me. And I bring them with me into a future where I will strive for greatness, not for myself alone, but for the communities I hope to serve and empower.