Sunshine Legall Scholarship

The Junk— a type of Chinese sailing ship used by both merchants and pirates in Ancient China— is my favorite ship. As we studied China in AP World History my sophomore year, I was captivated by the artistry of the sails and their striking red. I rushed to fourth period everyday, eager to explore the economic and cultural effects of the Silk Road or examine the societal structure of the Incan empire. My teacher engaged us with Socratic discussion— where I got to act as Ghana during the Cold War and negotiate terms post-independence— and group projects. Best of all, we explored art alongside history. She presented us with the architectural design that created Machu Picchu and dazzled me with the artistic conflict that accompanied the Protestant Reformation. By the end of first semester, I determined that my dream was to work in a museum and surround myself with ancient art. One of the largest projects we completed was re-designing the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Belgium, after learning about the horrors of colonization in the Belgian Congo, which resulted in the deaths of over ten million people. Although the project was a competition for the best re-design, that assignment was close to my heart as an African. I presented my group with the idea of a museum within a museum—- Central Africa through the colonizer’s perspective, but within the heart of the museum lay the real one, which exhibited Belgian atrocities and life in Central Africa prior to colonization. Photography, at the time, was revolutionary because it allowed the world to see what colonization truly was— from scarred Congolese people slaving away harvesting rubber, to a father sitting next to the amputated limbs of his children. Together, my friends and I workshopped a sketch of the map until it reflected our vision. Although it wasn’t our goal, we won the competition with a perfect score. Our finished project reflected the hard work and thought that had nurtured it. While I am incredibly proud of it, that project did much more than give me a nice grade— it opened my eyes to my true dream. I brought my love of art history to the newspaper as I researched for an article on Black art history, which only introduced me to more artforms I love. Simultaneously, as I improved journalistically, my dream transformed from art history to activism; my articles became less about art and literature, and more about racial conflict and international politics. Once the newspaper dissolved, I created a blog where I could write articles, uninhibited, on topics such as the modern revolution in Iran and the conflict behind Atlanta’s “Cop City” facility. Art history is my first love, but journalism is my life. That World History project was my first step into amplifying the unheard side of the story. I want to use my journalism like reporters of the past used photography— to give a voice to the voiceless.

Since I was little, I was always taught the importance of giving back to my community. I am a part of an organization called Top Teens of America. Our core values are based on community service and beautification. Every valentines day we go to New City Senior Suites and spend time with the elderly. We play bingo with them, serve lunch, and hand out valentines as a way to show appreciation. During the holiday season of Christmas and thanksgiving, we write letters to the elderly showing our gratitude for their presence in the world. We also make blankets and care packages to give to women's and children's wellness shelters. Working with people of different calibers allowed me to hear new perspectives on living and build new relationships. Besides my community service with Top Teens of America, my church does community service too. I am a member of Cosmopolitan Community Church. Every thanksgiving we give care packages including toiletries, undergarments, and snacks to the needy. We also serve lunch to designated homeless shelters. Typically the two shelters we partner with are Matthew House Inc. And the Primo Center for Women and Children. Being a member of my church has allowed me to be more involved in the community and use my free time to volunteer for those who need help. Black people as a whole have faced long-lasting effects of racial disparities, so it never hurts to make sure my people have the right foundation to succeed in life. From a young age, I took an interest in going to the dentist. I was always intrigued by how the dentist could make people smile while also performing serious procedures. I even enjoyed the end of my appointment where I was given my little to-go bag so that I could take care of my teeth at home. From that point on I knew I wanted to be an orthodontist or dentist. Putting a smile on people’s faces and providing affordable health care to patients is my goal in this career field. In my community, a large number of people don’t go to the doctor or dentist’s office due to affordability. I want to improve access to affordable healthcare, including dentistry, for low-income people of color. While cutting fees completely is unattainable, it is feasible to take away some of that financial burden and benefit the patients. My people need to have access to healthcare because you can’t figure out how to solve your health problems if you can’t even afford to determine the issue. I chose the major of Biochemistry and molecular biology with the hope to one day open a dental practice back in my community. Post-dental school, I’d be able to provide low-income people of color with the opportunity to handle their medical struggles without having to take on the financial barriers that come with it. I will offer sliding-scale services so that patient fees are minimized, and I’d still be able to maintain a sustainable income for myself. With this degree I would be able to succeed in dental school and achieve the change I plan to make in my community. Through my time helping out at shelters, and working with the elderly, I learned what it takes to help people from all walks of life. With these lessons I’ve gained, I will make sure that my career in dental care thrives while benefiting my community and giving them the best care possible.

I am a scholar-athlete who has been blessed. I survived what could have been a fatal car accident, and after 17 days of being hospitalized in an ICU, followed by intensive rehabilitation, I walked out without medication. I have God and my exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians and other medical practitioners to thank. I was given a second chance. On November 26, 2021, I woke up in the Trauma One Unit of Oklahoma Medical Center to learn that, for five days a ventilator had been my lifeline after I was ejected from the back seat of a moving vehicle. I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), C5 Spinal Fracture, two broken ribs and severely bruised lungs. My first question to my Dad was “Did you call Coach Ron to tell him I’ll be late for basketball practice”. Before the accident, I decided to explore working with athletes in the medical field, but not sure of what I wanted to pursue. Now, I am confident I understand my career path. I plan to major in Kinesiology as a pathway to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician. This discipline combines my love for athletics with health and wellness. I want to work with athletes not only to help them through recovery but also to prevent future injuries. I don’t just want to return them to the sport they love, but equip them with natural methods of enhancing their performance even more, and ideally, with a re-invigorated passion for what they do. I believe I can provide meaningful insights into their recovery experience because I know what it feels like to have limited functionality, incapable of playing the sport you love. With my second chance, I also learned the importance of giving back. Based on my personal experience of nine formative years living in Liberia, I know the impact of having limited access to thorough sports development. Understanding the lasting implications of this limitation, I created the “Byrd Basketball Foundation”, a non-profit organization to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and achievement in teens. I was very proud to host an inaugural basketball camp for these kids in the summer of 2022. The camp was fully sponsored through a fundraising campaign I initiated, at no cost to the campers. Excess funds were realized, which allowed me to continue to expand the program. I aim to be the change I want to see in young athletes who may not have the chance to harness their athletic abilities because of financial hardships. I hope my story and life experience can inspire others to give back. As an African-American male, born in Atlanta, Ga, and raised in Liberia, West Africa, the birthplace of my mother, I understand and appreciate diversity and culture. As a Sports Medicine doctor, I will promote the inclusion of young people and use my platform to mentor those under-represented in the profession. In addition, through my philanthropic work with my foundation, I will continue to mentor young people and support their dreams for academic and scholastic achievement. I plan to work both in the US and Liberia, advancing the profession through work in the US and also buttressing Liberia’s healthcare system, through a teaching and practice forum where US-trained doctors rotationally work in Liberia.

From a young age, I have been fascinated by science and technology. I was always intrigued by the inner workings of machines and the laws that govern the universe. As I grew older, I developed a particular interest in the fields of computer science and physics. I was fascinated by the application of mathematical principles to solve problems in computer science and the underlying principles that govern the physical world. Graduating with a degree in Computer Science and Physics is my primary academic goal. With that being said I am actively pursuing a double major so that I may have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's degree in Physics. One of the reasons why graduating with a degree in Computer Science and Physics is important to me is the vast array of career opportunities it presents. These fields are in high demand, and graduates have a variety of career options to choose from, including software development, research, data analysis, and consulting. The combination of these two fields also opens up the possibility of working on projects that require both computer science and physics expertise, such as developing computer simulations for physics experiments or creating software for physics research. The importance of this goal lies in the vast array of career opportunities it will present from the knowledge and skills that I will acquire and the satisfaction of achieving a personal aspiration. I am committed to working hard, staying focused, and persevering until I achieve this academic goal. Giving back to my community is important to me. Volunteering at my local food bank has allowed me to see firsthand the impact of hunger on individuals and families. Before volunteering, I was aware that hunger was a problem in my community, but I didn't truly understand the extent of it. Seeing people from all walks of life come into the food bank seeking assistance has been a sobering experience. Many of these individuals are hardworking and have fallen into tough times due to circumstances beyond their control. Volunteering has made me more aware of the struggles that people face and has inspired me to take action to help those in need. Volunteering at the food bank has given me a greater appreciation for the work that non-profit organizations do. The staff and volunteers at the food bank work tirelessly to collect and distribute food to those who need it. They are passionate about their work and are committed to making a difference in their communities. Their dedication and hard work have inspired me to want to get involved in similar organizations and make a difference in the world. Moreover, volunteering at the food bank has taught me the importance of community involvement. The food bank relies heavily on donations and volunteers to operate, and it is only through the generosity of the community that it can function. Seeing the impact that community involvement has on the food bank has shown me that we can all make a difference in our communities, no matter how small. This experience has inspired me to want to get more involved in my community and work to make a positive impact. Volunteering has given me a sense of purpose. Knowing I am helping to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling has been incredibly rewarding. It's given me a greater sense of empathy and has made me more aware of the needs of others. This experience has inspired me to want to continue to volunteer and to look for other ways that I can make a difference in the world.

Growing up, I have always been fascinated by the world of business and finance. As I progressed through my academic journey, I realized that pursuing a career in business and finance would not only align with my passions but also allow me to contribute to society in a meaningful way. As I embark on this journey, my academic and professional goals are centered around obtaining a solid foundation in business and finance, gaining practical experience through internships and mentorships, and eventually making a positive impact on the world through my work. One of my academic goals is to excel in my coursework and gain expertise in areas such as financial management, investment analysis, and strategic planning. I also plan to seek out opportunities to participate in case competitions, join relevant student organizations, and engage in extracurricular activities that will help me build leadership skills and expand my network within the business and finance community. In addition to academic pursuits, I believe that real-world experience is crucial in preparing for a career in business and finance. I believe that combining academic learning with practical experience will equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in my chosen career path. As for my professional goals, I aspire to work in a finance-related role in a multinational corporation or a financial institution. I am particularly interested in areas such as investment banking, corporate finance, and financial consulting. My long-term goal is to eventually hold a leadership position where I can contribute to strategic decision-making, drive financial growth, and create positive change within the organization and the broader business community. Apart from my academic and professional goals, giving back to my community has always been a core value for me. I believe that it is our responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society and make a positive impact in our communities. Over the years, I have actively engaged in various community service initiatives, including organizing financial literacy workshops, participating in environmental conservation projects, and organizing fundraisers for charitable organizations, such as organizing charity runs, bake sales and donation campaigns. These events aimed to raise funds and awareness for causes such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief. My community service experiences have been truly inspiring and have reinforced my belief in the power of giving back. It has also helped me develop leadership skills, as I have had the opportunity to organize and lead teams in community service projects. Moreover, my community service experiences have also opened my eyes to the societal challenges that exist, such as income inequality, lack of access to education, and financial illiteracy. These experiences have further fueled my passion for pursuing a career in business and finance, as I believe that by working in these fields, I can have a meaningful and lasting impact on these issues. I aspire to leverage my knowledge and skills in business and finance to drive positive change and contribute to the betterment of society by addressing these challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. In conclusion, my goals revolve around pursuing a career in business and finance, gaining expertise through academic excellence and practical experience, and eventually making a positive impact on society. My community service experiences have inspired me to be a catalyst for change and have reinforced my belief in the power of business and finance as drivers of social and economic transformation. With the help of this scholarship, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute to the world in a meaningful way by pursuing my passion for business and finance.