Text-Em-All Founders Scholarship

My dad works in construction. Some months, the EBT card is the only thing keeping warm canned soup in our stomachs after his back gives out. Though that is my reality, it is not the whole story. I am the oldest sibling to a little sister with autism. That means I am also a third parent. Watching her struggle to communicate, to regulate, to be understood by a world that does not always have patience…that changed me. I started asking questions. Why does her brain work differently? What does she feel when she cannot find the words? How can I help her? Those questions led me to psychology and neurobiology. I want to understand how disorders develop, how the brain processes fear and stress, and how to help kids like my sister live fuller lives. I am not waiting until college to start. I joined P-TECH, my school’s early college program, to earn my associate's degree early. I volunteer at a free women’s clinic, checking patients in and providing support. One afternoon, a teenage girl walked in, gripping the counter with shaking hands. I did not ask what was wrong. I just said, “You don’t have to tell me anything. Do you want to sit over there? I can bring you water.” Before she left, she turned and said, “Thank you for not making me explain.” That moment taught me that compassion is not about fixing people. It is about seeing them. At UT Southwestern, I help collect CDC WONDER data for disease research. Good data leads to good health policy. Good policy helps real families, families like mine. As Vice President of my school’s HOSA chapter, I led more than 20 students to the State Leadership Conference. There is a quote that stuck with me: “Your nervous system doesn’t respond to talent. It responds to practice.” Last year, I did not even make it past the Area Conference for Behavioral Health. I froze. So I trained differently. Timed exams. No notes. Someone watching me. This year, I placed second in the entire state. I want to become a doctor who works with kids who have developmental and behavioral disorders. I want to help families who feel as lost as my immigrant mom did when my sister was first diagnosed. I want to research the messy, in-between answers that do not fit neatly into textbooks. But I also want to come back. I want to work in community health clinics that serve low-income families. I want to help patients navigate health insurance and medical bills the same way I learned to navigate grocery budgets. My dad built things with his hands. My sister taught me to see the world differently. I want to build something with my education. A career. A future. A different kind of life for my family. And then I want to come back and show others how to do the same. I am a low-income, first-generation, mixed-race student from Texas. I have been counted out before. But I have also been the person who sits with scared patients, who leads their peers, who fails and tries again. That is who I am. That is how I will make a positive impact. Not by being the smartest person in the room. But by being the one who stayed.

My name is Lama Dahan, and I am a psychology student at Houston Community College, preparing to transfer to Texas State University this fall to continue working toward my bachelor’s degree. I am a proud wife, a mother of three boys, and a first-generation college student in the U.S. My journey has not been easy, but it has been filled with meaning, purpose, and a deep desire to help others. I moved to the U.S. with my husband and children to build a better future, far away from the support of extended family. Navigating life here alone, I’ve had to be strong, resourceful, and deeply connected to my values. I have always believed that the greatest good comes when we lift each other up—and that belief has guided my path as a student, mother, volunteer, and aspiring mental health professional. My passion for psychology was inspired by my own children’s struggles. My oldest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and my second son with ADHD. These diagnoses pushed me to learn everything I could so I could support them—and that turned into a passion to support others. I want to help children and families who face emotional and developmental challenges, especially those who may not have access to the resources they need. Despite the demands of being a full-time student and mother, I’ve continued to give back. I regularly volunteer at my children’s school, helping in classrooms and school events, and I work occasionally as a substitute teacher. Through these roles, I’ve connected with children, parents, and educators—listening, supporting, and doing my best to contribute. I’ve also tried to support my family financially through a small handmade jewelry and resin art business on Etsy. These efforts haven’t always been easy, especially living on a single income, but I’ve always stayed true to myself and committed to building something meaningful. What drives me is compassion—for my children, for other families like mine, and for anyone navigating life with limited resources. Through my education, I hope to become a clinical child psychologist, serving every family in need for help. I want to create a safe space where children can be heard, supported, and understood, and where parents can find strength and hope. I am honored to apply for this scholarship. It would allow me to keep pursuing this dream and make the kind of impact that reaches beyond myself—one family, one child, and one act of compassion at a time.

My family and I have struggled financially for as long as I can remember. Coming from Africa, Tanzania, to America was a transition that affected multiple aspects of our lives especially financially. The language barrier along with my parents' lack of opportunities to acquire adequate education in Africa placed a significant burden on us as we continue to navigate our new lives in America. We have spent our whole lives relying on government assistance such as food stamps and other forms of aid to thrive daily. Living in a constant state of lack has been a major driving force in my determination to pursue education and create a better future for not only myself but for my family and others within my community. My ultimate goal is to become a physician assistant and work in underserved communities, providing accessible healthcare to those who cannot afford it. I grew up watching my parents struggle with health issues and not being able to afford adequate medical care, so I understand firsthand the impact that lack of access to quality healthcare can have on individuals and families. Part of their health issues stemmed from lack of awareness and education about preventive measures and healthy lifestyle choices. Underserved communities often lack adequate healthcare resources and support, which leads to poor health outcomes and a cycle of poverty. I am currently majoring in public health and therefore i am continuously, learning about the social determinants of health and ways to address healthcare disparities especially in less privileged communities. I plan to use my knowledge and skills to provide high-quality and compassionate healthcare to individuals in these communities, advocating for their needs and promoting preventative care. Over the past years, I have participated in various educational and professional opportunities that have helped me expand my knowledge and professional skills and also allowed me to give back to my community and positively impact those around me. This past January, I traveled to Ghana as part of my school’s Jan-Term program, where I got the opportunity to experience Ghana's healthcare system firsthand by shadowing and interacting directly with both private and public health practitioners. In addition to shadowing, I got to directly assist practitioners in minor procedures such as sterilizing instruments and taking patient vitals. I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and disparities that exist in healthcare access and quality, especially in underserved communities. I am a student assistant at the Austin College’s Center for Career and Professional Development. My role includes assisting students with resume-building job or internship searching and helping prepare and set up for career-related events hosted by the center. Working at the Center has helped me gain insight into the intricacies of career development and taught me valuable skills such as time management, teamwork, and customer service. I’ve also learned how to network and connect with professionals in different fields, which will be essential for me as I pursue my own career goals. Lastly, I currently intern at The Beacon Homeless Services in downtown Houston on school breaks. Doing so gives me the opportunity to help improve the lives of those who have been affected by homelessness. My position allows me to strengthen my communication and organizational abilities, as well as my problem-solving skills, all of which will be valuable in my future endeavors. My biggest aspiration in life is to create a lifetime of financial stability for myself and my family while simultaneously creating a positive impact in the lives of those around me and I will continue to do my best to ensure my dream turns into my reality.