Bubblegum. Bubblegum is what influenced me to go into STEM when I was in the fourth grade. Jimmy Thompson dared me to put gum in my hair and get it out using what we learned in science class. We learned about acids and bases and I just knew that this challenge would be a breeze. Newsflash, it was NOT a breeze because I ended up having to cut 6 inches of my hair. It seemed like everything that I learned in the class went out the window once that Hubba Bubba was stuck in my gorgeous ponytails! Jimmy laughed and I remember the tears rolling down my face as the teacher marched me to the nurse's office. She told me there wasn't much she could do so she called my mother. My mom took one look, grabbed the scissors, and told me to learn or learn. From that day, I learned to not be overconfident in my abilities and I learned to read everything that had to do with science. I've come a long way since the 4th grade and science is still my first love It is my greatest aspiration to become a physician's assistant, hopefully, a bilingual one. I achieved my first step towards this goal when I became a Certified Nursing Aide as a high school senior. Every day I go to work, I get to spend time trying to make someone else's life better and nothing is more rewarding. The backlash I face about wanting to become a physician's assistant has been hurtful and unfounded. People think that I don't believe in myself enough to want to become a physician but they have the story wrong. Physicians on average spend less than 8 minutes with a patient. Patients are coming to doctors because something is not generally right as it comes to their health. When a patient is rushed and can only select one ailment to have addressed, how is that excellent care or patient-centered care? I selected this career because I want to spend time with people making their lives the best they can be. I want to be the first face that a patient sees and the last one to give them a plan of action to get them on the path to better. My choice is about making a positive impact on the world and how I want to show up in it every day. When you are sick and dying, you don't wish to make one more business call, send one last email, or make one final deposit in your bank account. You think about the life you have lived and you want to be surrounded by those who love you and that you love. As I look towards the end of my life and think about what will matter most to me, I have only to look at the beginning of my career and know that it is people; always has been. I want to pursue a career in the life sciences simply because I want to make the lives of others better. Out of all the careers I could choose and all the activities I could decide to participate in, I chose and I will continue to choose service above self. I will continue to decide to help others in any way possible.

Varnette Honeywood was known for her use of colors, textures, patterns, and light in creating pieces that depicted Black culture. Her works show the joys of being Black instead of the downtrodden state often found in the art world. Ms. Honeywood served as a caregiver to her sister that developed severe multiple sclerosis. She wanted her art to impact young people and it has impacted me as I see my love for science as art in motion.

Bubblegum. Bubblegum is what influenced me to go into STEM when I was in the fourth grade. Jimmy Thompson dared me to put gum in my hair and get it out using what we learned in science class. We learned about acids and bases and I just knew that this challenge would be a breeze. Newsflash, it was NOT a breeze because I ended up having to cut 6 inches of my hair. It seemed like everything that I learned in the class went out the window once that Hubba Bubba was stuck in my gorgeous ponytails! Jimmy laughed and I remember the tears rolling down my face as the teacher marched me to the nurse's office. She told me there wasn't much she could do so she called my mother. My mom took one look, grabbed the scissors, and told me to learn or learn. From that day, I learned to not be overconfident in my abilities and I learned to read everything that had to do with science. I've come a long way since the 4th grade and science is still my first love It is my greatest aspiration to become a physician's assistant, hopefully, a bilingual one. I achieved my first step towards this goal when I became a Certified Nursing Aide as a high school senior. Every day I go to work, I get to spend time trying to make someone else's life better and nothing is more rewarding. The backlash I face about wanting to become a physician's assistant has been hurtful and unfounded. People think that I don't believe in myself enough to want to become a physician but they have the story wrong. Physicians on average spend less than 8 minutes with a patient. Patients are coming to doctors because something is not generally right as it comes to their health. When a patient is rushed and can only select one ailment to have addressed, how is that excellent care or patient-centered care? I selected this career because I want to spend time with people making their lives the best they can be. I want to be the first face that a patient sees and the last one to give them a plan of action to get them on the path to better. My choice is about making a positive impact on the world and how I want to show up in it every day. When you are sick and dying, you don't wish to make one more business call, send one last email, or make one final deposit in your bank account. You think about the life you have lived and you want to be surrounded by those who love you and that you love. As I look towards the end of my life and think about what will matter most to me, I have only to look at the beginning of my career and know that it is people; always has been. I want to pursue a career in the life sciences simply because I want to make the lives of others better. Out of all the careers I could choose and all the activities I could decide to participate in, I chose and I will continue to choose service above self. I will continue to decide to help others in any way possible. It is my greatest aspiration to become a physician's assistant, hopefully, a bilingual one.

I want to pursue a career in the life sciences simply because I want to make the lives of others better. Out of all the careers I could choose and all the activities I could decide to participate in, I chose and I will continue to choose service above self. I will continue to decide to help others in any way possible. It is my greatest aspiration to become a physician's assistant, hopefully, a bilingual one. I achieved my first step towards this goal when I became a Certified Nursing Aide. Every day I go to work, I get to spend time trying to make someone else's life better and nothing is more rewarding. The backlash I face about wanting to become a physician's assistant has been hurtful and unfounded. People think that I don't believe in myself enough to want to become a physician but they have the story wrong. Physicians on average spend less than 8 minutes with a patient. Patients are coming to doctors because something is not generally right as it comes to their health. When a patient is rushed and can only select one ailment to have addressed, how is that excellent care or patient-centered care? This aspiration is important to me because I have known who I was set out to be for many years. I am a nurturer and a caregiver and I want to be the first face that a patient sees and the last one to give them a plan of action to get them on the path to better. My choice is about what I want to give to the world and how I want to show up in it every day. Money was never my goal although I realize its importance and place. When you are sick and dying, you don't wish to make one more business call, send one last email, or make one final deposit in your bank account. You think about the life you have lived and you want to be surrounded by those who love you and that you love. As I look towards the end of my life and think about what will matter most to me, I have only to look at the beginning of my career and know that it is people; always has been. I endeavor to open a series of palliative care centers within the next 15 years. With the population living longer, it will be imperative to have great health care options for families. One way I will differentiate myself is by also applying for grants to subsidize the cost for residents and their families. I am looking to start a small mobile service upon graduation to test the waters of entrpreneurship.

Bubblegum. Bubblegum is what influenced me to go into STEM when I was in the fourth grade. Jimmy Thompson dared me to put gum in my hair and get it out using what we learned in science class. We learned about acids and bases and I just knew that this challenge would be a breeze. Newsflash, it was NOT a breeze because I ended up having to cut 6 inches of my hair. It seemed like everything that I learned in the class went out the window once that Hubba Bubba was stuck in my gorgeous ponytails! Jimmy laughed and I remember the tears rolling down my face as the teacher marched me to the nurse's office. She told me there wasn't much she could do so she called my mother. My mom took one look, grabbed the scissors, and told me to learn or learn. From that day, I learned to not be overconfident in my abilities and I learned to read everything that had to do with science. I've come a long way since the 4th grade and science is still my first love It is my greatest aspiration to become a physician's assistant, hopefully, a bilingual one. I achieved my first step towards this goal when I became a Certified Nursing Aide as a high school senior. Every day I go to work, I get to spend time trying to make someone else's life better and nothing is more rewarding. The backlash I face about wanting to become a physician's assistant has been hurtful and unfounded. People think that I don't believe in myself enough to want to become a physician but they have the story wrong. Physicians on average spend less than 8 minutes with a patient. Patients are coming to doctors because something is not generally right as it comes to their health. When a patient is rushed and can only select one ailment to have addressed, how is that excellent care or patient-centered care? I selected this career because I want to spend time with people making their lives the best they can be. I want to be the first face that a patient sees and the last one to give them a plan of action to get them on the path to better. My choice is about making a positive impact on the world and how I want to show up in it every day. When you are sick and dying, you don't wish to make one more business call, send one last email, or make one final deposit in your bank account. You think about the life you have lived and you want to be surrounded by those who love you and that you love. As I look towards the end of my life and think about what will matter most to me, I have only to look at the beginning of my career and know that it is people; always has been. I want to pursue a career in the life sciences simply because I want to make the lives of others better. Out of all the careers I could choose and all the activities I could decide to participate in, I chose and I will continue to choose service above self. As a biology major and Black woman at a predominantly white institution, I am constantly having to prove to others that I can become whoever I choose to be and especially who I have always aspired to be.