On July 16th, 2016, I boarded a flight to the United States from Nigeria, spurred on by the promise of a new life in America, one juxtaposing the uncertainty and chaos of my home country. The previous night, sitting in the cloak of darkness in my small living room, candle light illuminating the grave expressions on my grandparents’ faces, my family had a conversation that I will never forget. Although I was seven years old, the seriousness of the situation was clear, and my breath caught in my throat as I listened to the hushed words being spoken. My entire family had spent so much money, sacrificed so much, sold countless belongings, and worked incredibly hard for the opportunity I was being given, yet they only had one request: “Do not waste it.” Gripping the frail hand of my grandmother, I solemnly promised to work hard, pray fervently, and make the most of the countless opportunities in the United States. In the days following our arrival, I quickly realized that my family was in a dire financial situation. My parents were rarely at our tiny, run-down apartment, instead spending their days walking under the hot sun — as we had no car or transportation — in search of odd jobs. As the first daughter, I grappled with the endless responsibility, spending my days rationing the little food we had and keeping my three siblings entertained. At the end of every tiresome day, my parents would return dismayed and dejected, retreating to their bedroom and immediately going to sleep. Yet, without fail every morning, they rose again and went out in search of work. Witnessing the countless sacrifices my parents made, and their relentless perseverance and hard work, became an immense source of motivation for me. Knowing that they left everything behind to give me and my siblings a chance at a better life pushes me to work harder and do better. For every moment of tenacity, hour I spend studying, and year I continue excelling, I do it in honor of my parents. As an aspiring neurosurgeon, I intend to continue honoring my parents and their sacrifices by paying my blessings forward through medicine. At my healthcare internship, I’ve seen firsthand how understanding the brain transforms lives. From toddlers walking despite cerebral palsy to grandmothers speaking again after strokes, each miracle transformation fuels my determination to give back to others and transform lives like my parents transformed mine. Until then, I spend my afternoons and weekends alternating between leadership and service. As president of The DHS African-Caribbean Student Association, I enjoy hosting cultural events like DHS Diversity Day and our Multicultural Thanksgiving Potluck: holding the Nigerian flag high during our flag walk, celebrating African musicians and artists, and sharing cultural food with 2000+ attendees. I also spend time recycling thousands of pounds of paper, running my school garden, and collecting waste at parks as president of DHS Environmental Club — accumulating over 300 volunteer hours in the process — in an attempt to pay my blessings forward and give back in every way possible. I intend to continue honoring my promise to my grandparents and the countless sacrifices of my parents for the rest of my life. Their resilience has motivated my pursuit of higher education, commitment to service, and my strong belief that every struggle can be overcome through hard work and dedication. Each step I take forward is a tribute to, and only possible because of, their courage and perseverance, and I will continue to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.