Mental health isn’t something that was frequently talked about when I was growing up. For a long time, I thought being strong meant staying quiet, pushing through, and keeping my emotions to myself. But over time, I soon learned that ignoring what I feel doesn’t make me strong. Being honest, asking for help, and showing up for myself and others is what real strength is. There have been moments in my life where I felt like I was drowning under pressure. I’ve always been the over achiever in school, making my family proud. As a soon to be first generation college student, as I graduate high school with my associates degree, success has always felt like something I have to fight extra hard for. I’m carrying more than just my dreams, but I’m carrying the hopes of the people who have worked so hard for me to get where I am today. Even though I’ve always had a great support system, there were always times I just felt completely alone in what I was feeling. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful for the amazing family I had been blessed with, so I kept a lot in. I never wanted my loved ones seeing my struggles as their fault. But I’ve realized that staying silent doesn’t protect anyone. In all honesty, it only makes things harder. When I finally began opening up to my school counselor, I finally felt free and at peace. I felt like I was healing. This is why I am so passionate about growth in mental health. I have had the opportunity to experience this bliss first hand, and I want nothing but for people to experience the same feeling. Mental health impacts how we relate to others, how we see ourselves, and how we move through the world. Personally, it has shaped how I treat people, how I listen, and how I support those I love. It’s also done one remarkable thing, and that is shaping how I see my future. I feel like I finally have purpose instead of just pressure. I plan to study biomedical sciences and work in healthcare. I’ve always been curious about how the body works, and I want to use that very knowledge to help people, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. I believe science should be human. It should serve people in a way that feels caring, trustworthy, and most of all safe. My goal is to be a part of a version of healthcare that treats the full person as a human being, not just a money sign of the symptoms. Mental health taught me that healing isn’t just one thing. It’s a mix of science, compassion, and most of all, understanding. And I aim to bring all three into my future career. My own personal experience has made me overly empathetic and more grounded. More driven to help people who need it most. Mental health shaped me, not by breaking me, but by teaching me how to grow.

Leadership and science go hand in hand when it comes to shaping the future. Science has the ability to push the world forward as we discover new discoveries, while leadership makes sure those discoveries are shared and understood within the world. To be honest, you need both. Especially when pursuing a career in healthcare where people's lives are quite literally on the line. Growing up as a Lao and Black teen in a city that doesn't always have the resources, I've seen how science doesn't always reach everyone equally. That's where I believe leadership plays its part. Leadership isn't just about being the one in control, it's about standing up for people, speaking out when things aren't equal, and making space for others who may have been overlooked in our society. I want to be that kind of leader. My dream is to study biomedical sciences and go into the healthcare field, not just because I have a passion for science (thanks to my dad), but because I want to help fix some of the real life problems I've seen in my community. I want to be part of a generation of women of color in STEM who don't just study science, but lead with it. I want to help create accessible healthcare between communities and medical systems. Leadership in science means being brave enough to ask those embarrassing questions, but also compassionate enough to listen. It means lifting up others as you rise and grow and never forgetting where you came from. It means using your voice and knowledge, as well as your heart, to build a better future where everyone (not just the privileged) gets to thrive. Altogether, if we want a future that’s more equal, more innovative, and more human, as the new leaders of this society reflect into the world of science we live in. I hope to be one of them.

I’ve always grown up in between two worlds. I’m half Lao and half Black, and while I live in a predominantly Black city, my mom made sure we were deeply connected to our Lao roots. From monthly temple visits to long meditation hours, as well as the small and quiet ceremonies that were hosted for respecting elders and ancestors. So to say the least, I’ve been raised with a strong sense of culture. I’d say that there's an unexpected expectation for me to honor where I come from and to make something of myself, not just for me, but for the people who worked hard to get me here. This is why I am so passionate about pursuing some type of career in the biomedical sciences field. I am soon to be a first generation college student, as I am graduating high school with my associates degree, and to be honest, that title is both exciting but also a little pressuring. My parents are the hardest workers I know. They have worked hard all of their life to ensure that my siblings and I had the opportunities that they didn’t have. At the end of the day, I just want to make them proud. Seeing them struggle financially and still make a way for my siblings and I to get anything we’ve ever wanted gave me a new motivation to make them proud. To make them feel like all of their hard work was worth it. My dad has always loved science. Growing up and even currently, I have always heard him speak so passionately about astrology and the forecast. I’ve always loved getting his point of view on topics like religion and sciences, his response always being full of wisdom. He passed that love and interest of science right along to me, whether I realized it at the time or not. Over the years, that curiosity turned into passage, and that passion then turned into purpose. Like a lot of families, financial stress has never been a stranger in our house. But honestly in this economy, it’s hard to not fall under that branch. I get what it’s like to pretend that you don’t need anything because you know your parents already have enough on their plate. Times like this make you want to grow up fast. Do anything to just get a little older and a little bit more independent so your parents don’t have to financially worry about you anymore. It made me realize that getting into college isn’t just about chasing my dreams, it’s about having the ability to be successful to change my family’s entire future. That’s why this scholarship matters so much to me. I don’t just want to go to college, I want to make a difference. Biomedical sciences is more than just textbooks and lab coats to me. I want to help make healthcare better for me and people who look like me. There are some people who don’t always have access to specialists and get early diagnoses on deadly diseases. Or sometimes get brushed off and ignored by the system. This is where I come in and this is where I want to make a change. I want to be a part of the solution that brings in creative compassion and innovativeness into medicine. Although I’m not sure of the specific career I want to choose in this field, I’m sure I’ll land somewhere in research or clinical work. I want to work in the crossing of science, medicine, and humanity. Something that interests me deeply is developing new treatments and uncovering the reasons for illnesses, altogether contributing to better outcomes to communities of color. Especially children. Since my two nieces were born, I developed a soft spot for all kids. Or maybe it's because at times I still feel like one, still figuring out life in a world that expects me to already know the answers. Being a growing woman of color interested in STEM hasn’t yet brought me any challenges or discrimination, but I know they’re yet to come. I may be young, but I am not naive. I’ve read the statistics and I know that I will likely be one of the few girls who look like me in my labs, lectures, and classes. I know there will be people who assume that I’m not as smart or not as capable just because of my color and features. But I also know that I’ve got a different level of grit that others may not understand. Another level of determination. I often think about the legacy I want to leave behind. When my time comes up on this earth, my goal is to be remembered as someone who helped make the path a little easier for the next girl like me. The girl full of worry, but also desperate for success and change within our society. I want to prove that intelligence comes in multiple shades, and that passion can also root from pain. And more than anything in this world, I want to use what I learn in STEM to heal not just the body, but the heart and soul too. The Eric W. Larson Memorial STEM Scholarship wouldn’t just support my education, it would be an investment into the future I plan to build for myself and my family. One where diversity isn’t just welcomed in science career fields, but celebrated. One where families like mine can have better access to care. One Where young girls like me don’t have to choose between honoring their roots and chasing their dreams. But I plan to do both.

I’ve known since I was a little girl that helping people was going to be my purpose in life. For as long as I could remember, my heart has been so full of love and compassion and it almost felt like a duty to pour that into others. I believe everyone deserves kindness and support, especially when life does this thing called life. That feeling has driven me to pursue a career in medicine, where I can care for people not only physically but emotionally as well. Growing up, I saw people close to me struggle in getting the help they needed. Some not even being able to afford basic healthcare. I saw many of my loved ones feel invisible when they were going through some of the toughest times in their life. It made me feel helpless seeing the people I love most go through things like that. It made me realize how important it was for me to be the person who listens and understands, as well as supporting them in their most vulnerable moments. So although I’m not too sure exactly what I want to be in the medical field, I know I want to be the kind of healthcare professional who not only treats illnesses, but also reminds patients that they matter and that someone cares about them. My dream of helping people is more than just a career choice to me, it’s a calling I got from God The Father to give back to the people who shaped me and to make sure others will never feel alone in their own struggles. I want to use my education and skills to break down barriers and help communities like mine to get the care they deserve. This scholarship would help me have the ability to be one step closer to this dream. It might be quite obvious that college is expensive, and in all honesty, my family cannot cover the costs. By receiving scholarship, it’s more than money to me, it’s hope. It would give me the chance to continue working hard and stay dedicated to my career goals without worrying about how exactly I will pay for school. I know with the determination, love, and proper opportunities, I can and will make a positive impact in this world. I want to be the person who heals and uplifts strangers. I want to prove that a little bit’ of compassion and kindness can change lives, and I am ready to give all of my heart up for this very mission.

Growing up in a family-oriented home, I’ve always been surrounded by love, loud laughter, and the kind of support that wraps around you like a blanket on a cold day. But I’ve also seen the struggle. I come from a hardworking family where every dollar matters, and as I prepare to enter higher education, the financial weight is real. College is expensive, and while my family wants nothing more than to help, they just can’t afford to. That’s why I apply for every scholarship I can. I’m determined to continue my education not only for myself but for those who believe in me even when things get hard. Part of what drives me is my role in my family, especially as an older sibling and an aunt. I have two nieces that I would do absolutely anything for. Even though I’m not their parent, I feel this deep, instinctual need to protect them, guide them, and make sure they grow up safe, kind, and confident. It’s not just love, it’s responsibility. I want to be a positive role model for them, someone they can come to for anything, and someone they know will always be in their corner. In my community, I try to live by that same mindset, especially when it comes to youth and their safety, both in person and online. I’ve mentored younger students at my school, helped kids in my neighborhood with homework, and spoken up when I’ve seen bullying happening in the halls or online. I’ve seen how quiet and withdrawn someone can become after one cruel message on social media. Cyberbullying has become a silent epidemic, and many kids suffer in silence because adults often don’t see what’s happening behind a screen. That’s why I always try to be the person who checks in, who speaks up, and who reminds others to think before they post. When I see younger kids glued to their phones, I talk to them not just about what’s trending but about being kind online and setting boundaries. It may sound small, but those conversations can be life-changing. I encourage open communication, promote safe spaces, and remind my nieces, and anyone younger around me, that their worth is not measured by likes or comments. I don’t have all the answers, but I lead with heart. Whether through education, mentorship, or just being present, I want to keep making a difference. I believe community isn’t just where you live, it’s how you show up for the people in it. I plan to keep showing up every step of the way.