Growing up in tournaments, I was almost always the only black girl. Adults who saw me playing golf during the weekend would refer to me as “Tigress,” the female version of Tiger Woods. While their intentions were pure, I could not help but notice the irony of constantly being referred to the only commonly known black golfer. The lack of representation in the sport I cherished inspired me to become a volunteer coach to teach African American children how to play golf. I personally connected with all kids on and off course. I wasn’t just teaching them golf, but they also had someone who looked like them to connect with on a deeper level. It was so inspiring to see the love of golf slowly grow inside them. When two of the girls, Sydney and Blaire came back the following year and told me that I helped them make their varsity golf team for school, I was so happy and filled with bliss that I was a part of their journey to that goal. Because I am constantly one of the few black people at my predominately white institution and the golf course, it was very meaningly to have a place where I could specifically connect and grow with fellow minorities. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world after college, however, it wasn’t until recently when I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community, especially plastic surgeons. From a young age, I knew that whatever occupation I pursued, I wanted it to be something that makes an effect on something bigger than myself. Medicine is an ever-evolving field, adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world and I strive to be a part of that. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing and crave learning more. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to become a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life, to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. When I think about inspiring books, Luvvie Ajayi’s book, “Profesional Troublemaker” stands out. A professional troublemaker is someone who is committed to not letting fear talk them out of things they need to do or say. I think this is a lesson everyone needs to be exposed to. While her book gained a lot of attention, majority of people have not heard of her and the knowledge she shares. As an African American, I would love to have women who look like me share their wisdom and inspire others the way her book inspired me. Her book taught me to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and to take risks to achieve my goals. Without that book I believe I never would have stood up to the distasteful micro-aggressive words said by my peers in my predominately white school. I would have never helped lead my fellow black students to boycott my school’s 20 minute, throw together MLK celebration where they failed to even talk about his legacy. I would have never been as confident in my own self as a black woman.

If you turn on the tv to the Golf Channel, older white men playing is what fills the screen. “What sport do you play?” soon became a fun question for me answer due to the shocked expression I received when I responded with “golf”. “Oh!, good for you,” is the response I commonly get as they indirectly point out the obvious: the huge lack of black representation in golf. Growing up in tournaments, I was almost always the only black girl. Adults who saw me playing golf during the weekend would refer to me as “Tigress,” the female version of Tiger Woods. While their intentions were pure, I could not help but notice the irony of constantly being referred to the only commonly known black golfer. The lack of representation in the sport I cherished inspired me to become a volunteer coach to teach African American children how to play golf. When kids arrived for the first time, I could tell the majority did not want to be there and were most likely forced there by their good-intentioned parents. However, by the end of the year, the kids were so excited to come back the following year to increase their golf skills. I personally connected with all kids on and off course. I wasn’t just teaching them golf, but they also had someone who looked like them to connect with on a deeper level. It was so inspiring to see the love of golf slowly grow inside the young kids. When two of the girls, Sydney and Blaire came back the following year and told me that I helped them make their varsity golf team for school, I was so happy and filled with bliss that I was a part of their journey to that goal. Because I am constantly one of the few black people at my predominately white institution and the golf course, it was very meaningly to have a place where I could specifically connect and grow with fellow minorities. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world after college, however, it wasn’t until recently when I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community, especially plastic surgeons. From a young age, I knew that whatever occupation I pursued, I wanted it to be something that makes an effect on something bigger than myself. Medicine is an ever-evolving field, adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world and I strive to be a part of that. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing and crave learning more. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to become a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life, to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. As I am so excited to begin this journey toward my goal, money is the only true concern. Awarding me this scholarship will make a great contribution to my goal of becoming a plastic surgeon. Right now, I plan to pick up a second job along with my job at Target to help my parents pay for my first year in college. This financial assistance would allow me to lessen that burden.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world, however, it wasn’t until recently that I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community. Medicine is an ever-evolving field adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing and crave learning more. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to becoming a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. Though a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery is evident, plastic surgery benefits the lives of thousands of people. While Brazilian butt lifts and boob jobs remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, what does not get talked about enough are breast cancer and cleft palate patients. For women who have conquered breast cancer, breast reconstruction can return their breasts back to a natural state, improving the self-esteem and confidence amongst thousands of women. For people born with cleft palates, plastic surgery is a way of severely improving their lifestyle. Plastic surgery can not only improve their visual defects, but also improve their breathing, speech, and jaw alignment. As a plastic surgeon, I would be able to treat patients and enhance their quality of life. Promoting and advocating the benefits of plastic surgery, I want to help remove the negative stigma that surrounds it. Another reason medicine is so eye-catching to me is due to the lack of diversity among surgeons, especially in plastic surgery. Growing up I also saw the same lack of diversity in the sport I played: golf. To bring more awareness to this issue, in eighth grade, I started to volunteer at an organization called G.O.L.F 3:16 which focused on teaching African American kids how to play golf while also learning about God. Knowing how much golf meant to me, I was so grateful to be able to teach more kids who looked like me about the sport and to encourage them to play as well. It is the same energy pushing me to go into a field that also lacks diversity to not only make an impact on the world but also make a dent in the number of black individuals in medicine.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world, however, it wasn’t until recently that I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community, especially plastic surgeons. From a young age, I knew that whatever occupation I pursued, I wanted it to be something that makes an effect on something bigger than myself. Medicine is an ever-evolving field adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world and I strive to be a part of that. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing, and crave learning more. Mental health ultimately affects a person psychologically and physically. In the United State, almost fifty percent of adults undergo a mental illness in their lifetime. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to becoming a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. Though a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery is evident, plastic surgery benefits the lives of thousands of people. While Brazilian butt lifts and boob jobs remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, what does not get talked about enough are breast cancer and cleft palate patients. For women who have conquered breast cancer, breast reconstruction can return their breast back to a natural state, improving the self-esteem and confidence amongst thousands of women. For people born with cleft palates, plastic surgery is a way of severely improving their lifestyle. Plastic surgery can not only improve their visual defects, but also improve their breathing, speech, and jaw alignment. As a plastic surgeon, I would be able to treat patients and enhance their quality of life. Not only do I want to be a part of the medical field, but I also want to help make a difference in the world as a plastic surgeon. Promoting and advocating the benefits of plastic surgery, I want to help remove the negative stigma that surrounds it. I would bring awareness to breast cancer and cleft palate patients and highlight and celebrate what they have overcome. Not all heroes wear capes; some wear scrubs. Awarding me this scholarship will make a great contribution to my goal of becoming a plastic surgeon. Right now I plan to pick up a second job along with my job at Target to help my parents pay for my first year in college. This financial assistance would allow me to lessen that burden.

Casual racism has become too normalized. It is an issue that is not only evident in America, but also in my day-to-day life at my predominately white institution. Certain comments pertaining to how black people “stole” their spot in a high-ranked college or how black people “do not have to work as hard” in school because of affirmative action. What non-black individuals do not see is how much harder we have to work just to be on the same academic level. Looking around my entire elementary middle school I stood out. No one looked like me, therefore I remained on the front of the school website and framed pictures of my blackness hung amongst the walls. While I stayed ranked at the top of my class academically, my predominantly white school refused to allow me into WINGS, their program for honor students. After several years of questioning ‘Why?’, my mother had to explain to me that while the school loved to use me to promote diversity, they didn’t want me to truly excel academically. My mother then promised to find a more inclusive school for me and I moved to Hockaday. As I walked into my new school, it was in that moment that I decided I would not let anyone silence me and keep me from achieving my full academic potential. Looking back, I never realized how uncomfortable I felt at that school. I was my school’s “token black girl”. I was introverted and voiceless, fearing being labeled as not only the “black girl”, but the “loud black girl.” At Hockaday, slowly, but surely my confidence flourished. While casual racism did not stop, I learned to become accustomed to it rather than allow ignorance to tear me down. I became an active member of Black Student Union in high school as well as an ambassador for my school. I was joining organizations where I could use my voice and not be silenced. I believe 12-year-old me would be really proud of 17-year-old me, who now actively looks for more ways to be involved in my community and speaks out. At my PWI, when I noticed that casual racism becoming a bigger issue, I decided to reach out to the admin and use my voice to express my concern. I collaborated with fellow black students to create an assembly for my high school peers centered around casual racism, how to spot it, and the damage of ignorant comments.

Casual racism has become too normalized. It is an issue that is not only evident in America, but also in my day-to-day life at my predominately white institution. Certain comments pertaining to how black people “stole” their spot in a high-ranked college or how black people “do not have to work as hard” in school because of affirmative action. What non-black individuals do not see is how much harder we have to work just to be on the same academic level. Looking around my entire elementary middle school I stood out. No one looked like me, therefore I remained on the front of the school website and framed pictures of my blackness hung amongst the walls. While I stayed ranked at the top of my class academically, my predominantly white school refused to allow me into WINGS, their program for honor students. After several years of questioning ‘Why?’, my mother had to explain to me that while the school loved to use me to promote diversity, they didn’t want me to truly excel academically. My mother then promised to find a more inclusive school for me and I moved to Hockaday. As I walked into my new school, it was in that moment that I decided I would not let anyone silence me and keep me from achieving my full academic potential. Looking back, I never realized how uncomfortable I felt at that school. I was my school’s “token black girl”. I was introverted and voiceless, fearing being labeled as not only the “black girl”, but the “loud black girl.” At Hockaday, slowly, but surely my confidence flourished. While casual racism did not stop, I learned to become accustomed to it rather than allow ignorance to tear me down. I became an active member of Black Student Union in high school as well as an ambassador for my school. I was joining organizations where I could use my voice and not be silenced. I believe 12-year-old me would be really proud of 17-year-old me, who now actively looks for more ways to be involved in my community and speaks out. At my PWI, when I noticed the casual racism becoming a bigger issue, I decided to reach out to the admin and use my voice to express my concern. I collaborated with fellow black students to create an assembly for my high school peers centered around casual racism, how to spot it, and the damage of ignorant comments.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world, however, it wasn’t until recently that I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community, especially plastic surgeons. From a young age, I knew that whatever occupation I pursued, I wanted it to be something that makes an effect on something bigger than myself. Medicine is an ever-evolving field adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world and I strive to be a part of that. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing, and crave learning more. Mental health ultimately affects a person psychologically and physically. In the United State, almost fifty percent of adults undergo a mental illness in their lifetime. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to becoming a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. Though a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery is evident, plastic surgery benefits the lives of thousands of people. While Brazilian butt lifts and boob jobs remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, what does not get talked about enough are the breast cancer and cleft palate patients. For women who have conquered breast cancer, breast reconstruction can return their breasts back to a natural state, improving the self-esteem and confidence amongst thousands of women. For people born with cleft palates, plastic surgery is a way severely improve their lifestyle. Plastic surgery can not only improve their visual defects, but also improve their breathing, speech, and jaw alignment. As a plastic surgeon, I would be able to treat patients and enhance their quality of life. Not only do I want to be a part of the medical field, but I also want to help make a difference in the world as a plastic surgeon. Promoting and advocating the benefits of plastic surgery, I want to help remove the negative stigma that surrounds it. I would bring awareness to breast cancer and cleft palate patients and highlight and celebrate what they have overcome. Not all heroes wear capes; some wear scrubs. Awarding me this scholarship will make a great contribution to my goal of becoming a plastic surgeon. Right now I plan to pick up a second job along with my job at Target to help my parents pay for my first year in college. This financial assistance would allow me to lessen that burden.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world, however, it wasn’t until recently that I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community, especially plastic surgeons. From a young age, I knew that whatever occupation I pursued, I wanted it to be something that makes an effect on something bigger than myself. Medicine is an ever-evolving field adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world and I strive to be a part of that. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing, and crave learning more. Mental health ultimately affects a person psychologically and physically. In the United State, almost fifty percent of adults undergo a mental illness in their lifetime. By understanding the human mind and behavior, I can have a positive effect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to becoming a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. Though a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery is evident, plastic surgery benefits the lives of thousands of people. While Brazilian butt lifts and boob jobs remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, what does not get talked about enough are the breast cancer and cleft palate patients. For women who have conquered breast cancer, breast reconstruction can return their breast back to a natural state, improving the self-esteem and confidence amongst thousands of women. For people born with cleft palates, plastic surgery is a way severely improve their lifestyle. Plastic surgery can not only improve their visual defects, but also improve their breathing, speech, and jaw alignment. As a plastic surgeon, I would be able to treat patients and enhance their quality of life. Not only do I want to be a part of the medical field, but I also want to help make a difference in the world as a plastic surgeon. Promoting and advocating the benefits of plastic surgery, I want to help remove the negative stigma that surrounds it. I would bring awareness to breast cancer and cleft palate patients and highlight and celebrate what they have overcome. Not all heroes wear capes; some wear scrubs.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a big impact on the world, however, it wasn’t until recently when I realized how: a plastic surgeon. Medicine has always caught my eye because of the impact it makes on the community. Medicine is an ever-evolving field adapting to the needs of patients and can essentially change the world. With this in mind, it was a no-brainer to pursue a college degree, specifically a degree in psychology. I find the impact someone’s psychological status has on a person intriguing, and crave learning more. By understanding the human mind and behaviour, I can have a positive affect on someone’s life. A college degree is the first step on my path to become a plastic surgeon so I can transform lives, one surgery at a time. From bettering someone’s way of life, to improving someone’s confidence by fixing insecurities, plastic surgeons are evidently superheroes. Though a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery is evident, plastic surgery benefits the lives of thousands of people. While Brazilian butt lifts and boob jobs remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, what does not get talked about enough are the breast cancer and cleft palate patients. For women who have conquered breast cancer, breast reconstruction can return their breast back to a natural state, improving self-esteem and confidence amongst thousands of women. With people born with cleft palates, plastic surgery is a way severely improving their lifestyle. Plastic surgery can not only improve their visual defects, but also improve their breathing, speech, and jaw alignment. As a plastic surgeon, I would be able to treat patients and enhance their quality of life. Promoting and advocating the benefits of plastic surgery, I want to help remove the negative stigma that surrounds it.

Looking around my entire elementary middle school I stood out. No one looked like me, therefore I remained on the front of the school website and framed pictures of my blackness hung amongst the walls. While I stayed ranked at the top of my class academically, my predominantly white school refused to allow me into WINGS, their program for honor students. After several years of questioning ‘Why?’, my mother had to explain to me that while the school loved to use me to promote diversity, they didn’t want me to truly excel academically. My mother then promised to find a more inclusive school for me and I moved to Hockaday. As I walked into my new school, it was in that moment that I decided I would not let anyone silence me and keep me from achieving my full academic potential. Looking back, I never realized how uncomfortable I felt at that school. I was my school’s “token black girl”. I was introverted and voiceless, fearing being labeled as not only the “black girl”, but the “loud black girl.” At Hockaday, slowly, but surely my confidence flourished. I became an active member of Black Student Union in high school as well as an ambassador for my school. I was joining organizations where I could use my voice and not be silenced. I believe 12-year-old me would be really proud of 17 year old me, who now actively looks for more ways to be involved in my community and speaks out. Now I serve as a model for my younger sister, showing her to not allow outer forces to determine her capability. As my sister Ashlyn, who’s four years younger, went throughout middle school with dyslexia, I noticed how she continued to push herself in her subjects. One day, she came home furious because her teacher recommended she take the lower-level math class the following year instead of the more rigorous route. As she was contemplating whether she should go against her teacher’s recommendation, she said something that will stay with me forever, she said, “Alex did it, so why can’t I”. Although she recognized taking the higher math level was going to take more time and commitment, she did not allow a teacher to determine her ability in the classroom. Seeing my sister gain confidence not only within the classroom but also outside, filled me with joy. I inspired my sister, which in return inspired me to keep working hard every day and to not let anyone else determine my greatness.

Looking around my entire elementary middle school I stood out. No one looked like me, therefore I remained on the front of the school website and framed pictures of my blackness hung amongst the walls. While I stayed ranked at the top of my class academically, my predominantly white school refused to allow me into WINGS, their program for honor students. After several years of questioning ‘Why?’, my mother had to explain to me that while the school loved to use me to promote diversity, they didn’t want me to truly excel academically. My mother then promised to find a more inclusive school for me and I moved to Hockaday. As I walked into my new school, it was in that moment that I decided I would not let anyone silence me and keep me from achieving my full academic potential. Looking back, I never realized how uncomfortable I felt at that school. I was my school’s “token black girl”. I was introverted and voiceless, fearing being labeled as not only the “black girl”, but the “loud black girl.” At Hockaday, slowly, but surely my confidence flourished. I became an active member of Black Student Union in high school as well as an ambassador for my school. I was joining organizations where I could use my voice and not be silenced. I believe 12-year-old me would be really proud of 17-year-old me, who now actively looks for more ways to be involved in my community and speaks out. Now I serve as a model for my younger sister, showing her to not allow outer forces to determine her capability. As my sister Ashlyn, who’s four years younger, went throughout middle school with dyslexia, I noticed how she continued to push herself in her subjects. One day, she came home furious because her teacher recommended she take the lower-level math class the following year instead of the more rigorous route. As she was contemplating whether she should go against her teacher’s recommendation, she said something that will stay with me forever, she said, “Alex did it, so why can’t I”. Although she recognized taking the higher math level was going to take more time and commitment, she did not allow a teacher to determine her ability in the classroom. Seeing my sister gain confidence not only within the classroom but also outside, filled me with joy. I inspired my sister, which in return inspired me to keep working hard every day and not let anyone else determine my greatness.