My desire for the future of my community, country, and the world is for all people to be treated equally and to be provided with equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and aspirations. I strongly believe that having access to education should be an unalienable right, regardless of race, class, gender, or financial status. The discrepancies among access to education are deplorable, and there must be something done to change this. I know that it will take much more than the actions of one person to reverse this inequitable system of educational disparities; however, this fact will not prevent me from trying. Throughout high school, I have witnessed the variances amongst public schools firsthand. Students in wealthier counties repeatedly have an unfair advantage over their lower-income counterparts. The playing field needs to be level. Students should be able to have access to the same resources despite any differences in location or financial status. Knowing that I, as a student, could relate to these issues, I decided to do something about it. In the summer of 2020, I co-founded a non-profit organization called Brand New Millennium that is dedicated to engaging students from all around the world in the vast world of literature. We have introduced diverse literature to children and teens from all educational backgrounds and walks of life. Through my organization, we hold bi-weekly book club meetings as well as hosting our first-ever annual Read-A-Thon. In addition to engaging students academically, my organization also provides over 50 students (and counting) with opportunities to volunteer virtually. Volunteering not only gives students something constructive to do with their time, but it also allows them to build their high school resumé? Community service and volunteer hours can make a student's college application stand about above their peers, therefore giving them a better chance of getting accepted to the institution of their choosing. Upon graduating high school, I will be attending Howard University as a Pre-med major. While in college, I plan to continue my position as Vice President of Brand New Millennium, but I also desire to further my advocacy for equal educational opportunities for all students while on campus. As a student of an institution with a proven track record of heavy involvement in their community, I am certain that fighting for the educational right of others will be supported by my peers as well as Howard's staff. Winning this scholarship would allow me to focus on my academics and advocate for the equal education of others without the burden of worrying about paying for my college tuition. I will, in turn, be able to give back to my community by dedicating an ample amount of my free time to serving others. As a result of my advocacy and community service, I hope that I can make an impact on our educational system as well as inspire others to do the same. Waiting for someone else to "fix things" is not enough. I must be the change that I desire to see in my community, the country, and the world. Brand New Millennium: https://sites.google.com/view/brand-new-millennium My Resumé: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alleahstringer

My Name is Alleah Stringer and I'm a high school senior and honors student from a small town in Alabama. I'm also a vegan lifestyle blogger, vice-president of a small non-profit organization, and an avid reader. I have always had a passion for learning and that has had a major impact on the choices that I have made throughout high school. I love fine arts, music, writing, spending time with my friends and family, and, most of all, traveling (especially when I get to try new foods!). I have had a profound interest in medicine for a while now and I have dreams of becoming an ER Physician so that I help others and save lives. I have already been accepted to my dream college, Howard University, where I will be a freshman and pre-med major in the fall of this year. Like I mentioned before, my future goals have definitely impacted my decisions throughout high school. During my junior year, I applied and was accepted to a Health Sciences program at my local technical college. There, I was able to take courses centered around health and medicine alongside my traditional high school classes. I also elected to take several Dual Enrollment and AP classes over the past few years. I feel like these classes have not only allowed me to attain more knowledge, but I also feel that I am better prepared to tackle more rigorous college courses. Another initiative that I have taken to work towards my future goals is getting involved in my community. One of my favorite volunteer opportunities has been working as a member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at my local library. As a member of TAB, I was able to volunteer at various events in the children's departments, including parties and other themes events. After the pandemic hit, I wasn't able to participate in these in-person events, but, fortunately, I was able to volunteer with several other organizations online. During this time, I was also inspired to start a volunteer organization of my own called Brand New Millennium. By doing this, I have been forced to think outside of the box and get out of my comfort zone. I consider myself a leader and during the past few months, in spite of all the negative happenings, I have really been able to put some of my ideas into action and help other people with their problems as well. As this year has shown us, things don't always go exactly as we plan them. I have so many dreams and aspirations and I know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but I know that all of the dedication and hard work that I have put in throughout high school is finally going to catapult me to exactly where I need to be. So, when I graduate in just a few short weeks, I know that it will only be the start of my journey. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alleahstringer Website: https://sites.google.com/view/brand-new-millennium Blog: https://sites.google.com/view/afroveganchica

My Name is Alleah Stringer and I'm a high school senior and honors student from a small town in Alabama. I'm also a vegan lifestyle blogger, vice-president of a small non-profit organization, and an avid reader. I have always had a passion for learning and that has had a major impact on the choices that I have made throughout high school. I love fine arts, music, writing, spending time with my friends and family, and, most of all, traveling (especially when I get to try new foods!). I have had a profound interest in medicine for a while now and I have dreams of becoming an ER Physician so that I help others and save lives. I have already been accepted to my dream college, Howard University, where I will be a freshman and pre-med major in the fall of this year. Like I mentioned before, my future goals have definitely impacted my decisions throughout high school. During my junior year, I applied and was accepted to a Health Sciences program at my local technical college. There, I was able to take courses centered around health and medicine alongside my traditional high school classes. I also elected to take several Dual Enrollment and AP classes over the past few years. I feel like these classes have not only allowed me to attain more knowledge, but I also feel that I am better prepared to tackle more rigorous college courses. Another initiative that I have taken to work towards my future goals is getting involved in my community. One of my favorite volunteer opportunities has been working as a member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at my local library. As a member of TAB, I was able to volunteer at various events in the children's departments, including parties and other themes events. After the pandemic hit, I wasn't able to participate in these in-person events, but, fortunately, I was able to volunteer with several other organizations online. During this time, I was also inspired to start a volunteer organization of my own called Brand New Millennium. By doing this, I have been forced to think outside of the box and get out of my comfort zone. I consider myself a leader and during the past few months, in spite of all the negative happenings, I have really been able to put some of my ideas into action and help other people with their problems as well. I plan to continue finding new ways to give back to my community, even as I begin college in the fall. One of the reasons I decided to attend Howard is because of their proven track record of volunteering in their community and giving back to those in need. Honestly, can't wait to see what my future holds. I know that there are so many new and exciting things waiting for me as I begin this next chapter of my life. As this year has shown us, things don't always go exactly as we plan them. I have so many dreams and aspirations and I know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but I know that all of the dedication and hard work that I have put in throughout high school is finally going to catapult me to exactly where I need to be. So, when I graduate in just a few short weeks, I know that it will only be the start of my journey. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alleahstringer Website: https://sites.google.com/view/brand-new-millennium Blog: https://sites.google.com/view/afroveganchica

Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated with the medical field. Whether it be hospitals, medical equipment, or even doctors and nurses themselves, they had my full attention. My passion began when I was just a little girl, watching medical reality shows like Trauma: Life in the ER on television with my dad. Everything about working in an emergency room drew me in—the organized chaos, the diversity of the patients and their emergencies, the level-headed mindset of the doctors who were like superheroes to me. I knew at an early age that I wanted to be like them one day. As I grew up, I got a better understanding of medicine and what it actually took to pursue a career in the medical field. I did endless research on different medical professions and which colleges I should apply to for the best education. During that time, I also began to realize that I would have some obstacles--specifically, how I was going to pay for it. As the oldest of all my siblings, I kind of had to navigate high school and college applications by myself. Of course, my parents were there and willing to help, but It had been over a decade since they went through this process. My interest in the medical field has guided the majority of my choices during high school. I applied and was accepted to the Health Science program at my local career tech college. Through that program, I was able to gain greater knowledge of healthcare and participate in healthcare-related activities that have broadened my intellectual horizons. During my senior year, I also enrolled in college classes that are on the Medical Assistant track via dual enrollment with a local community college to increase my knowledge of medicine. These classes have further fueled my passion for healthcare and medicine. Recently, when I lost my grandmother to COVID-19, I witnessed first-hand the discrepancies among health-care facilities in the United States. Some hospitals, especially in low-income communities, do not offer services compatible with their wealthier counterparts. By entering the medical field, I hope to become a part of a movement that will help to change these inconsistencies in our nation’s health-care system. As a first-generation college student, I have so many reasons to pursue an education and ensure that I finish college. I want to do for myself, my family, and so that I will be able to help those people who need medical care the most.

Throughout our lives, we are faced with so many choices. Some are small, while others are life-changing. Along with our choices oftentimes comes regret. It could be instant or many years into the future. Prior to COVID-19, I made many choices that I now regret. My biggest one is not spending more time with my dear grandmother. My grandmother was a sweet lady who was always smiling and had a heart of gold. She was also a fighter. She fought until her very last breath. My grandmother battled with COVID-19 for almost three months, going in and out of hospitals. I never thought that I would lose her though. After twenty-three days on the ventilator, we were forced to let her go. If only I could see her smile one last time. Hear her voice. Her laugh. If there is one thing I have learned from COVID-19, it is to never take anyone or anything for granted. I may not be certain of what tomorrow holds or what the world will be like a month from now, but I do know this: I will never take anyone for granted again—not my parents, my family, or my friends. I’m going to live life with no regrets. So, if you get the urge to call someone, call them. If you know that you love someone, tell them. And, if you ever feel afraid to do something, do it anyways. As I walk across that stage to graduate in a few weeks and reflect on how much I have learned, I will never forget the lesson that 2020 thought me: Life is too short to have regrets.

My Name is Alleah Stringer and I'm a high school senior and honors student from a small town in Alabama. I'm also a vegan lifestyle blogger, vice-president of a small non-profit organization, and an avid reader. I have always had a passion for learning and that has had a major impact on the choices that I have made throughout high school. I love fine arts, music, writing, spending time with my friends and family, and, most of all, traveling (especially when I get to try new foods!). I have had a profound interest in medicine for a while now and I have dreams of becoming an ER Physician so that I help others and save lives. I have already been accepted to my dream college, Howard University, where I will be a freshman and pre-med major in the fall of this year. Like I mentioned before, my future goals have definitely impacted my decisions throughout high school. During my junior year, I applied and was accepted to a Health Sciences program at my local technical college. There, I was able to take courses centered around health and medicine alongside my traditional high school classes. I also elected to take several Dual Enrollment and AP classes over the past few years. I feel like these classes have not only allowed me to attain more knowledge, but I also feel that I am better prepared to tackle more rigorous college courses. Another initiative that I have taken to work towards my future goals is getting involved in my community. One of my favorite volunteer opportunities has been working as a member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at my local library. As a member of TAB, I was able to volunteer at various events in the children's departments, including parties and other themes events. After the pandemic hit, I wasn't able to participate in these in-person events, but, fortunately, I was able to volunteer with several other organizations online. During this time, I was also inspired to start a volunteer organization of my own called Brand New Millennium. By doing this, I have been forced to think outside of the box and get out of my comfort zone. I consider myself a leader and during the past few months, in spite of all the negative happenings, I have really been able to put some of my ideas into action and help other people with their problems as well. Honestly, can't wait to see what my future holds. As this year has shown us, things don't always go exactly as we plan them. I have so many dreams and aspirations and I know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but I know that all of the dedication and hard work that I have put in throughout high school is finally going to catapult me to exactly where I need to be. So, when I graduate in just a few short weeks, I know that it will only be the start of my journey. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alleahstringer Website: https://sites.google.com/view/brand-new-millennium Blog: https://sites.google.com/view/afroveganchica

Since the dawning of this Pandemic, many people have been forced to make minor as well as major changes to their career path. Some occupations were deemed non-essential, while others continued to thrive. STEM fields were among those that continued to thrive. In lieu of the current health crisis, scientific research and medical-related career fields have become of utmost importance to the future of our well-being. In a post-pandemic world, contributions made to the STEM field will be exceedingly relevant to our daily lives. For example, workers in the STEM field are currently working tirelessly to perfect and distribute an effective COVID-19 vaccination. The potential positive effects that this vaccine will have on our nation, will be recognized now and for many years to come. In the future, I feel that upon graduation, many students may choose to pursue a STEM-related field for numerous reasons including job stability and the tremendous impact that these careers have on our everyday lives. Careers in the fields of chemistry, biology, medicine, and research will most likely become more popular, thus leading us into a time period of scientific enlightenment. I also feel that STEM-related fields are those that will be most beneficial to all people. All things considered, careers in the STEM field are becoming ever more relevant in this technology-driven era. Additionally, due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this global Pandemic, STEM field careers are exceedingly necessary to combating COVID-19.

I have been an active part of my community throughout my entire high school career. I am a contracted volunteer with Interns-4-Good and I volunteer with several other volunteer organizations including DaVinci Art Club, Youth & Paws, and Crescent Novels. I am also a member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at Homewood Public Library. Through TAB, I have been involved with, coordinated, and initiated several projects including a social justice book club called "Read Woke" and a visual arts contest to honor the legacy and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King. I am the firstborn child of my parents and a first-generation college student. If I was to be granted the honor of winning this scholarship, it would be an enormous help in paying for my various college-related fees, as well as tuition. Due to the fact that I am a part of the middle-class population, I do not qualify for most need-based scholarships, despite the fact that my family does not have funds readily available to pay for college. I choose not to let the fact that I am a double minority (black and female) hinder my motivation to succeed. Instead, I use my race and my gender to catapult me to success, while also encouraging my peers to do the same. Upon graduation from high school, I plan to pursue a career as an Emergency Physician. I have been accepted to Howard University in Washington, D.C., and offered admission into their College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences where I will complete an undergraduate degree as a Pre-Medicine major. I then plan to obtain my Doctorate degree from Howard University College of Medicine. When I become a doctor, I have plans to give back to my community and help those who will come after me to become brave leaders in their own communities. Even now, I often encourage my peers to become leaders instead of going with the flow of everyone else. By winning this scholarship, I would not only be able to pursue my own dreams and aspirations, but I would also be able to, subsequently, help other students pursue theirs as well.

My interest in the medical field has guided the majority of my choices during high school. I applied and was accepted to the Health Science program at my local career tech college. Through that program, I was able to gain greater knowledge of healthcare and participate in healthcare-related activities that have broadened my intellectual horizons. During my senior year, I also enrolled in college classes that are on the Medical Assistant track via dual enrollment with a local community college to increase my knowledge of medicine. These classes have further fueled my passion for healthcare and medicine. Earning this grant would allow me to further my education in the medical field and assist in the funding of my undergraduate education. Paying for miscellaneous fees, books, and tuition can add up quickly, and attaining this grant would release some of this burden significantly. I would be able to direct all of my energy and focus on my schooling, instead of searching for alternate ways to fund my education.

Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated with the medical field. Whether it be hospitals, medical equipment, or even doctors and nurses themselves, they had my full attention. My infatuation began when I was just a little girl, watching medical reality shows like Trauma: Life in the ER on television with my dad. Everything about working in an emergency room drew me in—the organized chaos, the diversity of the patients and their emergencies, the level-headed mindset of the doctors who were like superheroes to me. I knew at an early age that I wanted to be like them one day. As I grew up, I got a better understanding of medicine and what it actually took to pursue a career in the medical field. I did endless research on different medical professions and which colleges I should apply to for the best education. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to be an Emergency Room Doctor, and Howard University was my first choice for college. My interest in the medical field has guided the majority of my choices during high school. I applied and was accepted to the Health Science program at my local career tech college. Through that program, I was able to gain greater knowledge of healthcare and participate in healthcare-related activities that have broadened my intellectual horizons. During my senior year, I also enrolled in college classes that are on the Medical Assistant track via dual enrollment with a local community college to increase my knowledge of medicine. These classes have further fueled my passion for healthcare and medicine. Recently, when I lost my grandmother to COVID-19, I witnessed first-hand the discrepancies among health-care facilities in the United States. Some hospitals, especially in low-income communities, do not offer services compatible with their wealthier counterparts. By entering the medical field, I hope to become a part of a movement that will help to change these inconsistencies in our nation’s health-care system. As a student, I am hard-working and eager to learn, but I also feel that medicine encompasses more than just hard facts and science. It requires a compassionate heart and a willingness to help everyone, regardless of race, gender, or status. I know that attending college will be instrumental in fulfilling my aspirations in the field of medicine. Through this, I would be able to learn the invaluable skills needed to pursue my career, while also staying steadfast in my passion to help people from diverse backgrounds.

Recently, when I lost my grandmother to COVID-19, I witnessed first-hand the discrepancies among health-care facilities in the United States. Some hospitals, especially in low-income communities, do not offer services compatible with their wealthier counterparts. By entering the medical field, I hope to become a part of a movement that will help to change these inconsistencies in our nation’s health-care system. As a student, I am hard-working and eager to learn, but I also feel that medicine encompasses more than just hard facts and science. It requires a compassionate heart and a willingness to help everyone, regardless of race, gender, or status. Throughout high school, I have volunteered in my community and shown my enthusiasm to help others in all that I do. My greatest passion is to help those in need and make meaningful contributions to my community. I am also a vegan lifestyle blogger and one of my dreams for the future is to initiate programs to provide low-income families with plant-based whole foods. As a doctor, I hope to save lives and make lifelong connections with my patients as well as those I work with. Working abroad with organizations such as Doctors Without Borders is also an aspiration of mine. Having the privilege to travel to help those who desperately need medical assistance.

Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated with the medical field. Whether it be hospitals, medical equipment, or even doctors and nurses themselves, they had my full attention. My infatuation began when I was just a little girl, watching medical reality shows like Trauma: Life in the ER on television with my dad. Everything about working in an emergency room drew me in—the organized chaos, the diversity of the patients and their emergencies, the level-headed mindset of the doctors who were like superheroes to me. I knew at an early age that I wanted to be like them one day. As I grew up, I got a better understanding of medicine and what it actually took to pursue a career in the medical field. I did endless research on different medical professions and which colleges I should apply to for the best education. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to be an Emergency Room Doctor, and Howard University was my first choice for college. My interest in the medical field has guided the majority of my choices during high school. I applied and was accepted to the Health Science program at my local career tech college. Through that program, I was able to gain greater knowledge of healthcare and participate in healthcare-related activities that have broadened my intellectual horizons. During my senior year, I also enrolled in college classes that are on the Medical Assistant track via dual enrollment with a local community college to increase my knowledge of medicine. These classes have further fueled my passion for healthcare and medicine. Recently, when I lost my grandmother to COVID-19, I witnessed first-hand the discrepancies among health-care facilities in the United States. Some hospitals, especially in low-income communities, do not offer services compatible with their wealthier counterparts. By entering the medical field, I hope to become a part of a movement that will help to change these inconsistencies in our nation’s health-care system. As a student, I am hard-working and eager to learn, but I also feel that medicine encompasses more than just hard facts and science. It requires a compassionate heart and a willingness to help everyone, regardless of race, gender, or status. While pursuing a career in medicine, I hope to build invaluable connections and relationships with my peers and patients. I desire to continue assuming leadership positions in my community and doing all that I can do to make this world a better place.

Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated with the STEM field. My infatuation with science began when I was just a little girl, watching medical reality shows on television with my dad. Everything about working in an emergency room drew me in. The doctors were like superheroes to me. I knew at an early age that I wanted to be like them one day. As I grew up, I got a better understanding of Science and what it actually took to pursue a career in the STEM field. I did endless research on different medical professions and which colleges I should apply to for the best education. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted to be an Emergency Room Doctor. My interest in the STEM field has guided the majority of my choices during high school. I applied and was accepted to the Health Science program at my local career tech college. Through that program, I was able to gain greater knowledge of healthcare and participate in science-related activities that have broadened my intellectual horizons. During my senior year, I also enrolled in college classes that are on the Medical Assistant track via dual enrollment with a local community college to increase my knowledge of science and medicine. These classes have further fueled my passion for STEM.

This is a picture of me and my friend Lacey. It was taken right before we both started our very first golf tournament. I was excited and a nervous wreck at the same time. I had never competed against other schools in golf before and I wasn't sure how I would measure up. Momentarily, I even though about not competing. We didn't win any awards that day, but we had so much fun. It was an experience that I will always cherish. I told myself, "It's not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get up".

I recently ventured out into the small business community. This was not my plan in the beginning, but I followed my heart and led it lead my decisions. Earlier this summer, in the month of June, I decided that I would start a vegan blog. I have been vegan since June of 2019, and I was vegetarian before that (since 2015). My blog was going well and felt like I could be doing more, so I used my artistic abilities to begin designing products to sell online. I have been passionate about art for as long as I can remember, however, creating graphic art online was completely new to me. There was a lot of trial and error, but I never gave up. As I began to see all of my hard work pay off, I was proud to be a part of the small business/blogging community, especially as a Black woman. My business, Afro Vegan Chica, is under the same branding as my blog and YouTube channel. I plant to expand my business, as well as my online presence and voice within the vegan community. I would encourage anyone that is having second thoughts about starting a business or blog (or anything else for that matter) to go for it! Life is too short to have regrets. If I hadn't followed that little voice inside that told me I could start a blog and, later, a store, I would still be wasting the days away, watching others pursue their dreams. Carpe diem!

A wise woman once said, “Everyone faces challenges in life. It’s a matter of how you learn to overcome them and use them to your advantage.” I have faced my fair share of challenges, as it pertains to education, but I have never allowed myself to be discouraged by these happenings. I have always had a burning passion for school and education. Making exemplary grades hasn’t been an option for me. It has been a requirement that I set for myself early on. Regardless of what others have done or said, I have been determined to always do my personal best. Being from a small, country town, where education is not necessarily a top priority, has proven to be a hurdle in my metaphorical race. In addition to this, as a double minority, I have an even greater disadvantage. However, these circumstances have only furthered my determination to seize every opportunity I am granted, and more. I have attended four different high schools in search of one with adequate educational standards, rigorous coursework, and advanced academic programs. Notwithstanding these minor setbacks, I have always managed to find a way to reach my goals. I have diligently sought the most rigorous coursework throughout my high school years and have gone above and beyond to find volunteer opportunities and stay involved in my community. During my junior year, I even began to commute to two counties over in order to be apart of the Teen Advisory Board (a program at a library where I was involved in various volunteer and leadership activities). In the midst of this global pandemic, I have still managed to find a way to give back to my community by volunteering virtually with several organizations, and by starting one of my own. I have also been able to further invest in my education and skills by completing several online courses dedicated to promoting toleration and better interpersonal relationships. From these experiences, I have learned to persevere and not to settle for mediocrity. In the face of hurdles and barriers, I have chosen to overcome. I have resolved to use my challenges as a means to catapult myself to success, instead of chains to hold me back. My future is determined by my willingness to succeed, not the obstacles that stand in my way.

I do not have an Instagram account. :) But I do have Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alleahstringer) and I followed Bold.org on there.