When my childhood dog, Jazzy, suddenly began seizing on the living room floor, the course of my life was forever changed. We weren’t sure if it was only going to happen once, but when she lost control of her bladder, we knew something was seriously wrong. My mom frantically called the emergency veterinarian, and we rushed Jazzy there late at night. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time, we weren't allowed to go inside to be with Jazzy. While me and my family sat in the car waiting for the diagnosis, I worried about Jazzy. Was she ok? Was she in pain? What was going to happen? After agonizingly long hours of waiting, the vet finally told us it was a cancerous brain tumor, and to make her better, she would have to have surgery. She was already 17 years old, and they weren't sure she would make it through surgery. Even if she did, would she have a good quality of life? We ultimately decided that, no matter how hard it would be for us, it was best to euthanize Jazzy. Much to our relief, the emergency clinic allowed us to come inside for one last goodbye. I watched as the veterinarian administered euthanasia, and her breathing slowed to a stop. I tried not to cry; I wanted to be strong for her, even as it felt like I was losing my best friend and a part of myself with her. After returning home, even though I still had my other dog and my family around me, everything felt empty. I blamed myself for her death. I wish I had been able to see the signs sooner before it got to that point. I didn’t know how long she had been in pain, or if she had been suffering. I felt like it was my responsibility to advocate for her, and since I didn’t recognize the signs, I thought I had failed her. Since then, I’ve given myself grace, and instead of letting guilt hold me back, I've chosen to turn my pain into my purpose. What I learned from that night is that I don’t want any animal to have to go through that. I want to be able to give them a voice even though they can’t speak. I still miss her every day, but if she hadn’t died, I most likely never would have realized my true calling. To begin preparing for my future career, I am already taking animal science and agricultural classes that give me an understanding of animal health and care. Through my participation in FFA, I have gained hands-on experience, leadership skills, and the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field. These classes are not only preparing me academically, but personally for the long path ahead, while only reminding me of my passion and commitment to becoming a veterinarian. With the help of these classes, by the end of my senior year I will be a certified Veterinary Technician, however despite this I will be continuing my education to become a veterinarian. Although losing Jazzy was one of the hardest and scariest moments of my life, her memory fuels my determination to pursue veterinary medicine. I want to become a veterinarian not only to honor my best friend, but to make a difference greater than myself by speaking on animals behalf, supporting and educating their families, and ensuring no pet endures unnecessary pain. With this scholarship, I can gain the education and skills needed to give countless animals the care, compassion, and voice they deserve.

My dream is to become a doctor of veterinary medicine. It is a goal of mine that I have been passionate about for a long time, and it is what I work towards every day. My belief is that animals deserve the same level of attention and care that humans receive from the medical field, especially since they cannot advocate for themselves. I am dedicated to making a difference for not only animals, but their owners as well. In order to reach this goal I have created a complete plan ranging from academics to extracurricular activities to ensure I have the necessary resources and a clear timeline to guide me through this journey. Throughout high school, I have enrolled in many advanced placement and dual credit classes that pertain to my intended degree. These classes will not only provide me with a strong foundation for future studies but will also ensure I am academically prepared for college level classes. Additionally, they will also contribute to strengthening my application for veterinary related programs. I plan to maintain a high GPA throughout high school, as well as, seek out extracurricular opportunities such as internships, and volunteer work at animal clinics. Some of which I can undertake through classes offered at my school, as well as through my school’s National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) chapter. My hope is these experiences will help strengthen my application for veterinary school and give me valuable hands-on experience in the field of veterinary medicine. Once I have graduated high school, my goal is to attend Texas A&M University-East Texas where I will be obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. This degree will allow me to take necessary courses in biology, animal science, and other related fields, which are crucial for entry into a veterinary program, and will aid in my success in veterinary school. After the completion of my undergraduate degree, the next step in my plan is to be granted admission to Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Entry into this program is highly competitive requiring me to see to it that I am a strong candidate. To ensure this, I will have a high GPA, clinical experience through internships, and develop strong relationships with professors and mentors in the veterinary field. Once I obtain my veterinary degree, I will spend a few years gaining experience working as an associate veterinarian before opening my own clinic. For my clinic, I picture a practice that not only provides necessary medical care to patients, but one that goes the extra mile to educate pet owners about preventive measures. I dream to create a space where both animals and people feel comfortable and supported. In addition to a veterinary clinic, I'm extremely into animal care innovations. I hope to be involved in research that can lead to more effective treatments for animals to not only save lives but improve their quality and longevity. Overall, I am committed to becoming a veterinarian and making a difference bigger than just myself to impact the lives of both animals and their owners alike. Even the best of plans can be affected by unforeseen circumstances and challenges that life may throw your way, and along the way necessary adjustments to my plans will be made to reach my end goal. However, I am committed to overcoming any obstacles.