Growing up as an African-American female, Disney movies were an integral part of my childhood, providing me with a magical escape into worlds of imagination and wonder. However, it was one particular Disney character that left a lasting impact on my life. Princess Tiana is my favorite thing about Disney, and she has been a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, teaching me invaluable life lessons that have shaped the trajectory of my journey. Princess Tiana's character stands out as a courageous, independent, and hardworking woman, which resonated deeply with me. Her determination to achieve her dream of opening her restaurant in New Orleans showcased the importance of setting goals and working tirelessly to make them a reality. As a child, I admired her dedication and tenacity, seeing in her a reflection of my dreams and aspirations. I learned success requires talent and an unwavering commitment to one's ambitions. Tiana's journey taught me the value of hard work and the importance of gratitude. She never lost sight of her goals. Her optimism and resilience in the face of challenges inspired me to adopt the same mindset. I learned to persevere through difficult times, knowing that hard work and determination can overcome any obstacle. Moreover, Tiana's gratitude for the blessings she already had reminded me to appreciate and cherish the support and love of my family and friends. It taught me to be thankful for the opportunities I had and recognize the privilege of receiving an education. As I grew older, Tiana's influence continued to shape my life decisions. When it was time to consider colleges, her character's guiding principles of hard work and perseverance played a role in my attendance at the University of Southern California. Despite the doubts and uncertainties I faced, I knew if I followed Tiana's example, I would have the strength to succeed. My journey at USC was challenging, demanding rigorous academic commitments, and countless hours of study. There were moments when I questioned my ability to pursue my dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. However, in times of doubt, I would reflect on Tiana's story, reminding myself of the powerful message she conveyed. Her story gave me the courage to push through self-doubt and continue forging ahead. During my time at USC, I embraced every opportunity for growth and learning. The hard work and dedication I had learned from Princess Tiana's character propelled me forward. I excelled in my studies and established a strong support network, which nurtured my leadership skills. Looking back on my journey, I realize that the impact of Princess Tiana on my life has been profound. Disney's creation of this strong, determined, and relatable African-American princess has been a source of empowerment for countless young individuals like me, proving that dreams are attainable through hard work, resilience, and self-belief. In conclusion, Disney's Princess Tiana has been my favorite thing about Disney for a multitude of reasons. Her character has taught me the value of hard work, gratitude, and perseverance. She has been an inspiration on my path to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon, instilling in me the confidence and determination to pursue my dreams relentlessly. Princess Tiana is more than just a fictional character; she is a symbol of empowerment and representation, reminding me that with determination and self-belief, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, just as she did in her journey to become a princess and achieve her dream. The empowering magic of Disney has truly changed my life, and I will forever be grateful for the invaluable life lessons I have learned from Princess Tiana.

As an African-American female raised in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, I have been inspired by the diversity and resilience of my community. Since a young age, I have been captivated by the intricacies of the human body and the potential of medicine to heal and transform lives. This passion led me to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery, and my dreams extend far beyond just becoming a surgeon. My ultimate goal is to open a hospital in South Central Los Angeles that will serve as a beacon of hope, offering accessible healthcare regardless of a family's income. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the healthcare disparities and the challenges faced by families who struggled to access quality medical care. These experiences ignited my determination to make a meaningful impact on my community's health and well-being. Becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon allows me to combine my passion for medicine with my commitment to social justice, offering life-saving cardiac surgeries and restoring hope to those in need. As a future surgeon, I plan to channel my expertise back into my community by establishing a modern, state-of-the-art hospital in South Central Los Angeles. This hospital will not only focus on providing exceptional medical services but will also prioritize financial accessibility for all residents. My vision is to ensure that no family is burdened by medical expenses when facing critical health challenges. To achieve this goal, I intend to work closely with local organizations, community leaders, and healthcare experts to understand the specific needs of South Central residents. By engaging in open dialogues with the community, I aim to design a hospital that caters to the diverse cultural backgrounds and health concerns of residents. It will be a place of healing, compassion, and understanding, where patients are treated as individuals with unique needs and circumstances. Financial accessibility will be a cornerstone of my hospital's mission. I plan to establish partnerships with government agencies, corporations, and philanthropic organizations to secure funding and grants dedicated to supporting accessible healthcare for all. By utilizing a sliding-scale payment system, families will have access to quality healthcare tailored to their income levels, ensuring that medical treatment remains affordable and equitable. Beyond providing medical services, my hospital will be an active participant in community empowerment. I envision hosting health education programs, workshops, and outreach initiatives to raise awareness about preventive care and healthy living. By promoting health literacy, we can empower individuals to take charge of their well-being and make informed decisions about their health. As a Black woman pursuing a career in medicine, I understand the significance of representation in the field of healthcare. Mentoring and inspiring young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in medicine and allied health is one of my goals. By establishing scholarship programs, internships, and mentorship initiatives, I hope to create a diverse pipeline of medical professionals who will continue the mission of improving healthcare access and advocating for social justice. In conclusion, my passion for cardiothoracic surgery is not just a personal aspiration; it is a commitment to my community's well-being and empowerment. By opening a hospital in South Central that offers accessible healthcare no matter a family's income, I aim to bridge the healthcare gaps that have long plagued underserved communities. My vision is to build a healthier future where every individual in my community has the opportunity to thrive and lead a fulfilling life. With this scholarship support, I am eager to pursue my dream, embarking on a transformative journey that will uplift my community and inspire generations. Together, we can make a difference, one heartbeat at a time.

Hello! My name is Amirah Joseph and I am a senior at Hollywood High School. The STEM group I have been focusing on is science—specifically biology and medicine. Since I was in the sixth grade, I have been growing medicinal herbs and studying their properties. I also grow fruits and vegetables on the side and give any extra food to the homeless or my neighbors. With experiences in farming and my dream career of becoming a general cardiothoracic surgeon, I want to dedicate my time and give my service to underserved communities. I started planting medicinal herbs because naturopathic medicine seemed almost magical to my twelve-year-old eyes. Although I planted and maintained these herbs, I have not used them for anything other than research purposes in fear of misuse. A fun fact I learned is that garden weeds also have medicinal properties such as the dandelion! A few medicinal plants I have grown so far are lemon balm, chamomile, aloe, peppermint, and calendula. I hope to heal those who are sick in my area when I am more understanding of the plants that I am growing. I will even teach others how to use these plants. As for growing fruits and vegetables, I hope to start a community garden and small park somewhere in my area. I might plant medicinal herbs there and teach others about their individual healing properties and how they were used historically. I am going to save money on the side when I become a surgeon to kick-start this idea. There will also be a program for troubled children and another for adults, as gardening is great for exercise and relieving stress. As for the park, there can be activities held by any programs I or my community can come up with, such as free yoga classes on Tuesdays. It can encourage the members of my local community to be more interested in eating healthy and going outside. Lastly, when I become a surgeon, I want to inspire those around me to aim high and work hard. I would like to recruit more minorities and women into a STEM-based field, as it is a challenging but rewarding process. No matter your background, STEM is always open to anyone who will try. My planned career path gives me enough money to give back to my community while also taking care of my wants and needs. I will benefit my local community through my educational background, dedication, and philanthropy. I hope that a community garden and small park will last for generations to help my community and inspire others to do the same.

A quote that has effectively guided my way of life is: "The situation that I'm going through is only temporary." Throughout our lifetime, we get caught in negative situations and let them overshadow the positive things we have experienced. Whether it is a loss of someone close, a bad day, or not getting the job you wanted, things will change. As a hardworking student, I get overwhelmed and stressed with my work; like I'll never get things done. The demotivation would kick in and I would procrastinate, but then I told myself that I can persevere. This quote means that as long as I'm still living, then that event will just be another short-term blip in my life. It's special to me because it has helped me through things that felt like they'd never end. Although tears will be shed along the way, you are going to become a stronger person.

The Princess and the Frog is an animated film that's inspired me since its release in 2009. There were important lessons taught by the main characters that stuck with me to this day. Tiana taught me that through hard work, I can achieve my dreams. She encouraged me to keep studying and searching for scholarships to achieve my life's goals. Mama Odie taught me to know who I am before searching for what I need; also teaching me to "dig a little deeper" and grasp what'll make me happy in life. It made me a much more grateful person. James (Tiana's father) taught me to never lose sight of what’s important. I'm still trying to find out who I am or will be as a person; I should never forget that I have a family who will support me and hold me accountable.

As an honors student who contributes almost all of their time to their work and is fighting depression, I sometimes feel demotivated. The amount of work my teachers give me in online school, along with my responsibilities at home, would overwhelm me. My teachers loving to see my work and my family being proud of me made me stress over receiving straight A's. There would be times where I just wanted to give in to depression and do nothing. However, what drives me to keep studying is the fact that I am not finished yet. No matter how much I want to give up, the next step to my future is waiting for me. Procrastinating on my work and making choices that would negatively affect me will not make my family and I proud, but having a bachelor's degree in human biology with my name printed on it would. For a significant period of my life, I have wanted to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. I believe it was the purpose that I was born with. At the same hospital and time my mother was giving birth to me, my brother was suffering from pneumonia at the young age of four. He had to get surgery and have half of a lung removed with a chance that he wouldn't survive. Before and throughout elementary school I would play surgery simulation games on two sites called 'surgery squad' and 'operate now'. I liked how I could use simulations to immerse myself without being aware of the specific career of surgery I wanted to choose. I looked into what surgeon I wanted to be in middle school, and I saw cardiothoracic surgery. I wanted to become one, ironically not thinking until later on about when my brother suffered from this disease. To be concise, my greatest inspiration in life is the passion to complete the race that I started. I'm not there yet. There is no time for breaks or distractions. I have a calling that I need to achieve. My battle with depression is temporary but my work and effort is long-lasting. If I want to save a child, adult or in-between, then I have to show that through my effort. As long as I am focused on reaching the finishing line, then I know that nothing can stop me from achieving my goals in life.