I believe it's important to increase racial diversity in the healthcare system for a multitude of reasons. The first is so that there's a better understanding of health disparities among racial groups. Solving this issue will require a multifaceted approach that acknowledges both systemic and structural barriers. A diverse healthcare system will break the language barrier many black people struggle with. This will help the provider and the patient come up with effective treatments and strengthen the bond between the two. As we know, many people express the disconnect they feel with hospital staff because the interactions seem mechanical. When you have a provider who looks like you, talks like you, and can relate to you, a trusting bond will be created, which is especially necessary in healthcare. This bond encourages the patient to be open and honest about their condition and to actively participate in their own care. It also helps the provider to provide the most effective and compassionate care possible. However, I'd like to acknowledge that diversity, as it is, is not enough for a sustainable healthcare system. Diversity has to be welcomed, which is why one of my goals is to create my own table where underrepresented voices are not only heard but promoted. In that leadership position, I will also advocate for representation in the decision-making process, meaning that we should be at the table when decisions for our patients are being made to ensure they are getting the same adequate treatment as others. My objective is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions, and where everyone feels respected and valued. To conclude, I would like to elaborate on how racial diversity is likely to affect future generations and what kind of impact it will have. Children are impressionable and believe that what they see is all there is. While this may be simple logic to some, for black children, it's simply not enough. Black children deserve to be exposed to intelligent medical professionals who look like them and should never think we are rare. I hope that this exposure will encourage black youth to consider this rewarding field as more than just a means of income, but a victory for us and our ancestors who fought hard to make this opportunity possible. Consequently, my aim for the future is to offer resources, like scholarships, to support our black youth in pursuing the same dreams that we once held dear. Thank you.

My name is Ariel, yes, just like the Little Mermaid! My mother told me that was the only movie that calmed her soul while pregnant with me. I am seventeen years old and live in a rural town in Virginia. This fall, I will attend university and be the first in my family to do so. Much like the Little Mermaid, I have an adventurous spirit and honor the more complex things in life. The intricate world of medicine became a leading interest of mine at the ripe age of 5. My father suffered a stroke a day before my 5th birthday and instead of cake, ice cream, and games in my backyard, I spent my day hoping I’d hear my dad's voice again in the VCU critical care center. During this arduous period, the hospital staff was proactive, empathetic, and nurturing to my mother and me who were both dismantled. Our lives completely fell apart due to my father's absence. However, the brave nurses, doctors, physicians, and specialists at VCU helped us pick up the pieces. As I mentioned earlier, I was a curious child who asked questions about anything that piqued my interest. So, while my dad recovered, I learned about the deafening machines that kept him stable. I learned about recovery and why all of those machines are essential parts of that process. I was introduced to a close-knit "family" that worked endlessly to save lives. It was then that I decided to pursue a similar path in the future. During my junior and senior years of high school, I took a critical medical assistant course at a trade center. In that class, I learned about the administrative and clinical aspects of the medical field. I practiced drawing blood on fake arms, solved mock cases with my classmates, learned about vital signs, and practiced hospice care. Every moment in that class enhanced my passion for medicine. As a result, I obtained a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification and a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certification. Every moment in that class deepened my passion for medicine. Consequently, in my senior year, I made the most significant commitment of my life and decided to enroll at Johnson C. Smith University this coming fall. I intend to pursue a double major in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in foreign languages. Following my undergraduate studies, I plan to attend nursing school and graduate as a pediatric nurse. I am committed to dedicating my career to the research of biomedical systems and to advocating for fairness, inclusion, and the presence of the humanities in the scientific field. As a black woman, I have experienced the scarcity of spaces where our voices are truly heard. For this reason, my aim is to create a platform for those who are underrepresented in this line of work. It is my aspiration to empower black scientists to stand up against the racism that we often encounter and to shed light on the significant contributions we make to the field of science. Ultimately, I aspire to establish scholarships and grants for young individuals who, like me, aspire to realize their dreams, by encouraging them to go beyond what the microscopic eye can see.

My name is Ariel, yes, just like the Little Mermaid! My mother told me that was the only movie that calmed her soul while pregnant with me. I am seventeen years old and live in a rural town in Virginia. This fall, I will attend university and be the first in my family to do so. Much like the Little Mermaid, I have an adventurous spirit and honor the more complex things in life. The intricate world of science became a leading interest of mine at the ripe age of 5. My father suffered a stroke a day before my 5th birthday and instead of cake, ice cream, and games in my backyard, I spent my day hoping I’d hear my dad's voice again in the VCU critical care center. During this arduous period, the hospital staff was proactive, empathetic, and nurturing to my mother and me who were both dismantled. Our lives completely fell apart due to my father's absence. However, the brave nurses, doctors, physicians, and specialists at VCU helped us pick up the pieces. As I mentioned earlier, I was a curious child who asked questions about anything that piqued my interest. So, while my dad recovered, I learned about the deafening machines that kept him stable. I learned about recovery and why all of those machines are essential parts of that process. I was introduced to a close-knit "family" that worked endlessly to save lives. It was then that I decided to pursue a similar path in the future. During my junior and senior years of high school, I took a critical Bio-Chem course through Dual Enrollment. This course introduced me to the basics of bodily functions, DNA, molecular and cellular science. Every second in that class enhanced my love of science and medicine. As a result, in my senior year, I made the biggest commitment of my life and decided to attend Johnson C. Smith University this fall. I plan to double major in Biology and Chemistry and minor in foreign languages. I want to dedicate my career to researching biomedical systems and promoting fairness, inclusion, and the humanities in the field of science. As a black woman, there's very minimal space at the table for our voices to be heard. Therefore, I will create my own table for those who are underrepresented in this field of work. I want to encourage black scientists to speak out against the racism we often face and highlight the large number of contributions we make to science. My goal is to also provide scholarships and grants to young boys and girls who share a similar dream with me to encourage them to reach beyond what the microscopic eye can see.

My name is Ariel, yes, just like the Little Mermaid! My mother told me that was the only movie that calmed her soul while pregnant with me. I am seventeen years old and live in a rural town in Virginia. This fall, I will attend university and be the first in my family to do so. Much like the Little Mermaid, I have an adventurous spirit and honor the more complex things in life. The intricate world of science became a leading interest of mine at the ripe age of 5. My father suffered a stroke a day before my 5th birthday and instead of cake, ice cream, and games in my backyard, I spent my day hoping I’d hear my dad's voice again in the VCU critical care center. During this arduous period, the hospital staff was proactive, empathetic, and nurturing to my mother and me who were both dismantled. Our lives completely fell apart due to my father's absence. However, the brave nurses, doctors, physicians, and specialists at VCU helped us pick up the pieces. As I mentioned earlier, I was a curious child who asked questions about anything that piqued my interest. So, while my dad recovered, I learned about the deafening machines that kept him stable. I learned about recovery and why all of those machines are essential parts of that process. I was introduced to a close-knit "family" that worked endlessly to save lives. It was then that I decided to pursue a similar path in the future. During my junior and senior years of high school, I took a critical Bio-Chem course through Dual Enrollment. This course introduced me to the basics of bodily functions, DNA, molecular and cellular science. Every second in that class enhanced my love of science and medicine. As a result, in my senior year, I made the biggest commitment of my life and decided to attend Johnson C. Smith University this fall. I plan to double major in Biology and Chemistry and minor in foreign languages. I want to dedicate my career to researching biomedical systems and promoting fairness, inclusion, and the humanities in the field of science. As a black woman, there's very minimal space at the table for our voices to be heard. Therefore, I will create my own table for those who are underrepresented in this field of work. I want to encourage black scientists to speak out against the racism we often face and highlight the large number of contributions we make to science. My goal is to provide scholarships and grants to young boys and girls who share a similar dream with me to encourage them to reach beyond what the eye can see.

On June 1, 2024, I sat fourth row at my solemn graduation ceremony. I cheered on my peers and sauntered across the stage with as much confidence as my body could express. I was filled with bliss, excitement, and for the first time in a while, redemption. My superintendent had us stand in union and turn our tassels to the left. A wave of new emotions cascaded over me; my inclination had gone from merriment to sadness in a heartbeat. I wasn't supposed to be here. I began to think back to my very first year of high school. The disconnect I felt with teachers and my peers as I hadn't seen either of them beyond a Chromebook screen, was extremely detrimental to me. I was robbed of my first homecoming, first prom, and first walk through my new school. All of which would have made my first year a core memory. I was isolated and lost contact with many of my friends and family and as a result, I fell into deep depression. My grades had slipped, my GPA had plummeted and my hunger for academics had perished. I was angry at the world for what had occurred, at my family for not noticing, and at myself for not trying. For the next two years of school, I struggled to pick up the pieces. I opted to retake classes and connect with people I had forgotten existed. After semester one, things seemed to be operating normally again; until I lost my number one supporter - my Nana. I knew in advance that she had a tumor and suffered many seizures, but I never thought she’d leave my side. Nana was a fighter; therefore, I wasn't worried when she’d undergo surgery. However, she seemed like a figment of my imagination now and I refused to believe the woman lying in the casket was her. My senior year has begun, and it is, without a doubt, my most rewarding year to date. After all the trials and tribulations, I felt vindication. I'm enrolled in therapy, making new connections, reaching milestones, and finding healthy coping mechanisms. I no longer revert to thoughts of harm and instead, I pray. I spend hours in my church alone, remembering my purpose and why I was put on this earth. I read different genres and find beauty in the complex things in life now. During my free time, I'm with my friends and family and have conversations about mental health and ways to improve it. I also find solace in nature and go for long walks or hikes to clear my head. The phrase "There is light at the end of the tunnel." is a testament to me. This fall, I will attend university as a first-generation student. I will double major in Biology and Chemistry and minor in French. I will dedicate my career to research on bio-medical systems and advocate for fairness, inclusion, and the humanities in the medical realm. Another goal of mine is to spread awareness about mental health in BIPOC communities where it's often not taken seriously. In addition, I plan on giving scholarships and grants to my community to assist them in school and childcare while improving their mental health. So, as I turn my tassel, I turn my tassel for the 9th-grader who didn't want to live, the 10th-grader who lost her world, the 11th-grader who failed academically, and the 12th-grader who lived to tell this story. I'm grateful to be here and share my experiences with others and help them with their struggles. Thank you.

My name is Ariel, yes, just like the Little Mermaid! My mother told me that was the only movie that could calm her soul while pregnant with me. I am seventeen years old and live in a rural town in Virginia. This fall, I will attend university and be the first in my family to do so. Much like the Little Mermaid, I have an adventurous spirit and honor the more complex things in life. After sharing this information, knowing that biology and chemistry are my top interests would be no shock. I want to dedicate my career to research on biomedical systems and advocate for fairness, inclusion, and humanities in the medical realm. Attending university will give me insight into resources beyond my knowledge that are often scarce in my small town. I want to build everlasting connections with advisors, peers, and legacies, which will motivate me beyond undergrad. Although this may be a more wretched lesson, college will also teach me about rejection and the power of letting go. With every "no," I am brought a step closer to the big "yes," which will make all of my disappointments worth it. In addition, stepping into a new journey will require me to let go of the one I have become attached to. My home, my state, friends, and family are ultimately what I'll have to leave behind. However, college will become my home away from home and anything I gain will be a great addition to my life. Randy Newman's "You've Got a Friend in Me." accurately describes the close-knit community I come from. We honor loyalty, partnerships, teamwork, and harmony. Those qualities cannot be bought at a pop-up toy shop, but instead are instilled in us at very young ages. In my transition from high school, those are the morals I want to take with me not only to university, but into adulthood. Loyalty, as I will always remain true to myself; partnership; and teamwork, as I will remain true to others. As I mentioned previously, I want to do advocacy in my career for society and specifically my cultural group. I am aware that the opportunities for higher education in my town are inadequate because there's a lack of information being given to those interested in receiving it. However, I plan on giving my own scholarships and grants to my community to assist them with school, childcare, and jobs afterward, as I've noticed that those are the issues we struggle with the most. I will bring information to them in the dialect that we comprehend and introduce them to pathways they can take regardless of their demographics. During a campus visit to Shaw University, alumni were there to give general life and college advice, but I noticed many of them were able to give back because of their connections with the college through organizations and clubs they joined freshman year. I am committed to joining a Greek and humanitarian club, which are both known for contributing to society. Those alumni were informative, selfless and took so much pride in their knowledge and I'm confident that I will one day do the very same.