I'm a seventeen-year-old girl getting ready to go to college with my twin sister. My name is Ashanti, and I'm excited for this new chapter in my story. Being a first-generation college student has taught me a lot and made me want to do my best in everything. I do a lot of extracurriculars, including 4 clubs, 2 sports, and over 150+ hours of community volunteering. I just want to make a positive impact on the world like how medical staff treated my family during numerous times in and out of the hospital. My short- and long-term goals are centered on becoming a licensed pharmacist and ultimately earning my Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. I plan to complete my prerequisite courses and finish my undergraduate studies in two years, then enter a four-year pharmacy program. During this time, I want to challenge myself academically, build hands-on experience, and grow into a confident healthcare professional who can truly make a difference. To prepare for pharmacy school, I plan to shadow pharmacists, participate in internships, and get involved in research opportunities that will expose me to real medical environments. These experiences will not only help me understand the daily responsibilities of a pharmacist but also strengthen my résumé and deepen my passion for the field. I also hope to work as a pharmacy technician—whether at CVS or another pharmacy—to gain early experience interacting with patients, learning medication management systems, and understanding what it takes to run a pharmacy efficiently. Financial responsibility is another important part of my plan. I will apply for scholarships (like yours), grants, and any available financial aid to help cover the cost of my education. As someone who helps support a disabled father and a mother who works multiple jobs to provide for our family, I understand the importance of budgeting, saving, and staying focused on long-term goals. Earning a PharmD is not only my personal dream but also an opportunity to build a stable future for myself and to give back to the people who have sacrificed so much for me. Beyond academics and work, I want to maintain a healthy balance in my life. Staying active by going to the gym and participating in intramural sports helps me manage stress and stay grounded. I believe that keeping up with activities I enjoy will help me succeed mentally and emotionally as I take on the challenges of college and professional school. In the future, I hope to work in a pediatric hospital or another clinical setting where I can support children and families during some of their most difficult moments. The idea of helping young patients feel safe, cared for, and understood motivates me to keep pushing toward my goals. No matter where I end up, I know I want to work in a hospital environment where I can be part of a healthcare team and directly contribute to improving patient outcome Furthermore, I'm excited for the journey ahead and fully aware that it will come with obstacles. These funds will help me very much while I go to college and pursue my goals and dreams I described above. I am determined to persevere, stay focused, and never lose sight of why I started. My long-term goal is not only to earn my PharmD, but to become a compassionate, dependable clinical pharmacist who uses knowledge and empathy to serve others. I am ready to work hard, stay committed, and build a future that reflects my dedication and resilience.

My junior year of highschool I was in a slump. I hit a breaking point where I just wanted everything to be done. From schoolwork to sports to people, I just had no motivation. I thought things were going in the worst direction and had a lot of negative thoughts. This led me to have some heavy discernment around this time, and my eyes opened for the better. Around this time, it was the first time that I actually got on my knees and prayed. I called out to God and started to study the word more and more. My father is a minister, so I often went to him about different things. I had to rely on my faith heavily to realize there was a plan for me and that everything happens for a reason. Bad things happen for self-development, and good things happen for the same reason. God will put certain people in your life and take them away to construct you in a way that benefits him. Whether that be praising him more, spreading the gospel, or putting away sin. Trusting in God was the only way I was able to overcome my "slump" because Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." One time, my father was about to have a big operation that was expected to last around fourteen hours. At the hospital before the surgery, my twin sister, my mother, and I continued ahead of my dad and brothers, waiting for them in the check-in area. We all questioned where they went when suddenly the elevator opened. When it opened, it was my dad and older brothers, Josh and Terrell, carrying a cooler full of drinks and food for us while we waited for the surgery to begin. As they walked out of the elevator, you could hear the loud sloshing noises the ice made each time my brothers took a step. We all laughed that we had this huge cooler full of different things. I think my twin sister, Shania, and I laughed more at the way our brothers were walking, and because they were embarrassed by all the noise. The nurses, doctors, and other staff said we came prepared, and it was neat that we brought that. Finding joy in those moments is what I love. Finding joy when you don't know if your dad will make it through another surgery, when all you can rely on is faith and family. With my faith, moments like this shape who I am today, whether it's being compassionate, having perseverance, or never wanting to give up. I'm ready to embrace all the challenges and rewards of the healthcare path I was to pursue and add new pages to my story. It won't just be me going through university and challanges it will be me and me. Relying on my faith will be the hardest thing to do throughout college, but you know what they say. It's nothing, but GOD.

I'm a seventeen-year-old girl getting ready to go to college with my twin sister. My name is Ashanti, and im exicted for this new chapter in my story. Being a first-generation college student has taught me a lot and made me want to do my best in everything. I do a lot of extracurriculars, including 4 clubs, 2 sports, and over 150+ hours of community volunteering. I just want to make a positive impact on the world like how medical staff treated my family during numerous times in and out of the hospital. My short- and long-term goals are centered on becoming a licensed pharmacist and ultimately earning my Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. I plan to complete my prerequisite courses and finish my undergraduate studies in two years, then enter a four-year pharmacy program. During this time, I want to challenge myself academically, build hands-on experience, and grow into a confident healthcare professional who can truly make a difference. To prepare for pharmacy school, I plan to shadow pharmacists, participate in internships, and get involved in research opportunities that will expose me to real medical environments. These experiences will not only help me understand the daily responsibilities of a pharmacist but also strengthen my résumé and deepen my passion for the field. I also hope to work as a pharmacy technician—whether at CVS or another pharmacy—to gain early experience interacting with patients, learning medication management systems, and understanding what it takes to run a pharmacy efficiently. Financial responsibility is another important part of my plan. I will apply for scholarships, grants, and any available financial aid to help cover the cost of my education. As someone who helps support a disabled father and a mother who works multiple jobs to provide for our family, I understand the importance of budgeting, saving, and staying focused on long-term goals. Earning a PharmD is not only my personal dream but also an opportunity to build a stable future for myself and to give back to the people who have sacrificed so much for me. Beyond academics and work, I want to maintain a healthy balance in my life. Staying active by going to the gym and participating in intramural sports helps me manage stress and stay grounded. I believe that keeping up with activities I enjoy will help me succeed mentally and emotionally as I take on the challenges of college and professional school. In the future, I hope to work in a pediatric hospital or another clinical setting where I can support children and families during some of their most difficult moments. The idea of helping young patients feel safe, cared for, and understood motivates me to keep pushing toward my goals. No matter where I end up, I know I want to work in a hospital environment where I can be part of a healthcare team and directly contribute to improving patient outcomes. I am excited for the journey ahead and fully aware that it will come with obstacles. However, I am determined to persevere, stay focused, and never lose sight of why I started. My long-term goal is not only to earn my PharmD, but to become a compassionate, dependable clinical pharmacist who uses knowledge and empathy to serve others. I am ready to work hard, stay committed, and build a future that reflects my dedication and resilience.

A fulfillment of dreams, inspiration, and shared pride. My parents both realized hopes for my education that they didn't have due to financial and other barriers. My mother was the sole provider for my large household. She supported all of my family as we grew, and my father went through multiple surgeries. My mom had taken multiple jobs to support us, such as at Wendy's, a preschool worker, and a teacher's assistant. One time, my father was about to have a big operation that was expected to last around fourteen hours. At the hospital before the surgery, my twin sister, my mother, and I continued ahead of my dad and brothers, waiting for them in the check-in area. We all questioned where they went when suddenly the elevator opened. When it opened, it was my dad and older brothers, Josh and Terrell, carrying a cooler full of drinks and food for us while we waited for the surgery to begin. As they walked out of the elevator, you could hear the loud sloshing noises the ice made each time my brothers took a step. We all laughed that we had this huge cooler full of different things. I think my twin sister, Shania, and I laughed more at the way our brothers were walking, and because they were embarrassed by all the noise. The nurses, doctors, and other staff said we came prepared, and it was neat that we brought that. Finding joy in those moments is what I love. Finding joy when you don't know if your dad will make it through another surgery, when all you can rely on is faith and family. Moments like that shape who I am today, whether it's being compassionate, having perseverance, or never wanting to give up. My parents' hard work and sacrifice inspire me to try to be successful in everything I do. Even though my father had numerous surgeries, he would always try to do his best to help, although he was in pain, like when I didn't know how to build my lighthouse school project. But he helped me every step of the way, and the finished project was awesome. These things fuel my desire to give back, and I want to be a person who helps in healthcare. Helping someone who may have a lot of support or no one at all means a lot to me. Whether I'm operating, giving a prescription, examining human tissue, finding a cure, or exploring other possibilities, I know that I'm determined and will make a difference. I'm ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of this path to university and add new pages to my story. Throughout all this, my family supports me through everything and wants me to do my best. Attending university brings them great joy as I persevere to make something of my life. Additionally, doing something I enjoy eases their minds, as I'm pursuing joy rather than dullness.