My academic and professional goals are accessible, affordable, and preventive healthcare, and I am pursuing them with a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Alabama so I can become a Doctor of Chiropractic. I grew up watching my mother fight cancer while my father worked long hours to care for our family. I learned early on that healing isn't just about expensive medicine; it's also about prayer, faith, strength, compassion, and balance. Observing my parents' struggles at a young age has taught me to approach health with a mindful focus. I know that in sickness physical pain and discomfort are coupled with financial worries and burdens. At just 18, I have developed the ability to see patterns between the causes and effects of events in our life. I use my capability to observe deeply, to help me study biology and focus on cellular systems and how they relate to our bodies' needs for care, its natural ability to heal, and recuperate back to good health and strength. I have chosen chiropractic after careful consideration and discussion with my father. Chiropractic holds my attention because it preempts reliance on expensive medicines, which makes me feel happy and relieved as I imagine how chiropractic care can help people manage their health at a relatively lower cost than the more popular medicinal healing route. This mode of preemptive care and healing speaks to me personally because I spent many months watching my family struggle with grief, stress, and immense financial burden while my mother battled a prolonged sickness. We emerged from the experience, each with our own personal lessons. My father became a lifelong entrepreneur with hard work instilled in him as the only way to live, and I chose to become a doctor of chiropractic. Inspired by my father's entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, I investigated how to make my passion, family experiences, and personal interests work for the community. When I was researching possible majors for my bachelor’s, I found out that a chiropractic mobile app can remind people to sit up straight, provide them tips on how to keep their spine healthy, and expose them to easy exercises to do every day. Such an app can help strike out several long-term illnesses when they are at the risk stage, at no cost at all. I am delighted with its many positive outcomes. As a long-term goal, I envision starting a community wellness clinic that offers chiropractic care, education, and digital health tools. I have interned at my father’s Plondo Foundation, and I am keen on utilizing that experience with advanced education to work with communities that don't have access to affordable, preemptive healthcare. To me, "setting goals" means offering effective, efficient, and timely service and building financially sustainable healing systems that relieve burdens, save lives, restore health, and bring ease. I work to achieve my long-term goals every day by learning how to use science to deliver sincere service to others. I'm doing this by pursuing my education in STEM and maintaining a GPA above 3.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi I never truly understood the meaning of this quote until I watched my mother battle cancer with grace and strength. As a high school student, I felt helpless at times, unable to ease her pain or speed up her recovery. But in that difficult season of our family’s life, something within me shifted. Amid the exhaustion, hospital visits, and emotional weight, I discovered my calling—the desire to help others heal. I will be graduating from Sterlington High School in May 2025 and have secured admission to the University of Alabama to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. My interest in chiropractic care was sparked during my mother’s cancer treatment. While she was undergoing rigorous medical care, I began exploring complementary therapies and came across chiropractic medicine. I was struck by its holistic approach—centered on the body’s natural ability to heal, the emphasis on non-invasive methods, and the potential to support long-term well-being. It gave me hope during a time when our family was emotionally and physically worn down. That experience planted a seed in me—a deep commitment to becoming a compassionate and competent healthcare provider. I want to offer comfort and healing to others the way doctors and caregivers offered it to my mom. Chiropractic medicine is my way of serving the world, one person, one spine, one story at a time. I am passionate about being part of a new generation of healthcare professionals who not only treat pain but also promote prevention, wellness, and education. According to the World Federation of Chiropractic, chiropractors play a vital role in addressing healthy aging, opioid misuse, and the health of women, children, and adolescents (Lowe et al., 2017). These are not just statistics or goals on a website—they are the areas of care I hope to contribute to, because they affect real people like my family and my community. Throughout high school, I’ve worked diligently to stay focused and maintain a GPA of 3.5. A loving and stable family has supported my academic journey, but our resources have been tested through years of medical bills and personal sacrifices. That’s why I am actively seeking scholarships to support my education—to pursue my dream of becoming a chiropractor without adding financial pressure to a family that has already given so much. This scholarship would not only ease the burden of college expenses but also carry a deeper meaning. Through my education, I aim to serve the memory of Amber D. Hudson by playing a proactive role in providing health care and guidance to everyone, facing the challenges that Amber and her family endured - challenges that my own mother and family have also experienced. As I begin this next chapter towards my chosen career, I do so with purpose and in sincere hope that one day I will be able to help, serve, and guide everyone in my community who needs care and services the most. Thank you for considering my application and for investing in the future of healthcare through students like me.