"Corner! Corner!" I screamed. I caught the ball just as I sprinted to the corner. I lined up my elbows, bent my knees, and shot the three-ball like I've done for years. In a split second, my legs came down, but one leg went down the wrong way. I didn't see my defender's foot land in my "shooting area." So when I landed, my left foot slid off my defender's foot. A harsh grunt came out of me, and my face scrunched due to the pain in my ankle. "Give her space, give her space." I heard my Coach saying to my teammates who were huddled around me. The next thing I knew, my left foot was placed into a bucket filled with ice water to minimize the swelling in my ankle. Once my adrenaline was regulated, everything came rushing back to me. "How long will I be out?", "I need to prove myself to Coach that I belong on this team" "Is my ankle broken?" The questions kept flowing nonstop like a cheetah chasing its prey. I learned I had sprained my ankle a few days after the incident. Luckily, the sprain wasn't severe; however, I had to stop playing basketball for at least two and a half weeks. What was I going to do with all that free time? At the time, this felt like a significant setback. My placement on the team was in jeopardy, my parents may not let me play the sport I love anymore, and now the unknown terrified me. I attended the rest of the tryout dates to watch and observe. But it just made me miss being on the court even more. On top of this, I learned I made the JV team at my high school again. As a junior, this is not ideal. On top of everything else, I felt like my whole world just came crashing down on me. The next few weeks, nothing felt enjoyable to me. My injury, the free time, and being on the JV team all felt like reoccurring nightmares. Despite this, my mindset wasn’t consistent. I met the new coaches for the JV team and got to know my new teammates. And when we started a winning streak, the light shone through the dark tunnel I was in. When I was allowed back to play, the positive energy surrounding me was overwhelming (in a good way). My coaches, teammates, and I were so excited for me to be on the court again. The ending of the JV season came faster than I'd hoped. We remained undefeated in our conference and only lost three games the whole season. That season became exceptional, and I hold it close to my heart because it was the season that I learned that in any failure or setback that I come to face, there's always something good lurking around. I learned that sometimes for growth and development to occur, you must experience some things over again. As well as putting my faith in God and knowing he wouldn't plan something for me that would do harm rather than do good.

"I'm sorry, you were not picked for the internship. I wish you the best in your future endeavors." I read the email for the hundredth time. Thoughts like, "They didn't like me," "I didn't talk about myself enough," and "I stuttered too much" raced through my head like a tsunami. At that time, it felt like the end of the world. I wanted that internship at the Medical Center so severely I needed it like air to breathe. This internship allowed me to job shadow various surgeons from multiple specialties, volunteer with important hospital organizations, and help to deliver a baby. As a future healthcare provider, I felt like I found gold. I felt like I had punched my one-way ticket to chasing my dreams and accomplishing my desire to help those in need. It was a goal of mine to achieve; however, God had other plans for me. Plans that I believed were not going to help me strive for my goals in the future. However, I was incredibly wrong in this thought. Even though this stung for a while, I was able to move on to better things, longer than I'd hoped. Through dedication and hard work, I obtained my CNA license through my Nursing Fundamentals course offered at my high school. This was a massive step for me; this license signified my sweat and tears and the beginning of my dream. My dream of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon. With this license, I plan to work part-time as a full-time student at Case Western Reserve University. While attending Case Western, I aim to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and enroll in medical school. Once I graduate from medical school and begin my journey through residency, I plan to kick-start my career in the healthcare field. I aim to inspire others all over the globe spreading knowledge and wisdom to others. I plan to use the connections I created through study abroad programs at Case to give other doctors, surgeons, and healthcare providers the voice and funding essential to curing diseases. Spreading knowledge and wisdom to the younger generations, especially the kids in third-world countries who hold a place in my heart, that no matter your background, skin color, or religion, we all can accomplish the same dreams. There will be bumps in the road because life it's not perfect, but with hard work and dedication, it will get better.

All my life, I knew I wanted to be someone in the healthcare field. It took some years to figure out what I wanted, but I decided to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. The thought that comes to mind is, "Wow, that's so many years in school." But I failed to realize that all those years don't matter when you're out saving lives, helping others, and impacting people. Not only do you have to acquire the knowledge of a healthcare professional, but you also have to acquire the skills, including tactness, communication, teamwork, and creativity. However, one of the most important skill sets is leadership. Having the ability to lead your team of healthcare providers to success or lead your patient in the right direction. From a young age, I was taught that there were various ways to be a leader or stand out as a leader. And I was told I was the "silent leader" who rarely speaks up but leads by example or through actions. However, on the basketball court, I'm the total opposite. I'm communicating the whole practice or the whole game. I hope to impact the world, starting with the people around me, by being the "silent leader." My accomplishments throughout my years in high school are the set stone of leading by example. Showing others age-related or the younger generation that it is most definitely possible. The hard work is demanding at the time, but I promise you the ending tastes so much sweeter. Additionally, toward my future colleagues and patients. Leading by example, whether it's my attitude, understanding, or body language, I desire to show others that the little things in life also matter. Starting in a place where people come in their most vulnerable state known to man, a hospital. While I wish to impact the world in this matter, as a realist, we have to start small before wishing big, starting with my community. My community is far from perfect, but the people within it make it seem excellent, from the guy who sells the animal-shaped balloons near Mcdonalds' to the elderly couple that I see every day leaving for school. The individuals within my community are like no other, so I'm driven to create positive changes within my imperfect family. Initiating the process of eliminating gentrification here in North Carolina. More specifically, eliminating racial gentrification. In North Carolina, lower-income African American neighborhoods are being targeted to destruction. Not only displacing hundreds of African Americans but also leaving them with no other means to live, destroying the culture and the history of these neighborhoods and replacing them with higher income and technology-based buildings or businesses. At the same time, these buildings or industries may be significant for the economy; what about the people who don't have anywhere to live? I plan to address this social issue by sending out flyers about this ongoing situation to ensure that others are aware. Volunteering through Habitat for Humanity and creating donation boxes for those affected by racial gentrification. In addition, to vote for candidates in North Carolina elections with the same beliefs as me. Because if people refuse to listen to a 5 foot 2 and a half 18-year-old girl, they'll listen to someone higher in authority who can accomplish the issue.

Participating in Novant Health's Junior Volunteer Program was eye-opening for me as a future health worker. Although, I didn't directly apply medical procedures or give medical advice to patients admitted to Forsyth Medical Center. I quickly realized that only some people who visit Forsyth seek medical attention. Some may seek emotional, mental, and even physical support; as a volunteer, I was there to provide that to patients and staff members. Whether it was the volunteer crew buying lunch for the nurses and physicians on duty, to a toy drive during Christmas. Becoming a volunteer taught me that life is way more challenging for others to live, and you have to be mindful of the situation they may be facing. In addition to being patient and a smile may make anyone's day. Skills a future orthopedic surgeon should have.

Supporting yourself financially as an adult will eliminate your chance of heading to an area of financial burden. Establishing yourself early and keeping a consistent basis will pave the way to numerous opportunities one could never imagine; for example, when I attend medical school. It's no secret that medical school is costly, and the majority of students in medical school have to apply for loans. And loans build interest as interest builds up, causing your loan payment to increase. Unless you are financially stable enough to pay off the loans sections at a time, medical students may find themselves in a deep hole they may not get out of. In addition, to gain more opportunities to continue your education for your career. The benefit of having the ability to support yourself financially as an adult is a link to mental health. Your mental health frequently fluctuates at different times as a student or adult. While many disagree, the lack of financial support can affect someone's mental health. For instance, my older sister, who attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, had a tough time managing and saving her money. There was a point this year when she was bouncing from job to job, trying to find one that stuck. And when her payment day arrived, she was scrambling to earn money. There were days she would pick up double shifts and come to her apartment late at night and start on her homework directly after. Day by day, when she'd called, I could tell that this was taking a mental toll on her. I could tell she barely ate, had bags under her eyes, and rarely smiled. And coming from a low-income household didn't help this situation either. My parents were also scrambling to pay rent on time and help my sister. The ability to financially support yourself in college or as an adult would set you up for your future and better your well-being. However, your career could affect how you can better support yourself financially. A career in STEM would better suit me because of the never-ending career opportunities. Including the increased salary, diversity, and job specialties of the field, in the last few years. The number of women, let alone African American women, pursuing a career in STEM has started to rise slowly. If we set ourselves in the STEM field and find a career well-suited for our families and us (if we want to have a family), we break ourselves out of the social stigma of African American women. In addition, to set an example for the younger generations of women, we can do it too.

My parents moved here to America from Africa at different times. While I was never told when they migrated here, they kept telling me the story. The story of where they up and moved with little to nothing and built something big. Well, not significant in my eyes. Medium-sized with about three kids and an apartment. Growing up, my dad worked as a cab driver and my mom as a hair braider. It took them a couple of years to finally open a bank account, but they only kept cash on them for the first few years. I vividly remember when I was younger, sitting on their bed and watching them count their weekly earnings. Little old me staring at them count their money for about forty-five minutes. My mother told me that I named it "cinquante-wequante," and still, to this day, that's what I call it. Cinquante-wequante is simple you gather all the cash you earned and separate them into piles of different bills (one pile for five dollars, another for 10 dollars, and so on). Once separated, you put together fifty dollars from any pile and put it to the side. You divide the remaining money towards whatever bill or payment you wish to use it for. You can use it as emergency money, gas money, grocery money, etc. That fifty dollars are yours to spend and should not be added to any bill payment. When I received my first paycheck, even though it was a direct deposit. I put aside fifty dollars and never spent it. I continued to put fifty dollars aside and let the money build up and build up. I continued to do this for months and months, and I started to see progress. Even though it was hard not to spend all the money I had saved, I didn't. I had created my savings account and version of cinquante- wequante. At first, I decided I would save the money for college plans. But when my American History teacher taught me the secret to investing. It opened a bunch of doors for new opportunities for me. Using the Stock Stimulator website (free version), he taught me how to turn one dollar into a thousand dollars. A thousand dollars into five thousand dollars, he told me the stock market is your tool. Using the Stock Stimulator and watching Marko- White Board Finance videos, I found a tactic to save money and gain money from my computer. I plan on using what I learned to better my future to ensure I don't have a financial burden in college—ensuring that I continue to work in college and use my method of cinquante-wequante to save money for future disasters or gifts. As well as taking a financial class this summer or in college to learn more about investing and the Stock Market. In addition, I plan on using what I learn to better my future by teaching the younger generation how to handle the money they earn and how to save it.

Click-Clack Click-Clack Her heels rhythmically hit the ground. The heaviness in my throat makes it unbearable to breathe. Gently placing my test on my desk, she gives me a small smile. I flip my test over, and I’m in shock. A smiley face next to the number 100 stares back at me. This is what I went through in my 4th-grade science class. I was distraught approximately 16 hours before my test was placed on my desk. But even more, pressing on my mind was how badly I wanted to make my mom proud. I desperately tried different study methods, from flashcards to body system games. I tried everything to comprehend as much as my 9-year-old brain could decipher. Then, as if a light bulb floated over my head, I had an idea. I went to find my little brother, Mamadou. Explaining the master plan to him, we dove right in. Mamadou held the list of terms that I needed to memorize. “Scapula,” he said. I pointed to my collarbone, and he frowned. Then I pointed to my upper back region. Mamadou smiled. I got one. “Hu-mer-us,” he said. He struggled with pronunciation. I pointed to my upper arm region. He gave me a thumbs-up. The process was draining, but the outcome was far too good. An incomprehensible part of science suddenly turned comprehensible. My worries turned into confidence. I could not believe my plan worked. A smile never strayed from my face for the rest of the evening. But the next morning, those anxious nerves were back; it was crippling. I let the intrusive thoughts get to me. “All your hard work will be for nothing!” I asked my teacher if I could go to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, looked at myself in the mirror, and recited a mantra my mom had taught me in times of despair. “YOU tried your best, YOU worked hard, and that’s all YOU can do.” The next thing I knew, I was the first student to hand in my test. That experience sparked something within me–nothing seemed impossible anymore. I was becoming interested in the human body. I even found my mother’s old notes--notes she had taken when she was studying to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. I began “borrowing” them without her knowing. But there was one problem: it seemed as if the notes were in another language. Words like bradypnea and hyperventilation seemed foreign to me. But these notes fueled my fascination, fueled my interest. And my interest fueled me to enroll in a CNA course, this upcoming year. The course has been intriguing and incredible. But on the 10th day of the course, it was announced that there would be an upcoming major test. It was like 4th-grade science all over again. But the feelings of doubt and distress didn’t wash over me this time. Instead, it was the feeling of motivation and determination because I had support and an excellent study method behind me. My mother’s notes fueled me to volunteer at a medical center. This specific experience led me to so many moments when I feel I’ve had the privilege to help others. Like the time when this little boy wouldn’t let my hand go because he struggled with severe anxiety. I’ve had the chance to meet mentors, career coaches, and most importantly, life-long friends who always told me, “Hard work never gives up, and neither should YOU.” In fourth grade, I would’ve never imagined that this test, this study method with my brother, was the beginning–the beginning of my future in medicine.

Growing up, I lived what I considered to be a fairy-tale life. I thought my community was perfect and everyone living in it was perfect as well. Like the mailman who always answered with “I’m doing awesome” whenever I asked how his day was. Or even my downstairs neighbor who always told me good morning on my way to school. I was under the impression that my community couldn’t get any better than this. Boy, was I wrong. When I entered the doors as a volunteer to the fast, lively, and alcohol stenching environment of the Emergency Department at Novant Health it was chaotic. Nurses bump into each other holding supplies. Doctors or physicians in white coats barking orders at coworkers. Babies crying, adults arguing, and patients throwing up; There was just a lot going on. But as soon as I was tasked with my first job, I became immune to the chaos and the noise surrounding me. But the things I encountered were on a whole other level. From trauma victims to addicts, I couldn’t believe I was so blind to the hardships around me. Blind to the fact that the people I knew personally masked their emotions with a smile and a wave. As soon as I realized my disregard for my community’s need for help, I vowed to move forward with my eyes open and make a difference. I started to pick up extra volunteer hours at the Emergency department and joined the Health Occupations Students of America Club. I was quickly able to see that being a vessel to help those close to me always brought a smile to my face. My teachers and volunteer leaders commented on how carefree and happy I looked. I would wake up feeling motivated and productive to make the most out of the week. I felt genuinely blessed to have found something that makes me happy. Blessed to feel as if I’m having a positive impact on the people around me. But some days were not so great. Days that I felt like I didn’t fight enough or provided enough help to those that confided in me. But what I learned from those experiences is that not every person operates the same. Some coming in look for treatment, guidance, or wisdom. While others crave a deeper way to heal; love and compassion. Sometimes having a shoulder to cry on and someone willing to listen and empathize with you is a treatment in itself. And I strive to be that person. I hope this chapter in my life continues. These lessons gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a career in healthcare. To fight tooth and nail every day to make at least one person’s day better. To give one hundred percent of my effort to help those in need. I thought living a fairy-tale life was considered a bad thing. But it's not, sometimes a bad thing will lead you to something good.