My journey with mental health began in early high school, when I first started struggling with feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. At that time, I didn’t have the words to fully express what I was going through, and the isolation I felt made it more difficult. That was a turning point for me. I realized I didn’t want to stay stuck in that place and I wanted better for myself. As I transitioned into college, I quickly learned that mental health challenges evolve with each new season of life. So i had to adjust to changes before I was fully able to address my previous complications. The academic pressure, cultural shifts, and expectations of college life presented a new level of difficulty. After completing 2 challenging years of undergrad, I was formally diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Instead of allowing the diagnosis to define or limit me, I saw it as a chance to truly understand myself, seek help, and actively work toward wellness. That experience changed everything. I began handling challenges with more intention and looking for practical solutions instead of feeling defeated. Most importantly, it made me deeply empathetic to others who are struggling silently, just as I once was. I knew what it felt like to want support and not know where to find it. That’s why I became an active leader on my campus as a Resident Assistant and a Peer Mentor for first-generation college students like myself. In these roles, I prioritize being present and compassionate which are qualities I once desperately needed in someone else. My experience with mental health has shaped not only my personal goals, but also how I view the world around me. I’ve learned that strength is not about appearing unaffected and handling things alone, but about being honest, seeking help, and showing up for others. It has made me passionate about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and heard. Mental health is not a weakness but it’s a critical part of our overall well-being, and I want to help others come to this understanding too.

Pursuing a career in healthcare as a future Physician Assistant has been a deeply personal and purpose-driven journey for me. As a STEM student majoring in Human Biology, I’ve navigated the rigors of academic coursework, clinical experience, and leadership responsibilities while balancing financial challenges that have shaped every part of my path. One of the most pressing barriers I’ve faced is the financial strain associated with applying to such programs. The cost of admissions tests, study materials, application fees, and interview travel can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. As someone who has consistently worked part-time throughout college and who does not have consistent financial support, these costs are real obstacles that can delay or limit opportunities. I’ve found myself making difficult choices between purchasing a new set of GRE prep materials or paying for necessary health appointments. I know that these sacrifices, while temporary, can wear on a person’s mental energy and confidence and It has for me. The pressure to succeed academically while carrying the financial burden can feel like trying to sprint uphill with weights strapped to my legs. Receiving this scholarship would significantly ease that pressure. It would allow me to apply to a well-rounded list of PA programs without second-guessing each fee. It would allow me to invest in reliable study tools, access preparation courses, and approach this next chapter with focus and clarity instead of financial anxiety. Most importantly, it would give me the gift of time: the ability to reduce work hours and redirect that energy toward preparing strong applications and building the clinical experience I need to enter a graduate program. My long-term goal is to become an excellent PA working in underserved areas; particularly in communities of color where health disparities are often greatest. I want to specialize in preventative care, education, and health equity, and to eventually develop outreach programs that empower patients to take charge of their health. I plan to mentor other underrepresented students in STEM and professional healthcare tracks, especially those who, like me, have had to navigate this journey with limited resources. Whether through a formal mentorship program or just being the voice of encouragement I wish I had earlier on, I want to remind future students that they are capable, worthy, and not alone. This scholarship is more than financial assistance. It’s a bridge between where I am and where I’m going. With it, I can stay focused on building the future I’ve worked for without being weighed down by the cost of opportunity. And with that future, I plan to pour everything I’ve gained back into the community and resources that helped me. Thank you for considering my application and for believing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.

I grew up in a low income area that was filled with People Of Color like me. Having health issues in communities, like the one I grew up in, is more common than 3 leaf clovers. I have seen people around me suffer from health issues and couldn't get the proper care they needed due to lack of medical help in the area, not having enough money for treatment, and so on. As a kid, I saw this as normal and assumed that it was just a part of life that everyone goes through, but obviously as I got older I saw that more wealthy people did not have these problems. Although this was very alarming and caught my attention, what really made me want to be a part of the medical field was seeing the mortality rates of black women when they are hospitalized. This made me realize that I, as a black woman , had to do something to help. Whether it be from giving birth to no one taking them seriously when they say that they believe something is wrong, it causes them to worsen in their condition or even worse lose their lives. According to a study done in 2019, only 36% of doctors are women and more than likely less than half of that 36% is not a woman of color. It is so important to have racial diversity in healthcare for so many reasons, one of the main reasons is to make sure everyone's needs are being met. It's also very important to have gender diversity in the medical field as well. Equality is not always the key, every human body is not the same especially when it comes to race and gender. The way to meet everyone's needs is through equity and with a racially diverse medical staff. Unlike many other people, my medical career goals are not stemmed from greed of money, my main goal is to help people who can not help themselves. My goal is to fight for not only black people but all people of color because in things such as medical trials and the studies that are taught to med students are recorded from a vast majority of white people. This also means that there needs to be a change within the system and learn how to treat everyone properly. But we can only change one thing at a time, but I am determined to be a part of the change.

I grew up in a low income area that was filled with People Of Color like me. Having health issues in communities, like the one I grew up in, is more common than 3 leaf clovers. I seen people around me suffer from health issues and couldn't get the proper care they needed due to lack of medical help in the area, not having enough money for treatment, and so on. As a kid, I saw this as normal and assumed that it was just a part of life that everyone goes through, but obviously as I got older I saw that more wealthy people did not have these problems. Although this was very alarming and caught my attention, but what really made me want to be a part of the medical field was seeing the mortality rates of black women when they are hospitalized. This made me realize that I, as a black woman , had to do something to help. Whether it be from giving birth to no one taking them seriously when they say that they believe something is wrong, it causes them to worsen in their condition or even worse lose their lives. According to a study done in 2019, only 36% of doctors are women and more than likely less than half of that 36% is not a woman of color. It is so important to have racial diversity in healthcare for so many reasons, one of the main reasons is to make sure everyone's needs are being met. It's also very important to have gender diversity in the medical field as well. Equality is not always the key, every human body is not the same especially when it comes to race and gender. The way to meet everyone's needs is through equity and with a racially diverse medical staff. Unlike many other people, my medical career goals are not stemmed from greed of money, my main goal is to help people who can not help themselves.

Semester of 21' : Fall edition 1.Sleepy Hollow by Trippie Redd 2. I Gotta Find Peace of Mind by Lauryn Hill 3. Too fast by Sonder 4. Wait A Minute! by Willow smith 5. I dont wanna do this anymore by xxxtentacion 6. Put in Work by Jacquees & Chris Brown 7. Finish Line by Trippie Redd

I grew up in a low income area that was filled with People Of Color like me. Having health issues in communities, like the one I grew up in, is more common than 3 leaf clovers. I saw people around me suffer from health issues and couldn't get the proper care they needed due to lack of medical help in the area, not having enough money for treatment, and so on. When I was younger, I saw this as normal and assumed that it was just a part of life that everyone goes through, but obviously as I got older I saw that more wealthy people did not have these problems. Although this was very alarming and caught my attention, but what really made me want to be a part of the medical field was seeing the mortality rates of black women when they are hospitalized. This made me realize that I, as a black woman , had to do something to help. Whether it be from giving birth to no one taking them seriously when they say that they believe something is wrong, it causes them to worsen in their condition or even worse lose their lives. According to a study done in 2019, only 36% of doctors are women and more than likely less than half of that 36% is not a woman of color. It is so important to have racial diversity in healthcare for so many reasons, one of the main reasons is to make sure everyone's needs are being met. It's also very important to have gender diversity in the medical field as well. Equality is not always the key, every human body is not the same especially when it comes to race and gender. The way to meet everyone's needs is through equity and with a racially diverse medical staff. Unlike many other people, my medical career goals are not stemmed from greed of money, my main goal is to help people who can not help themselves. My goal is to fight for not only black people but all people of color because in things such as medical trials and the studies that are taught to med students are recorded from a vast majority of white people. This also means that there needs to be a change within the system and learn how to treat everyone properly. But we can only change one thing at a time, but I am determined to be a part of the change.