I am passionate about receiving my education because it will allow me to succeed in life and become a great role model for young girls. Ever since I was little, I have always been very independent. I wanted to help others whenever I could and do well in my own life so I could grow to be a strong person people can look up to. I want to be a medical examiner, which is someone who conducts autopsies to find the cause of death and to find clue about murder suspects. Forensic pathology is a field that can be gruesome, but it allows people to mourn their families and get the justice they deserve. With this profession in mind, many have told me I will never be able to make it there. They think I am going to give up because it is a hard journey and there is a lot of competition in the field. Scholarships mean the world to me because they mean I can keep taking courses and get one step closer to reaching my dream. I want to show everyone that no matter who you are, you can be whatever you want to be. While there are many women who show this task, the one I look up to is Mae C. Jemison. Although this was a field highly saturated with men, she strived to be the best. She became a medical officer for the peace corps for a few years before applying to NASA. She then became a science missions specialist and was the first African American Female to go to space. Even though she only spent 8 days in space, she accomplished many experiments and changed what we know about science. After leaving NASA, she started the Jemison group, which researches and develops new technologies. Because of her hard work and her refusal to give up, Mae C. Jemison received many awards and honors. In today’s society, people such as Mae C. Jemison paved a path for all young women to dream of becoming something great. While we may have a long way to go for complete equality for everyone, I am proud to have the opportunity to follow in these great women’s path. If I were to win this scholarship, I would strive to become a woman that many people can look up to. One that can change the lives of other for the better

An antiseptic scent wafts through the air. The deafening silence and the eerie feeling course through your veins as you walk into the cold room in front of you. Sharp tools are laid across metal trays and dead bodies are lined up to be examined. To most people, this may sound like a horror movie, but I have a different view of the morgue. My dream is to be a medical examiner. A medical examiner performs autopsies in morgues, so many people would not want this profession, but I have been planning for this goal since I was in my sophomore year of high school. Ever since I was little, I enjoyed puzzles. Whenever I visited my grandparents, my grandfather would bring me a new puzzle to complete, and when I didn't have a new puzzle, I would flip them over to solve it without a picture. This profession will allow me to solve puzzles for a living while helping those in need. This job not only finds how people passed, but it can also solve crimes and allow people to grieve for their loved ones. To reach this dream, I must finish my associate's degree, continue my studies at Purdue Northwest to receive my Bachelor's degree, complete a master's degree, and finally complete the training period before I can be considered for the job. It is also recommended that I earn my Ph.D., But I want to complete this degree as I work to minimize debt. As a woman, I believe that receiving Science-based degrees and joining a profession that many see as odd can empower young girls. It will allow them to see that it does not matter what they want to be, they can reach their dreams as long as they put their minds to it.

My favorite scientist is John Douglas because he formed what crime scene investigation is today. Douglas formed a new way to catch murderers, and in return, saved many lives. He believed the way to profile criminals was flawed, so he created a more accurate representation. Douglas is my favorite scientist because he saved so many lives during his time working in crime scene investigation, and he continues to do so by creating a new way to profile criminals.

Ever since I was little, I was told that I became independent at a young age. I always wanted to figure out how to do tasks by myself. I asked for help when it was needed, but it helped me learn how to better myself. Growing up in this manner allowed me to be more independent and self teaching now. Throughout high school, I made sure to take responsibility to keep the highest grades because I knew the path through the medical field would be tough and I would need to be at the top. Whether it was keeping grades or building my resume with jobs and extracurriculars, I was always thinking about my future and planning my next step. I worked hard and continue to do so to reach my goal. Being Independent means striving for your goals and having the responsibility to do so. The word independent does not necessarily mean you cannot have help to reach your goals. Help can be the bridge between dependency and independency in many ways. For example, a child must learn to walk by first using the hands of their parents to hold them up. This can teach them the balance they will need to hold themselves up without help. This can apply to all aspects of life

Individuality is one of the most important aspects of life. Whether it's shown with tattoos, piercings, hobbies, jobs, religion, or political views, our individuality is what makes a person whole. I have a love for art and the expression it can give, so I have tattoos that can express my artistic side. They also are Christian based so that I can explain different biblical stories to those who ask what my tattoos mean. Christianity is a big part of my life so having people ask about my tattoos allows me to explain why I am a Christian. I Also color my hair every so often with unnatural color to add more art into my style. The unnatural color paired with a half shave style allows me to stand out and show my confidence. Individuality allows me to feel more confident and live my life happier.

I hope to make an impact on someone's life by showing them that anything is possible. Throughout my life, I have always wanted to reach my goals no matter what. Currently, I am working on becoming a medical examiner, which is my biggest goal in life. Working from my freshman year of high school to keep the best grades possible, I took as many extra curriculars as possible to build my resume, and I am currently working on my associates degree before continuing for my next degree. I use this story to motivate others and to show them if you put your mind to something, it is possible.

Ever since I was little, I loved puzzles. I would solve them as fast as I could or tried to solve them by flipping the picture side down to make it harder. As I grew older, I began watching crime scene investigation shows such as Dexter. With a mixture of wanting to solve puzzles and wanting to help others, forensics became very intriguing. The more I researched forensics, the more I wanted to reach the goal I have now. My name is Brianna Martin, I am 18 years old, and I am planning on becoming a medical examiner. This job includes earning a masters degree plus five years of residency and training. In the fall of 2022, I will be starting my bachelor's degree, but I have a long ways ahead of me. I will make an impact on society by helping catch murderers and give justice to grieving families. Books such as "Mind Hunter" and "Killer Across the Table" were super interesting to me because of their author. John Douglas is one of the first criminal profilers and formed crime scene investigation into what it is today. He made so much impact on this field and has helped so many people.