Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” That quote resonates with me as I prepare to continue my education after graduating from my HBCU, Tuskegee University. I view continued learning not as an obligation but as a powerful tool to utilize in achieving my overall goals. I see it as a tool that can break generational cycles, open doors that were once closed, and allow me to serve my community on a deeper and wider level. I am actively pursuing a Bachelors in Animal and Veterinary Science and plan to aquire a degree in veterinary science by the year 2031, with a concentration in theriogenology, which is animal reproductive health and wellness. As an aspiring veterinary professional, I am passionate about animal health, food safety, and expanding access to veterinary care, especially in rural and underserved areas where both animals and people are often overlooked. My overall goal is to become a licensed veterinary assistant and later open my own veterinary practice, contributing to animal wellness while promoting education around zoonotic disease prevention and agricultural sustainability. My decision to pursue continued education also stems from representation. As a Black woman interested in the veterinary field, I will often walk into spaces where I am one of few outside of my HBCU environment. That visibility matters. It inspires others, just as I’ve been inspired by the trailblazers who came before me. People like Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb and Dr. Iverson Bell, whose contributions to veterinary medicine paved the way for students like me and other African-American students. I want to follow in their footsteps and also leave my own mark like they did, not only by excelling in this field but also by mentoring others and increasing awareness of career paths in animal health. Lastly, I’ve spent time volunteering at my universities farm facilities, shadowing in emergency veterinary clinics, and mentoring high school and college students interested in STEM. The more I learn, the more determined I become to grow and expand my impact. Graduate-level education is my next step. It will allow me to deepen my understanding, develop new skills, and ultimately return to my community equipped with the tools to educate, serve, and lead. This scholarship would help alleviate the financial burden of continued education and make it more possible for me to remain focused on learning rather than how I will remain out of debt. I am committed to rising higher, not just for myself, but for the generations behind me who need to see that it’s possible despite obstacles.

I am Casey Frazier-Pringle, a rising sophomore Animal Science major at Tuskegee University. I was born in a city on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, and raised solely by my mother. My journey into the field of agriculture began at a young age when I took a school trip the Tybee Island, along the coast of Georgia. There, myself and my peers had the privilege to shadow marine biologist and their volunteers as they cared for the animals on the island. This experience was the first that sparked my interest in the field of animal science specifically. Since then, I have spent my summers participating in programs coordinated by Tuskegee University and Morehouse College. Those programs helped me better understand animals and inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to animal welfare and reproductive health. Throughout my academic career, I have consistently excelled in my studies, taking two 9th-grade courses in 8th grade, maintaining a GPA of 3.9 in high school, receiving honors such as the College Board National African American Recognition Award, and being accepted to over 50 colleges and universities across the country. My academic interests focus on animal reproduction and agricultural practices, particularly methods to improve livestock health and reproduction in animals. My plans for the future include attending Tuskegee University's College of Veterinary Medicine and graduating a year early to become a theriogenologist. This past summer, I had the pleasure of participating in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Laboratorian Training Program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture. During this experience, I and other students from undergraduate and graduate degree programs hailing from different Historically Black Colleges and Universities could learn advanced laboratory techniques and study various zoonotic viruses and diseases. The purpose of this was to inspire us to take an interest in studying those diseases and viruses, many of which could prove to be detrimental to the population if an outbreak were to occur. As I mentioned earlier, my goals include working with animal reproduction, the title I plan to acquire being a theriogenologist. Theriogenology is a specialty in veterinary medicine that focuses on the reproductive health of animals. There are many things in the world that can harm animals, which in turn makes it hard to feed the population effectively. During my internship, we learned just how detrimental and dangerous certain viruses are to animals and humans, many of which could affect the gestation period of an animal. I plan to research these elements to be able to protect animals and make certain that their reproductive cycles are as smooth as they can be. I believe my dedication to my goals, academic achievements, and passion for animal science make me an ideal candidate for this scholarship. I am eager to contribute my knowledge and skills to advance the field and make a meaningful difference in the world of animal care. Thank you for considering my application. I am hopeful that with your support, I can continue to pursue my passion and contribute to the field of Animal Science.

Our world constantly grows and changes, with new challenges presenting themselves over time. Some are more severe than others and many can relate to each other regarding how it can affect people or the environment. As an animal science major going into my second year of college, my professors and dean have informed me and my peers on the growing issues in the animal science field that can either help or disrupt the ever-increasing world. We are in danger of a food shortage that is contributing to the inflation of our economy, for food to meet the demand of the population it will need to double by 2050. It is possible to do this while not being cruel to our environment and animals, but we must do the proper research to accomplish it. One skill that I have been honing for the majority of my academic career is my retention of information and the ability to test well on subjects. This skill will not only help me succeed in my studies but also in the research I plan to contribute to. I'll admit that when it comes to retaining large amounts of information I've had to spend more time than most to be able to do so. At first, it was challenging, I found myself spending more time on older material and falling behind on learning new material. I prioritized finding ways of retaining information that worked for me, like listening to lectures after class was over and reviewing everything I learned at the end of the week, to be able to retain the information and test well on it. It does take more effort but it has the best outcomes that award me with high scores and an exceptional GPA. It took a lot of trial and error but in the end, I am confident now in my ability to learn and assist my classmates. It was when I first got to college that I realized how demanding it was for a student to have a short amount of time to learn so much information. I eventually was able to manage but in the process, I saw many of my peers changing their majors and giving up on their lifelong dreams to be in the veterinary field, some going as far as dropping out. I can do nothing for them now, but for my future peers, the incoming freshman/transfer students, I can offer them help. Every day I study the material provided by my professors and then some. I recall how helpless I felt the first week in my freshman classes, how showing up to office hours and asking my professors questions via email didn't seem to be doing the trick for me. It took many long nights to learn what I needed, however, the solution to this problem was quite simple. Studying alone is not always good for someone, study groups worked wonders for me during my freshman spring semester. I found that talking to my peers about subjects was sometimes more beneficial than rereading a PowerPoint over and over again in hopes of being able to remember it all. I look forward to the start of my sophomore year, I want to be able to share these tips and even express my help to my peers so that they may also succeed in school. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my story and apply for this scholarship.

In the fifth grade, I went on a trip with other students in my Talented and Gifted program at that time to an island on the coast of Georgia called Tybee Island. While on this trip we were allowed to shadow the marine biologists and volunteers who tended to the marsh and ocean on that portion of the island. It was my first time noticing just how much help our world needed to maintain a certain balance, and how the environment can leave some animals in helpless positions that can cost their lives under the right circumstances. After that trip, I became obsessed with the topic of animal care. I remember my conversation with my mother about it, and she introduced becoming a veterinarian to me. At first, I wasn't sure if that's what I wanted to do for sure. I was pretty young then but as time progressed I saw animals being neglected more, in my hometown and on social media. Once I got to high school and the conversation of colleges came up, almost every teacher or coach I talked to suggested Tuskegee University. In my senior year, I applied to and was accepted to over 50 colleges and universities but once Tuskegee offered me admissions I knew I was going there So after I applied and was accepted the next step was to decide what I wanted to do with my degree. Once I did a little more research on the different jobs inside of the veterinary science field, becoming an Animal Care Specialist was the title I had chosen. As an Animal Care Specialist, I can provide care to animals in need such as strays, pets, and farm animals. I believe that many people fail to realize how vital animals are in our world, whether it be the emotional support of a pet or the sustainment of an environment. I will make strives to care for as many animals as I can to impact the support the change in the treatment of animals in the future.

In fifth grade, I was in a Talented and Gifted program that pushed me and a handful of other students to think outside the box at every opportunity presented to us. They had different speakers and presenters come to speak to us about their careers and opportunities that they are taken advantage of. We went on a multitude of field trips, and one in particular lasted for four days to Tybee Island. On Tybee Island, there is a marine biology center, and in the center, there is a camp of sorts that allowed my school, and a few other schools to bring their programs as well to shadow the marine biologist for a few days. At first, I was very nervous. I had a very big fear of the ocean and I had learned around this time that marine equaled ocean, so I was not very open-minded to this experience. But I'm glad that my teacher at the time was very persistent, ensuring that all her students share the experience. And I'm thrilled that I went, I learned that marine biologists don't just work on the ocean and ocean creatures. They also work in marshes and swamps and things of that nature. Unfortunately, this did not spark interest in marine biology for me. I still have a very big fear of the ocean. But I realized during that experience just how attentive the scientists were to the animals and how important they were to the health of the area. I recall one of the volunteers commenting "95% of the marsh is crabs poop". At first, I assumed it was a joke to get a couple of 10-year-olds to laugh, but there was truth to it. How they asked us to not step on certain things, and how it was important for us to wear tall boots to not disturb the animals around us. I went home and I told my mother about this experience she asked me if I wanted to be a marine biologist and I told her no because I was still very afraid of the ocean. Even though the ocean is very vast and is not even 10% mastered in knowledge it does spark my interest, but I don't think that I will be the one to explore the ocean to learn more about it. But I knew I wanted to work somewhere in that field. I just didn't know what yet it took a few years and a few more conversations with my parents and a few teachers to learn that the field of animal science might be the way for me to go. I kept my options open until my senior year of high school. I got many scholarships from different schools for many different programs, all of them science are stem related. But with a solidified desire to pursue an education in veterinary science, Les is accepted to the illustrious Tuskegee University, they have an amazing animal science program, and I am currently attending Tuskegee, and I cannot be happier. I am learning so much about animal science and I look forward to applying and hopefully being sucked into the vet school here in a few years, and I will work hard to ensure acceptance into vet school. I am applying for scholarships because I want to focus all my efforts and attention on excelling in school and help my mother who is the only parent supporting me in school.

Good day, my name is Casey Frazier-Pringle, I was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a single mother, Clarisse Frazier. My father was only interested in us if we made him look good, so I decided to cut all contact with him and his side of the family when I got older. My mother's side of the family wasn't the best but they loved and cared for us, which I am grateful for. My mother moved away from her family in Louisiana and raised me in Atlanta. She enrolled me in the best preschool she could find, which helped me to learn to read at the age of 3. As my mother was an educator, she often kept bigger books in our home, so my reading level was higher than my peers when I got older. In middle school, I took 9th-grade classes and was able to enter high school with 4 credits, putting me a semester ahead. This worked in my favor as I took every AP class offered in my school. By my senior year, I had no more classes to take, so I focused on applying for colleges and deciding where to go. I graduated in the top 10% of my class with a 3.9 GPA was accepted to over 40 colleges and universities and was offered over half a million in scholarships. I was also honored as a 2023 scholar-athlete for participating in cheer and being able to balance it with my grades. I decided to attend Tuskegee University, majoring in Animal Science with the hope of becoming an Animal Care Specialist. I am participating in a 3+1 program in the vet program, which will allow me to begin my first year of vet school during my fourth year of earning my bachelor's degree. I am also on the Golden Tiger Tuskegee Cheer Team, which I have been a part of since I was 4. I did all-star cheer for 4 years, middle school sideline cheer for 2 years, and high school sideline cheer for 4 years, and I held the titles of co-captain and captain during my junior and senior years. Although I love this beautiful university, it is very expensive to attend. I want to ease the burden on my mother, who has already done so much to get me to this point. I feel it is my turn to do the work and hope to be worthy of receiving a scholarship so that I can continue to attend this university. Thank you for this opportunity.

Growing up, my mother raised me alone I believe that she struggled with raising me and often took it out on me. She was often verbally harsh and overbearing when it came to school and my grades. It always affected my mental health but things like after-school activities and school itself gave me the space and time away for both of us to reset. During middle school, I lost 3 of my grandparents each year of school. My grandmother passed first, she was like my best friend. I never felt like she judged me, I always felt safe and accepted around her. When she passed it felt like I had lost my safe place, she was kind of the medium between me and my mom. She would calm my mom down whenever I would get in trouble and after she passed my mother's attitude and temper worsened. A part of me understood she had just lost her mother, and two years later she lost her father. But then Covid-19 Quarantine happened and we were alone in our home 24/7. And I realized that the majority of things she had to say to me were about my weight, hygiene and demeanor. It was hard living like that every day for 2 years. I did hurt myself during this time to cope. If I'm being honest I was harming myself way before lockdown. When the quarantine was lifted enough for us to go back to school I went through a situation involving my sport where I endured my first set of injuries and I began gaining more weight than I ever had before. The coaches of my team had quit and I got a new set of coaches that besides me being the co-captain of the team treated me badly and like I wasn't important for the team. It broke me down and I tried track instead but that wasn't where my passion was and as a result, I attempted to take my life one night. I was unsuccessful and the next day I was called into the counselor's office for previous scars. They informed my mom of the old and new scars and she seemed angry at me. I didn't like that I wasn't given a choice of therapy but I'm kind of happy that I was forced into it. I no longer hurt myself but the depression and anxiety that I've been suffering from still lingers sometimes. I will say that therapy helped me and that my being reported for hurting myself is the right step no matter how I felt in the moment.

During my academic journey, I faced many obstacles when it came to taking exams. I struggled with comprehending questions and understanding the material, which led to frustration as I took on more challenging classes. But I refused to give up and knew that I needed to improve my test-taking skills if I wanted to succeed. I worked hard to overcome my struggles, dedicating myself to techniques that helped me accurately answer questions under pressure and read long texts efficiently. I realized that improving my test-taking skills was not just about memorization or intelligence, but also about perseverance and determination. Practicing answering questions under timed conditions was a technique that helped me the most. The more I practiced, the more confident I became with the structure and format of exams. I also learned how to read long texts efficiently by breaking them down into smaller, manageable portions. By staying organized and managing my time wisely, I was able to reduce my stress levels and avoid last-minute cramming sessions. But the most important lesson I learned was that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I refused to let my struggles define me, and instead, I used them as a motivator to push myself harder. It was a challenging experience, but it was also incredibly rewarding. By improving my test-taking skills, I achieved better results on exams and gained valuable skills that have served me well throughout my academic and professional career. In addition to the techniques I mentioned, I also found it helpful to seek guidance and support from teachers and classmates. They provided me with valuable insights and advice that helped me identify my weaknesses and develop strategies to overcome them. I also made sure to take care of my physical and mental health during exam periods. I maintained a healthy diet, exercised regularly, and made time for relaxation and self-care. This helped me stay focused and energized throughout the exam period, which in turn helped me perform better. Finally, I believe that it's important to maintain a positive attitude and mindset when it comes to exams. Rather than viewing them as a source of anxiety and stress, try to see them as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don't let fear hold you back. In conclusion, improving your test-taking skills is a process that requires dedication, perseverance, and hard work. But with the right techniques, guidance, and mindset, it's possible to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Don't give up on your dreams and goals, and always remember that you have the power to shape your own destiny.

In fifth grade, I was fortunate enough to be selected for my school's Talented and Gifted program, which involved a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the beautiful Tybee Island. During our time on the island, we were given the incredible opportunity to work alongside marine biologists, taking care of various animals, analyzing marshes, and even dissecting specimens. Our experiences on the island were truly eye-opening and educational, and they taught me so much about the delicate balance of life on Earth, and the effects that even small changes can have on the creatures that inhabit it. Through our work, I was able to witness firsthand the effects of environmental changes on animals like snakes, crabs, and snails, and it was a stark reminder that we as humans need to take responsibility for our actions and their impact on the natural world. This experience was life-changing for me, and it left a lasting impression on me that I carry to this day. It reminded me that animals have been living alongside us since the dawn of time, and they deserve to be treated with the same care and respect as we do. It is up to each of us to do our part in protecting and preserving our planet and the beautiful creatures that inhabit it. Although I initially considered pursuing a career in marine biology, my apprehension of the ocean led me to choose veterinary science instead. Despite this, my passion for animal welfare remains unwavering. With my degree in Animal Science, I hope to work in animal health care, providing animals with the care and attention they need to live healthy and happy lives. In my opinion, animals play a crucial role in our existence, and it is our duty to look after them. Regardless of whether they are our domestic companions or animals on a farm, every creature deserves to be treated with empathy and dignity. This is why I am enthusiastic about my upcoming profession, where I can utilize my expertise and abilities to assist animals in distress. My ultimate ambition is to establish the most comprehensive animal clinic in the state of Georgia. I aim to provide a one-stop shop for pets in need of exceptional medical care, ranging from routine check-ups to urgent medical attention. Envisioning a clinic that not only caters to the treatment of animals but also doubles up as a communal hub where pet owners can receive guidance and support. In conclusion, my experience on Tybee Island taught me the importance of caring for animals and the environment. It led me to pursue a career in animal science(veterinary science), and I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. With hard work and dedication, I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and the people who love them.

Casey Frazier-Pringle Tuskegee University Pre-Vet Major caseycfrazierp3@gmail.com As an advocate for what is right, I utilize my strengths to make a positive impact. I recognize that our world is in a constant state of flux, and not all changes are for the better. That is precisely why I firmly believe in the significance of maintaining good intentions in even the smallest of situations, as they can bear monumental consequences. Whether or not individuals acknowledge my acts of kindness and assistance, I remain determined to identify and foster the potential of everyone in my community. So much potential goes unnoticed and is squandered simply because the foundation for greatness is lost early on. In my community, a lack of individuals taking the time to educate our youth and prevent them from making detrimental errors is a common issue. Parents frequently do not involve themselves in their child's education, resulting in elevated dropout rates. As a student who did not require as much guidance as others, I found myself in a position where I had to decide whether to assist struggling peers or allow them to struggle and potentially fail. I am not one to sit back and watch individuals with genuine potential let their hidden talents go untapped due to a minor setback like Algebra 1. During my high school years, I was a participant in two sports - Cheerleading and Track and Field. Although Track and Field was not my primary sport, I took immense pride in Cheerleading and partook in it for all four years. However, during my time as a cheerleader, I witnessed many young girls indulging in reckless behavior that could have potentially ruined their lives early on. These included getting into altercations, being reckless with boys, and breaking school and cheer rules - actions that could lead to suspension or expulsion from the team. As an older member of the team, I took it upon myself to counsel the younger girls on the importance of attending classes, dressing appropriately, and adhering to rules and regulations. While not all of them took my advice, I am proud to say that some did and are now on the path to a bright future. I firmly believe that my efforts are making a significant positive impact, despite the self-destructive behavior that plagues my community. I understand that to tackle the root cause of these issues, it's crucial to educate children on essential life skills at a young age. Waiting until they are adults and playing catch-up is not the solution. Thank you for this opportunity, Casey Frazier-Pringle