“Miss Chelsea! Miss Chelsea! Miss CHELSEEAAA!!” A group of elementary school girls rushed out of the back door of the school, engulfing me in a big hug, each one eager to tell me about their day at school. If I had the time, I would listen to each individual story, but we wouldn’t get anything done if I did that. “Okay, girls, I need everyone to catch a bubble and turn your listening ears on! Today’s lesson is about Star Power. I want everyone to make a BIG star with your body.” I demonstrated by loosely spreading my arms and legs. The girls shot confused looks at me. “What’s wrong with my star?” I asked with a smile. “Miss Chelsea, you need to put more energy into your star. Like this!” Katey threw her arms and feet out enthusiastically. “Yes, Katey! We all have the power to determine how brightly we want our stars to shine! Alright, everyone, give me your best stars.” The girls did exactly that. “Now, I want everyone to link their stars together.” The circle got smaller as we all held each other’s hands. “What now, Miss Chelsea?” Mai blurted out. “Well, now we are going to go around the circle and share something kind with the person to our left. I will start…” We went around, and I smiled as I saw each girl’s face light up with the compliments they received. “Okay, I want you to remember something important about what we just did. We all have the power to light up each other’s days. As girls, we should strive to uplift each other so that we can shine brightly to the whole wide world! On the count of three, I want everyone to say Star Power!” I counted down, and the girls shouted "Star Power" at the tops of their lungs. “Get on the line! Time for laps!” The girls lined up at the edge of the soccer field and began running. My time as a volunteer coach at Girls on the Run was life-changing. As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to be a positive role model for the girls I coached. I taught them to step into spaces they might not feel welcome and to do so with confidence—something I didn’t have growing up. Being able to impact these girls in a way that would positively affect their future meant everything to me. As a college student with aspirations to pursue an MD/JD degree, I aim to become an OBGYN and impact women’s health as a black woman. Furthermore, pursuing a JD will provide me with the legal background to advocate for my patients. With these two degrees, I want to address the high black mortality rates in maternal medicine and continue to inspire younger generations to use their Star Power to change the world.

Nineteen years ago, in a dimly lit hospital room, I was born to two young parents who named me Che. Growing up, I did not fully understand the significance of my name and often encountered curious glances during introductions. One evening, amidst the bustling sounds of Kibera's slums, I asked my father about the origin of my name. A history enthusiast, he explained that I was named after Che Guevara, renowned for his unwavering courage and dedication to his ideals. As a child, I did not grasp the importance of this, but as I grew older, I began to appreciate the profound legacy of my namesake. Growing up in Kibera, I was acutely aware of the challenges posed by poverty and disease. The lack of access to healthcare was a harsh reality, contributing to alarmingly high mortality rates. This exposure ignited my passion for healthcare. Now residing in the United States, I recognize that healthcare challenges are not confined to developing countries; they are a global issue. My ambition is to address these challenges both in my birth country and in my current home. Through my college education, I have come to understand that many of these issues stem from inadequate policies created by lawmakers who lack firsthand experience in the field. I am determined to change this. While my initial goal was to become an OBGYN, I have since broadened my aspirations to include direct involvement in healthcare policy-making. I am committed to using my voice and expertise to develop solutions for the healthcare problems faced by diverse communities in the United States. My passion lies in advocating for policies that address women's healthcare needs, crafted by women who understand these issues intimately. I aspire to be a role model for young girls, demonstrating the impact that women can have in traditionally male-dominated fields. I am grateful for the opportunities my education has provided me, and I am driven to apply my knowledge to create positive change. The power of policy to shape healthcare outcomes is immense, and I am dedicated to ensuring that these policies are informed by those who are directly affected by them. By combining my medical knowledge with policy advocacy, I aim to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and policymakers. Inspired by the resolute spirit of Che Guevara, I approach my education and career with the same determination. Through my efforts, I hope to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems, both locally and globally. By embodying the courage and passion of my namesake, I strive to make a lasting impact on the world.

As a young girl growing up in the shanties in Kenya, my after-school hours were spent playing soccer in the slum-alleys. Most times, I would be the only girl in the boys’ team because girls playing soccer was frowned upon. Because I was smaller than the boys, I had to fight for everything: for the chance to play, for the ball, and for respect. My favorite moments were when I would score a goal for the team, and we would celebrate the goal with my fist high in the air as we chanted “Bao!”—the Swahili word for “goal.” Today, despite living on a different continent and playing travel soccer on an all-girl American team, my new teammates have learned to passionately scream “Baaaoooo!” with me every time we score a goal. “Bao” is a word that I have come to rely on, a word that has instilled in me the importance of determination in my endeavors. It is a word that I relied on when I was struggling to assimilate as an immigrant in America because it reminded me that if I worked hard and fought for my place, my worth work will be recognized. Despite the remarkable changes in my life circumstances, the intimate experience of growing up in the belligerent Kibra slums has never left me; to the contrary, it has shaped my goals. The reality of growing up in one of the world’s most vulnerable communities and experiencing the daily trauma of poverty and diseases has influenced me to seek an education where I can lend my voice and intellect in creating a solution to the health problems faced by developing countries caused by poverty and inequality.