As a black girl growing up in the Los Angeles community. I've seen and experienced more than a normal person should. From the injustices my black community has faced, to the challenges I've faced as a result of the skin color I was born with. Not to mention the barriers erected as a result of my own family's experiences. But I didn't let these obstacles stop me from dreaming and setting goals for myself, no matter how far I had to go to achieve them. As a child, I aspired to be so many things, but they never held my interest for long. Until I had the idea of becoming a doctor. Why? It snatched my heart. I could heal those who needed it. Be my patients' support system. No one should be judged. People should be treated with kindness and respect. Pay attention to what they say. Above all, I want to make my guardian angel proud. One of the reasons I want to be a doctor is because of my grandfather. As a child, I was always fascinated by my family members' stories about their past. So, one day, I was sitting next to my grandfather when he told me the story of how he became a doctor. He was so close, he only needed one more test to become a licensed doctor. However, due to his responsibilities as the head of the household, he was unable to attend the test. Since he told me that story, I've been captivated by the prospect of healing those in need, particularly in low-income communities. I knew my grandfather had tried to make a better life for himself and his family, and I wanted to do the same. Unfortunatley, My grandfather has passed away, but I will never forget the story he told me, and I hope to make him proud by becoming a doctor. So he is my main motivation for pursuing a career as a pediatrician. I know that this is one way I can help those who require medical assistance. It was disheartening to learn that people of color are frequently mistreated when seeking medical attention. They are stereotyped due to their African American or Hispanic ancestry. It isn't right. People should feel secure and confident in their medical team. That is the crux of the matter. I'm passionate because I want to ensure that all of my patients, regardless of complexion or skin color, have confidence in me to care for them when their health isn't in the best shape. I want to make the world a better place, and yes, I believe that is possible. I haven't started reading books yet, but I have read articles about how patients of color are treated. I volunteered and participated in the American Heart Association's STEM Goes Red educational program. I volunteered to attend events like medical conventions, where I met a variety of doctors. It was an eye-opening experience because I learned new things and was educated on various aspects of medicine. I wasthe vice president of Young, Black, and Educated, a cultural club at my high school. This has shaped me into the person I am today because it has created an effective community for me to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.It has given me the confidence I require to become a doctor and care for my patients. Not to give up because of my race or gender. Making and being the difference that this world requires. Every day, I take another step closer to realizing my dream of becoming a doctor.

As a black girl growing up in the Los Angeles community. I've seen and experienced more than a normal person should. From the injustices my black community has faced, to the challenges I've faced as a result of the skin color I was born with. Not to mention the barriers erected as a result of my own family's experiences. But I didn't let these obstacles stop me from dreaming and setting goals for myself, no matter how far I had to go to achieve them. As a child, I aspired to be so many things, but they never held my interest for long. Until I had the idea of becoming a doctor. Why? It snatched my heart. I could heal those who needed it. Be my patients' support system. No one should be judged. People should be treated with kindness and respect. Pay attention to what they say. Above all, I want to make my guardian angel proud. One of the reasons I want to be a doctor is because of my grandfather. As a child, I was always fascinated by my family members' stories about their past. So, one day, I was sitting next to my grandfather when he told me the story of how he became a doctor. He was so close, he only needed one more test to become a licensed doctor. However, due to his responsibilities as the head of the household, he was unable to attend the test. Since he told me that story, I've been captivated by the prospect of healing those in need, particularly in low-income communities. I knew my grandfather had tried to make a better life for himself and his family, and I wanted to do the same. Unfortunatley, My grandfather has passed away, but I will never forget the story he told me, and I hope to make him proud by becoming a doctor. So he is my main motivation for pursuing a career as a pediatrician. I know that this is one way I can help those who require medical assistance. It was disheartening to learn that people of color are frequently mistreated when seeking medical attention. They are stereotyped due to their African American or Hispanic ancestry. It isn't right. People should feel secure and confident in their medical team. That is the crux of the matter. I'm passionate because I want to ensure that all of my patients, regardless of complexion or skin color, have confidence in me to care for them when their health isn't in the best shape. I want to make the world a better place, and yes, I believe that is possible. I haven't started reading books yet, but I have read articles about how patients of color are treated. I volunteered and participated in the American Heart Association's STEM Goes Red educational program. I volunteered to attend events like medical conventions, where I met a variety of doctors. It was an eye-opening experience because I learned new things and was educated on various aspects of medicine. I wasthe vice president of Young, Black, and Educated, a cultural club at my high school. This has shaped me into the person I am today because it has created an effective community for me to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.It has given me the confidence I require to become a doctor and care for my patients. Not to give up because of my race or gender. Making and being the difference that this world requires. Every day, I take another step closer to realizing my dream of becoming a doctor.

As a black girl growing up in the Los Angeles community. I've seen and experienced more than a normal person should. From the injustices my black community has faced, to the challenges I've faced as a result of the skin color I was born with. But I didn't let these obstacles stop me from dreaming and setting goals for myself, no matter how far I had to go to achieve them. As a child, I aspired to be so many things, but they never held my interest for long. Until I had the idea of becoming a doctor. Why? I could heal those who needed it. Be my patients' support system. Above all, I want to make my guardian angel proud. As a child, I was fascinated by my family members' stories about their past. So, one day, I was sitting next to my grandfather when he told me the story of how he became a doctor. However, due to his responsibilities as the head of the household, he was unable to attend the test. Since he told me that story, I've been captivated by the prospect of healing those in need, particularly in low-income communities. I knew my grandfather had tried to make a better life for himself and his family, and I wanted to do the same. Unfortunatley, My grandfather has passed away, but I will never forget the story he told me, and I hope to make him proud by becoming a doctor. It was disheartening to learn that people of color are frequently mistreated when seeking medical attention. They are stereotyped due to their African American or Hispanic ancestry. It isn't right. People should feel secure and confident in their medical team. That is the crux of the matter. I'm passionate because I want to ensure that all of my patients, regardless of skin color, have confidence in me to care for them in regards to their health. I want to make the world a better place, and yes, I believe that is possible. I have taken the steps to becoming a peditrician in order to be able to give back to my community. I volunteered in the American Heart Association's STEM Goes Red educational program. I volunteered to attend events like medical conventions, where I met a variety of doctors. It was an eye-opening experience because I was educated on various aspects of medicine. I was the vice president of Young, Black, and Educated. Currently, I am attending UCSB where I'm majoring in Biology and minoring in Black Studies. In hopes to graduate with my bachelors degree and attend medical school. This has shaped me into the person I am today because it has created an effective community for me to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. It has given me the confidence to become a doctor and care for my patients. Not to give up because of my race or gender. Making and being the difference that this world requires.

A time when I demonstrated tenacity was my first week of elementary school. My happiness was at an all-time high until I had to take a reading test to find out my reading level. I could remember having a book with at least three sentences on each page. The challenge for me was that I had difficulty reading the sentences in the book. I tried my hardest to pronounce every word, but it was unbearable to do. I wondered why I had such a hard time reading. After the test, I was told that I had to be enrolled in additional reading classes to help my reading level. For the first time, I felt ashamed that I could not read. To overcome this barrier, I had to do the work outside of school. Luckily, I had a teacher who gave me books at different levels to read. After school, I would sit down at the table and practice how to pronounce the words in the books until I was able to pronounce them correctly. I would read the books given to me with the help of my parents, who supported me along the way by assisting me when I was stuck on certain words. In the end, I had to take a test to see if my reading level had improved, and in the end, I went from level one to level ten. With dedication, perseverance, an amazing teacher, and my parents, I was able to increase my reading level. My reading ability has affected my academic achievement because it showed me that I was capable of being successful despite the challenge. I may have struggled with reading, but I was able to face the challenge by believing in myself and putting the extra effort in to become better. Before, I was the girl who was afraid to open a book. However, the older me has taken English classes with honors and AP that I have passed. Although it was a barrier I had to overcome, I’m grateful that it happened because I am a great reader because of it. I demonstrated the tenacity to improve my reading level through various steps that improved my learning experience throughout elementary school and now in college. Plus, it taught me that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, but that doesn't mean you don't have the tenacity to persevere and turn that weakness into a strength.

As a black girl growing up in the Los Angeles community. I've seen and experienced more than a normal person should. From the injustices my black community has faced, to the challenges I've faced as a result of the skin color I was born with. Not to mention the barriers erected as a result of my own family's experiences. But I didn't let these obstacles stop me from dreaming and setting goals for myself, no matter how far I had to go to achieve them. As a child, I aspired to be so many things, but they never held my interest for long. Until I had the idea of becoming a doctor. Why? It snatched my heart. I could heal those who needed it. Be my patients' support system. No one should be judged. People should be treated with kindness and respect. Pay attention to what they say. Above all, I want to make my guardian angel proud. One of the reasons I want to be a doctor is because of my grandfather. As a child, I was always fascinated by my family members' stories about their past. So, one day, I was sitting next to my grandfather when he told me the story of how he became a doctor. He was so close, he only needed one more test to become a licensed doctor. However, due to his responsibilities as the head of the household, he was unable to attend the test. Since he told me that story, I've been captivated by the prospect of healing those in need, particularly in low-income communities. I knew my grandfather had tried to make a better life for himself and his family, and I wanted to do the same. Unfortunatley, My grandfather has passed away, but I will never forget the story he told me, and I hope to make him proud by becoming a doctor. So he is my main motivation for pursuing a career as a pediatrician. I know that this is one way I can help those who require medical assistance. It was disheartening to learn that people of color are frequently mistreated when seeking medical attention. They are stereotyped due to their African American or Hispanic ancestry. It isn't right. People should feel secure and confident in their medical team. That is the crux of the matter. I'm passionate because I want to ensure that all of my patients, regardless of complexion or skin color, have confidence in me to care for them when their health isn't in the best shape. I want to make the world a better place, and yes, I believe that is possible. I haven't started reading books yet, but I have read articles about how patients of color are treated. I volunteered and participated in the American Heart Association's STEM Goes Red educational program. I volunteered to attend events like medical conventions, where I met a variety of doctors. It was an eye-opening experience because I learned new things and was educated on various aspects of medicine. I wasthe vice president of Young, Black, and Educated, a cultural club at my high school. This has shaped me into the person I am today because it has created an effective community for me to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.It has given me the confidence I require to become a doctor and care for my patients. Not to give up because of my race or gender. Making and being the difference that this world requires. Every day, I take another step closer to realizing my dream of becoming a doctor.

The most significant challenge I have experienced thus far is my grandfather's death. My grandfather was my best friend; we shared a love of medicine, sports betting, and leaving a legacy.My grandpa understood, empowered, supported, inspired, and motivated me to achieve and accomplish all that I desired. I was filled with so much anger because I wasn’t able to tell him goodbye. At the time of his death, I was planning on taking Ap English Literature in my senior year until I realized that my mental stability was at a weak point and I could not handle any additional stress. After a couple of sessions, my counselor and I decided that it was best to change classes to ease the stress on my mental stability. As a result, I went from AP Literature to English 4. Furthermore, I noticed that I was losing focus, so I reached out to my school counselor for help, refocus, and perseverance. Through therapy, I was able to shift my focus and cope. Always remember to reflect on the memories we made together and all the things that he taught me. I ended up changing my class to English, for which I am currently passing the class. I was committed and determined because I knew my grandpa would not have it any other way. I promised him that I would graduate high school and go off to college, which is my plan. Academically, I am dedicated and committed to receiving high-achieving grades. I am proud to brag that I have accomplished my goal and am looking forward to doing the same at the University of California. I have achieved most of the plan as I have graduated from high school with presidential honor roll. Currently, I am attending the University of California at Santa Barbara where I am majoring in Biology and minoring in black studies. I know that my grandpa would want me to to fight for a better future and that is exactly what I am doing. Building my future to becoming a pediatrician.

The most significant challenge I have experienced thus far is my grandfather's death. My grandfather was my best friend; we shared a love of medicine, sports betting, and leaving a legacy.My grandpa understood, empowered, supported, inspired, and motivated me to achieve and accomplish all that I desired. I was filled with so much anger because I wasn’t able to tell him goodbye. At the time of his death, I was planning on taking Ap English Literature in my senior year until I realized that my mental stability was at a weak point and I could not handle any additional stress. After a couple of sessions, my counselor and I decided that it was best to change classes to ease the stress on my mental stability. As a result, I went from AP Literature to English 4. Furthermore, I noticed that I was losing focus, so I reached out to my school counselor for help, refocus, and perseverance. Through therapy, I was able to shift my focus and cope. Always remember to reflect on the memories we made together and all the things that he taught me. I ended up changing my class to English, for which I am currently passing the class. I was committed and determined because I knew my grandpa would not have it any other way. I promised him that I would graduate high school and go off to college, which is my plan. Academically, I am dedicated and committed to receiving high-achieving grades. I am proud to brag that I have accomplished my goal and am looking forward to doing the same at the University of California. During my junior year in high school, I put all my emotions into school were I worked hard to earn a 4.4-grade point average because I knew that I was making my grandpa and myself proud. I knew that he wanted me to stay in the books and work hard for the future that I want. I continued to do that through my senior year even though he was not physically here. I knew that he was my angel watching me achieve everything that I put my mind to. I am grateful to say I have accomplished that plan. I graduated high school with presidental honor roll. Currently, I am attending the University of California at Santa Barbara where I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Black Studies. I am committed to becoming a pediatrician. I know that my grandpa would be proud of me today.

An educational barrier that I faced in my life was on my first day of elementary school. My happiness was at an all-time high until I had to take a reading test to find out my reading level. I could remember having a book with at least three sentences on each page. The challenge for me was that I had difficulty reading the sentences in the book. I tried my hardest to pronounce every word, but it was unbearable to do. I wondered why I had such a hard time reading. After the test, I was told that I had to be enrolled in additional reading classes to help my reading level. For the first time, I felt ashamed that I couldn't read. To overcome this barrier, I had to do the work outside of school. Luckily, I had a teacher who gave me books at different levels to read. After school, I would sit down at the table and practice how to pronounce the words in the books until I was able to pronounce them correctly. I would read the books given to me with the help of my parents, who supported me along the way by assisting me when I was stuck on certain words. In the end, I had to take a test to see if my reading level had improved, and in the end, I went from level one to level ten. With dedication, perseverance, an amazing teacher, and my parents, I was able to increase my reading level. My reading ability has affected my academic achievement because it showed me that I was capable of being successful despite the challenge. I may have struggled with reading, but I was able to face the challenge by believing in myself and putting the extra effort in to become better. Before, I was the girl who was afraid to open a book. However, the older me has taken English classes with honors and AP that I have passed. Although it was a barrier I had to overcome, I am grateful that it happened because I am a great reader because of it. Also, I am grateful to have gone through this obstacle because it has taught me that I am capable of overcoming any obstacle that comes my way. Although I have overcome this obstacle, it will never be able to overcome me and define me as the person I am. It has made me the person I am today, and I will be forever grateful for that. Take an obstacle head-on and never let it destroy you. Look at me. I took it head-on and destroyed it. I did not let it define me. I used it to build my character. So, always remember to "turn it up to 11."