Volunteering and giving back to my community are important to me. I was blessed enough to have a supportive community in my life, and it is only right to give back to people who may not have anyone helping them. In my community, I serve in many different roles and jobs. I serve as a volunteer and council member for the Houston Public Library, Girl Scouts, and different community organizations. In December 2024, as a member of the Houston Public Library council, I worked with psychology and mental health professionals, librarians, and students. My team and I successfully implemented our mental health program after four months of planning. I also started a book drive in my church community during my freshman year of school. The children in my church community could not access their local library because it was closed for renovations, so I started my project. I collected donated books from friends, church members, family, and the community. I created book reports and bookmarks with the help of English teachers, and successfully implemented my resources. Over six months, I handed out books to children from kindergarten to 8th grade, and the smiles on their faces were priceless. I serve the community for exact reasons like this, so I can put smiles on people’s faces and give them a more positive life. More recently, in March of 2025, I earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. I earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by creating and leading a project that educated teenage girls and young adults about the effects of social media on their mental health. I published educational resources, launched a website, and held workshops. I will use my degree to further pursue my education in the medical field, to be an anesthesiologist. I plan to use my degree to create community programs that promote and educate people about health literacy. I want to develop workshops on nutrition, mental health, reproductive health, and disease prevention for all groups, ensuring that essential health information is accessible to everyone. I want to address healthcare disparities affecting disadvantaged communities. Many people in underserved communities lack access to quality medical care and resources that others might take for granted. I want to work in community outreach programs so I can provide compassionate care that treats people right. Every human being has the right to quality healthcare. By focusing on education and access to resources, I want to build strong relationships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

One of my fondest memories in elementary school was when it was time for the Scholastic Book Fair! In first grade, I bought a book called "Your Amazing Body." As I read the book, I was fascinated by how each organ had a specific role, yet all the organs worked together harmoniously to keep the body functioning smoothly. That moment sparked a curiosity in me that would grow into a lifelong fascination with how the body works. I plan to use my future education to empower people and change lives as a physician. By pursuing a career in medicine as an African-American woman, I have the power to inspire and encourage future generations to achieve their dreams. Throughout my life, I have always wanted to be a doctor. People always ask, "Clarissa, did your parents force you to be a doctor?" I always say no. Science has always interested me, particularly biology, human anatomy, and physiology. Knowing I wanted to be a doctor and enter a rigorous profession, I knew I would have to dedicate my time to working hard for the position. Throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years, I have devoted a tremendous amount of time to studying and making the best grades possible to further my academic career. Additionally, I attended DeBakey High School for Health Professions to gain experience in a medical setting, where I would eventually work. I shadowed physicians and healthcare professionals and asked them questions to learn more about working in the healthcare industry. I remember shadowing a general surgeon who calmly explained the surgical process to a 70-year-old woman. It wasn't just her knowledge that reassured the patient; it was also her compassion. That's the kind of physician I want to be: both knowledgeable and kind. It is essential for me to give back to my community because it has gifted me with many opportunities, so I'm not trying to reach the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist just for me, but for my community, too. Only 37% of anesthesiologists are women, and while shadowing at hospitals, I didn't see much female representation in the surgery rooms or the patients' rooms. I'm drawn to anesthesiology because of the focus and precision it demands. It's a field where you often meet patients at their most vulnerable moments before surgery, and I want to be the one who helps ease their fears and keeps them safe when they can't advocate for themselves. I want the next and future generations to be exposed to diverse places, so when African-Americans or girls shadow or go on tours in the hospital, they will see someone who looks like them, and then they can say, "I can be whatever I want to be." I want future generations to be uplifted and confident that they can be anything if they work hard and break barriers. I want to show the next generation that no matter where you come from, you can chase your dreams and make them real.

Being a Girl Scout has taught me the importance of giving back to my community because it is an opportunity to inspire and care for people. Over the years, I have done many service projects for Girl Scouts. Many of these projects were so great that I still can not believe I accomplished them. However, the most inspiring part of every project is the people and the community that receives our blessings. Over the past 12 years, I have worked with my troop to serve my community excellently. One of my proudest moments in Girl Scouts was organizing my book drive to increase my community's children’s literacy levels. I enjoyed picking out my favorite books like, “Junie B. Jones, ” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “Fancy Nancy” for the kids to read and enjoy. The most meaningful part of my project was handing the books to the children. I passed out over 120 books to children in six months, and the feeling of happiness never faded. Watching the children excitedly flip through the pages while laughing and smiling filled me with joy. Because of Girl Scouts, I learned that a great leader must not only know their community's needs, but also take action and do something about it. During my “Senior” years as a Girl Scout to earn our “Sow What?” badge, my troop gave back to the community. We raised money and collected food donations, to give to the vulnerable populations that did not have food. We decorated the bags with encouraging phrases and positive pictures to raise the people’s spirits. We also stuffed the bags with essential non-perishable foods, drinks, and water. Our troop then drove to the campus of Prairie View University to give the students the bags of food. Their campus dorm caught fire, so many students lost all their resources. I am glad that we were able to help them and bring joy into their life. Additionally, for my Gold Award project I decided to discuss an issue that most teenagers struggle with: social media. I decided to raise awareness and educate girls and young adults on the impact of social media on mental health. I made a website, blog, YouTube channel, Instagram posts, and resources so people could get the message and learn something. I also hosted workshops where I explained the scientific and social details about the impact of social media on mental health. I am glad to say that many of the girls learned something, and now they plan on changing their social media routine to impact their lives positively. Throughout my life, I will always carry my Girl Scouts lessons of leadership, caring, and service into my community so I can make a positive impact. Girl Scouts has pushed me hard to serve the community, and I am glad that I can make a lasting and positive impact on those in need. Girl Scouts has shown me the importance of giving back to my community, and I plan on carrying this practice throughout my life. I am a part of the San Jacinto Council and in Troop 21162.

Being a Girl Scout has taught me the importance of giving back to my community because it is an opportunity to inspire and care for people. Over the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of working with my troop to serve my community with excellence. One of my proudest moments in Girl Scouts was organizing my book drive to increase the children’s literacy levels in my community. I enjoyed picking out my favorite books like, “Junie B. Jones, ” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “Fancy Nancy” for the kids to read and enjoy. The most meaningful part of my project was handing the books to the children. I passed out over 120 books to children in six months, and the feeling of happiness never faded. Watching the children excitedly flip through the pages while laughing and smiling filled me with joy. Because of Girl Scouts, I learned that a great leader must not only know their community's needs, but also take action and do something about it. Throughout my life, I will always carry my Girl Scouts lessons of leadership, caring, and service into my community so I can make a positive impact.