I was never an ordinary kid as my mom would say. Instead of having sleepovers with friends, I was instead at home reading chapter books. I would run through books within a couple of days, then move on to the next. Weirdly enough, that habit stuck with me. Today, I am very focused. I spend a lot of time at school, as I love learning. If I am not anywhere else, you can find me at home studying. I find it safe, to be in the comfort of my own space, being able to build myself into the scholar I aspire to be. Even though others would call me weird, I call it beautiful. I am satisfied with who I am, and I know who I aspire to be. I dream of being a pediatrician. What it will take is a lot of school time of course, but also a lot of strength. I have to be secure in who I am and know that nothing can stop me. As of right now, I am working on building that strength to move forward. As a current pre-nursing major, it is time to transition into a pre-medical track for biology. I have dreams to accomplish, and goals to meet. To reach them, I must first rid myself of all the obstacles I have set in front of me. One major one is the rear. I am tackling fear, while also tackling procrastination. My grades are fantastic however I attend an HBCU with no scholarships. I missed a lot of scholarships to attend Florida A&M and currently, It has been an absolute hassle to be able to afford it. I am passionate about finishing college strong, with straight As and a huge smile. To get there I am setting goals for myself, like applying to 100 scholarships and affording my spring semester without any loans. To attend medical school, I need to have a plan. I hope to be able to meet my goals as I love pediatrics. I find it important to work with young children as they are extremely impressionable and as a kid, if I had the representation of a black doctor, I would not have ever doubted myself today. It is important to be someone that a child can look up to and be inspired by. There are extreme hopes for me to flourish and blossom into a beautiful young lady. As I am on my pathway to doing so, I dream of myself being in my white coat, helping the youth, and being very well educated. That is an absolute dream of mine to be an inspiration to the youth.

I've always known that I wanted to work in the pediatric field. My love for the medical field began when I was a little girl. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, which led me to grow a passion for the medical field. Outside of just my love for medicine, I was very fond of helping children. That love for pediatrics grew as I got older. With the growth in wisdom over time, I began to realize the importance of representation when it comes to youth. Youth need to see themselves in their healthcare providers, and teachers, and the list continues. It is the foundation of their little minds and will allow them to blossom into any and everything as they have been allowed to see themselves in many different aspects of life. I want to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, or even work as a neonatal nurse practitioner. I spent a lot of time thinking about if I wanted to go to practitioner school and I came to the conclusion that I do. As a pre-nursing student, I am in love with the holistic approach that nursing applies to medicine. It is beautiful to see the passion, and courage of a nurse when it comes to helping their patients. For me, especially with working for children, I would be able to be young again. I love that children have huge imaginations, and I know that I would enjoy my job. Being able to make a young child smile again after a traumatic experience would be my reason, which is why I am aiming to be the best in my career in nursing. It was never a question of if I wanted to pursue pediatrics or not. There was nothing else I admired more than being able to work with the youth, who will be the change-makers of the future. It is my absolute dream, and as I am currently a freshman in college working towards accomplishing it, I could not be more excited. I am prepared for all that comes with nursing, both the good and the ugly. Children need people who are willing to teach, inspire, and build them. As a nurse, I feel that it is a duty to be present at the moment with them. Even though being a nurse would be my job, I would make sure to build a genuine connection as well. Children need someone who can understand them, which is why I will try to make as much time as possible to do things with my patients that will make them happy. Especially as they may be going through a very hard time in life. It is important to remind children that they have so much life and light ahead of them by being positive individuals in their life. I love pediatrics because it will allow my positive and young spirit to flourish.

Walking in the winter snow By Dakota Marie fields I’ve taken Some hikes, some walks, and some runs. But something I noticed is that what surrounds me Is without a sun. It’s chilly, windy, and White And I am slowly fading away like a snowflake melts when the sun is on its way. But when I walk I notice the people that never truly cared for me or me as a person and I think to myself maybe tomorrow is a better day. The sun will shine and the oceans will rise ... and I will be in everlasting wonderland. A wonderland with a clear view of the true ones that truly love me. A wonderland where I am free to be myself, with no hate, no rumors, and any responsibilities So when In all I am then at peace. I will then walk in a world that glows beautifully instead of walking in the winter snow... This is me This is me This is me

Attending an HBCU has been a real financial struggle for me as a first-generation college student. Outside of financial struggles, I worry about not being able to accomplish my dreams. However, I still find hope in the unknown. Something that I find to be amazing about my life is that there are always second chances. Currently, in my life as of January 2023, I am hoping for exactly that. I aspire to be a pediatrician. I have always known that I wanted to work in the medical field and do all things involving children. So, as a result of my aspirations In high school, I put myself in areas where I could promote my growth as an individual. I took double science classes, to improve my knowledge of the body with biology and sports medicine in my last two years of high school. I also did a lot of research on different career fields, as I was applying for colleges in my senior year. I had my whole journey planned, however, I found myself taking turns that weren’t a part of my plan. In between my senior year and first semester of college, doubt became my friend. I tricked myself into thinking that medical school was an impossible thing for me to navigate. I also made myself believe that the journey I planned in my mind was nowhere near as beautiful as what someone else planned for me. As a consequence of my poor actions, I am currently in a ditch. Where I find myself attempting to crawl out of, but In the meantime, I have to find strength. Currently, I am trying to pay off the balance of my last semester in the fall. Unfortunately, I can’t register for classes in the spring until that happens. Today is January 8th, and I am supposed to be at school already as it begins tomorrow however I am not able to. Instead of being excited to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and start my day off with being introduced to my professors and new people. I am sitting at home, writing this essay, hoping for a turn in my life. I owe a little over $14,000 In tuition for just my first semester in school. As anyone could imagine, especially for one wanting to pursue a career in the stem, this is a huge amount of money for an undergrad. I know that I have years to go, however, I am struggling to afford my first year of college. Mentally, I am trying to remain positive. I know that I am going to make mistakes and that my journey is not linear, however, in my head I had it planned that it would be perfect. With my great grades, I was hoping for a blessing. However, I found myself in a ditch as I kept waiting around for it. Even though I have no clue why this has had to happen to me. I have hope that better is to come, and that this is only preparing me for the next level I will reach. Within my career, I know that I can use this setback as an energy source to keep striving toward my goals. Additionally, I know that as a pediatrician I can share my story with my patients so that they won’t make the same mistakes as me. I would want them to know how important it is to believe in yourself. I feel embarrassed that I am unable to return to school, however, I am making a way by trying to apply for scholarships.

A butterfly must first learn how to use their wings. Over time, I have learned to do the same. As a little girl, I always dreamed of attending college and achieving my goals. At that time, I never understood the obstacles one must overcome to do so. Naive and hopeful, I was sure I had it all together. No one would tell me differently. My grades were in order; I was at the top of my class and active in my community; however, I began to visualize the obstacle right before me: Money. I didn't always understand how vital scholarships were. Although told to apply, I brushed it off my shoulders, not understanding the depth of that simple term. I allowed opportunities to pass me by and days to swiftly turn into night repeatedly. Through time, I have learned the importance of the action I am currently taking. As an out-of-state college student, my journey throughout my first year has been both rocky and smooth. Some days are better than others, as I realize something new every day. As the fall semester is beginning to close its chapter in my life, I know that I owe around $15,000 for this semester. As an A student, I try to retain hope and pray for the best. However, it is hard as I know that my balance has to be zero for me to register for next semester's classes. As you can imagine, this has not been easy for my mom or me. As a single parent, I know that deep inside, although she won't say she is struggling. Words between us have gotten shorter, and calls have begun to pass faster. It's almost as if my life is fast-forwarding, and I cannot slow it down. It has made me realize the importance of seeking opportunities when given to you. Something that I surprisingly have never been good at. If I could go back in time and change anything, I would've started seeking scholarships sooner. I know what I want out of college; however, the money aspect makes it hard for me to achieve it. Even with the best grades, money determines if I will be able to attend Florida A&M university ever again. It is sad, as my whole education is at the hands of the dollar bill; however, it is something I have to understand. It is a hard lesson that I am now bearing the consequences of. However, I am finding the strength and tenacity to keep searching for opportunities, as I know they don't end. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. Right now, I feel the reason is for me to take responsibility and accountability for my life. I understand now that opportunities can flow to you; however, when you don't take them, you are allowing yourself to settle for less. I refuse to settle in stagnancy, so I am currently attempting to redefine myself and help contribute to my purpose. Scholarships are my only hope, and I am praying for an absolute miracle. I didn't receive anything but loans from FAFSA, and my mom currently cannot afford $15,000 in our life. It is hard, as all I desire is to complete college. However, I've learned that consequences will come knocking on your door when you don't seek opportunities. I've found my wings.

Princess Tiana says, “Trials and tribulations, I’ve had my share.” So I’ve learned nothing is like the beauty of a black woman who consistently thrives despite her obstacles. With my dark skin and tenacity to keep going despite my financial struggles as a college freshman, I remind myself of Princess Tiana. Tiana is my favorite character as she encountered many huddles on her pathway to success; however, she let absolutely none of them define her. While others picked on her, she continued to walk with grace; her head held high. Like me, I keep going in moments where many expect me to crash. When life gets hard, I remember Tiana’s song “Almost there,” which reminds me that I have come too far to back down. Outside of personality, Tiana is my favorite Disney character, as she was the first black Disney princess. For a little girl with dark skin, brown eyes, and curly hair, there was nothing more that I desired than to be able to see myself represented as a Disney princess. It was my absolute dream, and that dream came true. I watched Princess and the frog so many times that I lost count. My mother bought me so many Tiana dolls that I could’ve filled up a bucket. I even had a Princess and the frog themed room, where I found absolute joy in coming home. In all, Tiana was my prized possession, and even at 18, she still is. If I could say anything about this world, I would say that it is essential for little girls to see themselves in others. The creation of Princess Tiana was a world-changing moment. She defined what it meant to be a hard worker. She lost her father at a young age, was always working, and her mom happened to be a single parent. Like me, I had a single mom from a young age, and I was focused hard on my education. Like her, I knew what I wanted. I aspired to go to college and make my mom proud. Fortunately, both of our dreams came true. Currently, at Florida A&M University as a Freshman who will graduate in 2026, I have overcome my tribulations. I have gone through my fair share of trials. Princess Tiana showed me that my dreams were, in fact, possible.

My best friend happens to have fur. I was never the type of teenager to like to party or have sleepovers. As my mom would often say, I was “different.” I would rather hang out with my dog and take him on walks than with friends. Unlike friends, my dog has been there for me at my lowest and highest points. Most importantly, he has never judged me at my lowest or highest. He motivated me to get up in the morning, smile, and find joy in the little things. Without my dog, I would be an emotional wreck. He has been my best friend and a furry friend who has saved my life. I have a black and silver miniature schnauzer named Raymond Fields. However, I call him Ray for short. I named Ray after my favorite Disney princess movie, Princess and the Frog. His name came from the firefly, who happens to be one of my favorite characters in the film. Ironically, similar to the movie, Ray is tough, understanding, and loyal. When everything in my life went downhill, Ray made me feel like things were still going smoothly. Something that my dog has taught me is to find joy in the little things. For example, Ray gives me a reason to wake up in the morning. Go outside. As well as explore nature. A dog wants a person to care for them like no other. I have learned the importance of responsibilities and accountability as I must ensure that Ray has a quality life. Yet, despite ray being a dog, he has also allowed me a quality life. For me, a quality life is a pure happiness. I love to wake up to Ray and his all-over-the-place morning fur. He is an absolute joy, and although hyper, he is my best friend. The hardest part about college is not academics but being separated from things I love. As an out-of-state student, I have encountered a mixture of emotions as I have had to learn to live without my dog around me all the time. It has not been an easy task for me; however, I have found ways to cope as I call my family on facetime to see him. Those calls help me a lot, as when I am having a rough day and I see that Ray is doing fine, I begin to feel better. When I was in High School, I would often stay up late nights doing homework. As a teenager, I was going through many emotions, and to this day, I still am. However, Ray helped me get past them. Whether it was a breakup, a loss of a friendship, or a bad grade, Ray was always present to bring me comfort. Through him, I realized that there is nothing like a furry friend. He has been my best friend, and although he can’t speak, he has been my number one supporter. What is beautiful about my dog is that he is free of judgment. He loves me for who I am and sees nothing more than someone he can trust and be loyal to. I find beauty in knowing that I have something to look forward to. Throughout my college process, every day, I count the days that pass by and look forward to seeing my furry friend again.

Hope is the entity with wings. Hope is me. I have always dreamed of going to college and becoming a doctor. I am proud to say that I am currently on the path to doing so. As a current student of Florida A&M university, I have taken the first step needed to chase my dreams: conquer. I have conquered my fear of not being accepted into my dream schools, going out of state, and taking responsibility for my world. It is a new beginning and, most notably, a new journey I am thrilled to take upon with joy and happiness. Within my education, I want to continue school after graduating with my undergraduate degree. I have high hopes of getting a doctoral degree and becoming a pediatrician. However, I am also looking into the nurse practitioner or PA school route. As of right now, I am exploring my options and enjoying doing so. However, I am facing a massive obstacle in my life: money. My mother is currently paying for college out of pocket, and we will have to take out many loans. Even at the top of my high school class, I missed a ton of scholarship opportunities which cost me in the long run. So, I am doing everything I can to help my mother pay for my education. I have high hopes of entering the medical field and helping others. At one point in my life, I hope to become a pediatrician, so I can be the representation I always wanted for myself as a child. However, as a first-generation student, I am currently overcoming many battles, and money is an obstacle that makes it challenging. With the help of scholarships, I know that I will be able to achieve my goals. I have always been a go-getter student with an extreme passion for learning. I have learned throughout the college application process and, with my time here at Florida A&M University, to take chances. Because I have failed to take my chances at scholarships and seek out opportunities, I am now struggling to do what I have always dreamed of. Anything could help me maintain my place here at Florida A&M university. All I want is to be able to graduate in 2026 and make my family as well as myself proud. I do not want money to be the reason why I have to struggle to receive my degree.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had a dog. When I was at the age of 4 or 5, I was gifted my first puppy, which was a toy Yorkie. It was my first taste of responsibility, even though I absolutely hated to drive it. I was young, and I did not truly understand the importance of walking a dog or feeding one, so my sisters took on that responsibility for me. For me, it was a companion and best friend. It was something to be excited about coming home to. I loved to play with it and pet it. We would watch TV and sleep together. At that age, it was my first time being introduced to animals. And it even inspired me to want to be a veterinarian. I have always loved animals. I never found them scary, no matter the size. In my opinion, they were cute little creatures who I wanted to pet and talk to. When humans didnt understand me, I had my dog. It made life extremely easy, especially as, at the time, I was being abused by my older sister. I would be scared to come home after school because of the pain and suffering I would endure every day. I never felt understood by my mother or my eldest sisters, so I looked to my puppy for happiness. The beauty of having a pet is that they will never leave your side. They are so loyal and are always there for you. I am extremely appreciative of the puppy I had as a kid. It was a boy named Bolt. I named him after a Disney movie my mom and I watched at the theater. His name surely matched his personality. He was wild, crazy, and would run around in circles all the time. He wasn’t potty trained, but we had a lot in common. As I grew up, I ended up having to live with my grandmother. My mom had got a job in Atlanta, and I couldn’t go with her as my older sister was living with her dad and the two oldest were in the military. It was a hard time for me, as in 3rd grade I didn't really understand why I had to be separated from my mom. Throughout it all, my dog was by my side. My grandmother would watch us play outside, well, until she was diagnosed with cancer. It was a major breaking point in my life. Fast forward to fourth grade, and I end up having to move back in with my mom. I packed my bags and left for Atlanta. However, I had to leave my dog. My mom was too concerned about having carpet and him not being potty trained rather than me being unhappy because I couldn’t take my dog for selfish reasons. I had to grow up at a quick pace. I spent many years upset and depressed because my best friend was given away because my grandmother couldn’t take care of him anymore. For many years, my mom didn't get me a dog. That was until, in the summer of ninth grade, my uncle dropped a miniature schnauzer at my door. I was so happy. I felt like I was dying. It was a cute little salt and pepper little puppy who quickly became my best friend. I would take it outside every hour, and we would spend a lot of time playing. He came at the most important time in my life, as I had to focus on school and find a source of joy and happiness. I named him Raymone, short for Ray. I got the name from my favorite movie, Princess and the Frog. It fits him, as Ray has a beard and eyebrows. Ray has a huge personality, which I feel matches mine. He notices when I am sad and comforts me when I am. Despite his inability to communicate, I know he would always talk to me.I feel like he was my gift from God. As a growing teenager, I often felt misunderstood. So at moments where I was depressed, I would spend time with my dog and find joy again. Sometimes I would even take him on walks just to catch a breath. While some want animals because they are cute, I wanted one because it would be my best friend. Ray reminds me a lot about Bol. I know that if Bol were to meet Ray, they would be best friends. I believe Bolt is still alive, even though I am currently at the age of 17. If he is, he is super old and I wonder if he would even remember me. Even though my dream has changed from being a veterinarian to being a doctor, I still plan on exploring that option. I love animals so much, and I truly feel like I would be a great vet. I may give it a try in the near future. At the moment, life is taking me on many roller coasters where sometimes I feel like I am at my peak, and at other times I feel like I am at my lowest point. As I am currently preparing to go to Florida A&M University, I know that I will have to leave Ray with my family. I am extremely sad and confused about how I am going to feel without him. But I know that I will visit as much as I possibly can. Ray will be with my grandmother, which brings back many memories. All I know is that this time will be different. Ray has a forever home, and I am so honored to watch him grow up.

Born as the youngest of a group of four girls, I have witnessed my sisters fail and try again. Something that I have learned through their failures is that failure is never an obstacle you can't cross over. Even though they didn't finish college, they went on to be a drill sergeant in the army, a corpsman in the navy, and a mother. I find their story inspiring. However, I hope not to make the same mistakes. I want to finish college and never give up on my dream. I will be the first generation college student to get a college education. With this dream will come obstacles. But I am prepared to keep going, even with the hardest ones. My admiration for healthcare began when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. As a kid, she raised me from kindergarten to fourth grade alongside my mother. I lived with her for a while, while my mother worked in Atlanta. At the time, I was living in Macon, Georgia, until her diagnosis. It was a major breaking point for me. At the time, I didn't see a future, yet I found inspiration in the moment. At one of the saddest points in my life, I found inspiration while running back and forth to the hospital for my grandmother. Her healthcare team were of all different races, and for the first time in my life I felt represented. If it wasn’t for them, my grandmother wouldn’t be here, and honestly, I wouldn’t be here either. At the time, I was going through a major depression. I had to move to Atlanta, where I had no friends and I was bullied in school. I shut everyone out for a while, as I lost my wings. I gained them back in the 6th grade when I learned how to socialize again. At this point in my life, my grandmother was out of the hospital and no longer horribly suffering from cancer. I found meaning in my life again, which is why I am here today. As a result of what I witnessed at a young age, I found a love for healthcare. Science became my best friend, as I took as many science classes as I could in middle school and high school. I had black science teachers, which empowered me to admire the beauty of the subject as I felt represented. Without diversity, I probably would not have been inspired to keep going with my passion for STEM. As an incoming freshman at Florida A&M University, this is the pathway I am taking to success. I already know that it will not be easy, but I find so much joy in the unknown. I dream of being a pediatrician. I have a fun, positive, young personality, which I feel will do fantastic with children. I have always known that I wanted to enter pediatrics because I have always loved kids and taking care of people. I deeply feel like I have the strength and power to make sure that children have a quality life. But alongside this, I feel like it is my calling to be that change where young kids growing up can be inspired just like I was. If I had not witnessed diversity, I would probably be lost right now. I have found my purpose through seeing diversity in healthcare, and I would like to continue this feeling for others. As of right now, I am in need of scholarships to help pay for my undergrad. I pray that my prayers will be answered so that I can chase dreams.

Positivity is very important to me. All of my life, I have always made sure to spread joy everywhere I went. Born into a family of diversity I have always been open to new cultures and backgrounds. I grew up as the youngest of a group of four girls who never finished college. Watching them fail, and make errors in life made me understand the importance of getting back up again after hard circumstances. As a result of what I have seen at a young age, I am inspired to not only finish college but enter the healthcare field. My admiration for healthcare began when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. As a kid, my grandmother took care of me from a baby to fourth grade alongside my mother. I ended up moving from Macon, to Atlanta Georgia when she was diagnosed with cancer. It was a breaking point for me, But i found inspiration in all of the hard moments. Entering the healthcare field is where I will find Joy in the midst of hardship. As of right now, I am an incoming nursing major at Florida A&M University. With no scholarships, and only loans to help me pay for my college education, I am in desperate need of financial help. The only thing that can prevent me from finishing college at this point is money. I pray to god everyday, that money wont stop me. Outside of my financial hardships at the moments, I am excited for what Is to come. I hope to be A NICU nurse for a couple of years, and then continuing my education in biology so that I can become a pediatrician, which has always been the biggest dream of mine. Personally, I find hope in the medical field. With the personality I have, I see myself working with kids and showing them that black women can succeed under any circumstances. Growing up, I never saw any black women be my doctor, dentist, or nurse. I hope that I can be that change for kids growing up who look just like me. As a first generation college student, I will be building a legacy within my family. It takes faith, and trial to build generational wealth, and that Is exactly what I plan on doing. Outside of family, I want to be a mentor outside of my career for young kids growing up to look just like me. I find it important to mentor kids with the same dream as me, as representation changes people. It has never been about making money within my career. It has always been about making a statement, impacting lives, and saving lives. Knowing that through hard work, I can my dream come true, I will not stop for anything. I need financial help to complete this dream of mine, but I will not allow myself to sink in misery. I pray that through every scholarship I apply to, in the end it will add up to truly help my mother. Every dollar counts, and will help me chase my dream. Something about me, Is that I mean what I say and When I love what I do, I will be great at it. I am extremely appreciative of all the opportunities to me, and I am hoping for a miracle at the moment.

Positivity is very important to me. In all of my life, I have always made sure to spread joy everywhere I go. Born into a family of diversity, I have always been open to new cultures and backgrounds. I grew up as the youngest of a group of four girls who never finished college. Seeing them fail and make mistakes in life made me understand the importance of getting back up again after hard circumstances. As a result of what I have seen at a young age, I am inspired to not only finish college but enter the healthcare field. My admiration for healthcare began when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. My grandmother took care of me from a baby to fourth grade alongside my mother. I ended up moving from Macon to Atlanta, Georgia when she was diagnosed with cancer. It was a breaking point for me, but I found inspiration in all of the hard moments. Entering the healthcare field is where I will find joy in the midst of hardship. As of right now, I am an incoming nursing major at Florida A&M University. With no scholarships and only loans to help me pay for my college education, I am in desperate need of financial help. The only thing that could prevent me from finishing college at this point is money. I pray to God every day that money won't stop me. Outside of my financial hardships at the moment, I am excited about what is to come. I hope to be a NICU nurse for a couple of years, and then continue my education in biology so that I can become a pediatrician, which has always been my biggest dream. Personally, I find hope in the medical field. With the personality I have, I see myself working with kids and showing them that black women can succeed under any circumstances. Growing up, I never saw any black women as my doctor, dentist, or nurse. I hope that I can be that change for kids growing up who look just like me. As a first-generation college student, I will be building a legacy within my family. It takes faith and trial to build generational wealth, and that is exactly what I plan on doing. Outside of my family, I want to be a mentor outside of my career for young kids growing up to look just like me. I find it important to mentor kids with the same dream as me, as representation changes people. It has never been about making money in my career. It has always been about making a statement, impacting lives, and saving lives. Through hard work, I can make my dream come true. I will not stop for anything. I need financial help to complete this dream of mine, but I will not allow myself to sink in misery. I pray that through every scholarship I apply to, in the end, it will add up to truly help my mother. Every dollar counts and will help me chase my dream. Something about me is that I mean what I say and when I love what I do, I will be great at it. I am extremely appreciative of all the opportunities available to me, and I am hoping for a miracle at the moment.

As a first-generation college student, it is my duty to create a legacy. My family gave me the understanding of what it means to work hard, and my dream in life is to ensure that I pay them back by doing the same.  In my life, I have seen my family members fail yet get back up again. They are the reason why I have strived so hard to do well in school. Currently, I am an incoming freshman at FAMU. However, I lack the money to be able to afford tuition. I am currently fighting to create a well-needed change in my family.  I dream of becoming a pediatrician, who can show young black and brown children that they are capable of doing anything they put their mind to. It is not easy being the first in my family to do it, but somehow I find the passion and power to keep going.  I have witnessed my older sisters drop out of school, and I always promised my mom that I, as the youngest, would be the one to finish college. Generational wealth is so important, and without representation, my niece will go through the same trouble that I did as a kid. I looked for someone in my family to guide me through college admissions and education, but I had to find outside resources. By finishing college and becoming a doctor, I will be creating an unbreakable legacy that will impact my family, even generations after me. I will not let life bring me down. I have always been a positive individual who is extremely determined. With this determination, I know that no matter what obstacles I encounter in my life, I will always find a way.  As of right now, I plan on attending FAMU, majoring in biology on a pre-med track. I want to be very active in school, which means pledging to a sorority and being active in honors societies and clubs.  Even though I have not seen anyone in my family finish college, I will be the first, which gives me motivation to keep going. I understand that leadership is when you are doing things out of your comfort zone.  When I become a pediatrician, I want to give back to my family. My mother raised me as a single parent, and she has worked all of her life, just like my grandmother. She has given me the meaning of life, and I want to repay her by achieving my dream.  There is not much representation in the black community, which makes me strive harder to become a doctor. The medical field is so important, and without representation, young black and brown students will continue to find it hard to imagine themselves in a doctor’s shoes. 

When my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, I noticed how the nurses were the ones that helped her do things like eat and walk when she didn’t have the energy. My grandmother's love for my grandmother made me realize that nursing was the career for me. Unlike many who want to be nurses, I first wanted to be a pediatrician. That was until I realized that nurses are the ones that are present when the doctors aren’t, and they are the people who spend the most time with patients.  I have always been a caring person, and I know that I want a more hands-on approach when it comes to the medical field. I love to take care of people, and I am a huge advocate for women and children, which is why I want to work in labor and delivery.  Children are the future of tomorrow. As a labor and delivery nurse, I will feel honored to be in a room full of beautiful, magical moments—even the bad ones. I have a positive personality, and I know that I will be the best labor and delivery nurse.  Going into labor is such a huge part of a woman's life; in fact, it is a significant part of her life. Women go through so much pain to bring life into this world, and nothing would mean more to me than being able to be their caregiver at that point in life.  Within my career in nursing, I plan on becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. I absolutely love children, and I love the labor and delivery side of the medical field. While working with premature babies, I know that I will be serving a very important and fundamental part of a baby's life. But, I know I am capable of succeeding.  Something that I love about nursing over medicine is that nursing has a holistic approach to medicine. Nurses really get to know their patients and are there for them, unlike doctors. I would like to be there for my patients both mentally and physically. 

I have always been a positive person. No matter what life throws in front of me, I will always overcome my obstacles. However, one major obstacle in my life right now is being able to afford college. At this point in my life, I have finally climbed the mountain and I am near its peak. I have realized that I need to figure out how I am going to afford tuition and achieve my dream of becoming a pediatrician. This is why I am here now, writing this. Charismatic is what I would consider myself to be. I have always been one to lend a helping hand to anyone I notice is in need. Throughout high school, I would tutor my peers and even set aside my homework just to ensure that they understood their own. Open-minded is another adjective for me. As an African American young girl, I understand the impacts of racism and colorism on a child's mind. I have struggled with it myself. I understand that to be a leader, you must think about everyone. You can’t lead without understanding, and you can’t understand without taking leadership to listen. Determined is what I’ve always been. As a first-generation college student, I will be the first in my family to go to an HBCU and complete college. I am also the first in my family to be affiliated with an IVY league as I am an alumnus of the Harvard Diversity Council Debate Program. I understand that determination means you must find purpose in everything you do. For me, it is the dream of wanting to provide for my family and show young black and brown children that they too are capable of succeeding. Something that stands in the way of my dream future outside of finances is fear. I have always feared judgment, but as I age, I am learning that if you aren’t in fear, you aren't stepping out of your comfort zone. As many times in my life, fear is the biggest setback, as it has held me back from crossing over obstacles such as speaking up for myself. Currently, I am afraid of going to a new state where I have no family. But I am learning to remain positive about the situation and do what I have to do. Success takes effort, and I am going to make the effort to release myself from the shackles of fear that hold me back from my potential in life. I am extremely worried about how I am going to afford college. I never thought this day would come, but it did. Now I have to take risks and hope that I will receive scholarships that will give me the opportunity to go to the college of my dreams.

When I got my miniature schnauzer, I was an incoming sophomore in high school. I felt blessed to be able to have a puppy, as I’ve always been a huge lover of animals. Having a dog meant that I was a mom. I had responsibilities. Everyday after school, I would rush outside to take him outside. I had to wake up early to make sure he used the restroom. I had to potty train him and teach him new tricks. But most importantly, I had to love him.  I was going through a very rough and rocky stage in my life. I was depressed as my grandmother was sick with cancer and I wasn’t sure if she would make it. Having a dog was a new and fresh breath of air. I had a furry friend that would always be there for me. He is loyal, cute, funny, wild, and playful. He is all that a little girl could ever want. when my parents wouldn’t understand me, and I felt like the world was against me. I had my dog. My dog is forever loyal and has never left my side.  His name is Rayeone, short for Ray, just like the firefly in my favorite movie, The Princess and the Frog. If it wasn’t for Ray, I would not have made an everyday routine. He makes me go outside and actually see sunlight. He gives me the energy to go on a walk while it is beaming hot outside. Most importantly, he brings me sunshine on my rainy days.  I may not have the most bizarre story to tell you about how my dog "saved my life," but all that I can say is that he truly has brought me joy.  I feel that in order for your story to have meaning, a disaster doesn’t have to take place. It is just the pure fact that my dog has brought me happiness and has helped me find meaning in life. For that, I will always love my dog. 

Everyone who knows me knows that I am all about being yourself. Throughout my life, I have let failure be my biggest teacher and setbacks be my best coach. I have lived every day with a smile on my face, even when my world seems like it is crumbling right in front of me. I have let positivity guide me to serenity. As I am growing up, I have been able to come into contact with many younger kids who look up to me. Something that I always let them know is to be their best self. I tell them that no one can lead them to their dreams if they don’t take the first steps. I hope that I am making them realize that there is beauty in the unknown.  I have been blessed to be able to be part of many organizations and opportunities. As a member of the Harvard Diversity Council Debate Program, I filmed a MLK tribute for CNN. I was able to conduct my high school orchestra as concertmaster. Most importantly, I have been made aware of the impact of positive leadership.  With growth, I now understand the importance of not being a follower but rather a leader. I hold my head high, with a smile on my face, knowing that I can do anything I put my mind to. For those who look up to me, I hope they are also able to do the same. All I want from anyone I encounter is for them to be their best self. Nothing matters more to me than happiness. My hopes will be realized if I can inspire younger children to see their own potential.

As an incoming freshman at FAMU, I am excited to pursue my dream of becoming a pediatrician. Ever since I was a little girl, I was inspired by black women in the medical field. My hope of becoming a doctor hit its peak when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. From there on, I had an overwhelming love for the people in the medical field.  Young black girls rarely ever see themselves represented in the medical field. I am excited to be a part of changing this fact. As a pediatrician, I will be there to offer young black girls and boys who look just like me the love and support that is so badly needed in our communities. Many young kids would be inspired to see themselves in their doctor, which I am most excited about. It is something that I always desired as a kid yet never received.  The medical field is so important to me because it is what saved my grandmother's life. Her doctors poured out love and support for her, and I hope to do the same for the young ones that walk into my office.  Raised in Macon, Georgia, I never expected to be where I am today. However, looking back, I am glad that I never stopped trying to do better. Every failure in my life has been a blessing, and as I enter this new journey of life, I am excited about what is to come in my future.  In high school, I took many upper-division science classes in order to prepare myself for the rigors of college. I am excited to be a pre-med biology major at FAMU, where I can pave my way to success and achieve my dreams. 

I would never consider myself always confident. Sometimes I can be, but most of the time I am shy. Being brave for me is being able to walk into a room full of people, speak up for myself, follow my dreams, and enter predominately white spaces.  For people like me, bravery is something that I had to fight for. I pushed myself to apply for the Harvard Diversity Council Debate program because I knew that it would get me out of my comfort zone. I have always been soft-spoken, so turning in my application for a major debate team was a huge start.  To live boldly, for me, means doing things you never imagined yourself doing. I never imagined myself being on a debate team, but I am currently an alumni of the team. I now teach the upcoming class of 2022 the skills I learned in my process.  Some people can speak up for themselves easily. For me, it was a very hard thing to do. My voice was stripped from me after being bullied in fifth grade. To get it back, I put myself in uncomfortable situations where I was forced to be brave.  I never let setbacks set me back. I was part of the most rigorous classes in my high school as an IB student. I made my mark as the only black girl in my classes. Despite being uncomfortable at times, I learned to be a voice for the black community.    Today I have applied to a few scholarships, and I am still speaking up for myself. I write poetry and post it on my social media accounts for others to see.  I may be a little shy at times, but I am not afraid to take chances. 

I never thought that I would make it to 17, but here I am. For years now, positivity has been my friend. It has helped me smile through pain and suffering, and bring joy to those doing the same thing. My pain didn’t leave me scarred, but rather molded me into the young lady I am today. Black and brilliant is what I would consider myself, despite being told “ you’ll never be anything in life” by my fifth grade elementary school teacher. Fifth grade was a devastating time for me. My grandmother had just got diagnosed with cancer, and I had recently moved from Macon Georgia to Atlanta. It was a new world for me, especially as I was going back and forth while visiting her. It took me a while to find myself, as I was consumed by negativity so much to the point that I became it. Life past fifth grade seemed almost impossible. I felt it slipping from the tips of my fingers, as I held onto it out of fear of loosing everything. The questions I asked myself were “ where would I be in my senior year of high school” , “ would I regret it if I gave up” , and most importantly “ what would my grandmother think about my choice.” At this point, no matter how upset and depressed I was, it didn’t push me across the edge. Although I was close to falling off, I gained my balance, and I blossomed into the beautiful young lady that I am today. Mental health is extremely important, however it goes unnoticed. Many times, those struggling always have a smile on their face, so no one would ever guess something is wrong. For me, this was the case. On the outside I looked absolutely fine, but on the inside I was deeply hurting. I got bullied by my teacher, and students which caused me to doubt my capability to succeed. The words that slipped from my teachers mouth, stung like a bee, and I spent years trying to get the stinger out. I couldn’t let my family see my pain, so I kept it a secret. I fought my issues by thinking positively. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, as I feared that my grandmother would pass away, however she didn’t. Everyday I smiled. I knew what it felt like to be alone, especially picked on so I made sure to make new friends, and compliment any and everyone I encountered. My biggest fear was making my family suffer, so I tried my best to be joyful. At this stage in my life, I began to write poetry. My mental health molded me into a young lady. Like Maya Angelou, I fell in love with the way that poetry allowed one to speak of their feelings without needing understandment. Poetry was free, and when I wrote poetry I didn’t feel restrained. It helped get my mind off of sadness. Due to poetry, I was no longer a shy girl but rather a confidence, and expressive young lady. I met many people along the way of becoming the person I am today. I have shared my story many times, and I make sure that others get to share theirs. I strongly believe that positivity can save someones life. Words can damage an individual, and I have witnessed it first-hand. Life can either push you forward, or hold you back but I chose to prosper. I turned negaitvity into positivity, and re-arranged my life. Everyday I strived to be better than the previous day. In school I got straight A’s, and was often very hard on myself as I felt the need to do well in everything. No matter how stressed I was, I remembered to wear a smile as it could save someone's life. My issues with mental health elevated me. Today as a high school senior in IB classes, with more than 10 extracurricular activities I can finally say that I am somebody, and I am going to be exactly what I dream of becoming. Seeing my grandmother suffering from cancer made me want to become a doctor. I have always loved kids, and I know how much representation means so I aspire to be a pediatrician. My mental health didn’t break me, but it led me to a moment in life where I can say that I am proud of myself. I am glad that I never let my obstacles break me down, as I wouldn’t be here writing this today. I am extremely appreciative of everything I’ve been through, and I am even more proud of the fact that I chose positivity over negativity.

Without confidence, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have had to place myself in many uncomfortable situations to become the social butterfly I am now. Confidence, to me, is being positive enough to know that you can do anything you put your mind to. I choose to spread positivity and go after my dreams no matter what people think of my capabilities.  Surprisingly enough, I have always been socially awkward. It has taken me many years to be able to confidently speak up for myself and those around me. I go to an 11-floor school with hundreds of kids, and I have had to push myself into environments where I once felt like I didn’t belong. Typically, in all of my classes, I am the only black student. In IB classes, I always speak up for the black community. I know that in order to make change, I have to speak, which is something that I had a hard time doing at first. I pushed myself to join a debate team, which I am currently an alumni of. My debate team is called the Harvard Diversity Council Debate Program, which is a pipeline program of Harvard University that recruits and trains young underserved black students. I entered the team as a shy individual, yet came out with confidence in my ability to stand up for myself, especially in rooms where representation is limited.  In every room I enter, I spread positivity, and I make sure to do it in a way that I make my mark. With over 15+ college acceptances, I am excited to enter a new environment at Florida A & M University. I know that, through confidence, I can be a light and guide those around me.

One of my major goals in life was to burst out of my shell. For the past few years now, I have been doing exactly that. I am vice president of my school's poetry club, a classroom facilitator of my school orchestra, and an alumnus of the Harvard Diversity Council Debate Program. I have grown into a social butterfly by putting myself into uncomfortable positions. I have taken on many leadership roles, which have taught me the importance of confidence and leadership.  Another thing on my bucket list was making great grades throughout high school, which I have accomplished. I have worked hard to advance in my education. I am an IB student, and in most of my classes I am the only minority. I have not only placed myself in uncomfortable situations, but I have also studied and worked hard to grow intellectually.  With my mental health, I have been spreading positivity and continuing to be selfless. In life, my main priority was to make sure that I spread joy. I have been bullied, so I know what it feels like to be lonely, and I do not wish that on any soul in life. In school, I am consistently tutoring people and asking them about their mental health. I know that it is extremely important, and I am proud of taking the initiative to make sure people are okay.  As a kid, I always dreamed about college, and I have always wanted to be a pediatrician. As a senior in high school with more than 15+ college acceptances, I am attending Florida A & M University and majoring in Pre-med Biology. All of little me would be extremely proud, as all of my work has paid off, and I am almost there. 

I have been writing poetry since I was in the 8th grade. Poetry was something that I enjoyed doing at times when I felt lonely. Most importantly, it allowed me to express myself without worrying about the opinions of others. I share my poetry and spoken words on social media. Every day I make sure to spread joy and positivity. My reason for doing so is that I was bullied, and if I were to go back in time, I would want someone to do the same for me.  Outside of poetry, I always make sure to help my friends. I offer to tutor them, help them with homework, and I am currently teaching elementary school kids. I have always enjoyed helping people, especially when it comes to learning. I have been in a position in life where learning was hard. I never want anyone to feel alone, so I make sure to help whenever I can.  I know that in high school, school can be stressful. Many students deal with mental health issues that often go unnoticed. To encourage them to keep going, I send as many people as I can an encouraging message or even a quote for the day. I have always been positive, and I know that sharing positivity can save someone’s life. I make sure to tell young minorities that they can do anything they put their mind to, as we are often told that we can’t. I was once told by a teacher that I wouldn’t be anything in life, and I made it my duty to be great, but also to be selfless. Accomplishing my dreams is about something bigger than me. It is so that I can reach back to those in need and offer help where it is desperately needed. 

I am proud of myself. I have crossed over many obstacles in which I didn’t picture myself making it to 17. But yet, here I am. I am an IB student, member of 3 honors societies, vice president of my school's poetry club, classroom faciliator of my school's orchestra, member of more than 3 clubs in school, and also an alumni of the cohort of the class of 2021 of the Harvard Diversity Council debate program. I am extremely proud and, most importantly, willing to continue to succeed. I am inspired by my experiences and am most definitely determined to be the first generation college graduate in my family.  I was raised in Macon, Georgia, where I wasn’t given many opportunities. When I moved to Atlanta, that was my first taste of excellence. I was bullied, but I was made stronger. Everything that I am presently doing is because of my past. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, which empowered me to go after my dream of being a doctor. In particular, a pediatrician.  I have a genuine, charismatic personality that no one can strip me of. Every day I make sure to reach out to my family and friends and ask if they need anything. I have been tutoring kids since I was in middle school, and it is a legacy that I hope to continue in college.  My life so far has been full of accomplishments. I have run into moments where I felt like the world would end. However, it kept going and I kept growing. All of my obstacles, in particular being bullied and being underestimated in my debate class, led me to become the confident yet humble young lady I am today. I am excited about my next steps in my journey. 

I never thought that I would make it to 17, but here I am. For years now, positivity has been my friend. It has helped me smile through pain and suffering and bring joy to those doing the same thing. My pain didn’t leave me scarred, but rather molded me into the young lady I am today. I would consider myself black and brilliant, despite being told "you’ll never be anything in life" by my fifth-grade elementary school teacher. Fifth grade was a devastating time for me. My grandmother had just been diagnosed with cancer, and I had recently moved from Macon, Georgia, to Atlanta. It was a new world for me, especially as I was going back and forth while visiting her. It took me a while to find myself, as I was consumed by negativity so much to the point that I became it.  Life past fifth grade seemed almost impossible. I felt it slipping from the tips of my fingers, as I held onto it out of fear of losing everything. The questions I asked myself were "where would I be in my senior year of high school?", "would I regret it if I gave up?", and most importantly, "what would my grandmother think about my choice." At this point, no matter how upset and depressed I was, it didn’t push me over the edge. Although I was close to falling off, I gained my balance, and I blossomed into the beautiful young lady that I am today.  Mental health is extremely important but goes unnoticed. Many times, those struggling always have a smile on their face, so no one would ever guess something is wrong. For me, this was the case. On the outside, I looked absolutely fine, but on the inside I was deeply hurting. I got bullied by my teacher and students, which caused me to doubt my capability to succeed. The words that slipped from my teacher's mouth stung like a bee, and I spent years trying to get the stinger out.  I couldn’t let my family see my pain, so I kept it secret. I fought my issues by thinking positively. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, as I feared that my grandmother would pass away. She didn’t. Every day I smiled. I knew what it felt like to be alone, especially picked on, so I made sure to make new friends and compliment anyone and everyone I encountered. My biggest fear was making my family suffer, so I tried my best to be joyful.  At this stage in my life, I began to write poetry. My mental health molded me into a young lady. Like Maya Angelou, I fell in love with the way that poetry allowed one to speak of their feelings without needing understanding. Poetry was free, and when I wrote poetry I didn’t feel restrained. It helped get my mind off of sadness. Due to poetry, I was no longer a shy girl but rather a confident and expressive young lady.  I met many people along the way of becoming the person I am today. I have shared my story many times, and I make sure that others get to share theirs. I strongly believe that positivity can save someone's life. Words can damage an individual, and I have witnessed it first-hand. Life can either push you forward or hold you back, but I chose to prosper. I turned negativity into positivity and re-arranged my life.  Every day I strived to be better than the previous day. In school, I got straight A’s and was often very hard on myself as I felt the need to do well in everything. No matter how stressed I was, I remembered to wear a smile as it could save someone’s life.  My issues with mental health elevated me. Today, as a high school senior in IB classes with more than 10 extracurricular activities, I can finally say that I am somebody, and I am going to be exactly what I dream of becoming. Seeing my grandmother suffering from cancer made me want to become a doctor. I have always loved kids, and I know how much representation means, so I aspire to be a pediatrician. My mental health didn’t break me, but it led me to a moment in life where I can say that I am proud of myself. I am glad that I never let my obstacles break me down, as I wouldn’t be here writing this today. I am extremely appreciative of everything I’ve been through, and I am even more proud of the fact that I chose positivity over negativity.

“ Life is a chance” is what my grandmother always tells me. My Family is from the Bronx, New York but they took a chance by coming down to Georgia for a different lifestyle. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, however I was born into a family that loves each other. My family was my reason to grow. I grew away from the community that I once lived in - Macon Georgia, i grew away from the fear of change, i grew away from the ideas that once confined me. Most importantly, I learned the significance of taking a chance at life and learning that failure is never a setback as long as you continuously fail forward. Success is all I dreamed about, but I had to learn that with success also comes failure, and with every failure is a lesson. In life, I juggle several different backgrounds. I am black, Dark Skin, a Violinist, Poet, Debater, IB Student, and honors program member. I was even bullied at a young age. I had to let failure become my teacher and not my oppressor. my temporary detour, never my dead-end street. My lesson, never my loss. So I could finally understand the importance of failing forward. I have always been surrounded by beautiful, hardworking, and passionate people who are willing to do anything to achieve their dreams. My grandmother is one example. When I was in the fifth grade, she was diagnosed with Cancer yet even despite her pain, she continued to fight. Her dream has always been to see me graduate high school, and go on to college. She fought her battle with cancer, even when she was placed in a wheelchair, and was told that she could only eat baby food. She fought her battle, because she knew she already won. My grandmother inspires me. Born in 1944, with older brothers who participated in Martin Luther King's marches, she has always enlightened me on Black history, and shared her earned wisdom with me. As a first generation prospective college student, I have dreamed big for my entire life. Without my father in my life, I have seen my family work hard to give me everything I needed, and through my family I have learned to take chances. It is because of them that I have big dreams of going to college, becoming a doctor and changing others lives, like my family changed mine. Education has always been major for me. When I was younger, my mom would take me to Barnes and Nobles to buy chapter books that I would read in one day, and this legacy has carried on into the present day. I am an overachiever, with a positive mindset. I am always willing to help students around me, and i dream of majoring in biology. At college, I know that I will be able to offer life from a different perspective. I am not just a student, but I am also a minority student. I will bring to the table the black perspective, but also a kind spirit who is willing to reach her hand out for anyone in need. College is my ticket to happiness. It is through my dreams of going to college that I no longer let the words ‘You’ll never be anything in life” consume me whole.

“ Life is a chance” is what my grandmother always tells me. My Family is from the Bronx, New York but they took a chance by coming down to Georgia for a different lifestyle. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, however I was born into a family that loves each other. My family was my reason to grow. I grew away from the community that I once lived in - Macon Georgia, i grew away from the fear of change, i grew away from the ideas that once confined me. Most importantly, I learned the significance of taking a chance at life and learning that failure is never a setback as long as you continuously fail forward. Success is all I dreamed about, but I had to learn that with success also comes failure, and with every failure is a lesson. In life, I juggle several different backgrounds. I am black, Dark Skin, a Violinist, Poet, Debater, IB Student, and honors program member. I was even bullied at a young age. I had to let failure become my teacher and not my oppressor. my temporary detour, never my dead-end street. My lesson, never my loss. So I could finally understand the importance of failing forward. I have always been surrounded by beautiful, hardworking, and passionate people who are willing to do anything to achieve their dreams. My grandmother is one example. When I was in the fifth grade, she was diagnosed with Cancer yet even despite her pain, she continued to fight. Her dream has always been to see me graduate high school, and go on to college. She fought her battle with cancer, even when she was placed in a wheelchair, and was told that she could only eat baby food. She fought her battle, because she knew she already won. My grandmother inspires me. Born in 1944, with older brothers who participated in Martin Luther King's marches, she has always enlightened me on Black history, and shared her earned wisdom with me. As a first generation prospective college student, I have dreamed big for my entire life. Without my father in my life, I have seen my family work hard to give me everything I needed, and through my family I have learned to take chances. It is because of them that I have big dreams of going to college, becoming a doctor and changing others life’s, like my family changed mine. Education has always been major for me. When I was younger, my mom would take me to Barnes and Nobles to buy chapter books that I would read in one day, and this legacy has carried on into the present day. I am an overachiever, with a positive mindset. I am always willing to help students around me, and I often tutor students as well. At college, I know that I will be able to offer life from a different perspective. I am not just a student, but I am also a minority student. I will bring to the table the black perspective, but also a kind spirit who is willing to reach her hand out for anyone in need. College is my ticket to happiness. It is through my dreams of going to college that I no longer let the words ‘You’ll never be anything in life” consume me whole.

“ Life is a chance” is what my grandmother has always told me. My family is from the Bronx, New York but they took a chance by coming down to Georgia for a different lifestyle. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, however I was born into this world by a beautiful woman that I call mom. My mother has always been my superhero. She has saved me from getting bullied, saved me from depression, and even saved me from failing. My mom is the reason that I have grown. I grew away from the community that I once lived in - Macon, Ga. I grew away from the fear of change. I grew away from the ideas that once confined me. Most importantly, i learned the significance of taking a chance at life and learning that failure is never a setback as long as you continuously fail forward. My mother is what I would like to call my boss lady. For my whole life, she has taken care of me and made sure that I had clothes on my back, a room over my head, and food to eat. She raised 4 kids, me, and my three sisters. She has been the one that has stepped up to the place of my father, who did not want to step up. Most significantly, she is my reason for chasing my dreams. As a first generational prospective college student, my dream has always been to enter into the medical field and become a doctor. Ever since I was younger I have had a tremendous love for nurturing others, and I have gained this from my mother. My mother will do anything for anyone. She works long hours, and long nights yet she still makes time out to help anyone in need. She gives, and gives, and oftentimes never sits down for herself. For that reason, I want to ensure that my mom has nothing to worry about as she is getting older. She has been working since she was 14 and she has never stopped working. My mom is the reason that I am so hard on myself. She has given me so much, and even pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. Her love is what empowers me to keep going. Currently, I am an alumna of the Harvard Diversity Council Debate Program, member of numerous honors societies, Vice President of my school's poetry club, IB student, member of several clubs in my school, and violinist at my school's orchestra. Seeing my mother chase her own dreams, and take a chance in life has allowed me to chase my dreams, and take a chance at being successful. It is through my mother that I see my light. She is beautiful, intelligent, and so Bronx, New York and I am very thankful for her beautiful light. My mother finds family to be very important. She always makes sure that on holidays we all get together, despite everyone being so spread apart as my sisters are in the military. When I have any issues in life, I always go to my mother for advice and although I may not like what she tells me, it is always great wisdom that she is passing down to me. It is because of my mother that I had to let failure become my teacher and not my oppressor. my temporary detour, never my dead-end street. My lesson, never my loss. So I could finally understand the importance of failing forward.

Fear doesn’t scare me, but fearing does. As Maya Angelou once said “ Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances” and I have gradually learned to tower over my own. My Name is Dakota Marie Fields, and I was raised in Macon, Georgia. A town that has a demographic of a majority of African American People. I grew up in a house of four, a single mom who worked long shifts, and I often stayed with my beautiful grandmother who helped shape, and mold me into the young lady that I am today. I would like to say that, it wouldn’t be a journey, without a few rocks. I am a dark-skin African-American young girl, who grew up in a family of lighter skin tones. I often had to struggle with questions like “ why do you look so different”, or “ why are you darker than them” and i have had to learn that you must love yourself at all times, no matter the circumstances. As a young girl with dark-skin I had to learn how to tower over society’s stereotype around my skin color, in which they paint a picture of someone who doesn’t deserve the opportunity to even see the many possibilities that life has to offer me. Before I moved to Atlanta, Georgia my life was shaken up. My grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in the fourth grade, and I ended up having to move to Atlanta, Georgia in a new school as I was bullied, and challenged mentally as I took constant trips back and forth to the hospital to see my grandmother as we thought I was her last few days on earth. My Grandmother means the absolute world to me, and she is the reason why I find positivity to be the best cure to sadness, and the best magic to place a smile on someone’s face. Through my grandmother, I found passion in all of the little things. Like walking down the street and calling a young black girl, magical. Or a young black boy intelligent, because I know that as a young black girl myself simple compliments like that always motivated me, and helped open my eyes to the beauty that lies underneath. I grew up in a house of 4, including my mom, and my 3 sisters who did not finish college but are currently in the military. As my mom raised me as a single parent, I aspired to be able to make her , but also my grandmother proud. Because of them, I am. Through bullying I gained fear of speaking up for myself, or standing out. Yet, through an ever growing love for poetry I learned how to speak out. I learned that my voice is beautiful, kind, and warm. I also learned that my voice is needed, awesome, and strong. Overcoming my fear of speaking out , was my one way ticket to unleashing the dreams that i’ve had since i was a little girl. It was my one-way ticket to becoming one out of the 20 members of the Harvard Diversity Debate Council. Everyone dreams, but no one has your story. As a young black girl, I dreamed of making it into a space where I could remove the chains around my neck preventing me from inspiring black youth to do more than just dream, but take action to make their dreams their reality. I never thought that I would enter a space where my skin color wouldn’t be a stop for me, from achieving the dream of making my grandmother and my mother happy. HDCDP has helped me grow tremendously as it has crowned me for my black girl magic, while guiding me to match scholarship with my culture. In this space, i don’t have to forget where i come from as i am one out of 20 black kids out of hundreds selected out of the Area of Atlanta. I dream that by seeing a young black girl like me on a debate team for Harvard, that a 5 year old kid can look at me and be inspired, and reminded of her beauty. I’ve always had a tremendous love for people, as my grandmother worked with an organization called the Arc wherein she helped people with disabilities, and blessed them with love. I would always be around my grandmother as she worked, which helped aid my heart to love each and every person no matter the differences in circumstances. This is why I aspire to be in the medical field. I want to be a doctor who works with kids. I would love to put a smile on their faces, although their circumstances may try to push them down. I know what it’s like from experience to be challenged. I was challenged through bullying, and standing out due to the color of my skin and without a doubt I plan to be a doctor who places a smile on children’s faces each time we meet. I have pushed myself past my limits and let go of all fear. Recently, I was on a CNN commercial for Martin Luther King Day for my Harvard debate team. Although i was scared to be on national television, i overcame my fear as i knew that i could be a role model for a kid who looks just like me. Currently, I am vice president of my school’s poetry club in which I provide kids of North Atlanta High School with an environment in which they can come as they are, and be loved no matter their circumstances. I know that poetry was an outlet for me in moments of weakness, so I always hope that it can make a difference for others. I want to see youth discover their brilliance. It took a while for me to figure it all out, but I know that by overcoming your fears you can inspire.

Fear doesn’t scare me, but fearing does. As Maya Angelou once said “ Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances” and I have gradually learned to tower over my own. My Name is Dakota Marie Fields, and I was raised in Macon, Georgia. A town that has a demographic of a majority of African American People. I grew up in a house of four, a single mom who worked long shifts, and I often stayed with my beautiful grandmother who helped shape, and mold me into the young lady that I am today. I would like to say that, it wouldn’t be a journey, without a few rocks. I am a dark-skin African-American young girl, who grew up in a family of lighter skin tones. I often had to struggle with questions like “ why do you look so different”, or “ why are you darker than them” and i have had to learn that you must love yourself at all times, no matter the circumstances. As a young girl with dark-skin I had to learn how to tower over society’s stereotype around my skin color, in which they paint a picture of someone who doesn’t deserve the opportunity to even see the many possibilities that life has to offer me. Before I moved to Atlanta, Georgia my life was shaken up. My grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in the fourth grade, and I ended up having to move to Atlanta, Georgia in a new school as I was bullied, and challenged mentally as I took constant trips back and forth to the hospital to see my grandmother as we thought I was her last few days on earth. My Grandmother means the absolute world to me, and she is the reason why I find positivity to be the best cure to sadness, and the best magic to place a smile on someone’s face. Through my grandmother, I found passion in all of the little things. Like walking down the street and calling a young black girl, magical. Or a young black boy intelligent, because I know that as a young black girl myself simple compliments like that always motivated me, and helped open my eyes to the beauty that lies underneath. I grew up in a house of 4, including my mom, and my 3 sisters who did not finish college but are currently in the military. As my mom raised me as a single parent, I aspired to be able to make her , but also my grandmother proud. Because of them, I am. Through bullying I gained fear of speaking up for myself, or standing out. Yet, through an ever growing love for poetry I learned how to speak out. I learned that my voice is beautiful, kind, and warm. I also learned that my voice is needed, awesome, and strong. Overcoming my fear of speaking out , was my one way ticket to unleashing the dreams that i’ve had since i was a little girl. It was my one-way ticket to becoming one out of the 20 members of the Harvard Diversity Debate Council. Everyone dreams, but no one has your story. As a young black girl, I dreamed of making it into a space where I could remove the chains around my neck preventing me from inspiring black youth to do more than just dream, but take action to make their dreams their reality. I never thought that I would enter a space where my skin color wouldn’t be a stop for me, from achieving the dream of making my grandmother and my mother happy. HDCDP has helped me grow tremendously as it has crowned me for my black girl magic, while guiding me to match scholarship with my culture. In this space, i don’t have to forget where i come from as i am one out of 20 black kids out of hundreds selected out of the Area of Atlanta. I dream that by seeing a young black girl like me on a debate team for Harvard, that a 5 year old kid can look at me and be inspired, and reminded of her beauty. I’ve always had a tremendous love for people, as my grandmother worked with an organization called the Arc wherein she helped people with disabilities, and blessed them with love. I would always be around my grandmother as she worked, which helped aid my heart to love each and every person no matter the differences in circumstances. This is why I aspire to be in the medical field. I want to be a doctor who works with kids. I would love to put a smile on their faces, although their circumstances may try to push them down. I know what it’s like from experience to be challenged. I was challenged through bullying, and standing out due to the color of my skin and without a doubt I plan to be a doctor who places a smile on children’s faces each time we meet. I have pushed myself past my limits and let go of all fear. Recently, I was on a CNN commercial for Martin Luther King Day for my Harvard debate team. Although i was scared to be on national television, i overcame my fear as i knew that i could be a role model for a kid who looks just like me. Currently, I am vice president of my school’s poetry club in which I provide kids of North Atlanta High School with an environment in which they can come as they are, and be loved no matter their circumstances. I know that poetry was an outlet for me in moments of weakness, so I always hope that it can make a difference for others. I want to see youth discover their brilliance. It took a while for me to figure it all out, but I know that by overcoming your fears you can inspire.

As a Dark-skin young black girl living in Georgia, i have had to come face-to-face with much discrimination as my black girl magic has often been underestimated. My name is Dakota Marie Fields, and I grew up in Macon, Georgia where I did not have much opportunity, but I had love. Through many trials and tribulations as my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, I had to move to Atlanta, Georgia where I now reside. Yet, with this move came many significant changes in my life where a young girl who once feared change, now looks at it within its eye and tells it that she’s not scared of it anymore. My Grandmother has been my push in life. From seeing her help people with disabilities, to seeing her really sick as she battled with stage 4 cancer, I grew a passion for people. I live everyday, making sure that I put a smile on someone’s face at least once. As a young black girl, who didn’t grow up in the best town at first, i found a passion to show the world that a young person of color can achieve anything they put their mind to. Currently, I am one out of 20 black kids a part of the Harvard Diversity Debate Council which recruits and trains young african-american kids for a residency at Harvard University. Our pillars are scholarship, leadership, and culture. Yet, since i didn’t grow up in an area full of sophisticated, educated kids when i was accepted into this program i failed to speak up, speak out, and stand up for myself. But I slowly overcame my fear of being heard in a room where my voice matters. When I look at my dark-skin I am reminded of why I do what I do. I am passionate about making a change in a world where young kids who look just like me are listed as criminals on mainstream tv. I am passionate about changing the narrative that surrounds my skin color, which labels people like me as unworthy, lazy, and undeserving of opportunity. To unlock this fear of speaking up for young black kids like me, I found a love in poetry in the eighth grade. I was bullied when I first moved to Atlanta which caused me to become very timid. But yet, poetry was the key to my broken heart. Poetry freed me, and it has helped me find a light in an area in which I thought had turned forever dark. I am passionate to be that change for young black kids that look just like me, which is why I took the opportunity to join a program that challenges me mentally significantly. As I take further steps towards advocating for young black kids who look like me, I plan to forever rid myself of the heart that grasps me by my throat so I can't speak, and pulls me to my chair so I won't stand up for the people that I care about. I have taken steps towards working with tutoring young black kids, hosting poetry events, and even writing poetry targeted towards the beauty of black children. Despite all of the odds against me, wherein young black kids are assumed to not belong in an environment like the Harvard Diversity Debate Council, I turn my head to their opinions and show the world that we can belong anywhere, no matter the circumstances.