My name is Dannesia Lawrence, and I am a high school senior, eagerly preparing for the next chapter of my education journey. As I look forward to attending college, I am excited to pursue my selected major in Health sciences. This choice will aid in my aspiration of becoming a physician assistant in pediatric emergency medicine. Growing up, I have always been drawn to helping others. This desire was a major factor in my academic choices and career aspirations. From ages 11 to 14, I lived with my father, who was highly engaged in drug addiction and other illegal activities. These years forced me to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities that no child should have to bear. I found myself waking up each morning, getting ready for school, and then having to wake up my father, who was often too intoxicated to function, to drive me to school. I was also used for passing health screenings and taking care of my father on nights when he could barely stand. Living in such an environment taught me self-reliance. It was a period of my life that I lived in secret, as it became my normal. Despite this, I remained dedicated to my education, understanding that it was my way out and wanted I strived for. Being a part of a minority, and having experienced the stereotypical childhood, it is an experience I don't wish on my worst enemy. However, my experiences have taught me the importance of perseverance. I am driven by the desire to not only succeed for myself but also to become the trusted adult that I was missing in my childhood. Helping children like me realize, that they too can achieve their dreams. It is important to me to inspire younger generations and help them see the potential within themselves. My interest in pediatrics and healthcare stems from a deep-seated passion for caring for others and ensuring their well-being. I believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment and access to quality healthcare. By pursuing a career in this field, I hope to contribute to creating a better future for children. I am eager to become a part of an academic setting that supports my aspirations and provides me with the tools I need to make a difference. Receiving the Women in Healthcare Scholarship would be an incredible honor and would greatly assist me in reaching my educational and career objectives. It would allow me to lessen the burden on my single mother while I attempt to make her proud. I am strongly committed to bettering the lives of children and using my education to support others. This scholarship would be a significant step toward living my dreams and making a meaningful impact in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and for the consideration of my application. Thank you for believing in female students like me who are eager to make a difference and strive for excellence in all that they do.

My name is Dannesia Lawrence, and I am a high school senior, eagerly preparing for the next chapter of my education journey. As I look forward to attending college, I am excited to pursue my selected major in Health sciences. This choice will aid in my aspiration of becoming a physician assistant in pediatric emergency medicine. Growing up, I have always been drawn to helping others. This desire was a major factor in my academic choices and career aspirations. From ages 11 to 14, I lived with my father, who was highly engaged in drug addiction and other illegal activities. These years forced me to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities that no child should have to bear. I found myself waking up each morning, getting ready for school, and then having to wake up my father, who was often too intoxicated to function, to drive me to school. I was also used for passing health screenings and taking care of my father on nights when he could barely stand. Living in such an environment taught me self-reliance. It was a unfortunate period of my life that I lived in secret, as it became my normal. Despite this, I remained dedicated to my education, understanding that it was my way out and wanted I strived for. Being a part of a minority, and having experienced the stereotypical childhood, it is an experience I don't wish on my worst enemy. However, my experiences have taught me the importance of perseverance. I am driven by the desire to not only succeed for myself but also to become the trusted adult that I was missing in my childhood. Helping children like me realize, that they too can achieve their dreams. It is important to me to inspire younger generations and help them see the potential within themselves. My interest in pediatrics and healthcare stems from a deep-seated passion for caring for others and ensuring their well-being. I believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment and access to quality healthcare. By pursuing a career in this field, I hope to contribute to creating a better future for children. I am eager to become a part of an academic setting that supports my aspirations and provides me with the tools I need to make a difference. Receiving the Beacon of Light Scholarship would be an incredible honor and would greatly assist me in reaching my educational and career objectives. It would allow me to lessen the burden on my single mother while I attempt to make her proud. I am strongly committed to bettering the lives of children and using my education to support others. This scholarship would be a significant step toward living my dreams and making a meaningful impact in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and for the consideration of my application. Thank you for believing in students like me who are eager to make a difference and strive for excellence in all that they do.

My name is Dannesia Lawrence, and I am a high school senior, eagerly preparing for the next chapter of my education journey. As I look forward to attending college, I am excited to pursue my selected major in Health sciences. This choice will aid in my aspiration of becoming a physician assistant in pediatric emergency medicine. Growing up, I have always been drawn to helping others. This desire was a major factor in my academic choices and career aspirations. From ages 11 to 14, I lived with my father, who was highly engaged in drug addiction and other illegal activities. These years forced me to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities that no child should have to bear. I found myself waking up each morning, getting ready for school, and then having to wake up my father, who was often too intoxicated to function, to drive me to school. I was also used for passing health screenings and taking care of my father on nights when he could barely stand. Living in such an environment taught me self-reliance. It was a period of my life that I lived in secret, as it became my normal. Despite this, I remained dedicated to my education, understanding that it was my way out and wanted I strived for. Being a part of a minority, and having experienced the stereotypical childhood, it is an experience I don't wish on my worst enemy. However, my experiences have taught me the importance of perseverance. I am driven by the desire to not only succeed for myself but also to become the trusted adult that I was missing in my childhood. Helping children like me realize, that they too can achieve their dreams. It’s important to me to inspire younger generations and help them see the potential within themselves. My interest in pediatrics and healthcare stems from a deep-seated passion for caring for others and ensuring their well-being. I believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment and access to quality healthcare. By pursuing a career in this field, I hope to contribute to creating a better future for children. I am eager to become a part of an academic setting that supports my aspirations and provides me with the tools I need to make a difference. Receiving the Rev. Frank W. Steward Memorial Scholarship would be an incredible honor and would greatly assist me in reaching my educational and career objectives. It would allow me to lessen the burden on my single mother while I attempt to make her proud. I am strongly committed to bettering the lives of children and using my education to support others. This scholarship would be a significant step toward living my dreams and making a meaningful impact in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and for the consideration of my application. Thank you for believing in students like me who are eager to make a difference and strive for excellence in all that they do.

My name is Dannesia Lawrence, and I am a high school senior, eagerly preparing for the next chapter of my education journey. As I look forward to attending college, I am excited to pursue my selected major in Health sciences. This choice will aid in my aspiration of becoming a physician assistant in pediatric emergency medicine. Growing up, I have always been drawn to helping others. This desire was a major factor in my academic choices and career aspirations. From ages 11 to 14, I lived with my father, who was highly engaged in drug addiction and other illegal activities. These years forced me to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities that no child should have to bear. I found myself waking up each morning, getting ready for school, and then having to wake up my father, who was often too intoxicated to function, to drive me to school. I was also used for passing health screenings and taking care of my father on nights when he could barely stand. Living in such an environment taught me self-reliance. It was a period of my life that I lived in secret, as it became my normal. Despite this, I remained dedicated to my education, understanding that it was my way out and wanted I strived for. Being a part of a minority, and having experienced the stereotypical childhood, it is an experience I don't wish on my worst enemy. However, my experiences have taught me the importance of perseverance. I am driven by the desire to not only succeed for myself but also to become the trusted adult that I was missing in my childhood. Helping children like me realize, that they too can achieve their dreams. It is important to me to inspire younger generations and help them see the potential within themselves. My interest in pediatrics and healthcare stems from a deep-seated passion for caring for others and ensuring their well-being. I believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment and access to quality healthcare. By pursuing a career in this field, I hope to contribute to creating a better future for children. I am eager to become a part of an academic setting that supports my aspirations and provides me with the tools I need to make a difference. Receiving this Scholarship would be an incredible honor and would greatly assist me in reaching my educational and career objectives. It would allow me to lessen the burden on my single mother while I attempt to make her proud. I am strongly committed to bettering the lives of children and using my education to support others. This scholarship would be a significant step toward living my dreams and making a meaningful impact in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply and for the consideration of my application. Thank you for believing in students like me who are eager to make a difference and strive for excellence in all that they do.

My name is Dannesia, and I am a senior in the IB program with a GPA of 3.5. I am proud to be a first-generation college student, and I am determined to make a difference in my life and the lives of others. Growing up with a father who struggled with drug addiction and his girlfriend until I was 14 was a challenging experience. It created an environment filled with uncertainty and fear, making me feel unsafe in my own home. This experience has shaped my desire to help teens who find themselves in similar situations. I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field, but it took some time to figure out exactly what I wanted to be. My experience from childhood led me to the path of wanting to become a pediatric physician assistant in emergency medicine, where I can provide care to children in need physically and mentally. My interests extend beyond academics; I am also an active participant in sports. I play softball, bowling, weightlifting, and track & field and I have been recognized with awards like MVP and Most Improved Player in softball and received the sportsmanship award in bowling. I was the softball JV team captain in my sophomore and junior years and am currently the varsity bowling captain, both have taught me leadership and teamwork. Community involvement is important to me. I volunteer at the Orange County Animal Shelter at least once a month, where I help care for animals in need. This experience has deepened my compassion for others, whether they are human or animal. I believe that everyone deserves support, especially those who feel alone. If I could start my own charity, it would focus on providing a safe space for teens who feel unsafe in their homes. The mission of my charity would be to help these young people find comfort and guidance, offering resources to help them set up their lives. I want to create a community where they do not feel like outcasts but rather part of a supportive network. I envision a charity where young volunteers can connect with these teens. Having volunteers who understand their struggles can make a significant difference. They would provide mentorship, organize workshops, and create a safe environment where teens can express themselves. I want to ensure that no young person feels alone in their challenges. As a first-generation college student, I also understand the financial burdens that come with pursuing higher education. My mother is a single parent with two other dependents, and I want to lessen the burden on her. I try to help by applying for scholarships and by working part-time to lessen the amount of money my mother has to use for me . I hope to inspire others in my community to seek higher education and show them that it is possible, regardless of their circumstances. My experiences have shaped my desire to help others, especially the youth. My journey has taught me resilience, and I am excited to use my experiences to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I believe that together, we can create a brighter future for those who need it most.

As a child of a single mother who is also taking care of my two grandmothers, money is tight. I want to become a pediatric physician assistant in emergency medicine, but this line of education is very expensive. I want to be able to make my mom proud, but also take as much of the burden of college costs off her shoulders as I possibly can. Being a rising high school senior, I have always been passionate about helping others, especially children. My interest in pediatric healthcare came from the hardships I experienced in my childhood. From ages 11-14, I lived with my drug-addict father and his girlfriend. As you can imagine being a child in that living situation was a very trauma-filled experience. This inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a difference in the lives of children who not only need medical attention but also a trustworthy adult who understands the importance of listening. However, the financial challenge is significant. My mom works hard to support me, but with the added responsibility of caring for my grandmothers, there is little left for college savings. I have maintained a 3.6 GPA and participated in various sports like softball, bowling, weightlifting and track & field. I have received awards such as MVP and Most Improved Player in softball, and Sportsmanship in bowling. I have also been the softball JV team captain for two years in a row. Along with these athletics, I also volunteer at my local animal shelter at least once a month. I love being able to provide new homes for the animals as they too deserve love and proper care. And most of all I know that many children would be overjoyed to add a new member to their family. As a child who was raised in a corrupted home, being able to possibly prevent that same feeling for other children by helping with adoptions is a great feeling. These experiences have taught me the importance of teamwork, dedication, perseverance, and the importance of helping kids like me. Despite these achievements, the cost of college is a major obstacle. I worry about how I will afford tuition, books, and other expenses. I am determined to find a way to achieve my dream without putting additional financial strain on my mom. This scholarship would not only help me cover the costs of my education, but it would also allow me to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities without the constant worry of financial stress. I am committed to working hard and making the most of the opportunities that come my way. I want to show my mom that her sacrifices were worth it and that I can achieve my goals. Becoming a pediatric physician assistant in emergency medicine is not just a career choice for me; it is a way to create a small but important change in my community and make a positive impact on the lives of children in need. Thank you for considering my application for the Grace and Growth Scholarship Scholarship. This opportunity would bring me one step closer to achieving my dream and making a difference in the world.

When you ask a kid what they want to be, they usually respond with either the generic firefighter/police officer or something totally random like a dinosaur wrangler. However, If you asked me I would have said a doctor. Now, at the time, I didn’t know exactly what type of doctor I wanted to be but I knew I wanted to be a doctor. From the ages of 7-14, I lived with my drug-addicted father and his girlfriend in Massachusetts. I was brainwashed into keeping their addiction a secret, from everyone. So I had to walk every day with that part of my life hidden. Early on I was too innocent to truly understand what was going on in my life. However, once I got around the age of 11 I fully knew just how messed up my life truly was. That experience that I had in my life changed my personality for the better. This caused me to become more independent and more aware of what is happening. However, it also affected my personality negatively. This causes me to be less trusting with others and more closed off. That obstacle in my life is one of the main reasons why I want to become a pediatrician. I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of future generations. I want to help kids who may be going through what I went through and even those who didn't. I believe that kids are not taken as seriously as they really should be. People believe that just because we are not grown we don't know anything or what we say isn't true. Kids are people too. We struggle with the same problems as adults. We experience pain just like adults. We experience joy and happiness just like adults. So if we can experience the same thing as adults why can't we think like them too? Now I'm not saying that every child has the ability to think maturely. And that all kids think the same. But what about the kids who do think maturely? What about the kids who have an experience in their lives that has forced them to grow up and think maturely? Should those kids be told they don't know what they're talking about? I know from personal experience that it's not nice when you are treated like you don't know what you are talking about because I'm just a kid. And let me tell you it's very annoying to hear "you wouldn't understand" or "your too young to know what we're talking about". This is why I want to be a pediatrician. I want to be one of the few people who actually sit and listen to what a kid has to say. What they experienced. What they felt. Their side of their own story.

My favorite Disney character would have to be princess Tiana. Like me, princess Tiana is an African American women who came from not the best but also not the worst part of town. She go’s though life as the daughter of a widowed mother. And, although my father is still alive, I can relate to living a life with being raised by a single mother. She, like myself, made herself independent so she didn’t have to rely on anyone. She did this not only for herself,but, so she could take of the other people in her life. Unlike most Disney princesses, Tiana’s dream wasn’t to merry the prince or go to the ball. Her dream was to be something. She wanted to be best something. But she didn’t want to be the best in order to brag. She wanted to be best because it what she wanted. She was following her own goals not anyone else’s. Like myself, princess Tiana wasn’t into the whole I need a man in my life to survive. She believed/knew that she could do everything on her own. She proves that women don’t need to belittled or treated like precious gems in order to become something in life. The best part about Tiana is that she is young. This might sound odd but it’s very important. Usually when we see women in history they’re typically somewhere between 30-60. They also usually have a family with kids and a husband. However Tiana was a 19 year old women who had a dream, a goal that she knew she was going to achieve. This allows Tiana to be relatable to young women in the world. This causes young women to obtain Tianas habits and install them into themselves to carry with them the rest of their lives.

From the ages of 7-14 I lived with my drug addicted father and his girlfriend in Massachusetts. I was brainwashed into keeping their addiction a secret, from everyone. So I had to walk everyday with that part of my life hidden. Early on I was to innocent to truly understand what was going on in my life. However, once I got around the age of 11 I fully knew just how messed up my life truly was. My father and his girlfriend had the definition of a toxic relationship. They would argue every day of the dumbest things. But they didn’t/haven’t broken up yet. While I was living with them I was treated more like a cleaning lady/servant then an only child in the care of two adults. I was told to clean the house, forced to cook food, and other things. Mind you, all of this was happening while I was still in school. So, I was essentially parenting my self from ages 11-14. On top of everything that was happening at home, I had my own problems mentally. Due to the fact I had to ‘parent’ myself I obtained the trait of being extremely hard on myself. Because of this I would end up stressing myself out in order to achieve grades that I deemed ‘acceptable’, a.k.a straight A’s. Along with this I was really self conscious. I thought that I was to fat, to ugly, and not perfect enough to receive any kind of love, due to the fact I wasn’t really receiving any. Eventually someone came into my life that I felt I could share the messed up part of my life with, my (to this day) best friend. One day I couldn’t take the pressure of what was going on in my life, I had to tell someone. I confessed to my best friend was happening in my life and he has been with me every step of the way. Before I confessed to him, I had contemplated doing for months. Every time I was going to I would end up wussing out to being scared of what the outcome might be. Ever since then we have been together thorough thick and thin and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I now live with my mother, who had no idea any of that was happening because she lives in Florida. I never got the courage to tell her what was happening because I didn’t know what would happen if I did. My life has been a lot better since I moved to Florida after graduating middle school. I still struggle with my mental health but it’s not as bad as it was in Massachusetts. Some days are harder than others but that’s life. You never know what tomorrow is gonna be like. You never know what struggle is gonna face you the next day. You just have to wake up and be prepared to face the day ahead of you. I do this everyday.

Growing up I was/my parents were always told that I’m really mature. I still get told this. Anytime we would go to a friends out if I went to work with my mom, all the adults would say “oh my goodness, she’s such a good kid and she’s so mature for her age”. This a characteristic of mine that I value very highly. This characteristic has given be the ability to handle situations from a ‘adult like’ point of view. Yes, this characteristic can sometimes be a bad thing. It occasionally causes me to forget that I am actually still a child. Sometimes I get so blinded by the thought that I have to act mature and make the ‘grown up decision’, to the point where I end up making the wrong decision. However when I make those wrong decisions I use them as a self teaching moment so I don’t end up making those mistakes again. Sometimes people take being mature as being boring, or just being a goody-two-shoes. I would know this because in all of middle school I was known as ‘the teachers pet’. I personally believe that my classmates,at the time, confused the appreciation for my respect from my teachers as favoritism. The fact that I was mature enough to know that being rude teachers wasn’t funny, that using foul language in every sentence wasn’t amusing, or that actually trying in school wasn’t embarrassing or something I should be ashamed I guess was a shock to my classmates, at the time. I’ve continued on to carry this characteristic of mine through high school. Instead of being worried who’s wearing what, who’s with who, or who’s saying what about someone else, I’ve learned to just focus on myself. When you show maturity in, not only your work ethic, but in your everyday personality, it causes others to have a better response to you. It shows that you are worthy of that person’s respect. Unlike others I don’t make it my ultimate goal to impress my peers, they’re not the ones grading my papers or telling what to do to get a better grade. I will always see my characteristic of maturity as apart of my personality, it who I am. Anytime someone says that I’m mature I don’t know how to respond. It’s become such a huge part of me, that I respond saying “yup that’s me”.