One of the greatest gifts I have received in this life is my younger sister. While a seven-year age gap naturally creates differences in maturity, perception, and experiences, we have always been exceptionally close. It may be strange to say, but this relationship has given me a "do-over" of sorts. Through her, I revisit parts of my own life, particularly in adolescence. I reflect on the moments when I doubted my potential, navigated complicated friendships, or agonized over embarrassing crushes with more compassion than I did in the midst. Seeing the world through her eyes alongside the wisdom of hindsight from my own life has taught me to be kinder, gentler, more patient, and more honest. This relationship has given me purpose and inspires me daily. On the day she was born, my parents let me choose her middle name. I could not have guessed back then all the beautiful moments I'd get in return. As the poster child for eldest daughter syndrome with people-pleasing tendencies, navigating relationships of any kind comes with its pre-determined caveats. I often disregard my own needs, fail to set boundaries, or over-exert myself to avoid disappointment. This type of existence, though tiring and frequently self-sabotaging, isn't easily purged. That is, in my case, if not for the witty, uninhibited, and creative little sister who will happily remind me when I'm standing in my own way. She teaches me to be present, speak up about what bothers me, and stand up for what's right, even when it's uncomfortable. Her candor leads by example and recently helped me to overcome a difficult time in my relationship with friends. When two mutual friends of mine were having a disagreement and forcing me to be the mediator, it was my sister who reminded me of the importance of honesty, which helped me to set boundaries and redirect responsibility back onto them. It was hard, as I feared that allowing myself to be excused from the situation would be careless. Now, I understand that protecting my peace isn't indifference; it is self-respect and agency. My sister has been somewhat of a mirror, reflecting many of the things I see in myself; how she is different from me has taught me the most. She has encouraged me to value honesty over harmony. She teaches me to be bold and to foster conversations with others that welcome directness. My sister moves through life practicing authenticity and confidence in her distinctness. She is my reminder to stop and smell the roses, that laughter heals, and that sometimes I will let people down --- but that's okay too. It is through all of those reminders that I strive to build relationships, both personal and professional, that feel grounded, truthful, and whole. Because of her, I am more aware of my needs and m better at articulating them. Our relationship has taught me that my principles, values, and imperfections are not weaknesses. In fact, they are often my greatest strengths. Not everyone is as lucky to have someone who can see you for both who you are and what you can be and love both versions equally.

In the fall of 2026, I will begin my graduate education to become a genetic counselor. The journey to acceptance into such a competitive and specialized field has required endurance, self-discipline, and a strong commitment to service in both personal and professional capacities. I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because of my dedication to academic excellence, willingness to take initiative in novel situations, and my conscientious efforts to remain grounded in my faith and values as I achieve my goals. As far as academic achievements go, most recently, I graduated from college with a B.S in Biology with minors in Chemistry and English, and cum laude and high honors distinctions. However, throughout my entire academic career, I have consistently challenged myself. I graduated in the top 5% of my high school class and was admitted to my university's honors program based on my ACT score performance. While in college, I was on the Dean's List for 5 consecutive semesters. My academic success, however, was without challenges. Early in college, I struggled significantly with my foundational chemistry courses, further exacerbated by the transition to online learning due to COVID-19. Fortunately, after reevaluating my study habits and seeking guidance from my professors, I steadily improved and began an upward trend of grades in my later chemistry courses. I also completed a year-long research project studying the link between oxidative stress and Alzheimer's in fruit fly models. Balancing research with coursework, extracurriculars, and employment required discipline and time management, but the experience led to being awarded a grant to fund my project and nomination for an award at the Great Plains Honors Council Conference (2023). College was also an experience that afforded a lot of personal growth and had a significant influence on my decision to become a genetic counselor. During college, I worked as a health coach, collaborating with social workers, physicians, and home health nurses to advocate for the medical and social needs of low-income, uninsured, or under-insured patients. I visited patients' homes to discuss their difficulties with chronic illness and offered explanations to help them understand the importance of medication adherence or dietary restrictions. Working with an interdisciplinary team helped me understand the value of viewing patients holistically and the importance of acknowledging a person's background and family history to effectively educate and inform, allowing them to make confident decisions about their healthcare. In addition, I served as a student representative for my local adult literacy council, recruiting volunteers to help adults earn their GEDs and strengthen literacy skills. I also volunteered with a faith-based after-school program for elementary students, where I enjoyed mentoring children, encouraging their aspirations, and reinforcing the value of education. During college, I also worked as a resident assistant and student hall director. In these roles, I learned to engage with residents by fostering open and honest communication and navigating sensitive topics like mental health, substance abuse, and relationships that impact college-aged students. This experience also helped me to practice cultural humility to make others feel heard and supported, both skills I can utilize as a future healthcare professional. Many of the accomplishments and opportunities I have described were made possible by the consistent emotional support of my family. Financially, however, paying for my college education was largely my responsibility. When I began college, my mom had just finished pharmacy school and was using the majority of her income to pay off student and personal loans taken out while supporting my 3 siblings and me as a single parent. During my first semester, I went home nearly every weekend to watch my younger siblings while my mom worked. Watching her perseverance gave me a concrete example of discipline and sacrifice. Before graduating from high school, I worked hard to earn as many scholarships as possible to reduce my out-of-pocket expenses and limit my student debt. As a result, I graduated from college with less than $4,000 left of student loans, and I was able to pay that off shortly after finishing my degree. Now, as I prepare to attend graduate school, I am approaching this next chapter with a similar mindset. I will work hard to achieve my goal of becoming a genetic counselor while also making mindful financial decisions, saving money, and applying for scholarships to lessen the financial burden. I am committed to becoming a genetic counselor who helps patients feel informed, supported, and empowered to navigate important health care decisions. My academic discipline, dedication to service, and financial responsibility have built a strong foundation for this next step. Receiving this scholarship would not only reduce the stress of paying for this professional training but also allow me to devote more energy to becoming a well-rounded advocate for my future patients.

Growing up, I was often singled out for being a quiet kid. It doesn't help that I'm also a black girl, and therefore, didn't fit the stereotype that black girls often seem to be boxed into. It seemed like everyone expected me to be outspoken, confrontational, or uncouth. It made it difficult for me to define myself in my own terms. Counterintuitively, in group conversations, I'd find myself in my own head, trying to find an opening to add commentary, whether or not I was that invested in the topic, hoping to avoid people thinking I was rude or dumb. My quiet nature slowly began to develop into a deep insecurity, something I still wrestle with on occasion, even as an adult. However, over time, I have learned to identify the strengths in my quiet ways. Firstly, because I tend to be more reserved, when I do speak, I am very intentional about what I say and mindful of its impact. As a result, I've been told frequently that I am wiser than my age. Someone once even said that I reminded them of the famous proverb, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick," coined by Teddy Roosevelt. Secondly, people tend to feel comfortable confiding in me, as if I were the personification of a lock and key. Of course, I value being someone who is seen as trustworthy, and I have built great relationships as a result. What I have found to be the most helpful to me as a result of my introversion is that it has aided in the development of my independence. I am not afraid to do things alone or forge my own path. As I take on this new chapter as a genetic counseling graduate student, I am excited about all the firsts I will experience and confident in my ability to achieve my goals without the need for external validation. I'm excited about the ways in which I will positively be able to impact my future patients. Making preventive healthcare decisions, whether that's getting blood tests or even considering surgery to decrease the chances of getting a hereditary cancer, is intimidating. However, I know with my skills and personality, I can foster an environment that feels safe and non-judgmental. I can be an active and engaged listener, allowing for a holistic assessment of a patient's feelings and awareness of the impact of making such decisions. While my primary goal in pursuing graduate education is to be a great genetic counselor one day, a part of that goal is to also help to inspire other quiet, "awkward", black girls that they are wonderful and capable, just the way they are.

The topic of mental health was first introduced to me through familial experience. After a year-long deployment in Afghanistan, my dad was diagnosed with severe PTSD. Unfortunately, due to stigma around mental health in our culture and family, it was left untreated, resulting in the development of depression and insomnia. I was 13 years old when it all began, and at a young age, I developed a profound sense of what it means to have empathy. What I learned is that oftentimes, empathy is a choice. A choice that can be difficult to make in the midst of unpredictability, grief, and immense change. A choice that I have found to be worth it, every single time. My experience with mental health has encouraged me to foster open communication about mental health with my family and friends. I realized that many people struggle in silence. This awareness inspired me to engage in advocacy, serving as a Crisis Text Counselor over the past year and as a Resident Assistant during my undergraduate studies. It has also made me prioritize my own mental health and be more present in my daily life. Most importantly, it has grounded me in the understanding that every interaction matters. You never know what someone else is going through, and it’s crucial not to underestimate the various factors that can contribute to mental health issues—such as culture, socioeconomic status, family dynamics, and even our careers. My mission as a fellow human being is to be there for others in need, validate their experiences, and offer generosity, a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on. I hope that by doing so, I can inspire them to keep going.