I believe in the meaning of life is to find your purpose and help make the world a better place. I believe my purpose is to help and inspire people. I enjoy providing people with information and creating a safe fostering environment for skill development. I enjoy mentoring youth and giving them a place where they feel vulnerable and empowered enough to find a passion, learn, more and explore. My passions are the health field and helping people. My dream job is to work in intersectionality in health disparities through a non-profit or a county health department. I want to help youth because there is such a need for education, resources, and healthy habits. The youth are our future and they are laying down the foundation of the future. Furthermore, the medical disparities such as access to care, insurance, affordability, etc. are significant between minorities. I hope to provide resources, education, and a facility that is designed to cater to their health needs. I try to achieve my meaning in life by developing soft skills. I have been in various mentor programs as a mentee and a mentor to develop my communication, interpersonal relationship, and approachability skills. I also am attending a college seeking higher education so I can attain the necessary degree to run a facility or program effectively. I read and try to stay well informed on current health topics, public health policy, historical failures, and current issues within our healthcare system. I am interning at the Gender and Sexuality Student Services on campus. I am also in contact with the Sangamon County Health Department in terms of internships.

I am a proud, assertive, bisexual, black woman who grew up in an all-white town. I was berated for being different in elementary school. In high school, I was consistently overlooked and underestimated. My classmates threw cotton balls at me, called me racial and homophobic slurs, made jokes about my rights, and threatened to lynch me from the flagpole. People thought I wasn't smart enough to go to college, even though I was in the top 25%, because I was black. I couldn't be a leader, even though I was captain of the robotics team and president of the robotics club, because I was a woman. I wouldn't be a good role model, even though I volunteer, because I was gay. This became my motivation and empowerment and I dismantled stereotypes and prejudice. I promised myself I would make a difference, I was going to be a positive role model for every minority youth I met throughout my life. My goal became overcoming adversity with STEM. I threw myself into studies, specifically in science and math. Due to this, I had the most science and math credits in my graduating class. I wanted minorities to know they had as many opportunities out there as anyone else. So, I started within my school. The majority of my teammates were white and male, with myself and another girl on the team. We could have fifteen participants and I encouraged three other girls to join the team. Next, I expanded into the District 202 School system. The local grade school had more diversity and I wanted the legacy of my team to continue while encouraging diversity and youth empowerment. I went into third and fourth-grade classrooms and taught kids how to code. Regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, etc the students were given the same resources, time, patience, and opportunity to learn. Furthermore, I implemented a robotics mentorship and hands-on tactile project program with my robotics team for kids in kindergarten to third grade. We also scheduled school-wide assemblies for the participants to showcase their projects to their classmates and explain the opportunities for them in junior high and high school. Then I expanded into the county and neighboring counties. Through the 4-H program, I would teach kids how to code, perform talks and demonstrations, and inform people of opportunities for outreach, development, communication, and leadership. Within that area, my youngest participant was 8 years old and my oldest was a couple of weeks shy of their 18th birthday. I also would go to other local schools and assist with their STEM program blueprint. Due to my dedication, another opportunity arose and it was to be on the Illinois State Robotics Planning Committee and for the Youth Outreach Coding Challenge. I eagerly applied and created a proposal for the year's theme and challenge. One of the categories I encouraged implementing was their goals on how to diversify the STEM field and the outreach they planned for their community. I was accepted into the position on the committee and helped plan, create, set up, judge, and host the event. While at the State tournament I facilitated the judge's awards discussion, announced and distributed awards. At the end of the State Competition, and to my surprise, I was acknowledged and received the award for the most youth outreach for the coding challenge in Illinois. Now, STEM is my career path through Exercise Science. I desire to work with minority youth to help discourage health disparities in the future. I hope to create a minority youth program in my area to foster STEM skills development.

I am an assertive, bisexual, black woman who grew up in an all-white town. My senior year in high school the faculty selected my speech as one of three speeches given at graduation. When the faculty voted on the speeches the authors remained anonymous, when the speakers were selected and announced many people were upset I was the recipient. It manifested into so many complaints the professional staff at school asked me if I felt safe. People thought I wasn't smart enough to give a speech even though I was in the top 25% because I was black. I couldn't be a leader, even though I was on the board of multiple clubs, because I was a woman. I wouldn't be a good role model, even though I volunteer, because I am gay. The insults empowered and motivated me. I am passionate about breaking racial stereotypes, gender roles, misconceptions about minorities and diseases, and more specifically for youth. I am passionate about helping minorities because they are often in underserved communities. There are many different people in our society that are underserved due to things they cannot control such as race, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality, gender, geographic location, etc. Youth should no longer feel discouraged, insecure, or ashamed due to hate, stigma, and stereotypes. I know they can flourish if given the opportunity. Helping those who are underserved, neglected, or oppressed begins with educating those who are not. My dream job is to work with different organizations in the health services sector to provide education, resources, and opportunities to underserved populations. I want to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community.

I am a proud, assertive, bisexual, black woman who grew up in an all-white town. I was relentlessly harassed for being different. My classmates threw cotton balls at me, called me racial slurs, made jokes about my rights, and threatened to lynch me from the flagpole. This became my motivation and empowerment I threw myself into studies, specifically in science and math. I had the most science and math credits in my graduating class. Before graduation, the faculty selected my speech as one of three speeches given at the ceremony. When the speakers were selected and announced many people were upset I was the recipient. It manifested into so many complaints the professional staff at school asked me if I felt safe. People thought I wasn't smart enough to give a speech even though I was in the top 25%, because I was black. I couldn't be a leader, even though I was captain of the robotics team and president of the robotics club, because I was a black woman. I wouldn't be a good role model, even though I volunteer, because I was "supposed to serve" as a black person. I followed through with the speech and I promised myself I would make a difference. I was going to be a positive role model for every black youth I met throughout my life. My goal became overcoming adversity with STEM. I want my passion for STEM to transition into a positive impact by working in a county health department or a nonprofit that benefits low-income and minority populations. I want to bring science back to the black community. Throughout history, black people and other minorities have been forced to participate in heinous scientific experiments and crimes. As soon as the opportunity arises after earning my degree I want to be the role model in the community dismantling stereotypes while giving back and inspiring. I strive to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community. I will help youth because there is such a need for education, resources, and healthy habits. The youth are our future and they are laying down the foundation. Another goal is to have a program to fight the epidemic of obesity. I want kids to get more active and have better nutrition within their diets. In addition, bringing to attention body types, body dysmorphia, over-sexualization of minority youth, and eating disorders. I want the youth to be hands-on whether through sports and activity programs, community gardens, or having them become leaders and educate those around them, and have the opportunity to intern. Finally, within my first three to five years at my place of work, I will create and implement a program where youth can give back through STEM and research. I shall design a program where adolescence can go into school and through the intersectionality of science, technology, engineering, math they can share their views of a better world within the health sciences. The participants will find a problem and address it with a solution whether through an invention or through a program they wish to implement. Then, they will share their idea with a panel of local health experts. I want the participants to talk to professionals in the health field about their careers and STEM journey. I will also encourage them to reflect on their own STEM journey and through self-discovery decide how they can grow and benefit themselves and their community.

August, my first day of high school, I was excused from school to attend the funeral of my boyfriend. He had died after being hit by a car riding his bike. I didn't think freshman year could get worse. I battled severe depression and anxiety because I was scared of my loss and I felt completely alone. I began to puke once a week and everyone told me I was either "attention-seeking" or "working myself up". January, I felt nauseous and went to the bathroom. I awoke in agonizing pain in my abdomen and head. I passed out and hit my head on the concrete floor and at the time we didn't know why and I had given myself a concussion. The concussion was so severe I could not tolerate light, sound, quick movements. I was dizzy, in pain, and had speech issues but it impacted my memory the worst. I couldn't read, spell, or count proficiently. I didn't know my middle name or remember the same walk home from school for ten years. In May after I had surgery we discovered I passed out because of a gallbladder attack. It had ruptured and was only working 4% effectively it is why I was sick months prior. I missed 60 days of school, but I never gave up. I made new friends and joined new clubs. I wore sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones in classes so I could attend school. I taught myself how to read, spell, and count again. Every morning, I went in early to school to receive help from my teachers, and every afternoon I stayed late. I had a tutor on weekdays and a different tutor on weekends. I stayed enrolled in my honors courses and passed with A's and B's making the honor roll.

When I was 14 my first boyfriend died in a car accident. I immediately felt regret because I wondered if he truly knew I loved and cared for him. I became engulfed in fear of being abandoned and being left alone. I also was terrified that I wouldn't get the chance to say goodbye or tell someone I loved them one last time. I enjoy making people smile and laugh because I take pride in the strength of my friendships. My friends are aware I love them and frequently spend time with me and feel comfortable discussing their current life obstacles with me. I actively listen, respect, and communicate consistently with all of my friends. However, because I know my friends I strategize ways I can best show them love. My friend Madison loves compliments and words of affirmation so I make sure I consistently compliment her weekly or when she feels low. In contrast, my friends Becca and Amanda do not like words of affirmation but enjoy when I drive up to see them at college. I am currently 21 and I have been dating my partner for three years and a half years. Navigating my relationship with him has been complicated because we have different love languages and live two hours apart. He shows his affection through physical touch and gifts. He struggles to communicate his feeling verbally at times. In contrast, my love languages are time spent together and words of affirmation. I do not enjoy physical touch in most cases and I have experienced gifts as bribes from my past. In order to grow and feel loved as a couple he has worked on verbal emotional expression and I have worked on accepting romantic gifts.

I learned life lessons from working in community kitchens and soup kitchens starting at age eight. Most importantly, it taught me people were people regardless of whether or not they were abuse victims, veterans, elderly, or homeless. My favorite thing was making the older people smile and I would count how many I could make smile each day I went. My mother decided to enroll me in a program designed to help the elderly. My mother’s nursing home had a program for kids and teenagers to write letters, cards, and visit the elderly whose families lived far away. On the weekends for about two hours after church, I visited my “special old person” as I called them. I loved sitting and talking with them, hearing their stories, or sending them drawings. I did that until I was fifteen years old and my mom changed nursing homes. Currently, I cannot go into nursing homes because of the pandemic. I am hoping that I will be able to return this summer but with the newest variant, we have to wait to find out. From prior experience, I know I am passionate about helping people because I have volunteered at nursing homes, a children's hospital, and community kitchens to help those in need or those who were sick. I am vaccinated and I frequently check for volunteer updates. Since I have not been able to be hands-on volunteering I have sent holiday cards to nursing homes. I have also made caps for the kids in chemotherapy and donated them. Furthermore, I go to the local animal shelter and play with the cats, walk the dogs, and feed and care for them. I know the pandemic has changed our world and while service opportunities can be harder to find but they do exist.

Growing up I was consistently silenced for being different. In a racist, homophobic, misogynistic, town I was constantly being silenced for being a black queer woman. I frequently felt disrespected, discouraged, and undermined about my passions, dreams, and ideas. It made my struggles with my mental health worse. The first time I felt heard was when my therapist started actively listening to me. When I am actively listening to someone I give them my full attention. I don't have anything in front of me whether it is my phone, homeowork, or my computer. I look them in the eyes and I resist the urge to fidget. I recently have tried new strategies to help me because a better active listener. I learned from my psychology classes that the best strategies for active listening are asking for clarity, restating what was previously stated, and echoing back what the other person has said. In addition when I actively listen I let the person talking to me self disclose as they feel comfortable. I do not ask for more details because it is important to respect people's boundaries while actively listening. As a Resident Assistant on campus, it is important that I implement active listening during roommate mediations, connection chats, staff meetings, and Title IX issues. Active listening is critical because it can either encourage someone or discourage someone. Actively listening is one of the greatest displays of respect and dedication that someone can display. To me active listening means you are willing to take time out of your day to acknowledge and consider what I have to say. The people I consider to be most important and most influential to me because they listen to me which reassures me that my thoughts and feelings are valid.

"People do not plan to fail, they simply fail to plan." My father gave me this advice I implement daily. I believe my organization is my greatest skill because it helps me with all the other positive characteristics I strive toward. I use my organizational skill academically, professionally, and personally. I believe the best way to improve a skill is to consistently use it. Academics are my priority because college is the foundation for my future so I use my best skill, organization. I am earning an Associate's, Bachelors, and honors recognition. I have been enrolled in 17.8 credits a semester on average. My studies are time-consuming, thus, I color code and use my planner to block off each class time and study time. To allocate my time I consider class workload, study groups, and office hours. Professionally, I am a Resident Assistant. In order for me to properly complete the tasks assigned to me, I have to be organized. In my personal planner, all my work engagements and deadlines are written down. Some of my responsibilities are event planning, roommate mediations, health inspections, community meetings, staff meetings, advertisements, and one on one communication with residents. I have weekly deadlines in conjunction with a 12-hour night and a 24-hour weekend shift. In addition, to my campus job, I also have a campus internship. I work through the diversity department building community empowerment and liberation of genders and sexualities. In both professional roles, I have implemented staff calendars, deadlines, and checklist to increase efficiency. Personally being organized is beneficial to me because it helps me manage my bipolar disorder. Staying organized is my coping mechanism. I schedule times to decompress by working out, writing, and socializing. I have been more successful recently as I continuously use and improve my organization.

August, my first day of high school, I was excused from school to attend the funeral of my boyfriend. He had died after being hit by a car riding his bike. I didn't think freshman year could get worse. I battled severe depression and anxiety because I was scared of my loss and I felt completely alone. I began to puke once a week and everyone told me I was either "attention-seeking" or "working myself up". January, I felt nauseous and went to the bathroom. I awoke in agonizing pain in my abdomen and head. I passed out and hit my head on the concrete floor and at the time we didn't know why and I had given myself a concussion. The concussion was so severe I could not tolerate light, sound, quick movements. I was dizzy, in pain, and had speech issues but it impacted my memory the worst. I couldn't read, spell, or count proficiently. I didn't know my middle name or remember the same walk home from school for ten years. In May after I had surgery we discovered I passed out because of a gallbladder attack. It had ruptured and was only working 4% effectively it is why I was sick months prior. I missed 60 days of school, but I never gave up. I made new friends and joined new clubs. I wore sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones in classes so I could attend school. I taught myself how to read, spell, and count again. Every morning, I went in early to school to receive help from my teachers, and every afternoon I stayed late. I had a tutor on weekdays and a different tutor on weekends. I stayed enrolled in my honors courses and passed with A's and B's making the honor roll.

I am an assertive, bisexual, black woman who grew up in an all-white town. I was relentlessly harassed for being different. My classmates threw cotton balls at me, called me racial slurs, made jokes about my rights, and threatened to lynch me from the flagpole. My senior year in high school, the faculty selected my speech as one of three speeches given at graduation. When the speakers were selected and announced many people were upset I was the recipient. It manifested into so many complaints the professional staff at school asked me if I felt safe. People thought I wasn't smart enough to give a speech even though I was in the top 25% because I was black. I couldn't be a leader, even though I was on the board of multiple clubs, because I was a black woman. I wouldn't be a good role model, even though I volunteer, because I was "supposed to serve" as a black person. The insults empowered and motivated me. I followed through with the speech and I promised myself I would make a difference. I was going to be a positive role model for every black youth I met throughout my life. I want my positive impact to be working in a county health department or a nonprofit that benefits low-income and minority populations. As soon as the opportunity arises after earning my degree I want to be the role model in the community dismantling stereotypes while giving back and inspiring. I strive to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community. I will help youth because there is such a need for education, resources, and healthy habits. The youth are our future and they are laying down the foundation of the future. Another goal is to have a program to fight the epidemic of obesity. I want kids to get more active and have better nutrition within their diets. In addition, bringing to attention body types, body dysmorphia, over-sexualization of minority youth, and eating disorders. I want the youth to be hands-on whether through sports and activity programs, community gardens, or having them become leaders and educate those around them, and have the opportunity to intern. Next, within two to three years at my place of work, I will create and implement a program where youth can give back through STEM and research. I shall design a program where adolescence can go into school and through intersectionality of science, technology, engineering, math they can share their views of a better world within the health sciences. The participants will find a problem and address it with a solution whether through an invention or through a program they wish to implement. Then, they will share their idea with a panel of local health experts. I want the participants to talk to professionals in the health field about their careers and STEM journey. I will also encourage they reflect on their own STEM journey and through self discovery decide how they can grow and benefit themselves and their community. Finally, five years from now, I want to be a foster parent and provide a service to children in need. I want to help develop their skills and talents. There are too many children that are abused within the system and lose hope. I know they can flourish if given the opportunity. By positively serving our youth, we positively invest in our society.

I live my life by two rules. First, people don't plan to fail, they simply fail to plan. Second, by positively influencing and investing in our youth we lay the foundation for a better world and society. These two ideals have guided me to my passions in life which are planning to make an impact on the youth around me whether in academia, my career, or my personal life. My goals in academia are to earn three degrees. I am going to earn my minor in psychology so I have the fundamentals of understanding people, their thought processes, influences, and differences. Next, I am working towards my Bachelor's in Exercise Science because I am passionate about the human body and the health of our society. I want to understand the basics, causes, and investigate current mitigations, strategies, and research. Then, I am investigating different Master's Programs for Public Health or Youth Development so I can reach my career goals with youth. My career goal is to help solve disparities in health and minority populations. Some of the problems minorities are facing are obesity, lack of healthcare, sexually transmitted infections, addictions, and mental illnesses. There are large disparities within minorities because they are underserved populations and usually lower socioeconomic status. I want to work for a non-profit or a county health department in youth outreach programs. I want to develop programs where they can learn about health issues and learn to implement daily lifestyle changes. If we provide resources, education, and prevention to youth our society will be more successful. My personal goals are to be a young adult author. I want to write inclusive novels for better youth representation. In addition, I want to be a foster parent and provide a safe, healthy, and loving environment for troubled youth.

Water droplets slowly cascade down the window on a cool, cloudy day. I curl up with a notebook, some pens, and a mug of hot chocolate is truly my ideal day. As someone who suffers from severe bipolar disorder, I have to focus on the little things so I can progress through my life. Bipolar disorder is when an individual suffers from high states of optimism, euphoria, energy, and motivation for a period before transitioning into a lower darker state of struggling to function and complete daily tasks. I have to focus on the little things because they are what make the big picture beautiful. I frequently have panic attacks while working on my goals. I used to suffer from sleepless nights, nausea, vomiting, and stress headaches. I have found ways to be successful and productive without jeopardizing my mental health. I love colored gel pens and I have a separate notebook for all the important things in my lie at the time. I have a notebook for my internships, scholarships, studying abroad, travel plans, mentor programs, and more. Each notebook is color-coded to make things organized and concise. My To-Do list is in red and it is because it is immediate and important. Black ink is basic important information. Gold ink is the foundation for my future. Green and blue are what I write when I have good news. With my notebook and my pens, I find the strength to take on the world instead of feeling as though the world is tormenting me. I feel great joy and satisfaction check-marking things on my To-Do List. I feel better on my bad days when I check the blue and green ink. I am reassured when I look at the gold ink. My coping mechanisms are my happy simple pleasure.

Growing up I was harassed and bullied by adults and kids alike for being a black girl in a rural white community. I consistently was put down and overlooked because I was a woman of color. I am passionate about breaking racial stereotypes, gender roles, misconceptions about minorities and diseases, and more specifically for youth. I am passionate about helping minorities because they are often in underserved communities. There are many different people in our society that are underserved due to things they cannot control such as race, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality, gender, geographic location, etc. Youth should no longer feel discouraged, insecure, or ashamed due to hate, stigma, and stereotypes. I know they can flourish if given the opportunity. Helping those who are underserved, neglected, or oppressed begins with educating those who are not. My dream job is to work with different organizations in the health services sector to provide education, resources, and opportunities to underserved populations. I want to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community. By positively investing in our youth, we positively invest in our future. I want to design a program where young girls of color can give back through STEM and research. I want to design a program where adolescence can go into school and through the intersectionality of science, technology, engineering, math they can share their views of a better world. I want the participants to talk to professionals in the health field about their careers and STEM journey. I also will encourage them to reflect on their own STEM journey. The overall would be to find problems in society and address them successfully.

I was 4 years old when I started puberty. I suffer from precocious puberty which is when someone transitions into puberty at a young age. I often experienced severe muscle and bone pain because I was growing rapidly. I underwent exams and different treatments. I didn't understand why I was in pain or why my body was different from those around me. I began to ask questions and developed an interest in anatomy. I told my parents, "I'm gonna be a doctor to help the kids like me." In middle school, I was interested in prosthetics and orthotics. My dream was to be a biomedical engineer. So I joined the robotics team, science fair, and scholastic bowl. Then, I progressed to captain of my high school robotics team, president of the robotics club for two years and joined the academic challenge team. In addition, I was on the Illinois State Robotics team planning committee and had the most coding and robotics outreach to youth in the state. Furthermore, I had the motivation to learn but not the opportunity through school so I enrolled in AP Science Courses online. I graduated with the most science and math credits in my graduating class. I also was on the Illinois State Robotics planning committee and had the most coding and robotics outreach to youth in the state. I didn't have a set career path but I wanted my positive impact to be youth health development. By positively investing in our youth, we positively invest in our future. Currently, I'm an Exercise Science major with a Psychology minor at the University of Illinois Springfield. I am part of the Exercise Science Organization, Residence Life, Pre-Health Society and various workout gorups. I plan on attending graduate school and seeking my Master's in Public Health. I am interning Spring 2022 with Gender and Sexuality Student Services to bring awareness to minority disparties in healthcare, insurance coverage, illnesses, disorders and diseases. I am in the process of planning events I will be hosting throughout the Spring 2022 semester. As well as in conact with the different county health departments throughout the state to intern over the summer and next school year. I want my positive impact to be running a county health department or a nonprofit that benefits low income and minority populations. I want to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community. I want to help youth because there is such a need for education, resources, and healthy habits. The youth are our future and they are laying down the foundation of the future. Another goal is to have a program to fight the epidemic on obesity. I want kids to get more active and have better nutrition within their diets. I also want to bring to attention body types, body dysmophia, oversexualization of minority youth, and eating disorders. Finally, I want to have a program where youth can give back through STEM and research. I want to design a program where adolescence can go into school and through intersectionality of science, technology, engineering, math they can share their views of a better world. I want the participants to talk to professionals in the health field about their careers and STEM journey. I I also desire they reflect on their own STEM journey find a problem and address it with a solution whether through an invention or through a program they wish to implement.

I am an assertive, bisexual, black woman who grew up in an all-white town. My senior year in high school the faculty selected my speech as one of three speeches given at graduation. When the faculty voted on the speeches the authors remained anonymous, when the speakers were selected and announced many people were upset I was the recipient. It manifested into so many complaints the professional staff at school asked me if I felt safe. People thought I wasn't smart enough to give a speech even though I was in the top 25% because I was black. I couldn't be a leader, even though I was on the board of multiple clubs, because I was a woman. I wouldn't be a good role model, even though I volunteer, because I am gay. The insults empowered and motivated me. I am passionate about breaking racial stereotypes, gender roles, misconceptions about minorities and diseases, and more, specifically for youth. I am passionate about helping minorities because they are often in underserved communities. There are many different people in our society that are underserved due to things they cannot control such as race, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality, gender, geographic location, etc. Youth should no longer feel discouraged, insecure, or ashamed due to hate, stigma, and stereotypes. I know they can flourish if given the opportunity. Helping those who are underserved, neglected, or oppressed begins with educating those who are not. My dream job is to work with different organizations in the health services sector to provide education, resources, and opportunities to underserved populations. I want to be an outreach coordinator or public health educator where I can go to schools, youth programs, or events and talk to youth and adolescents about opportunities and lifestyle changes to benefit themselves and their community.