When people ask me who has influenced my life the most, I think of my 92 year old grandmother, whose story feels stitched into the very fabric of who I am. She is proof that resilience can turn even the harshest circumstances into triumphs, and her life has shaped both my aspirations and the way I plan to honor the legacy I’ve inherited. At the age of nine, my grandmother fell from her house porch and injured her leg. Her father, wary of doctors who often mistreated Black patients, refused medical care. By the time her mother sought treatment after their divorce, one of my grandmother’s legs had grown longer than the other, leaving her with a lifelong limp. Yet, what many would consider a debilitating handicap never stopped her from living fully. She married, raised three children, and built a life in the suburbs outside Chicago. Though her formal education ended after high school, she poured her energy into her family and community, volunteering in her church, local schools, and neighborhood activities. My mother told me that even if my grandmother couldn’t help with her homework, she would never hesitate to find someone who could, sometimes announcing my mom's academic needs in front of the entire church during announcements. My grandmother was partially raised by her own grandmother, who was born in 1862 and descended from a family of remarkable strength. Over a century ago, my ancestors acquired nearly 400 acres of land, an extraordinary feat for Blacks during that time. When I visit the old yellow farmhouse where they lived, it feels like stepping back into history. The house is filled with antique furniture, ceramic pieces, and quilts hand-sewn by the women in my family. I marvel at the artistry and precision of those quilts, which reflect the determination and creativity that have been passed down through generations. I’ve witnessed my grandmother’s courage not just in the stories of her youth, but in recent years as well. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live, my grandmother was already 82. She came to live with us, determined to help however she could while my mom underwent chemotherapy. Her presence brought comfort and strength to our family during one of the hardest periods of our lives. Thankfully, my mother is still with us today, and I credit my grandmother’s unwavering support, prayers and faith as one of the reasons why. My grandmother continues to face each day with grace, despite chronic pain and physical limitations. Through listening to her stories, I’ve developed a growing understanding of who I am and who I want to become. Her life has taught me the power of faith, family, service and perseverance. Throughout high school I volunteered over 320 hours focusing on feeding the homeless and education on healthy eating. Because of her influence and health challenges, I’m driven to pursue a path where I can advocate for healthcare policy changes and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. I believe advocacy starts with caring deeply about a problem and taking action, even when the path is bumpy and uncertain. Ultimately, my goal is to turn lived experiences into legislative impact. Whether through journalism, law, or policy, I am committed to using my voice to help build a healthier, more equitable future for all. My grandmother’s story is a reminder that even in the face of hardship, there is beauty, hope, and possibility. I want to live my life in a way that honors her legacy: with resilience, compassion, and a commitment to lifting others as I climb.

My name is Elle Myers, and I recently graduated from high school in Dallas, Texas. I come from a legacy of strength, determination, and love. My family history, rooted in resilience, has shaped my outlook and ambitions. In 1902, my great-great-grandparents, an uneducated Black couple, purchased 396 acres of land in Louisiana. For a Black family in that era, this was nearly unimaginable. That land remains in our family to this day, symbolizing the power of vision, sacrifice, and hard work. Their courage inspires me to honor their legacy through a life of purpose. Growing up, my parents nurtured an environment where I could explore my passions and speak my truth respectfully. I have three siblings, and our home is mostly filled with laughter, encouragement, and the freedom to dream big. From a young age, I felt the importance of pushing beyond limitations, both imposed by others and those I placed on myself. In high school, I found my voice through journalism. I joined the school newspaper and rose to the role of Managing Editor. I also chaired the Student Diversity Board, where I helped foster inclusion and open dialogue. I discovered that storytelling could be a powerful tool for advocacy especially for voices often unheard. This passion fueled my Girl Scout Gold Award project, where I educated families about harmful food additives like Red Dye No. 3 and advocated for healthier, affordable alternatives. Seeing the surprise on parents’ faces when they learned these ingredients, banned in Europe, were in everyday products here deepened my commitment to public awareness and policy reform. I also found growth through athletics, participating in varsity rowing, swimming, and junior varsity tennis. These experiences taught me resilience and teamwork. Singing became another creative outlet. I rediscovered it in high school and it reminded me of the joy that comes from self-expression. Service has always been at my core. For the past four years, I’ve led a monthly initiative preparing and delivering meals to the Austin Street Center for the homeless. Coordinating volunteers, managing donations, and engaging directly with those in need has been both humbling and empowering. I believe true impact comes from both grassroots service and systemic change. My aspiration is to pursue Journalism and then attend law school, focusing on public policy, especially health care reform. This calling stems from deeply personal experiences. In 2015, when I was just eight, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, cancer to me meant death. But through faith, family, and an incredible support network, she survived. Her journey and my 92-year-old grandmother’s ongoing struggles to access quality care, opened my eyes to the inequities in our health system. I want to be a part of changing that, making care more understandable, affordable, and accessible to all. This Fall, I will attend Northwestern University, majoring in Journalism with a minor in Economics on a Pre-Law track. I’m excited to grow as a writer, advocate, and future policymaker. With your support through the FIAH Scholarship, I can focus on my education and service without the overwhelming burden of cost. I hope one day to pay it forward, creating a scholarship in honor of my grandparents who paved the way for me. I would like to sincerely thank the FIAH Scholarship Committee for offering this scholarship and for reviewing my application. Fitness is my primary outlet when I'm stressed, anxious or simply a ritual to take care of my personal health.

I come from a family rooted in strength, heritage, and perseverance. As a senior in high school and one of four siblings, I have been blessed with parents who not only support me but also encourage me to speak my truth, pursue my passions, and dream boldly. My family’s legacy traces back to 1902, when my great-great-grandparents; Black, uneducated, but visionary, purchased 396 acres of land in Louisiana. That bold move was more than a financial investment; it was a declaration of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Their sacrifice built the foundation of strength and unity that continues to shape our family to this day. It is this legacy that inspires me to step outside my comfort zone, honor their journey, and make my own mark on the world. In high school, I discovered a passion for storytelling. I became fascinated with transforming oral histories into written narratives, preserving the stories that might otherwise be forgotten. This led me to journalism, where I now serve as Managing Editor of our school newspaper. I’ve also embraced leadership through my role as Chair of the Student Diversity Board, where I advocate for inclusivity and representation. These positions have helped me find my voice and understand the importance of using it for the benefit of others. Athletics have also played a meaningful role in my growth. As a member of the varsity rowing, swimming and tennis teams, I have learned discipline, mental endurance, and how to push past self-imposed limitations. Each challenge has strengthened my confidence, and every finish line has reaffirmed my belief in perseverance. Outside of school, my heart is in service. I’ve spent the past three years leading monthly outreach sessions to feed the homeless. I have earned my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, by addressing our food sources and how food in the US impacts health. These experiences have reinforced my belief that the most meaningful life is one lived in service to others. One of the most defining moments of my life occurred when I was eight years old, and my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Though I didn’t fully understand her illness, I knew I had to be strong so she wouldn’t worry. My world changed overnight. I witnessed the strength of community: family members moved in, friends drove us to activities, and my mom’s support network held us up. Miraculously, after being told she might not survive six months, my mom is thriving today. That experience taught me life’s fragility and the immeasurable value of prayer and resilience. I’ve learned not to take time or people for granted. My friendships have evolved, some faded, some fractured, and some revealed their true worth. I’ve come to accept that some people are not meant to stay in the “VIP section” of our lives. And that’s okay. These reflections have also influenced my future. I will attend Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism in the fall. After earning my journalism degree, I plan to pursue law school with a focus on public policy, particularly healthcare. Watching my mother navigate cancer and seeing my 92-year-old grandmother struggle with the rising costs of care sparked a passion to advocate for those burdened by our healthcare system. Overall, I strive to honor the strength and sacrifice of those who came before me. As I prepare to take my next steps, I remain grounded in who I am: a writer, a leader, a daughter, a sister, and above all, a child of God who believes in the power of faith, love, resilience, and service.

My name is Elle Myers, from Dallas, TX and I come from a family of strong heritage, love, determination and hard work. I am currently a Senior in High School and I have 3 siblings. My supportive parents have allowed me the ability to explore my passions, to express my thoughts and perspective without much judgment, and I dream big and am determined to work hard. I believe my ancestors established our family strength based on my great-great grandparents work ethic and love of family. In 1902, my great-great grandparents purchased 396 acres of land in Louisiana as heir property and for a black couple with no education, that was incomprehensible. I come from a heritage, although hard, that saw possibilities. Thus during my tenure in high school, my goal is to reach beyond my comfort level and to honor my ancestors with my future conduct. I became fascinated with converting oral history into written words to chronicle stories. As a result, I developed a passion for journalism and became a writer for my school’s newspaper. Being involved in competitive sports has allowed me to overcome my self-imposed limitations. I participated in varsity rowing, varsity swimming and junior varsity tennis. I also have a passion for the vocal arts. I started singing again during high school. My current leadership experience is Managing Editor of the school newspaper and Chair of the Student Diversity Board. Additionally, I am working on my Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the highest honor achieved. Lastly, I am strongly passionate about those who may not have a relationship with their caring families. Over the past 3 years, I continue to lead efforts in monthly sessions to feed the homeless. Based on my past experiences, my educational goal is a degree in Journalism and then law school. A major obstacle I faced in life was when my mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. I was only 8 years old and to me cancer meant death. I didn’t understand the magnitude of her diagnosis but I knew she was extremely ill. During this time, I felt I had to be strong and continue to do my work so she wouldn’t worry. I learned through her illness the power of prayer, family and friends. My cousins and grandmother came to live with us, my mother's friends helped get us to extracurricular activities and checked our homework. We didn’t miss any monumental events with school or friends. My mom was only given 6 months if therapy didn’t work but by God’s grace and mercy she is thriving.

First, thank you for offering a scholarship. I am not from Kentucky or California but please consider my application. In 2020, I asked my parents if I could apply to a private school in Dallas, TX. I wanted a school that was more academically challenging and offered more extracurricular activities and exposure to a real high school experience. My parents allowed me to apply knowing that we needed a scholarship to help with tuition. I was accepted and awarded a scholarship for the 2021 Freshman class. The summer before starting my Freshman year, I pondered how to make friends because I didn’t know anyone at the school. Thus I decided to attend a rowing camp and then try-out for the rowing team to start making friends prior to the start of the school year. I made the team and was eager to train to be in one of the top boats. Keep in mind that this school is a predominantly white all girl school and cliques and strong bonds had already been formed. While training and taking advanced classes the pressure hit like a ton of bricks. Some days at practice I would try to strike up conversation and I would either be ignored or simply not included in any conversations. This same experience was translated into the classroom. And for classes where old tests could be reviewed as a study guide to understand the teachers testing style, my peers would not share what they had access to. However, I felt if I shared my detailed notes and information that I had access to, it would reciprocated but that didn’t happen. These obstacles in sports and in the classroom have taught me a few lessons. First, I had to find my tribe and develop friendships that I felt were genuine. As a Junior in high school, it has finally come together and I have developed friendships that I feel are hopefully lasting and supportive. Secondly, I listen more and try to understand others perspective because I realize we all have struggles, insecurities and trying to thrive in a competitive environment. Lastly, I continue to help others if I have access to study materials because I choose kindness and I will be rewarded. I give because I choose to and know that it may not be reciprocated. I will use my education as a physician to give back to my community by simply being a voice for changes in healthcare. Research shows that black patients do better when receiving care from a black physician. I want our communities to receive better care as it relates to treating high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cancer, and maternal health. In addition, I want to be a mentor for children for advancements in reading and math. In high school I have tutored at an elementary school and it is rewarding to see when they understand and want to continue learning.