Canada, Mexico, Martinique, Jamaica, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Haiti, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Austria, China, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal, Morocco, and Monaco. Not everyone can say they have visited 20 countries by the age of 19, spanning over six different continents. By the age of 6, I already had three citizenships under my belt: American, British, and Sierra Leonean. My first big experience with travel was flying to my father’s homeland of Sierra Leone, a beautiful country in West Africa. Here is where I learned the importance of agriculture. My father’s family estate produces crops such as cassava, rice, cocoa, coffee, and sugar cane. I remember very vividly the first spring when I visited Sierra Leone and learned how to harvest rice. At the ripe age of 7, as I was getting lectured on the importance of soil health, my grandfather was also informing me on how agriculture can be intertwined with the cultural identity of a nation. For my grandfather, farming went beyond the simple act of food production due to its historical, social, and environmental connections. For instance, I learned how crucial Sierra Leone was for the cultivation of rice in the United States. Due to native Sierra Leonean's knowledge of rice, they were captured and sold as slaves and would teach plantation owners the methods used back in the homeland. After that little history lesson with my grandfather, I realized how integral a simple crop can shape a nation in the world’s eyes, as well as affect the people living there. As I’ve traveled across the globe, in each country I’ve visited, I’ve inherently taken a piece of their culture with me. For example, after my visit to China in 2014, I found myself never crossing my chopsticks after learning about its association with death. The biggest benefit of my traveling across the world at such a young age is that it has allowed me to have a more inclusive worldview. Being able to interact with people from other countries has allowed me to experience countries in ways not shown in the media. In addition, traveling provided a unique opportunity for personal growth by helping me find some of my passions. With the lack of a daily routine, you’re forced to do things on the fly, which in turn can make you learn a lot about yourself. I know that for me, being exposed to new environments promoted me to work more with those struggling in severe poverty. Going to different countries, I’ve seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. Which in turn has made me conscious of helping those in need in almost everything I do. I do it in the little things, from giving spare change whenever I’m able, to dedicating at least 6 hours a month to volunteering at Feeding South Florida. For me, the simple act of traveling has not only given me a broader view of the world, but it has also allowed me to have a sense of compassion and love for the people and little things around me.

My name is Evi During, and I’m currently a freshman at the University of South Florida. Growing up, I always valued the possibilities this world had to offer and experimented in many areas to find the right fit for me. Starting with the meticulous art of sewing, to pretending I was a professional dancer on center stage, to cooking it up in the kitchen like I was the next Martha Stewart. Ultimately, I always knew I had a love for helping people and wanted to make this world a better place in some way. My hobbies were fun, however they did not fulfill my passion for supporting others, so I began exploring the limitless of field of medicine. This is where I rediscovered my love of dentistry. When I was in third grade, I had a freak accident where I knocked out my adult front teeth. This would lead to three root canals, my braces being removed, and countless dental procedures to restore my mouth back to normal. It is rather comical that I want to pursue a career in the dental field considering most wouldn’t want to touch a dental office with a ten-foot pole after going through what I went through. Nonetheless, it furthered my curiosity in the field. The care that I was given made the dental office, weirdly enough, a safe place. A place where I could ask questions, learn, laugh, and, above all, be myself. One day, I hope to bring this same joy and comfort to clients when they walk into my future office. With the help of this money, it will be a stepping stone to furthering my education. Eventually, my goal is to go to dental school and become a cosmetic dentist. To achieve my goals as a cosmetic dentist, I first need to finish my bachelor's degree in biology with a medical concentration. As I’ve just completed my first summer semester of college, I’ve realized the complexity of the college curriculum and the many sacrifices I will have to make to perform well. The help of this scholarship will allow me to be completely focused on my course work limiting the stress of figuring out how to pay for my fall semester. Allowing for one more burden to be taken off my and my family's shoulders. Since I want to further my education with a doctoral degree, doing exceptionally well in undergrad is key. By doing well in undergrad with the help of this scholarship, it will subsequently lead to my definition of a better life, which is to bring joy and wellness to those around me. I know all too well how your smile can affect your self-esteem. In addition, I’m aware of the shortfalls of insurance companies and the financial burden of obtaining one’s ideal smile. As someone who is supported by a single mother, I am blessed that she was able to endure the financial cost of fixing my teeth. My aim is to one day not only have my own dental practice but also provide quality dental services to people of all walks of life, regardless of their ability to pay. I was taught you should always walk with confidence, no matter the circumstance. This is something I’ve adapted to in my daily life, and I feel everyone should have a chance to do the same. If I am able to contribute to someone’s confidence by simply fixing their smile, I can safely say my definition of a good life has been achieved.