I embody the spirit of B.A.B.Y. L.O.V.E. through the challenges I've faced as an African American woman navigating societal expectations and on a personal spiritual journey. From early on in my education, I learned that mediocrity was never an option; if my grades didn't meet my standards, I would diligently study at home with unwavering support from my parents. Despite this dedication, I often faced unjust judgments based on my appearance. For instance, I vividly remember teachers cautioning me not to cause trouble on the first day of school, simply because I was one of the few African American students in my class, even though I had done nothing wrong. Such circumstances occurred repeatedly, yet today, I persist in upholding these high standards and striving for excellence in every facet of my life. The true impact of B.A.B.Y. L.O.V.E. hit me deeply on June 26th, 2017, the day my family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to remove life support from my aunt, who had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. The surgeons' hesitation to operate due to her lack of insurance, compounded by a power outage in the hospital, tragically resulted in her becoming brain dead. At that time, I felt a mix of sadness, anger, and self-blame for not visiting her while she was stable. She was like a second mother to me, and I carried guilt from when, as a 10-year-old, I chose to play outside instead of giving her one last hug. Of course, none of us knew she would pass, but those feelings haunted me for a while. Over time, I realized that harboring negative emotions wouldn't serve me well. In a world where external challenges are already significant, I knew I couldn't afford to be my own adversary. My aunt's passing became a catalyst for personal growth and achievement. By age 12, I began helping others—volunteering at church, feeding the homeless, and even creating a water filter for my seventh-grade history project to provide clean water solutions using simple materials like a Coke bottle, charcoal, sand, and a coffee filter. Now in high school, I proudly serve as president of "Nerdy Girl Success," a club founded to empower young females. We offer free mentorships from successful women, organize field trips to various workplaces, and engage in volunteer activities such as supporting the "March of Dimes" to assist new and expecting mothers. In addition, I am a member of the National Honor Society and have been on the Varsity Track and Field team since freshman year while pursuing my Associates in Biology through my school's Futures program. Balancing volunteering, sports, leadership in my club, and academics has shaped me into a well-rounded individual. Overall, I embody the B.A.B.Y L.O.V.E. spirit through both my accomplishments and the trials I've overcome. Enduring difficult times has propelled me to achieve greater heights than I could have imagined. As my life's journey unfolds, my aspiration is to become a neurologist, driven not only by my dedication to my aunt but also by a desire to provide optimal care to others facing similar challenges. If providence allows, I aim to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting low-income individuals, enabling me to passionately serve others while continuing to grow personally and professionally.