As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. This has birthed a passion in me to ensure that everyone be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I have been privileged to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  New organizations are being created everyday in my community to address these poverty needs. One such organization is Isaiah 117 House. They provide support to children who have just been removed from the only family they have ever known. I can't even imagine how scary that would be. A lot of the time, these kids arrive at Isaiah 117 House with little to nothing or the few belongings they have are tattered, torn, and filthy. This thought breaks my heart. After doing some research, I determined this was also an organization that I wanted to support with my time, money, and talents, so I decided to collect everyday necessary items. I enlisted the help of my volleyball team and together we collected nearly 100 items including new pajamas, backpacks, brand new outfits, undergarments, books, and toys and gadgets. This allows Isaiah 117 House to dote on kids while they are waiting for their new families making them feel cared for and loved on their darkest day. As I look back upon all my volunteer experiences, I feel privileged to be able to give someone hope in the midst of situations that feel hopeless. Furthermore, in doing this work, I have come to realize my aspirations following college to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I hope to become a Physician Assistant to those denied medical care. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped me into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I could commiserate with them and they completely understood on a different level than people who did not struggle with anxiety. I found my tribe and accountability was only a phone call or a text away. Also by cataloging my thoughts and feelings, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept. In recognizing that there is a balance between these and that I was so out of balance for so long has been genuinely so very freeing. Instead of ruminating on my anxieties, I chose to repeat helpful affirmations. My favorite affirmation is "Breathe, you are a good human, just do the next right thing". This journey of finding hope and healing in the midst of it all has truly inspired me to help others. I believe that helping others is perhaps the most productive way to refocus anxious energy. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. I have had the privilege of serving meals at a local soup kitchen in my community and playing games and serving snacks at a homeless shelter, this allowed me to see the humanity of these people who have struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who would otherwise not be able to afford them. I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of tasty and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. These experiences have served to inform my future career goals. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. Everyone will be welcomed and mental health issues and substance abuse issues will be de-stigmatized. As I continue to embrace change and healing, I can look to the future with hope instead of fear all because I decided to not let my anxiety get the best of me.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Painting and drawing and cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties have also been coping skills that I have employed to manage my anxiety. This journey and finding hope and healing in the midst of it all has truly inspired me to help others. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists, including my own personal art collection of paintings, photographs, and pottery. Everyone will be welcomed and mental health issues and substance abuse issues will be de-stigmatized. We will have therapy groups for a variety of mental health difficulties; there will also be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meetings and they will be available in English and Spanish. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my talents, gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the Brian J Boley Memorial Scholarship.

I love passionately and intentionally! I communicate love to my family and friends by speaking their love language so that they can feel loved. According to Gary Chapman, there are five love languages, these include: Words of affirmation, Quality time, Physical touch, Acts of service, and Receiving gifts. Each of the special people in my life possess different love languages. My grandfather's love language is Words of affirmation and I demonstrate love to him in the spoken word, I remind him daily how much I appreciate him and am proud of him. My sister's love language is quality time; to show her how much I love her, I invite her to take a walk or have coffee together at our favorite coffee house. My mother gives and receives love by physical touch. I hug her often and give her a kiss on the cheek. When I do this she lights up and squeezes me tight. My father's love language is acts of service, he is especially grateful when I show him love by taking out the trash or volunteering to wash his car. Lastly, my grandmother's love language is Receiving gifts. I regularly give her small tokens to show that I care. She is so grateful when I bring her fresh flowers, a pretty mug, or a figurine for her garden. She proudly shows everyone who comes to her house and announces "Look what my granddaughter gave me". I take every opportunity to show love to them by kind words, a special outing together, a warm hug, a clean car, or a bouquet of flowers. It is a blessing to have family and friends to love and I intend to love them often and well.

I believe the best way to live a long and healthy life is to always do the next right thing. This can serve as roadmap to navigate the journey of life everyday, every moment. When I wake up in the morning, I am eager to start my day. The first right thing of the day, will set the tone for the rest of my day. The first right thing could entail a positive ritual like praying or meditating. After this, the next right thing may be to eat a healthy breakfast and nourish my body and fuel my mind for school. As I prepare for my day, I engage in self-care rituals as my next right thing. I want to look and feel my best as I take on the challenges that this day will bring. As I arrive at school, I pour myself into my assignments as putting forth my best effort is the next right thing to do. As I go about my day busying myself, I hope that I will always stop to encourage a friend or help a stranger. Giving of myself is the right thing to do and life is always filled with opportunities to do the next right thing. In fact, I believe the good that I do everyday, every moment is contagious and the impact can be infinite. While doing right things do not always change the wrong things in this world, it certainly incites a deep sense of gratitude and changes the way I engage with others in my world. I find myself happier and healthier as I promote good. Days turn in weeks, weeks turn into months, months turn into years and before long much time has past. Someday, I hope to look back and see a lifetime of right things.

My favorite simple pleasure would have to be gardening. When I was 7 years old, I planted my first garden with my grandfather. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. My grandfather gifted me a small bright pink garden hoe and announced that now I could be his "right hand gardener". With this gift, he gave me so many precious memories and life lessons. I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". This was so meaningful to me and I was not going to let him down. I eagerly awaited the day that we enjoyed the simple pleasure of cutting into our first homegrown tomato indulging in the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. If I dig deep investing in simple pleasures, sowing seeds of love, friendship, patience, and joy, I will reap in the treasures of authentic relationships that are deeply rooted, nurtured, and grow strong and hearty. Also, if I take care to remove the weeds of bitterness and strife from my life, I will yield in trust and compassion. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned hard work and determination, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

Manage My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality comprehensive medical care. I hope to serve as a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in the profession in this field. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. It is my hope to offer quality care from infancy to end of life care. It is my hope to have enriching activities for seniors to connect with others. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity for individuals from all ages. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change.

Engaging with nature makes me happy. There is something hopeful about digging in the dirt to plant seeds or listening to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest. Enchantment surrounds me, everywhere I turn I witness the beckoning of nature, the mountains stand tall and dignified, the lake whispers serenely, the trees dance about the forest, the ocean tickles my toes, the lavender adorn the fields and offers a fragrant aroma, the waterfall rush against the rocks, the rows of apple orchards sing to me, the cherry blossoms captivate me, the sunflowers smile at me as I savor in beauty that embellishes my surroundings. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about nature and it creates in me a deep sense of happiness. I can jump in the shimmering lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I can swim in the waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I can drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of nature and this makes me happy to my core. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away, there is always something to relish in. No matter where this journey called life takes me, my heart will always yearn for nature as it is my happy place.

I believe the simple meaning of life lies in a precious gift that I was given by my grandfather when I was just 7. He gave me a small bright pink garden hoe and announced that now I could be his "right hand gardener". I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". That Spring and into the Summer, I arrived everyday to care for the seedlings that he and I had planted together. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. With our care, each day they got a bit bigger and stronger and soon I could see the vegetables taking form. I eagerly awaited the day that we cut into our first homegrown tomato and enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. If I dig deep and sow seeds of love, friendship, patience, and joy, I will reap in the treasures of authentic relationships that are deeply rooted. Also, if I take care to remove the weeds of bitterness and strife from my life, I will yield in trust and compassion. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned hard work and determination, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend. These experiences and my strong belief that everyone despite their creed, color, gender, religion, or orientation should be afforded quality medical care has forged my career aspirations. It is my big audacious goal to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community. These experiences have served to deepen my compassion and empathy for the disadvantaged. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time.

The Native American Proverb says, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” In this wise proverb lies a depth of responsibility that my generation bears to the generations to come. If we walk around with entitled ideals, we consider only our own interests and do not treat others and the earth's resources as we should. I wholeheartedly believe that people would live differently if they stopped to consider the eternal impact of their actions. The world we cultivate today is the world we will one day bestow upon our children. If we sow seeds of strife and malice, the world will be a place of hate and unrest. If we determine to treat our fellow man with dignity and respect, the earth will be a safe place of inclusion and diversity. The same principles apply to natural resources, if we are wasteful and abuse our natural assets, we pass on lack and disarray to our children and our children's children and so on. We should take care to sow seeds of peace and generosity and conserve resources for those that will come behind us, let the earth that we leave be better than the earth we were born into. As we return to the earth, let us leave behind hope that sustains life and liberty for all time.

According to the Greek philosopher Epictetus “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” This rings true to me as I value the art of listening and believe that one should take care to listen and listen often. I listen intently with my heart as I attempt to empathize with the speaker. When I ask how someone is feeling, I take the time to hear the answer they give. I am careful to make eye contact and engage in the conversation. I am present in mind and body and reflect back what I heard to communicate that I am indeed listening. This is also helpful as it allows the individual to clarify their meaning. I listen to relate and to understand. If someone is having a bad day, I reach out and ask what I can do to help. Listening should precipitate action and action communicates love. I believe listening with intention and supportively is an act of love. The gift of being heard and understood could be what carries someone through a rough patch as they are no longer alone. By sharing a listening ear with someone, we are opening ourselves up to learning and this too is a reciprocal gift. We all have special differences and unique gifts and talents to share, these are things that we must listen for with both our ears and our hearts to know and be known.

This November both my grandmother and grandfather had COVID and were hospitalized. For weeks at a time, there were ups and downs and for several days, I believed I would lose them both. I said goodbye several times thinking they would slip away while I was at school. This was extremely difficult as I am incredibly close to my grandparents and can not imagine life without them. While my world was standing still and I felt so helpless and alone, life was moving along for others as usual. Through out this difficult time, all I could do was hope and pray that they would be spared and that I would get a little more time with each of them. After what felt like a eternity of heartbreak and an endless stream of tears, we hung onto the glimmer of hope in the increasingly more positive reports from doctors. Slowly, but surely they regained their health and required less and less oxygen. When I spoke to them, I could hear the strength returning to their bodies. I heard hope as they began to believe that they would make it. They both came home in time for Thanksgiving dinner with minimal oxygen requirements. That was perhaps the best Thanksgiving as all the seats were occupied and the blessings abounded. The days ahead were long and hard as we cared for them at home. I spent countless hours at their home cooking and cleaning and ensuring that they took their medicine and vitamins. While it was difficult to see them in this weakened state, it was a honor to care for them as they have always cared for me.

My favorite ways to give to others is by giving of my time, money, and talents to others who are less fortunate. I believe it we pool our resources both internal and external, we can have a great impact on others. My specific town of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community and play games and serve snacks at a local homeless shelter, this allowed me to see the humanity of these people who have struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who would otherwise not be able to afford them. I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I have been able to also give of my monetary resources, as I organized a clothing drive for foster children by partnering with Isaiah 117 House as they provide support to foster children.  I enlisted the support of my volleyball team, and together we were able to collect over 100 items including brand new outfits, new cozy pajamas, socks, undergarments, backpacks, books, and toys. I hope to one day use my talents to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.

Enchantment surrounds me, everywhere I turn I witness the beckoning of nature, the mountains stand tall and dignified, the lake whispers serenely, the trees dance about the forest, the ocean tickles my toes, the lavender adorn the fields and offers a fragrant aroma, the waterfall rush against the rocks, the rows of apple orchards sing to me, the cherry blossoms captivate me, the sunflowers smile at me as I savor in beauty that embellishes my Virginia. "Virginia is for lovers" they say, "lovers of nature", I would add. I am fortunate to live in the heart of beautiful Central Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia I can listen to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest, I can jump in the shimmering lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I can swim in the waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I can drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over m Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of Virginia. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away for a hike, or a weekend camping trip in the serene forest, there is always something to relish in. No matter where this journey called life takes me, my heart will always yearn for Virginia as it is my magnificent home.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped me into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. So many things kept me up at night tossing and turning and predicting gloom and doom. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. There are so many people struggling all around me and this was not something I ever took time to notice before because my mind was so clouded by my anxiety. My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field as a physician's assistant specifically to the under-served and marginalized in my community. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in the community that shaped me into who I am.  My persistence to engage my anxiety rather than hiding from it, has allowed me to embrace my imperfections as I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. 

Confidence looks differently for everyone, mine came packaged as my very own garden hoe. My grandfather gifted me a small bright pink garden hoe and announced that now I could be his "right hand gardener". With this gift, my grandfather gave me so many precious memories and life lessons. I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". This was so meaningful to me and I was not going to let him down. That Spring and into the Summer, I arrived everyday to care for the seedlings that he and I had planted together. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. With our care, each day they got a bit bigger and stronger and soon I could see the vegetables taking form. I eagerly awaited the day that we cut into our first homegrown tomato and enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. If I dig deep and sow seeds of dedication and passion, I will continue to yield confidence in myself as I put forth effort to be my very best. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned hard work and determination, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

Something I recently learned about myself is my ability to see deeper meaning and the intrinsic value of life's simple pleasures. I think back to a precious gift that I was given by my grandfather when I was 7 years old, a small bright pink garden hoe. When he gave it to me, he announced that now I could be his "right hand gardener". With this gift, my grandfather gave me so many precious memories and life lessons. I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". This was so meaningful to me and I was not going to let him down. That Spring and into the Summer, I arrived everyday to care for the seedlings that he and I had planted together. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. With our care, each day they got a bit bigger and stronger and soon I could see the vegetables taking form. I eagerly awaited the day that we cut into our first homegrown tomato and enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned hard work and determination, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can certainly do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed these needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations. As I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, I have been to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who otherwise would not be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homelessness.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend. Another worthwhile organization that I have partnered with is Becca's Closet, they serve disadvantaged youth in providing formal attire to attend proms and other events as no one should have to miss these meaningful milestones because of finances.  We collected dozens of dresses for the Liberty High School chapter and many will be able to look and feel their best at these special school events. New organizations are being introduced everyday in my community to address these poverty needs.  One such organization is Isaiah 117 House opening in Lynchburg this year.  They will provide support to children who have just been removed from the only family they have every known.  This thought breaks my heart as I can't even imagine how scary that would be.  A lot of the time, these kids arrive to the home with little to nothing or the few belonging they have are tattered, torn, and filthy.   After doing some research, I determined this was also an organization, I wanted to support with my time, money, and talents, so I decided to collect everyday necessary items so that they would be well stocked when they opened their doors. I knew that I could have a bigger impact if I enlisted the support of others, so I rallied my volleyball team to help.  Together we collected nearly 100 items including new pajamas, back packs, brand new outfits, books, small toys and stuff animals.  This allows Isaiah 117 House to dote on kids while they are waiting for their new families in essence, helping them to feel cared for and loved on their darkest day.   It is my hope to become a physician's assistant serving those who are denied quality medical care.  I hope to open a wellness practice in the inner city of Lynchburg, VA that offers all services related to wellness to the underserved and marginalized population in my community. The wellness practice will also staff mental health therapists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, art therapists, music therapists, nutritionists, wellness coaches, personal trainers, spiritual advisors and several other services that cater to helping individuals achieve their optimal wellness. My plan is for the ambience to be cozy and comfy and not institutional. The walls be decorated with local artistry including my own personal paintings, pottery, and photographs. I am also excited to feature the art of local youth and invest in up and coming artists. The community wellness center where I will serve be a place of hope, healing, belonging, and inclusion. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.

I take great pride in my Italian heritage as it shapes so much of who I am and who I aspire to be into adulthood. My middle name Francesca is after my grandfather, Nonno Francesco and I aspire to bring honor to this name as he has taught me so much about devotion to la famiglia, hard work, perseverance, generosity, and chasing your dreams. My grandfather immigrated to America from Italy in 1968, when he was just 21 years, chasing his dream of a better life. He knew the journey of assimilating to a new country and making his way would not be an easy feat. This has been a theme throughout his life as he has persevered from being a laborer in New York city working long hours in less than ideal conditions to being the supervisor of massive commercial jobs. My mother, Josephine, and my aunt LeeAnn tell stories of my Nonno Frank coming home late in the evenings exhausted from working all day having left the house at dawn that morning, but still making time to play with them. They reminisce of eagerly awaiting his return from work to share with him what they had learned in school that day or just kick the soccer ball in the yard. The sacrifices he made to give my grandmother, Rosemarie, mother, and aunt a better life has served as a cornerstone in our family. He has demonstrated throughout his life that family is indeed everything and hard work and perseverance can lead to prosperity and quality of life. A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting our roots and meeting my Italian family members. I was welcomed with open arms by them and loved visiting places like my grandfather’s birthplace, indulging in delicious Italian meals and desserts prepared from scratch, seeing the mountains behind the small village of Godrano, and my grandfather pointing out the place where he shepherded his sheep as a small boy. I could almost envision this as I walked around the town where it all began. The legacy that my grandfather has bestowed on our family is one that I hold dear and am deeply inspired by. So in keeping with his example, I set big audacious goals for myself as I plan to serve in the medical field, as a Physician's Assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. In doing so, I hope to bring honor to my family and carry on my grandfather's legacy for generations to come.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this. I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why my parents chose helping fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I hope to open a wellness practice in the inner city of Lynchburg, VA that offers all services related to wellness to the underserved population in my community. The wellness practice will be complete with mental health therapists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, art therapists, music therapists, nutritionists, wellness coaches, personal trainers, and several other services that cater to helping individuals achieve their optimal wellness. My plan is for the ambience to be cozy and comfy and not institutional. The walls be decorated with local artistry including my own personal paintings, pottery, and photographs. I am also excited to feature the art of local youth and invest in up and coming artists. The community wellness center where I will serve be a place of hope and healing, a place of belonging and inclusion. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care and holistic wellness services to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other individuals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad. To promote healthy lifestyles between visits, I would love to create a wellness app and accessible patient portal to allow the wellness center patrons to create individualized wellness plans and track progress and successes. This will include eating plans and recipes, connections to community meetings and events, inspirational quotes and readings, therapeutic exercises and physical exercises. Individuals using the wellness app can share stories of triumph and defeat with others via social media, the goal would be that others can be inspired or encouraged to be their very best. My hope is that this healthy mindset would be contagious inspiring hope in my community and abroad.

When I think about my legacy, phrases from Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "Success" come to mind. The phrase that stands out the most is "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived". It seems to me that being remembered by the positive impact I have had on another is far superior than attaining frivolous material wealth. I think about my community and the many who have who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. It is my hope to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. In Emerson's poem, he also talks about leaving the world a better place "by a redeemed social condition". By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change. 

I have been honored to hold a number of servant leadership positions during my high school career. I believe that great leadership is servant leadership. Servant leaders lead with the aim of bettering others and this what I have aspired to do in my leadership roles. In serving as captain of my volleyball teams from ninth grade through senior year, I have been able to to play a significant role in setting the tone for my team. I focused on modeling dedication and commitment to my teammates with the hope that they would also demonstrate these traits. I had the opportunity to spearhead service projects, like partnering with Isaiah 117 House. It was amazing to watch my team ban together both to exemplify excellence on and off the court. Together we we able to collect well over 100 items including: brand new outfits, new cozy pajamas, socks, undergarments, backpacks, books, and toys for children entering foster care. Being captain not only put me in a position to positively impact the culture of my team, it allowed me to pour into individuals. It was a privilege to watch my teammates grow as they decided to step out of their comfort zones to give it their all. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to serve as President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this has allowed me to impact all the athletes at my school inspiring integrity and sportsmanship no matter the games outcome. I have had the privilege of arranging inspirational speakers to come and spur student athletes to “not quit in the face of adversity”. Finally, my role as student council head of house has allowed me to have an even further reach to impact the entire student body to create a culture of acceptance and belonging for all students by promoting diversity and inclusion. In all my leadership endeavors, I hope to serve others in a ways that inspires them to be the best versions of themselves.

As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. My community of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, and warm clothing. As I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, I have been able to see the humanity of the homeless individual who has struggles much like everyone else. I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack the bag chock full of tasty and nutritious treats as I know that these children will not go hungry this weekend.  Another experience that is significant to me is collecting items for Isaiah 117 House.  They provide support to children as they are awaiting foster care placement. These frightened children have just been removed from the only family they have ever known.  Much of the time, these kids arrive to the home with little to nothing or the few belonging they have are tattered, torn, and filthy. I decided this was not ok and that I could do something about it. I was able to collect over 100 items including new outfits, cozy pajamas, socks, undergarments, backpacks, books, and toys. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.

Warren Buffet is quoted as saying “Success in investing doesn’t correlate with IQ … what you need is the temperament to control the urges that get other people into trouble in investing.” This is so true in other arenas, if makes sense that it would also ring true when investing. It seems to me that success in investing requires poise, perseverance, and patience, these traits have little to do with IQ and everything to do with emotional intelligence. Investors who overtrade based on emotional impulses generally negatively impact their returns. Those who are hoping for long-term growth, need a plan, but most importantly need to trust their guts when trading and selling. An investor can best prepare for a tumultuous market when they keep an even keel and a cool head about them. To avoid emotional investing, it is helpful to understand the driving force behind it. Most often, greed is involved and when coupled with extreme emotions, devastating long-term consequences can follow. Investors also sometimes let fear cloud sound judgement in investing practices. Rather than trading in a frenzy, it may be wisest to ride the short-term volatility of the market for a long-term reward. When it comes to future investment practices, I have taken to heart the simple principle of keeping a cool head and an even keel and I believe the long-term dividends will be exponential. Thank you for considering me for the BOLD Investing Scholarship.

The classic Pulitzer prize winning "To kill a mockingbird", by Harper Lee, is perhaps on of the most inspirational books of all time because of its portrayal of racial justice during a time and place when it was not customary. Set in Maycomb, Alabama during the depression, it gives us insight into a child's view of racial equity. As we journey with Jem and Scout Finch, we can appreciate the coming of age in the South, the deep roots of prejudice, and that good and evil can coexist in the same community. Atticus, a prominent attorney, widower, and Jem and Scout's father, is a pillar of integrity and wisdom. He models empathy and justice for his children by imploring them to "not kill mocking birds", as “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs. They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” As the story unfolds, Atticus represents Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping and killing a white women. Although he presents a compelling case and Tom is exonerated, he is later killed. I believe Tom represents the mocking bird as killing him neither promoted good or eradicated evil. Scout learns valuable lessons about being a woman and about resilience in the face of adversity through Tom's death. Through out the story, she also learns about authenticity when society demands she "be lady like", she chooses to instead to speak her mind. I can relate to Scout as it is difficult to evade societal pressure to stand alone and speak your truth, I believe she indeed chose the greater good in a world of blind conformity.

A piece piece of art that inspires me is The Scream by Edvard Munch. The reason I appreciate this work of art is because I can relate to it in so many ways. The subject in the painting so creatively depicts the human emotion of anxiety. A bit of background about this work of art that I discovered in taking an art history course is that the Norwegian expressionalist artist was inspired while on a walk in the sunset. He noticed the clouds turning into a bright, blood red and this seemed as though all of nature was crying out in an endless scream. This resonated with me as I struggle with anxiety and this painting so tangibly depicts the angst that I feel inside. For me this internal process is much like a resounding scream, all the while my surroundings seem to be serene. Deep inside I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I had to stop in my tracks and decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I also found that creating my own art was a very real part of my healing. Since being able to manage my anxiety in meaningful ways, I am able to see this work from a renewed perspective. I now notice the serene, rhythmically moving water and flowing lines in the sky. This reminds that there is so much beauty and balance in all of life and I too can experience this joy in the midst of it all.

Maya Angelou is quoted as saying "Since we met all those years ago, your friendship has been a precious thread ~ refining, enriching, and strengthening the fabric of my life." This resonates with me as I have had many meaningful friendships for much of my life. When I ponder why my friends are so meaningful to me, I think of a friendship quilt as these special people indeed refine, enrich, and strengthen the fabric of my life. Much like these diverse individuals, this quilt is colorful with intricate shapes and patterns and many textures. These shapes and colors when woven together make a beautiful design. Not only is it lovely to behold, but it is functional as it keeps me warm and brings me comfort. My friends, as genuine friends do, support and refine me as they lovingly steer me to be my very best and remain true to myself. I often reminisce of fun memories laughing and being silly with my friends and this brings a great richness to my life. My friends also serve to strengthen me as they offer a listening ear and helpful advice when I need it. I am blessed to have meaningful friendships in my life and I will forever cherish my beautifully intricate friendship quilt and seek to preserve it indefinitely. I will take care to nurture these friendships as I too hope to refine, enrich, and strengthen the fabric of my friends' lives and together we weave a beautiful unique friendship quilt.

"Patience is a virtue" and "Good things come to those who wait" are 2 cliches that ring true for me. In this busy world, being patient goes against the grain. This is perhaps why it is a virtue that many aspire to, but few achieve. I hope to be among this minority. Good things happen for those who wait, for those who persist in the midst of adversity. This is especially significant for me as I struggle with anxiety. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live; next I had to do something about it. I determined that with patient persistence, I could learn to manage my anxiety and ultimately ​​use it as a spring board to achieve my goals. This process has shaped into a more resilient and deliberate person. I've learned to accept the things I cannot change and also understand that things happened when it was time and that forcing things not meant to be generally had detrimental consequences. I found peace and quiet in the waiting and the stillness. I learned to embrace balance and that all seasons of life are experiences for growth and learning. This was not an easy lesson, but nothing worth having is ever easy. So I will enjoy the process and take time to notice the small things for they are indeed big things. Thank you for considering me for the Bold Patience scholarship as I would be honored to be named among the patient and be given this good thing!

My grandfather, Poppy Frank, has embodied the principle of growth mindset and as he has taught me so much about devotion to family, hard work, perseverance, generosity, and chasing your dreams. He immigrated to America from Italy in 1968, when he was just 21 years, chasing his dream of a better life. He knew the journey of assimilating to a new country and making his way would not be an easy feat. This has been a theme throughout his life as he has persevered from being a laborer in New York city working long hard hours in less than ideal conditions to being the supervisor of massive commercial jobs. My mother, Josephine, tells stories of my grandfather coming home late in the evenings exhausted from working all day having left the house at dawn that morning, but still making time to play with her. She reminisces of eagerly awaiting his return from work to share with him what she had learned at school that day or just to kick the soccer ball in the yard. The sacrifices he made to give my grandmother, Rosemarie, and mother a better life has served as a cornerstone for our family. He has demonstrated throughout his life that family is indeed everything and hard work and perseverance can lead to prosperity and quality of life. He inspires me everyday to traverse to new lands as he did, to work hard as he demonstrated all his life, to believe that things can be better and that the choices we make can make a difference. His legacy inspires me to persevere despite adversity as life is too precious to stay stuck, to try new things without fear of failure, and to give all that I have to fight for what I believe in...Carpe Diem, he did!

When I think about community service, I think about the importance of gratitude. If I am truly grateful, I will be inspired to give to others who may have less than I do. If I look beyond myself, I don't have to look very far to see the needs all around me. There are so many and I can't help but think despite the circumstances that brought them to where they are, they are somebody's mother or father or daughter or son or someone's loved one for that matter. I know that I would like my loved one to be cared for in their time of need. I passionately believe that every human deserves the dignity of having their basic needs met. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, and warm clothing. As I have engaged with worthwhile organizations in my community, I have seen the real devastation and cannot help but feel a deep desire to do something. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, which has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like anyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who otherwise would not be able to afford them. As have had the opportunity to connect with people as their deepest need, my compassion and empathy has deepened. It gives me great joy to be able give back to the community who has shaped me into the individual I am today.

"To thy own self be true" to quote Shakespeare. I stay true to myself by continued awareness of my core values and challenge myself to make changes when something comes in conflict with what I believe to be true at my innermost being. For example, at my core, I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, and warm clothing. When I connect with organizations around my community, my eyes are opened to the very real needs all around me. To turn a blind eye to this would create a inner turmoil in me as my community's circumstances are in direct contradiction to my core values. Therefore, to be true to myself, I have to follow my core beliefs with action by doing my part to engage my community at their deepest needs. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who otherwise would not be able to afford them. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. I can continue to stay true to myself by acting on my core values. By offering hope to hopeless situations, my heart is joyful and my soul is at rest.

Outdoors are my passionate playground, my hobbies include: hiking, camping, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and swimming. "Virginia is for lovers" they say, "lovers of nature", I would add. I am fortunate to live in the heart of beautiful Central Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia. I hike to the top of the Peaks of Otter and see beauty for miles, I listen to the mindful crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the enchanted Poplar forest, I jump in the shimmering Smith Mountain Lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I swim in the Cascade waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I drink in the lavender fields in Appomattox as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of Virginia. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away, there is always something to relish in. I feel so alive as nature beckons me, the sun warms my face as I hammock under the dancing trees, the grass tickles my toes as I frolic through the meadow, I reach for the wildflowers and adorn my hair with a daisy. I find intrinsic beauty outdoors and am energized by the forces of nature. I enjoy falling asleep to the sounds of nature whether it is an owl hooting or crickets chirping, or just the wind whistling, I am lulled to sleep by the sounds of nature. I enjoy waking up to see the sunset over the trees as to welcome a new day of adventure. I sit by the tranquil waters and skip rocks as I watch the rippling of the water and think about the undulating ripple of all that I do and say and how by my simple acts of kindness, a ripple of kindness can take effect. This is indeed why I love nature so much as there are so many meaningful life lessons if we listen in the silence and take care to notice them.

Volleyball is my passion and I have spend thousands of hours practicing to be my very best on the court. While I don't have access to a personal one-on-one coach or expensive equipment, I have a smart brain in my head (or at least that's what my mom tells me). I wanted to better my skills and increase the productivity of my practice times. So I used the resources I already had to create a volleyball target net catcher. I used a medium size basketball hoop and an extra long fishing net to create this. I could now position my contraption which, I affectionally named "BBVB" around my yard and practice serving my volleyball where I aimed for it to go. With a partner I could practice serve receives and with multiple teammates I could practice passing. As a newly appointed libero on my club volleyball team, I was elated to be able to sharpen my serve, serve receive, and passing skills and the best part was I did this for a fraction of the cost of expensive volleyball equipment. I was able to solve a problem in allowing myself to hone my volleyball skills without breaking the bank. If I had ample funds, I would create more of these and offer them to community centers to assist disadvantaged athletes to also sharpen their volleyball skills. I would also find everyday items to create cost effective equipment for other sports. I would reach out to my community for donations and would fix broken equipment to make it new and ready to be used for improving skills on the court, on the dug out, or in the field. I would partner with worthwhile organizations who help youth like community centers, the YMCA, and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters to deliver and install this equipment. This would allow them to host after school programs and sports camps to give disadvantaged youth the opportunity to realize their talents and abilities. By recycling and upcycling everyday items that others discard, I would be able to give new life to these items and create cost effective sports equipment while eliminating waste. I would use social media platforms to get the word out and inspire innovative youth like myself to do the same in their communities. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best and solve everyday problems with the smart brain in my head.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician assistant in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. In my dream life, hunger and poverty are eradicated and quality medical care is afforded to all as I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I am passionate about doing my part to make my vision a reality. I dream of opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to my community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change, this would indeed be my dream life come true.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Bold Dream Big Scholarship.

It has been said that the borrower is a servant to the lender. This certainly resonates with me as college is just a short time away for me and I am committed to graduating from college without taking out a single loan. My plan is simple, work in the field I love while further investing in my future. My long-term plan is to attend Anderson University in the Fall, but before then I, in the Summer following my senior year, I plan to earn a license as a Certified Nursing Assistant. While attending AU pursuing a program to prepare me to become a Physician's Assistant, I will gain practical healthcare expertise as a CNA while simultaneously funding my college education as well as my PA program. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. My end goal is to is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I observed this first hand as I have volunteered with local organizations. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the Graduate College Debt-Free scholarship, I would be honored to be a recipient of this award.

Enchantment surrounds me, everywhere I turn I witness the beckoning of nature, the mountains stand tall and dignified, the lake whispers serenely, the trees dance about the forest, the ocean tickles my toes, the lavender adorn the fields and offers me a fragrant aroma, the waterfall rushes against the rocks, the rows of apple orchards sing to me, the cherry blossoms captivate me, the sunflowers smile at me as I savor in the beauty that embellishes my Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia, I can mindfully listen to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest, I can jump in the shimmering lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I can swim in the invigorating waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I can drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of odyssey. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away, there is always something to relish in. No matter where this journey called life takes me, my heart will always yearn for Virginia as it is my magnificent home!

The classic Pulitzer prize winning "To kill a mockingbird", by Harper Lee, is perhaps my favorite book of all time because of its portrayal of racial justice during a time and place when it was not customary. Set in Maycomb, Alabama during the depression, it gives us insight into a child's view of racial equity. As we journey with Jem and Scout Finch, we can appreciate the coming of age in the South, the deep roots of prejudice, and that good and evil can coexist in the same community. Atticus, a prominent attorney, widower, and Jem and Scout's father, is a pillar of integrity and wisdom. He models empathy and justice for his children by imploring them to "not kill mocking birds", as “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs. They don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The story unfolds as Atticus represents Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping and killing a white women. Although he presents a compelling case and Tom is exonerated, he is later killed. I believe Tom represents the mocking bird as killing him neither promoted good or eradicated evil, it only served to embolden hate. Scout learns valuable lessons about being a woman and about resilience in the face of adversity through Tom's death. Through out the story, she also learns about authenticity when society demands she "be lady like", she chooses to instead to speak her mind. I can relate to Scout as it is difficult to evade societal pressure to stand alone and speak your truth, I believe she indeed chose the greater good in a world of blind conformity.

In serving my community, my perspective vastly changed in that I can see the humanity of those struggling in poverty. Before getting a closer look, I believed that it wasn't "as bad" as it seemed, that there weren't "that many struggling", or the infamous "they did this to themselves". I found these beliefs something I told myself to minimize the problem therefore mitigating the need for me to do anything. As I have had the opportunity to challenge these beliefs and really engage and connect with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me and I could no longer turn a blind eye to these atrocities, I had to something.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, and warm clothing.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met.  As I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, it has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. In volunteering to pack bags for a local backpack program, I can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of tasty and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  These experiences have served to deepen my compassion and empathy as I do my part in brightening someone’s day and offering hope in what some would deem hopeless situations.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. So many things kept me up at night tossing and turning and predicting gloom and doom. It wasn't until trusted family, friends, teachers, and counselors pointed out my tendency to catastrophize, that I recognized that this was indeed a genuine issue that I needed to address. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. I could commiserate with them and they completely understood on a different level than people who did not struggle with anxiety. I found my tribe and accountability was only a phone call or a text away. Another practice that I find helpful is journaling about my anxieties, this really helps me put things into perspective. By cataloging my thoughts and feelings, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept. In recognizing that there is a balance between these and that I was out of balance for so long has been genuinely freeing. Another significant thing that I learned in this journey is that when I let go of the worry and the fear, I can focus on helping and connecting with others. These are indeed practices I will continue in college as they are vital to my wellbeing. There are so many people struggling all around me and this was not something I ever took time to notice before because my mind was so clouded by my anxiety. As I slay my own dragons on a daily basis, I realize that I want to help others do the same. My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the under-served and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this. This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents. Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional mental health counselor and my father a school counselor. I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar. My story began when I came to the end of myself and found a whole world of possibilities on the other side. Thank you for considering me for this prestigious Overcoming Adversity scholarship as it would be a great honor.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Painting and drawing and cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties have also been coping skills that I have employed to manage my anxiety. This journey and finding hope and healing in the midst of it all has truly inspired me to help others. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists, including my own personal art collection of paintings, photographs, and pottery. Everyone will be welcomed and mental health issues and substance abuse issues will be de-stigmatized. We will have therapy groups for a variety of mental health difficulties; there will also be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meetings and they will be available in English and Spanish. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my talents, gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the Robert Wechman Mental Health Scholarship,

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Painting and drawing and cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties have also been coping skills that I have employed to manage my anxiety. This journey and finding hope and healing in the midst of it all has truly inspired me to help others. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists, including my own personal art collection of paintings, photographs, and pottery. Everyone will be welcomed and mental health issues and substance abuse issues will be de-stigmatized. We will have therapy groups for a variety of mental health difficulties; there will also be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meetings and they will be available in English and Spanish. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my talents, gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship, I would be deeply honored to be a recipient.

Maya Angelou once said "Nothing can dim the light which shines from within." Self-confidence is process of becoming the best version of yourself or finding your light. The journey of becoming your best self reminds me of the the process used to refine gold. As the gold is placed in the fire and heated to temperatures up to 2,000 degrees it is refined into pure gold as all the impurities float to the top to be skimmed and discarded. Much like this process, adversity and hardship causes us to search our souls and find our true essence and allows us to do hard things. For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with anxiety, constantly questioning and second guessing myself. I found that the only way to overcome this was to put myself out there, jump into the fire, even if it meant risking rejection or not liking what I encountered. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. In the process of becoming the best version of myself, I was able to discover that I had so many unique strengths and ability and that the light I found needed to be shared with the world. I believe that I have found a way to use my struggle as a spring board to achieve my goals and this has fueled my passion. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician's assistant, specifically to the under-served and marginalized in my community who have been denied quality care. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.

It all began with a little pink volleyball and a big audacious dream. According to Twyla Tharp, "No one is born with skill. It is developed through exercise, through repetition, through a blend of learning and reflection that's both painstaking and rewarding. And it takes time." I could not agree more as this has certainly been my personal experience. My parents gave me my first volleyball when I was 10, I am now 17. Then, I didn't know quite what to do with the ball, I knew the goal was to keep it off the ground and get it over the net. I practiced everyday into the evenings and the more I practiced the more the ball went where I intended to go. With guidance from my coach and support from my family, I was getting better and better everyday. I grew from a timid kid to a fierce, passionate, and tenacious competitor, this process has been indeed painstaking. It required commitment and consistency. As I have developed as an athlete, I have been honored to be awarded MVP and also to be named captain of my teams from ninth grade through senior year. As volleyball captain, I have been able to play a significant role in setting the tone for my team. I have modeled dedication and commitment for them with the hope that they would also demonstrate these traits. It has been amazing to watch my team ban together both to exemplify excellence on and off the court. Being captain not only put me in a position to positively impact the culture of my team, it allowed me to pour into individuals. It has been a privilege to watch my teammates grow as they too decided to step out of their comfort zones to give it their all.

There is an inspirational young lady who lives in my community who was injured by a drunk driver. While she and her family were returning from a get together with her extended family, when she was just 16 years old, they were struck by a drunk driver. Every one in the family sustained serious injuries, but her injuries were by far the worst. She had neurological damage and would never be the same again. After a long road to recovery, she was able to regain some of her functioning and independence. Her tale of triumph over adversity is deeply inspirational. The strength she modeled in fighting for the story she would one day tell, was nothing short of a miracle. She has redeemed her time, by speaking to students about the perils of drunk driving. I cannot help but think about how vast her influence is, so many lives are saved because she told her story. I think about how brave she is and how I too can be brave by stepping out of my comfort zone. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. At the center there will be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meeting and they will be in English and Spanish. The serenity prayer and 12 steps will be painted on a mural in the group rooms. There will also be prevention effort as mental health/substance professionals will host assemblies and provide literature at local high schools and universities. The center will provide resources for comprehensive impatient recovery programs, recovery homes, and retreats. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Davila Scholarship.

Outdoors are my playground, my hobbies include: hiking, camping, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and swimming. "Virginia is for lovers" they say, "lovers of nature", I would add. I am fortunate to live in the heart of beautiful Central Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia. I hike to the top of the Peaks of Otter and see beauty for miles, I listen to the mindful crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the enchanted Poplar forest, I jump in the shimmering Smith Mountain lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I swim in the Cascade waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I drink in the lavender fields in Appomattox as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of Virginia. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away, there is always something to relish in. I feel so alive as nature beckons me, the sun warms my face as I hammock under the dancing trees, the grass tickles my toes as I frolic through the meadow, I reach for the wildflowers and adorn my hair with a daisy. I find intrinsic beauty outdoors and am energized by the forces of nature.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived this is to have succeeded". I believe this wholeheartedly and aim to make it my life's mantra. Following college I hope is to serve as a physician's assistant in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field as a physician's assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad.

A character trait that I most value in myself is my compassion for others and my ability to connect deeply with diverse people from my community. I have had the opportunity to engage with folks from all walks of life in my volunteer work. I can no longer turn a blind eye to very real needs all around me.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, and warm clothing.  I strongly believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met.  While serving meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, I was able to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless. I have spent several hours on a regular basis volunteering to pack bags for a local backpack program. I can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of tasty and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  These experiences have served to deepen my compassion and empathy. Mahatma Gandhi's quote "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" certainly rings true as I find intrinsic value in myself as I contribute to others in meaningful ways.

We create our own meaning by our ability to see deeper meaning and the intrinsic value of life's simple pleasures. Enchantment surrounds me, everywhere I turn I witness the beckoning of nature, the mountains stand tall and dignified, the lake whispers serenely, the trees dance about the forest, the sun rises to say hello, the lavender adorns the fields and offers a fragrant aroma, the waterfall rushes against the rocks, the cherry blossoms captivate me, the sunflowers smile at me as I savor in beauty that embellishes my world. I can hike to the top of the peaks and see beauty for miles, I can listen mindfully to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest, I can jump in the shimmering lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I can swim in the waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it with wild abandon, I can drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of the world around me. I enjoy engaging with my world everyday by connecting with others by meaningful volunteer activities and passions, engaging with nature by gardening and hiking. I believe that there is so much good in the world and I can make the world a bit brighter as I offer hope. If I dig deep and sow seeds of love, friendship, patience, and joy, I will reap in the treasures of authentic relationships that are deeply rooted, nurtured, and grow strong and hearty. Also, if I take care to remove the weeds of bitterness and strife from my life, I will indeed live a meaningful life.

I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.   My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.   I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. These experiences have impacted my aspirations for the future as I can no longer turn a blind eye to these needs. It is my desire to serve my community as a physician's assistant. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists . It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity.

As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations, I can no longer turn a blind eye to their plight. As I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, it has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless. During my time volunteering for a local backpack program, I can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of tasty and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  These experiences have served to deepen my compassion and empathy as I do my part in brightening someone’s day and offering hope in what some would deem hopeless situations.

My life is fueled by my ability to see deeper meaning and the intrinsic value of life's simple pleasures. When I was just 7 years old, my grandfather handed me a small bright pink garden hoe, he announced that I could be his "right hand gardener". With this gift, my grandfather gave me so many precious memories and life lessons. I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". This was so meaningful to me and I was not going to let him down. That Spring and Summer, I arrived everyday to care for the seedlings that he and I had planted together. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. With our care, each day they got a bit bigger and stronger and soon I could see the vegetables taking form. I eagerly awaited the day that we cut into our first homegrown tomato and enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. If I dig deep and sow seeds of love, friendship, patience, and joy, I will reap in the treasures of authentic relationships that are deeply rooted. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.   I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the diverse individuals who have struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.   I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care.   It is my hope to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change. 

A personal struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept. I also connect with my feelings through my art. I meaningfully paint and draw, take photographs, and sculpt pieces as these allow me an outlet to channel my feelings. I especially enjoy engaging with nature as I hike to the top of the peaks and see beauty for miles. I mindfully listen to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest. I jump in the shimmering lake and am mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I swim in the waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over me. Serenity is mine!

My bucket list is filled with unique experiences and travel. I hope to one day journey to far away lands and experience the richness of the culture and history of the wonders of the world. For now, I aim to explore the beauty that surrounds me in my home of Virginia and the magnificent USA. I am fortunate to live in the heart of beautiful Central Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia. One by one, I check off these experiences on my bucket list, I hike to the top of the Peaks of Otter and see beauty for miles, I listen to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the enchanted Poplar forest, I jump in the shimmering Smith Mountain Lake and am mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I swim in the Cascade waterfalls of the Jefferson National Forest and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I drink in the lavender fields of Appomattox as the calm washes over me. Whether in my back yard, a day trip away, or a day's journey by air or a boat trip over oceans and seas, there is always something to captivate me. I have traversed our beautiful country, climbed mountains tops, dipped my feet in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, I have gazed at national monuments, stared at the barren beauty of the Southwest desert, I have watched the buffalo in roam in the prairie, I have run through the meadow and picked wildflowers and my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of our beautiful nation.

Enchantment surrounds me, everywhere I turn I witness the beckoning of nature, the mountains stand tall and dignified, the lake whispers serenely, the trees dance about the forest, the ocean tickles my toes, the lavender adorn the fields and offers a fragrant aroma, the waterfall rush against the rocks, the rows of apple orchards sing to me, the cherry blossoms captivate me, the sunflowers smile at me as I savor in beauty that embellishes my Virginia. "Virginia is for lovers" they say, "lovers of nature", I would add. I am fortunate to live in the heart of beautiful Central Virginia. I find treasures through out the seasons as I traverse about my fascinating Virginia. I can hike to the top of the peaks and see beauty for miles, I can listen to the crunching of my footsteps as I explore trails of the delightful forest, I can jump in the shimmering lake and be mesmerized by the stillness of the peaceful waters, I can swim in the waterfalls and feel the cool water rush down my spine as I plunge into it, I can drink in the lavender fields as the calm washes over me. Every season, every turn, my eyes are graced with beauty, my senses enthralled by the sights and sounds of Virginia. Whether in my back yard or a day trip away, there is always something to relish in. No matter where this journey called life takes me, my heart will always yearn for Virginia as it is my magnificent home.

A character trait that I most value in myself is my ability to see deeper meaning and the intrinsic value of life's simple pleasures. One such example is a precious gift that I was given by my grandfather when I was just 7 years old, my very own garden hoe. He handed me a small bright pink garden hoe and announced that now I could be his "right hand gardener". With this gift, my grandfather gave me so many precious memories and life lessons. I instantaneously decided that I would take ownership of seeing that my grandfather's garden yielded an abundance of hearty fruits and vegetables. You see, the garden hoe represented my grandfather's confidence in my ability to "be his right hand". This was so meaningful to me and I was not going to let him down. That Spring and into the Summer, I arrived everyday to care for the seedlings that he and I had planted together. There was something about digging in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and nurturing them that was hopeful for me. With our care, each day they got a bit bigger and stronger and soon I could see the vegetables taking form. I eagerly awaited the day that we cut into our first homegrown tomato and enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we watched the sunset over the trees. The garden hoe now proudly hangs in my garage and serves to remind me that all the earth will someday be my garden and the life that I plant will take root. If I dig deep and sow seeds of love, friendship, patience, and joy, I will reap in the treasures of authentic relationships that are deeply rooted, nurtured, and grow strong and hearty. Also, if I take care to remove the weeds of bitterness and strife from my life, I will yield in trust and compassion. The life lessons of that Summer were invaluable, I learned confidence and trust, I learned patience and nurture, I learned hard work and determination, I learned that good things are worth waiting for and it all started with some seeds and a little pink garden hoe.

I have been honored to hold a number of servant leadership positions during my high school career. One significant leadership role is that of captain of the volleyball teams from ninth grade through senior year. This allowed me to play a significant role in setting the tone for the team. I was able to model dedication and commitment to my team with the hope that they would also demonstrate these traits. I was also able to spearhead service projects, like the Isaiah 117 House. It was amazing to watch my team ban together to exemplify excellence both on and off the court. Being captain not only put me in a position to positively impact the culture of my team, it allowed me to pour into individuals. It was a privilege to watch my teammates grow as they decided to step out of their comfort zones to give it their all. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to serve as President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this has allowed me to impact all the athletes at my school inspiring integrity and sportsmanship no matter the games' outcome. I have had the privilege of arranging inspirational speakers to come and spur student athletes to “not quit in the face of adversity”. Finally, my role as student council head of house has allowed me to have an even further reach to impact the entire student body to create a culture of acceptance and belonging for all students by promoting diversity and inclusion. At the heart of leadership is service, I aim to continue this beyond high school into college and beyond. My passion is to serve the underserved and marginalized in my community as a physician's assistant. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication.  I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Next Young Leaders Program Scholarship.

To introduce myself, I created an acronym with the letters in my name, Gabrielle. The G represents Grit, as I am strong in character. A is for athletic as I play volleyball, run track, play basketball, and swim . B is for brave, as I step out of my comfort to learn new things. R stands for resilient as I bounce back from adversity to forge ahead. Independent describes me too as I am self-sufficient. I am E-enthusiatic as I eagerly take on challenges and Love Life and Encourage others to do the same!

Nearly losing my grandfather is an experience that has shaped who I am today. I can't imagine life without him as he has taught me so much about devotion to family, hard work, perseverance, generosity, and chasing my dreams. My grandfather immigrated to America from Italy in 1968, when he was just 21 years, chasing his dream of a better life. He knew the journey of assimilating to a new country and making his way would not be an easy feat. This has been a theme throughout his life as he has persevered from being a laborer in New York city working long hours in less than ideal conditions to being the supervisor of massive commercial jobs. My mother, Josephine tells stories of my him coming home late in the evenings exhausted from working all day having left the house at dawn that morning, but still making time to play with her. The sacrifices he made to give my grandmother, Rosemarie, and mother, a better life has served as a cornerstone in our family. He has demonstrated throughout his life that family is indeed everything and hard work and perseverance can lead to prosperity and quality of life. A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting our roots and meeting my Italian family members. I was welcomed with open arms by them and loved visiting places like my grandfather’s birthplace, indulging in delicious Italian meals and desserts prepared from scratch, seeing the mountains behind his village, and my grandfather pointing out the place where he shepherded his sheep as a small boy. I could almost envision this as I walked around the town where it all began. The legacy that my grandfather has bestowed on our family is one that I hold dear and am deeply inspired by.

According to Shakespeare "Love is a many splendored thing". I would venture to say that "Hope is a many splendored thing", perhaps a pathway to love. Webster defines hope as "to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true". Simple things I hope for include: health and wellness, that my basic needs are be met, that I love and be loved, that I live well, and most of all that I make meaningful contributions to others. Maslow's hierarchy of needs consist of: the need for food, safety, love, and self-esteem. At the basic level are physiological needs like food and water and the next level are safety and security. As we move up the pyramid, we see love/belonging or the need to give and receive love and to feel as though you connect to something or someone. The next need on the pyramid is, esteem, which is the desire to feel as though you have made a difference or contribution to the world. The final triangle on the pyramid is actualization. Self-actualization refers to an individual's deep need for to fulfill their full potential. I believe that it is nearly impossible to reach the pinnacle of the pyramid without having hope and if one is lacking in hope, someone with excess can lend him a bit. My city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average, as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My passion, my hope for a life well lived and ultimately a better future, is to serve as a physician's assistant to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be hopeful, cozy, and inviting and will be adorned with art from local artists. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting hope, healing, inclusion, and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering hope to those who lack it, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. It is my hope to change the face of medical care in my community and in turn, inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking hope and change locally and abroad. Maslow's Hierarchy of needs resonate with me as I believe that the human spirit is resilient in it's capacity for hope. Hope sustains us and the real beauty is that it grows and blossoms into love as I pass it on.

I believe it is important to tailor study strategies to an individual's learning style. Specific learning styles include: Visual, Auditory , Kinesthetic, and Reading/Writing. Individuals usually lean toward one of these, but may have a combination of learning styles. Many teachers and professors do not diversify the teaching methods they employ. Although only a small percentage of students are auditory learners, many teachers primarily teach using this method. I believe my primary learning is visual. In an effort to fully comprehend the course material in my classes, I create my own visual aids to fully digest the information as I receive it. These visual aids include: graphs, flash cards, and charts. For as long as I can remember, I would draw pictures to accompany the written definition of my vocabulary words. Doing this assists me in retaining the information and I am to recall the meanings of the words. I am then successful when I take my vocabulary exam as I can envision the pictures to correctly define the vocabulary word. My secondary learning style is kinesthetic and I found to be especially helpful in my biology course. I used actual anatomy models to be able to see the individuals parts. For example, taking my heart model apart and putting it back together allowed me to better remember where each part was located on the organ. It was especially helpful that there were textures on each of the parts to increase the sensory experience and improve my learning. Tailoring my course material to align with my learning style has made all the difference in my course work. It has made learning fun and as a result I feel capable of investigating new things and discovering my world in a way that makes sense to me.

If I were a highly influential figure, I would use my influence to effect positive change in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. Following college my aspiration is to serve as a physician's assistant specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Bold Influence Scholarship.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality comprehensive medical care. I hope to serve as a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in the profession in this field. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. It is my hope to offer quality care from infancy to end of life care. It is my hope to have enriching activities for seniors to connect with others. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity for individuals from all ages. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality comprehensive medical care. I hope to serve as a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in the profession in this field. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Bold Impact Matters scholarship.

I have been honored to hold a number of servant leadership positions during my high school career. One significant mentorship role is that of captain of the volleyball teams from ninth grade through senior year. This allowed me to play a significant role in setting the tone for the team. I was able to model dedication and commitment to my team with the hope that they would also demonstrate these traits. I was also able to spearhead service projects, like collecting over 100 items for the Isaiah 117 House. It was amazing to watch my team ban together both to exemplify excellence on and off the court. Being captain not only put me in a position to positively impact the culture of my team, it allowed me to pour into individuals. It was a privilege to encourage my teammates to grow as they decided to step out of their comfort zones to give it their all. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to serve as President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this has allowed me to impact all the athletes at my school inspiring integrity and sportsmanship no matter the games outcome. I have had the privilege of arranging inspirational speakers to come and spur student athletes to “not quit in the face of adversity”. Finally, my role as student council head of house has allowed me to have an even further reach to impact the entire student body to create a culture of acceptance and belonging for all students by promoting diversity and inclusion. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Bold Mentorship Scholarship.

I have been honored to hold a number of leadership positions during my high school career. One significant leadership role is that of captain of the volleyball teams from ninth grade through senior year. This allowed me to play a significant role in setting an encouraging tone for the team. I was able to model dedication and commitment to my team with the hope that they would also demonstrate these traits. I was also able to spearhead service projects, like the Isaiah 117 House. It was amazing to encourage my team to ban together both to exemplify excellence on and off the court. Being captain not only put me in a position to positively impact the culture of my team, it allowed me to pour into individuals. I enjoyed encouraging the girls to be their very best. It was a privilege to watch my teammates grow as they decided to step out of their comfort zones to give it their all. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to serve as President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this has allowed me to impact all the athletes at my school inspiring integrity and sportsmanship no matter the games outcome. I have had the privilege of arranging inspirational speakers to come and spur student athletes to “not quit in the face of adversity”. Finally, my role as student council head of house has allowed me to have an even further reach to impact the entire student body to create a culture of acceptance and belonging for all students by promoting diversity and inclusion.

As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can certainly do my part. My specific town of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I observed this first hand as I volunteered with local organizations. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community and play games and serve snacks at a local homeless shelter, this allowed me to see the humanity of these individuals who have struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who would otherwise not be able to afford them. I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. Following college is my desire to serve as a physician's assistant specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity.

I would have to say my favorite piece of art is The Scream by Edvard Munch. The reason I appreciate this work of art is because I can relate to it in so many ways. The subject in the painting so creatively depicts the human emotion of anxiety. A bit of background about this work of art that I discovered in taking an art history course is that the Norwegian expressionalist artist was inspired while on a walk in the sunset. He noticed the clouds turning into a bright, blood red and this seemed as though all of nature was crying out in an endless scream. This resonated with me as I struggle with anxiety and this painting so tangibly depicts the angst that I feel inside. For me this internal process is much like a resounding scream, all the while my surroundings seem to be serene. Deep inside I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I had to stop in my tracks and decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I also found that creating my own art was a very real part of my healing. Since being able to manage my anxiety in meaningful ways, I am able to see this work in a new light. I now notice the serene, rhythmically moving water and flowing lines in the sky. This reminds that there is so much beauty and balance in all of life and I too can experience this joy in the midst of it all.

When I think about community service, I think about the importance of gratitude. If I am truly grateful, I will be inspired to give to others who may have less than I do. If I look beyond myself, I won't have to look very far to see the needs all around me. There are so many and I can't help but think despite the circumstances that brought them to where they are, they are somebody's mother or father or daughter or son or someone's loved one for that matter. I know that I would like my loved one to be cared for in their time of need. Every human deserves the dignity of having their basic needs met: like food, clean water, warm clothes, and a dry and safe shelter. I have observed the poverty and devastation with my own eyes. In fact, I was shocked to find that my community of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average. I have had the opportunities, devoting 20 hours, to serve meals at The Daily Bread and Salvation Army and play games and serve snacks at a local homeless shelter, this allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer approximately 15 hours over the last couple of years at Parkview Mission pantry giving out nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them. I had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds with Warm Streets to a previously homeless single mother and her children, which was 5 hours well spent. Over the last 3 years, on a semi regular basis, totaling approximately 30 hours, I have packed bags for Food for Thought and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend. New organizations are being created everyday in my community to address these poverty needs. One such organization is Isaiah 117 House opening in Lynchburg this year. They will provide support to children who have just been removed from the only family they have ever known. I can't even imagine how scary that would be. A lot of the time, these kids arrive at Isaiah 117 House with little to nothing or the few belongings they have are tattered, torn, and filthy. This thought breaks my heart as I had my needs met as a young child and I still am well taken care of. After doing some research, I determined this was also an organization that I wanted to support with my time, money, and talents, so I decided to collect everyday necessary items. Since I acknowledge that I can't do this on my own, I enlisted the help of my volleyball team and spent 30 hours shopping and campaigning for this worthwhile cause. Together we collected nearly 100 items including new pajamas, backpacks, brand new outfits, undergarments, books, and toys and gadgets. This allows Isaiah 117 House to dote on kids while they are waiting for their new families making them feel cared for and loved on their darkest day. As I look back upon all my experiences, I feel privileged to be able to give someone hope in the midst of situations that feel hopeless. Thank you for considering me for this prestigious scholarship as it would be a great honor.

My grandfather, Poppy Frank, told me in his infinite wisdom to "Spend Less than you earn" and this is perhaps one of the wisest things I have ever heard. While this principle sounds like it goes without saying, many people live pay check to pay check not saving a dime for a rainy day. Since I cannot predict potential hardships or miscellaneous expenses, therefore I should be prepared for all seasons. I should stow away reserves for bleaker times during brighter times. It is important to have margin as to not be stifled by debt. I firmly believe that the borrower is a servant to the lender. A lofty, but possible goal is to live debt free. It requires discipline and consistent effort, but with a plan is indeed feasible. I can live simply and well within my means by eliminating unnecessary expenses and delaying gratification. If I incur debt, I will do so for things like homes and which are appreciating assets and education which serves to increase my earning power. I can decide to make extra payments to pay off mortgages and educational loans by using the snow ball method. Living debt free will invite financial freedom into my life and will allow me to enjoy my golden years. My desire is create bucket lists of ways to use my excess to enrich my life and the lives of others. Out of my abundance, I can be generous to worthwhile charities, travel to new exciting places, and ensure that my family is well cared for. My grandfather's legacy of generosity and good care for his family can be broken down into this simple principle of "less now is more later".

My grandfather, Poppy Frank, told me in his infinite wisdom to "Spend Less than you earn" and this is perhaps the most helpful financial advice I have been given. While this principle sounds like it goes without saying, many people live pay check to pay check not saving a dime for a rainy day. We cannot predict potential hardships or miscellaneous expenses, therefore we should be prepared for all seasons. We should stow away reserves for bleaker times during brighter times. It is important to have margin as to not be stifled by debt. I firmly believe that the borrower is a servant to the lender. A lofty, but possible goal is to live debt free. It requires discipline and consistent effort, but with a plan is indeed feasible. We can live simply and well within our means by eliminating unnecessary expenses and delaying gratification. If we incur debt, we should do so for things like homes and which are appreciating assets and education which serves to increase our earning power. We can decide to make extra payments to pay off mortgages and educational loans by using the snow ball method. Living debt free will invite financial freedom into our lives and will allow us to enjoy our golden years and have bucket lists of ways to use our excess to enrich our lives and the lives of others. Out of our abundance, we can be generous to worthwhile charities, travel to new exciting places, and ensure that our family is well cared for. My grandfather's legacy of generosity and good care for his family can be broken down into this simple principle of "less is more later".

When I think about generosity, I think about the importance of gratitude. If I am truly grateful, I will be inspired to be generous to those who may have less than I do. If I look beyond myself, I won't have to look very far to see the needs all around me. There are so many and I can't help but think despite the circumstances that brought them to where they are, they are somebody's mother or father or daughter or son or someone's loved one for that matter. I know that I would like my loved one to be cared for in their time of need. Every human deserves the dignity of having their basic needs met: like food, clean water, warm clothes, and a dry and safe shelter. These are blessings that so many of us take for granted on a daily basis, but they are in fact things that some people lack. It is hard to believe this happens in America, but it is true. I have observed the poverty and devastation with my own eyes. No, I cannot single handedly do this alone, but together with others I can do so much. I am so very grateful that there are so many worthwhile organizations in my community who are engaging with people in their deepest darkest time of need. By partnering with them, I can do my part to ensure that I meet people at their needs. I have grown and learned so much by way of compassion throughout my volunteer experiences in my community. As I look back upon all my experiences, I feel privileged to be able to give someone hope in the midst of situations that feel hopeless. It would be an honor to be a recipient of the Bold Generosity Matters Scholarship.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept. As I have found serenity, hope, and healing, I aim to pay it forward to others. Serving as a physician's assistant to the underserved and marginalized in my community, I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including my own personal artwork. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for Deborah's Grace Scholarship, I would be honored to be a recipient.

A prominent poet, best-selling story teller, performer, and civil rights activist who I greatly admire is Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, she became arguably one of the most notable women of all time. Her deeply passionate contributions were born out of her own oppression and pain. At just 8 years old, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend. As she told of her assault, he was murdered, following his death, she became mute for many years. Out of her pain, she wrote "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". For this poem, she was acclaimed as a National Book Award recipient and was well supported by Harlem Writers’ Guild for her literary talents. She later starred in Alex Haley's Roots in role of Kunta Kinte's grandmother, "Nya Boto". She won best supporting actress in 1977 for this heart felt performance. I believe that perhaps why I am most captivated by her is her passion for rising and facing unsurmountable odds to be one of the most renowned women in history. The well known poem "Still I Rise" speaks to my heart in many ways. It speaks to the unconquerable spirit of the black people. In the stanzas of this famous poem, she hails triumph over racism and adversity. While she left this earth on May 28, 2014, her impact remains and spans far and wide. As we recite her poems in schools and universities alike, may we take care to heed her wise words to "rise from a past that's rooted in pain".

My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.   In the United States and other nations in the world there are communities who also lack these necessities. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. One way to address this would be through community wide efforts. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will staff physicians, licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Bold Deep Thinking Scholarship.

I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. I believe this is a practical solution for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. At the center there will be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meeting and they will be in English and Spanish. My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious The Bold Mental Health Awareness Scholarship.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality comprehensive medical care. I hope to serve as a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in the profession in this field. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, career counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists including art from my own personal collection. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. At the center there will be regular AA, NA, and Al-Anon, and Al-Teen meeting and they will be in English and Spanish. The serenity prayer and 12 steps will be painted on a mural in the group rooms. There will also be prevention effort as mental health/substance professionals will host assemblies and provide literature at local high schools and universities. The center will provide resources for comprehensive impatient recovery programs, recovery homes, and retreats. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Paige's Promise Scholarship.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication.  I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend It is my hope to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious "I am Third" scholarship.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication.  I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  New organizations are being created everyday in my community to address these poverty needs.  One such organization is Isaiah 117 House opening in Lynchburg this year.  They will provide support to children who have just been removed from the only family they have every known.  I can't even imagine how scary that would be.  A lot of the time, these kids arrive to the home with little to nothing or the few belonging they have are tattered, torn, and filthy.  This thought breaks my heart as I had my needs met as a young child and I still am well taken care of.  After doing some research, I determined this was also an organization, I wanted to support with my time, money, and talents, so I decided to collect everyday necessary items.  Since I acknowledge that I can't do this on my own, I enlisted the help of my volleyball team.  Together we collected nearly 100 items including new pajamas, back packs, brand new outfits, books, and toys and gadgets.  This allows Isaiah 117 House to dote on kids while they are waiting for their new families in essence helping them to feel cared for and loved on their darkest day.   It is my hope to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Self ESTEAM scholarship.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Painting and drawing and cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties have also been coping skills that I have employed to manage my anxiety. This journey has truly inspired me to help others. My big audacious dream following college is to serve as a physician’s assistant and a hobby artist, specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists, including my own personal art collection of paintings, photographs, and pottery. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my talents, gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change. Thank you for considering me for the Noah Wilson "Loaded Spinach" Arts & Mental Health Awareness Scholarship, I would be deeply honored to be a recipient.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality comprehensive medical care. I hope to serve as a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in the profession in this field. I envision opening an innovative comprehensive wellness center that will cater to the community's holistic needs, specifically physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual concerns. The community wellness center will also staff licensed mental health professionals, social workers, substance abuse counselors, nutritionists, personal trainers, and spiritual advisors. The ambiance will be cozy and inviting, rather than institutional and will be adorned with art from local artists. It will undoubtedly be a safe place for everyone promoting inclusion and diversity. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality holistic medical care to those who have been denied it.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality holistic wellness care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of wellness in my community will inspire other medical professionals from all disciplines to do the same therefore sparking global change.  Thank you for considering me for the prestigious Shine Your Light Scholarship.

As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part. My specific town of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I observed this first hand as I volunteered with local organizations. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community and play games and serve snacks at a local homeless shelter, this allowed me to see the humanity of these people who have struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who would otherwise not be able to afford them. I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. When I think about this, it saddens me and I am motivated to do my part to improve the quality of life for those in my community. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community as a Physician's Assistant. I hope to attend college in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. Thank you for considering me for this prestigious scholarship, I would be honored to be a recipient of this scholarship.

With the aspiration to become a Physician's Assistant to the medically disadvantaged and a hobby artist, I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. My ambition and love for art is something that I would like to interweave into my wellness practice. I hope to open a wellness practice in the inner city of Lynchburg, VA that offers all services related to wellness to the underserved and marginalized population in my community. The wellness practice will be complete with mental health therapists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, art therapists, music therapists, nutritionists, wellness coaches, personal trainers, and several other services that cater to helping individuals achieve their optimal wellness. My plan is for the ambience to be cozy and comfy and not institutional. The walls be decorated with local artistry including my own personal paintings, pottery, and photographs. I am also excited to feature the art of local youth and invest in up and coming struggling artists. The community wellness center where I will serve be a place of hope and healing, a place of belonging and inclusion. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care and holistic wellness services to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other individuals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad.

My big audacious dream following college is to become a physician assistant serving the underserved and marginalized in my community.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This ability to empathize with and desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes and my heart have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to those denied it, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication.  I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.  I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change. 

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication.  I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best.  As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this.  This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents.  Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional community mental health counselor and my father a school counselor.  I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar.  As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me.  There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part.  My specific city of Lynchburg, VA has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care.  I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. I observed the needs first hand as I volunteered with local organizations.  I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else.  I have also had the opportunity to volunteer at a pantry giving out to nutritious meals to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them and had the privilege of delivering and setting up beds for a single mother coming out of homeless.  I have packed bags for a local backpack program and can't help but envision the child whose only sustenance is from the meals they are served at school. I smile as I pack this bag chock full of yummy and nutritious treats as I know that these children won't go hungry this weekend.   It is my hope to become a physician's assistant for the marginalized in my community as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I plan to attend Anderson University, a distinguished apple university, in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to engage with the latest technology and learn the crucial skills to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it.  I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community.  A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept. In closing, by effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking global change. 

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this. This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents. Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional mental health counselor and my father a school counselor. I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I observed this first hand as I volunteered with local organizations. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. While I am still deciding what route to take in the medical field, I am leaning towards becoming a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad. Thank you for considering me for the Connie Konatsotis Scholarship, I would be greatly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more compassionate and self-compassionate person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. In practicing self-care and self-compassionate, I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance, maintain healthy lifestyle choices, and live in the present, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept.

My big audacious dream following college is to serve in the medical field specifically to the underserved and marginalized in my community. This will undoubtedly require continued hard work, authenticity, focus, and dedication. I am committed to strive to achieve excellence maximizing my potential by honing my strengths and abilities and authentically targeting growth areas to be my very best. As I reflect upon how I arrived at my aspiration to help others who are denied quality medical care, I realize that my parents' example played a large role in this. This desire to help others was birthed at an early age as I have watched my parents and grandparents consistently giving back to our community by volunteering their time, money, and talents. Both my parents are in the helping field, my mother a professional mental health counselor and my father a school counselor. I am intrigued when I hear the stories of why they chose these fields and believe that while my story is unique, my process was similar. As I have had the opportunity to engage with volunteer groups in my community, my eyes have been opened to the very real needs all around me. There are so many needs and while I can't help everyone, I can do my part. My specific city of Lynchburg has a poverty rate that is twice that of the national average as there are so many who have food insecurities and lack basic needs like clean water, safe shelter, warm clothing, and quality medical care. I observed this first hand as I volunteered with local organizations. I have had the opportunity to serve meals at a local soup kitchen in my community, this has allowed me to see the humanity of the homeless person who has struggles and hang ups much like everyone else. I believe that all humans should be given the dignity of having their basic needs met and of receiving quality medical care. While I am still deciding what route to take in the medical field, I am leaning towards becoming a physician's assistant as I believe I can have a significant impact in this profession. I plan to attend Anderson University in the Fall and seek out opportunities that allow me to provide quality medical care to those who have been denied it. I am so grateful for all that I have been given and hope to use my gifts and abilities to impact others and effect positive change in my community. By effecting positive change in my community and offering quality medical care to the underserved, I am essentially effecting change in the entire global medical system one community at a time. I hope that my dedication to changing the face of medical care in my community will inspire other medical professionals to do the same therefore sparking change locally and abroad. Thank you for considering me for the Stephanie Ann Cronin Make a DIfference Scholarship, I would be greatly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship.

A struggle I have overcome is my anxiety as I am have learned to manage it. In fact, I believe that I have found a way to use it as a spring board to achieve my goals and it has shaped into a more mindful, compassionate, grateful, and empathic person. Since as early as I can remember, I would ruminate about something going wrong or not according to plan. Whether it was indeed something to stress about or something completely out of my control, I would somehow find a way to stress about it. I first had to decide that this was not how I wanted to live and next I had to do something about it. I reached out for help and I am so glad that I did. I found healing, deep comfort, and solidarity in community. I realized others struggled with anxiety too and I was no longer alone. Another practice that I find helpful is cataloguing my thoughts and feelings by journaling about my anxieties, this really allows me put things into perspective. As I strive for balance and determine that I will live in the present, I am able to determine what is within my control to change, and what I must simply accept.