My parents have a tremendous number of responsibilities on their shoulders, responsibilities which continue to exponentially increase due to some factors like our growing family in Cameroon and their growing need for assistance. It is a cultural expectation that when families go abroad, they send money back home to support their families, and my parents do their best in abiding to such principles, although it can become extremely challenging at times. My parents already have an immense task in caring for my four other siblings and all other responsibilities that come with it, while also managing all other financial difficulties for close relatives back home in Cameroon. In fact, my parents just relocated our grandparents from Cameroon into the United States, which had an immense toll on their financial stability. Hence, with such little time left for my parents to spare, I take the initiative in bringing up my siblings in a responsible manner because my parents must constantly work to keep our heads above water, while assisting with the education and household of relatives abroad. My elder brother is a college student trying to maintain two jobs to alleviate the financial burden on my parents, which I greatly commend him for. This leaves me as the only other reliable member of the family who can care for my siblings and ensure their exceptional upbringing. I prepare food for my siblings and ensure their timely preparations for school. I assist my siblings with their homework and other challenging problems they face. I help my parents with picking up my siblings from school and ensuring that they get rest, while also preparing them for their classes the next day. I do my best in offering valuable advice to my siblings, hoping to bring them up to be citizens of good standing. I have taken the initiative to play a critical role in the upbringing of my three younger siblings, alleviating some of my parents’ obligations. I had to take on most of these responsibilities and embody the roles of a brother, friend, and parent, while sacrificing some of my aspirations and certain activities I would have loved to indulge in. Never will I regret making these sacrifices, due to the wealth of knowledge I gained by simply being still and steady, at home learning the ways of children through the lives of my siblings. Learning what it means to bear the responsibilities of an adult, and greatly improving on my interactions with people of all ages and backgrounds. Even watching movies and spending more family time together has become difficult due to the weight on their shoulders. My parents continue to make improvements on spending more time with us and building a good family foundation, but I fear that their responsibilities may become unbearable and hinder our family from having a good foundation. My parents have limited resources in assisting with my college education, which is why I relentlessly apply to a plethora of scholarships and especially colleges which have proven to be financially generous to those deserving of such aid. Affordability continues to be one of the biggest factors in my college search, and I know this scholarship will ensure that I can attain an education without the financial strain on my parents and me. I know that this scholarship will enable me to expand my education with one less stressor. Through these experiences and the my experience from residing in Cameroon for twelve years, my desire to pursue a career in medicine only continues to grow.

The unprecedented circumstances during COVID-19 undoubtedly limited the opportunities for medically related exposure and experiences, making it even more challenging for individuals like me to solidify my decision of becoming a medical professional. There were countless facilities in the area that froze their applications for internships, shadowing medical professionals, volunteer activities, and a multitude of other activities related to medicine. Seeing as medical exposure is extremely crucial for my pursuit of a career in medicine, I continued seeking opportunities for medical exposure. Personal motivations, dedication to service, and an unwavering belief in the immense power of medicine have guided my path towards pursuing a career in this field. When considering my career options, I have always been drawn to fields that involve helping others. Regardless of what career path I was exposed to, medicine always appealed to me due to its potential to directly impact and improve people's lives. By scavenging credible medical databases online, speaking to Board Certified medical professionals, and volunteering at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center this summer of 2023, I was able to learn about various medical topics and stay updated with the latest research and developments. Being in such a medically enriching environment made me feel as though I was part of the horde of medical professionals fighting COVID-19 and a multitude of other deadly diseases. COVID-19 slightly decreased the amount of medically related experiences and volunteer activities. My search for volunteering came to fruition after being allowed to volunteer at the soup kitchen and as a tutor at a local elementary school. One of my most meaningful service experience is participating in soup kitchen volunteer events at a church in my community. I was tasked with washing, cleaning, cutting, and prepping food items and desserts for homeless individuals and those simply in need of assistance with a constant supply of food. It was challenging at first because I was younger than most individuals involved, making them think of me as incompetent. I had to work harder in proving myself dependable, and so I took the initiative to lead the food drive several times. As people came to get food, I made sure to mark how many men, women, and children got food, while also assigning critical tasks to other volunteer members based on the demands at hand. This experience enhanced the intensity of my agape love towards giving back to my community, because one can never consider themselves having done too much for their community. My perspective of service is not merely a checkbox on a list of virtues; it is an expression of empathy, community, and responsibility which I take pride in being a part of. As a person of color from Cameroon, it was easy for me to empathize with the individuals in need because my home country itself is a third world country. Back home food is scarce, children have no flesh to cover their rib cages, and some die due to starvation. I was inspired to participate in soup kitchen because the people who come to the soup kitchen for food are people who otherwise would not be able to survive the harsh life they are faced with, without our assistance. This fuels my passion for having a meaningful impact on my community. As I embark on the journey to become a medical professional, I carry with me the conviction that service is not just an obligation; it is a privilege—one that allows me to contribute to something larger than myself and, in doing so, create a ripple effect of positive change.

Before coming to the US in 2018, Cameroon was and is still undergoing a civil war between the French and English sections. As someone from the weaker minority English section, there are a lot of different routes my life could have gone. However, I am extremely grateful for the path I am in right now to be in a country which provides security, freedoms, human rights, and many other extraordinary opportunities. Such an understanding enables me to pursue my dreams with clarity of mind and the ability to always push through whatever perilous circumstances I encounter. Upon graduating high school, I plan to attend a college which is not solely based on pathways to medicine, but rather one that is culturally diverse, has incredible research and volunteer opportunities, and has an outstanding pre-med program. When I am settled in, I will start searching for programs that enable me to study abroad and be more knowledgeable of other cultures, their values, and their lifestyle. Most notably, I would like to spend at least a semester in a Spanish speaking country, which will facilitate my ability to learn Spanish as a third language. If not neuroscience, I plan to be enrolled in a major that align greatly with my values and goals of pursuing a career in medicine. While enrolled in the most rigorous courses, I will gain a deeper understanding of the brain and nervous system, distinct problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while also being able to understand issues from multiple perspectives. I will continue participating in volunteer activities, shadowing medical professionals, and hopefully be part of an acapella group. I will not let the challenges of life prevent me from pursuing my dreams, because as a wise one once said, “There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and your struggles only make you better at the end.” This quote has indeed strengthened my critical thinking abilities when faced with challenges, seeing as there were instances I felt like giving up, tests I scored below average on, as well as athletic injuries I sustained which left me mentally and physically devastated. Despite these significant drawbacks, I continue to be resilient in the face of adversity. My words and actions as a medical professional will be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, respecting the values and beliefs of all persons, while also prioritizing my mental, spiritual, and physical health. Upon the completion of my undergraduate STEM degree, I intend to focus my studies on neuroscience because I am fascinated by all the intricacies the brain consists of, starting with the fact that there are trillions of nerves that stretch out all over the body. I understand that the medical field is always changing, and so advancing my education is essential to stay updated on the latest advancements. Whether it's through fellowships, residency programs, or continuing higher courses, I aim to expand my knowledge and skill set on practicing medicine. I want to have a positive impact on the lives of others, and I believe that my passion for medicine, coupled with my life experiences, will allow me to excel in this field and fulfill my career goals. As someone from an extremely poor background, I know what it is like for someone to go days without a proper meal, adequate medical attention, or essential items for survival. My life experiences in and out of Cameroon further invigorate my passion for medicine, and my desire to be the solution to someone else’s problems; a goal I will always hold myself accountable for.

During the summer before my Junior year, I started working at Panera Bread as a store associate and dishwasher. In the summer I worked an average of 30-35 hours per week, while also tackling my side job of mowing lawn. During the school year I worked an average of 25 hours per week while also managing my other extracurriculars like Track and Field, volunteer activities, and other responsibilities. While working at Panera I was tasked with quickly and efficiently preparing meal orders, restocking the food stations, and ensuring that the kitchen area was properly sanitized. At times I would be assigned to wash dishes and all other objects used by our bakers, barista, and kitchen. I would also be required to mop several times a day while also restocking the dishes and cutleries for kitchen use. At the start of 2023, I put my job on hold due to the growing responsibilities on my plate. Later, during the summer before my senior year, I started working at Crafty Crab and I still do. I work an average of 20 hours per week during the school year, and 30 plus hours per week during the summer. I am tasked with providing exemplary customer service, taking orders, while playing a critical role in handling the seating chart for the servers. I make it a priority to be an asset to the servers, managers, and all staff in the restaurant, establishing myself as an extremely reliable individual. Working during the school year continues to be particularly difficult because my schoolwork always clashed with my involvement in track and field, volunteer activities, household chores, and my many other responsibilities. I had to improve my time management skills to handle all my responsibilities. On a weekly basis, I would strategically plan out my week and assignments, as well as my upcoming events. From the moment I got to school, I would try to get as much work done, which allowed me to go to track practice and my job with a better mind space. While in school I always sought out help for topics I had difficulties in, sometimes even helping my peers. Earlier on, I did not have reliable transportation to work, which made it even more difficult for me to secure a job and consistently be on time. However, I analyzed the transport company’s pattern and after studying their schedules and routes, I now diligently go to work on time. There are some days where I would be doing schoolwork while I was at my job. Due to my extremely rigorous curriculum, I continue making sacrifices to accomplish my academic goals while maintaining a good social lifestyle. I am often internally drained after track practices, but I discipline myself in doing schoolwork although I sometimes may not have the proper motivation to do it. Before coming to the US in 2018, Cameroon was and is still undergoing a civil war between the French and English sections. As someone from the weaker minority English section, we sustained a greater number of casualties, and there are a lot of different routes my life could have gone. However, I am extremely grateful for the path I am in right now to be in a country which provides security, freedoms, human rights, and many other extraordinary opportunities. Such an understanding further motivates me to pursue my dreams with clarity of mind, self-disciplined and continually enhancing my ability to always push through whatever perilous circumstances I encounter. I know that I am not defined by what I was, nor where I am from, but rather what I will be, as well as the impact I will have on the lives of others. This mindset among a multitude of other mentors and experiences in my life, continue to be an inspiration for me to stand strong in the face of adversity. My support system is always there to lift me up when I fall, instilling in me perseverance and integrity in all that I do. Without such individuals and experiences, I would never have strategically managed the challenging schedule which I have. All these challenges enabled me to gain a tremendous amount of endurance and critical thinking skills, especially having to navigate through a multitude of activities simultaneously. As I embark on the journey of becoming a healthcare professional, I carry with me the conviction that service is not just an obligation; it is a privilege—one that allows me to contribute to something larger than myself and, in doing so, create a ripple effect of positive change. While prioritizing my mental health amidst all my responsibilities, I know that even upon facing challenges, I will be able to overcome such adversity. Hence, why I feel strongly that I will gain higher levels of success as a student enrolled under the IAP while also having an immense impact on all those around me.

My life came crumbling down when I pulled my inguinal ligament in a 4x100 meter race. I started off the race just fine with good form, breathing was immaculate, strides were spaced out, and while approaching my teammate before handing off the baton, I noticed an intense pull and pain in my right leg groin region. The pain was excruciating so much to the point where I felt like just going down on the track right away, but my determination would not allow me. When I was about 20 meters from my teammate I started hopping. During the last couple of seconds, I leaned forward so the baton could be handed off successfully, and I fell immediately after he received the baton. After an in-depth examination by the athletic trainer, I found out I had pulled my inguinal ligament. This left me devastated for the remainder of my junior year because I was unable to participate in any athletic events for the remainder of the year and left me unable to participate in Cross Country my senior year. My coach was one of the few individuals who really understood just how detrimental this was for me, seeing as athletics, especially Track, meant so much more to me than just a sport or some other extracurricular. Track helped build character in me, taught me time management, helped me become friends with amazing individuals who were all family to me, taught me how to push through doing activities that I may not always be comfortable doing, and so much more. My coach and athletic trainer collaborated to come up with a recovery workout plan to effectively heal my injured leg while also strengthening it, but those workouts were not able to heal the leg entirely. I still attended track meets to support my team, while also imagining my performance on the track, had it not been for this severe injury I had sustained. I was extremely close to giving up on my recovery, right up until I volunteered at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. I was a volunteer in the operating room where I was able to watch surgeries, transfer patients to the surgical table, supplied nurses with equipment, transported patients to recovery, and answered the phone in the operating room. This volunteer experience helped me realize just how fortunate I was in the sense that I did not lose my entire leg due to amputation or some other circumstance, and the experience changed my entire view on the injury I had sustained. I grew to learn the art of patience and live with the mindset that the best things that happen in life often take a lot more work to accomplish. I sustained this injury in late April of this year 2023, and I can feel that it is healing, while also feeling how there are still some parts of my leg/groin area which are still injured, hence another reason I could not participate in Cross Country my senior year. Earlier on I let my injury have an immense toll on my mental health, but I have come to understand that this injury does not define who I am or who I am going to be, but rather it encourages me to relentlessly work hard and chase my dreams, full of determination for the goals I want to accomplish in the future.

During the summer before my Junior year, I started working at Panera Bread as a store associate and dishwasher. In the summer I worked an average of 30-35 hours per week, while also tackling my side job of mowing lawn. During the school year I worked an average of 25 hours per week while also managing my other extracurriculars like Track and Field, volunteer, and more. While working at Panera I was tasked with quickly and efficiently preparing meal orders, restocking the food stations, and ensuring that the kitchen area was properly sanitized. At times I would be assigned to wash dishes and all other objects used by our bakers, barista, and kitchen. I would also be required to mop several times a day while also restocking the dishes and cutleries for kitchen use. At the start of 2023, I put my job on hold. Later, during the summer before my senior year, I started working at Crafty Crab and I still do. I work an average of 20 hours per week during the school year, and 30 plus hours per week during the summer. I am tasked with providing exemplary customer service, taking orders, while playing a critical role in handling the seating chart for the servers. I make it a priority to be an asset to the servers, managers, and all staff in the restaurant, establishing myself as an extremely reliable individual. Working during the school year continues to be particularly difficult because my schoolwork always clashed with my involvement in track and field, volunteer activities, household chores, and my many other responsibilities. I had to improve my time management skills to handle all my responsibilities. On a weekly basis, I would plan out my week and assignments, as well as my upcoming events. The moment I got to school, I would try to get as much work done, which allowed me to go to track practice and my job with a better mind space. While in school I always sought out help for topics I had difficulties in, sometimes even helping my peers. Earlier on, I did not have reliable transportation to work, which made it even more difficult for me to secure a job and consistently be on time. However, I analyzed the transport company’s pattern and after learning their schedules and routes, I diligently go to work on time. There are some days where I would be doing schoolwork while I was at my job. Due to my extremely rigorous curriculum, I continue making sacrifices to accomplish my academic goals while maintaining a good social lifestyle. I am extremely drained after track practices, but I discipline myself in doing schoolwork although I don’t sometimes may not have the proper motivation to do it. All these challenges enabled me to gain a tremendous amount of endurance and critical thinking skills, especially having to navigate through a multitude of activities simultaneously. I continue prioritizing my mental health amidst all my responsibilities.

While in Cameroon, I continually witnessed how much work and dedication my grandfather put into FORUDEF (Food and Rural Development Foundation), and I just knew I wanted to do something similar when I grew up. FORUDEF is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 which aims to improve social, economic, and environmental sustainability in rural areas of Cameroon. My grandfather was always at the forefront of assembling the FORUDEF team to reach out to less-privileged communities, providing food items, toiletries, and crucial necessities for survival. The pillar of service has been woven into my core values, and I believe that true success is not measured solely by personal achievements, but by the positive influence one has on the lives of others. This philosophy continues to guide my interactions with peers, teachers, and the broader community, fostering a spirit of collaboration and support, while having an immense impact on my community and the world at large. Throughout my academic journey, my commitment to service has translated into initiatives that extend beyond the classroom. As a tutor for Elementary School students, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative effect of education on individuals and communities. I take pride in tutoring because I can offer an immeasurable amount of help to children having difficulties in their classes. By tutoring, I consider myself as an enabling factor to the success of these children, seeing as there are countless times I have been faced with challenging courses. This engagement not only enriched the lives of those around me, but also it enhanced my understanding of the diverse challenges people face. Being the solution to someone else’s problem is a critical goal in life for me, and I am willing to go to extreme heights to accomplish this goal. During the summers I participated in the Relay for Life at my school, where I got the opportunity to take several laps around the track, with families who endured during such perilous circumstances of their lives. While listening to the stories of families impacted by cancer, I could empathize at their struggles, witnessing their strength and resilience. From organizing charity events to collaborating with nonprofit organizations, I've strived to make a tangible impact on my community. While serving at the soup kitchen event at the Waldorf Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, I often took the initiative to spearhead the food drive. As individuals came in to pick up food, I made sure to record how many men, women, and kids picked up food. I also delegated important jobs to other volunteers based on the needs that needed to be met. I requested to work in the operating room when I volunteered at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Center. I was able to assist nurses with equipment, witness procedures, move patients to the surgical table, transport patients to recovery, and answer phones in the operating room while I worked in the operating department. During my stay there, I had the opportunity to interact with compassionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly diligent medical experts who instilled a wealth of life lessons in me. The pillar of Service continues to be a guiding force shaping my academic, extracurricular, and personal pursuits. It has fueled my passion for making a meaningful impact, both locally and globally. As I embark on the journey of becoming a healthcare professional, I carry with me the conviction that service is not just an obligation; it is a privilege—one that allows me to contribute to something larger than myself and, in doing so, create a ripple effect of positive change.

I am passionate about a career in STEM because it offers countless opportunities for exploration, discovery, and having an immense impact on society. While growing up in Cameroon I was unable to do a lot of activities and indulge in my passions because I constantly found myself in the emergency room, in hospital beds waiting for my drugs to be administered or waiting to be discharged. When things got terrible, I recall that my aunt ran to a neighbor's house for assistance. There, they gave me some temporary painkillers and even drove me to the hospital without asking any questions. I recall churchgoers dropping by with food for me, and I could see right through their surface-level sincerity to their true desire for my recovery. Cameroon has so many resources, but due to a corrupt government, one can never expect to live a much happier or healthier life. For instance, vaccines are limited to the individuals who can afford it, and health care is not widely renowned or even available. People don’t even have time to give up taking care of themselves, for they might just lose their jobs which pay them barely enough to scrape by, and acquiring an education back home is a luxury due to the inability for most people to afford it. STEM fields offer a platform for making groundbreaking discoveries. Whether it is finding a cure for a disease, developing sustainable energy solutions, or exploring outer space, the possibilities are endless. Being a part of such discoveries not only satisfies my curiosity but also gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Knowing that my work could contribute to improving lives and advancing knowledge, drives me to pursue a career in STEM. Although often going several days without a proper meal, my family was always willing to give a helping hand to people in and out of our church. When I continually witnessed how much work and dedication my grandfather put into FORUDEF (Food and Rural Development Foundation), I just knew I wanted to do something similar when I grew up. FORUDEF is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 that aims to improve social, economic, and environmental sustainability in rural areas of Cameroon. My grandfather was always at the forefront of assembling the FORUDEF team to reach out to less-privileged communities, providing food items, toiletries, and crucial necessities for survival. Not only did FORUDEF educate people on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and malaria, but they also enacted programs that granted access to health services and a multitude of essentials in less privileged communities. While in Cameroon, not a single year went by without me acquiring an illness. However, I realized that if there was one thing I loved doing, it was helping other individuals in need and being the solution to their problems. These experiences continue to inflame my burning desire to have an immense impact on the world, through a career in medicine. STEM careers provide an opportunity for me to come up with innovations which can better ensure optimal patient care. Technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, and I am willing to make sacrifices to be at the forefront of this evolution. The chance to create new technologies, improve existing medical products, and improve methods in providing care, gives me a sense of josh and accomplishment. STEM allows me to combine my passion for creativity with problem-solving, enabling me to bring my ideas to life and make a difference in the world.

I am passionate about a career in STEM because it offers countless opportunities for exploration, discovery, and having an immense impact on society. While growing up in Cameroon I was unable to do a lot of activities and indulge in my passions because I constantly found myself in the emergency room, in hospital beds waiting for my drugs to be administered or waiting to be discharged. Experiencing the depth of people's sacrifices during these times of illness, I was attended to by friends, family, churchgoers, and even neighbors who had no duty to take care of me or be good to me, but still did. Although often going several days without a proper meal, my family was always willing to give a helping hand to people in and out of our church. When I continually witnessed how much work and dedication my grandfather put into FORUDEF (Food and Rural Development Foundation), I just knew I wanted to do something similar when I grew up. FORUDEF is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 that aims to improve social, economic, and environmental sustainability in rural areas of Cameroon. My grandfather was always at the forefront of assembling the FORUDEF team to reach out to less-privileged communities, providing food items, toiletries, and crucial necessities for survival. Not only did FORUDEF educate people on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and malaria, but they also enacted programs that granted access to health services and a multitude of essentials in less privileged communities. These experiences continue to inflame my burning desire to have an immense impact on the world, through a career in medicine. STEM careers provide an opportunity for me to come up with innovations that can better ensure optimal patient care. Technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, and I am willing to make sacrifices to be at the forefront of this evolution. The chance to create new technologies, improve existing medical products, and improve methods of providing care, gives me a sense of joy and accomplishment. STEM allows me to combine my passion for creativity with problem-solving, enabling me to bring my ideas to life and make a difference in the world. As technology continues to advance, the demand for skilled professionals in STEM fields is growing rapidly. STEM careers often come with competitive salaries that reflect the value of the skills and knowledge required. This financial stability is not only rewarding but also provides a strong foundation for personal and professional growth. This holds significant value to me because my parents have a tremendous number of responsibilities on their shoulders, responsibilities which continue to exponentially increase due to some factors like our growing family in Cameroon and their growing need for assistance. My parents already have an immense task in caring for my four other siblings and all other responsibilities that come with it, while also managing all other financial difficulties for close relatives back home in Cameroon. I want to ensure that my family is well taken care of, just as they cared for me when I most needed it. I am passionate about a career in STEM because it allows me to engage in intellectually stimulating work, make groundbreaking discoveries, contribute to advancements that benefit society, and provide stability and competitive salaries. STEM fields encompass the essence of curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving, which are qualities that resonate deeply with me. I am eager to embark on this journey, explore the endless possibilities, and leave a lasting impact through my work in STEM.

Undoubtedly, every country in the world faces hunger and starvation, often experienced by lower-income families and homeless individuals. To address hunger and malnutrition, I am actively a member of Key Club and NHS, organizations that focus on volunteerism. By being a member of such philanthropic organizations, I can volunteer and give back to my community. One of my most meaningful service experiences is participating in soup kitchen volunteer events at a church in my community. I was tasked with washing, cleaning, cutting, and prepping food items and desserts for homeless individuals and those simply in need of assistance with a constant supply of food. I took the initiative to lead the food drive, and as people came to get food, I made sure to mark how many men, women, and children got food, while also assigning critical tasks to other volunteer members based on the demands at hand. Coming from a place like Cameroon, it was easy for me to empathize with the individuals in need because my home country itself is a third-world country. Back home food is scarce, children have no flesh to cover their rib cages, and some die due to starvation. There were times when my family would go days without eating a proper meal, days when we would have to wait hours for our first meal, and getting a proper meal was a luxury for some. Cameroon has an abundance of resources, but the corrupt government makes it difficult for its people to enjoy those resources. The ongoing civil war continues to worsen the situation seeing as families have been displaced, murdered, kidnapped for ransom, and many more unfortunate events. I was inspired to participate in the soup kitchen because the people who come to the soup kitchen for food are people who otherwise would not be able to survive the harsh life they are faced with without our assistance. My involvement in all my volunteer activities continues to build an immense level of character in me, enabling me to put the needs of others before my own. I was able to appreciate the advice from these people in need because it continues to help me navigate countless circumstances I’m faced with. While under the National Honors Society and Key Club, I got the opportunity to do activities for spreading awareness, participate in fundraisers, and do a multitude of volunteer activities. While participating in the Spartan food drive at my school, I was tasked with donating canned foods and other nonperishables. These items would later be donated to individuals in need within our community. As a school, we supported the community with essential food items during the winter and other times of the year. I thought about the scarcity of food in Cameroon every second of participating in this activity, and this truly enabled me to realize the struggles that American families faced as well. I better understood the need for organizations like Key Club, the National Honors Society, and a multitude of other philanthropic organizations.

Moving to the US in 2018 was a drastic change for me because in my home country, Cameroon, we used the metric system and an entirely different curriculum. I began adapting to the new educational system, trying my best to actively participate in class although at the time the content was difficult to grasp. Seeing as my freshman year in High School was virtual and later in the year became partially in-person, I never really got the opportunity to experience what a classic American freshman year entailed for an eighth-grade graduate. I was enrolled in the PLTW Program, a program for students interested in a career in the medical field. The PLTW Program exposed students to the biomedical system, pressing medical issues, and innovations used to combat those problems and ensure optimal patient care. For my first year taking the PLTW Program, I took Principles of Biomedical Sciences. Ms. C was the one who taught this class, always going out of her way to ensure that we all had a good understanding of the topic she taught every single class. Although it was virtual, Ms. C still found interactive activities for us to indulge in, such as making breakout rooms through Zoom and creating activities for us to do. While taking classes virtually due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I was always on top of my work, never allowing distractions such as social media or other factors to hinder my academic success. Admittedly, I became somewhat presumptuous in my ability to seamlessly excel in all subject areas, however, I was in for a rude awakening during my sophomore year when I was eligible to start taking AP classes. Taking AP US History and Human Body Systems Honors in the same academic year was indeed the year I was forced to acquire a superior level of time management and critical thinking skills, and especially be more self-disciplined. Although not my teacher for these classes, Ms. C was always supportive of me and my ambitions. Seeing as I will be pursuing a career in medicine, she was even more dedicated to ensuring my success in my high school courses. Ms. C taught me more than just what was needed for my courses, she taught me critical thinking skills which I could use in and out of the classroom. Ms. C would always be willing to listen to my troubles and tribulations, and she always had advice to give me. I gained an incredible wealth of knowledge from Ms. C, ranging from real-life lessons, advice on how to handle difficult situations, how to grow from mistakes, and more crucial advice in getting through life. Ms. C and I became extremely close to the point where she felt comfortable disclosing her personal life occurrences. Regardless of how excruciating her life got, I could see just how strong a woman she was, one who vigorously overcame adversity and sought for way to improve her standard of living. Although she felt down at times, she never sulked for long periods because she had developed coping mechanisms that enabled her to overcome perilous circumstances. She made sure to drill a multitude of those mechanisms in me, emphasizing how life would throw a multitude of challenges at me with no remorse. She continues to support me as I conclude my senior year, proud of the immense level of growth in me. She plans to retire after I graduate, which speaks volumes to me because she was never obliged to wait for me to graduate, but she decided to do so out of love and hope for my successful future.

Throughout my High School career, I have always taken it upon myself to lead the pack and ensure my peers were steered in the right direction. Most notably, while participating in Track and Field/Cross Country, although there are no official positions for team captains, I still took the initiative to lead the track team and live by example. Especially for those who did long-distance races. Seeing as there were numerous disputes in the team, I always found a way to manage the situation and remind everyone why we did the sport. There was an abundance of times where I insisted, we all put our differences aside for racing as “one united team and family,” as my coach always said. My life came crumbling down when I pulled my inguinal ligament in a 4x100-meter race. My coach was one of the few individuals who understood just how detrimental this was for me, seeing as athletics, especially Track, meant so much more to me than just a sport or some other extracurricular. The track helped build character in me, taught me time management, helped me become friends with amazing individuals who were all family to me, taught me how to push through doing activities that I may not always be comfortable doing, and so much more. My coach and athletic trainer collaborated to come up with a recovery workout plan to effectively heal my injured leg while also strengthening it, but those workouts were not able to heal the leg entirely. I still attended track meets to support my team, while also imagining my performance on the track, had it not been for this severe injury I had sustained. I was told not to stretch my groin because those stretches could have worsened the injury. I was extremely close to giving up on my recovery, right up until I volunteered at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. I was a volunteer in the operating room where I was able to watch surgeries, transfer patients to the surgical table, supply nurses with equipment, transport patients to recovery, and answer the phone in the operating room. This volunteer experience helped me realize just how fortunate I was in the sense that I did not lose my entire leg due to amputation or some other circumstance, and the experience changed my entire view on the injury I had sustained. I grew to learn the art of patience and live with the mindset that the best things that happen in life often take a lot more work to accomplish. I sustained this injury in late April of this year 2023, and I can feel that it is healing, while also feeling how there are still some parts of my leg/groin area that are still injured, hence another reason I could not participate in Cross Country my senior year. Earlier on I let my injury have an immense toll on my mental health, but I have come to understand that this injury does not define who I am or who I am going to be, but rather it enlightens me to keep pushing hard with full determination for the goals I want to accomplish in the future. Even then I continued to work hard during every practice and offered words of encouragement to my teammates, ensuring that we all improved our skills and obtained immense growth from this experience. Although having sustained multiple injuries, I found the strength to overcome such adversity, earnestly cheering from the sidelines as my teammates raced at track meets.

While growing up in Cameroon, I was unable to do a lot of things I wish I could do while I was younger, because while growing up I often found myself in hospital beds, waiting for my drugs to be administered or waiting to be discharged most of the time. During these times of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside for me, receiving care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt went to a neighbor’s house for help, they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. Cameroon has so many resources, but due to a corrupt government, one can never expect to live a much happier or healthier life. For instance, vaccines are limited to the individuals who can afford them, health care is not widely renowned because people don’t even have time to give up taking care of themselves, for they might just lose their jobs which pay them barely enough to scrape by, and acquiring an education back home is a luxury due to the inability for most people to afford it. My entire family consisted of individuals who never let adversity triumph over their serenity and their ability to remain faithful Christians who were always content with what they had. My aunt especially, continues to inspire me to look out for others and not expect anything in return because she was always there for me in in my time of illness and wellness. Before leaving Cameroon in 2018, the country was currently undergoing a civil war, one which is still active, and detrimental to all peoples of Cameroon. I feel as though I am in an entirely different world, seeing as people in the US are exceedingly more fortunate than those in Cameroon, or any other country in the world. The US offers a wide array of opportunities for one to become extremely successful, while also possessing renowned freedoms and resources, hence another motivation for me to study medicine. I consider human life genuinely valuable, which inspires me even more to study science and all matters on biological beings, from the little insects to most especially the greater species, humans. In pursuit of a medical profession that requires a science-heavy education, I will ensure that I am not only learning strictly in the confines of scientific concepts but also learning meaningful aspects of social life and other cultural backgrounds to better interact with my patients later in the future when I finally become a medical doctor. My goal is to learn what it truly means to help people overcome whatever arduous circumstances they may find themselves in, and this scholarship will help me pursue an education in a career field that allows me to do just that.

When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one had to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution, which was due to dangerous waste management and disposal, the mismanagement of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and other factors. With so much going on I often missed days at school which were detrimental to my education, due to the rigor of classes and the enormous amount of work that needed to be accomplished in such a short amount of time. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt went to a neighbor’s house for help, they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. When participating in community service I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society and volunteering at local healthcare facilities, I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community. In pursuit of higher education, there are countless factors such as the cost of college tuition, room and board housing, study abroad opportunities and more, and all these expenses add up to be extremely expensive. My parents have an enormous responsibility to care for me and my siblings, which leaves them with only so much money to put down for my college education. This scholarship presents the opportunity to be a tremendous aid in my transition to college because it will alleviate some of the stressors acquainted with college transitions, while also enabling me to focus more on acquiring an education, rather than fully focusing on funding my education.

Some consider community service as merely a means to an end, a favorable feature for resumes, or even a way to show off, but I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind. Knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one had to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution, which was due to dangerous waste management and disposal, the mismanagement of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and other factors. With so much going on I often missed days at school which were detrimental to my education, due to the rigor of classes and the enormous amount of work that needed to be accomplished in such a short amount of time. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt went to a neighbor’s house for help, they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. Community service is extremely important to me because when participating in activities in my community I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity, hence my decision to become an impactful medical professional who seeks to improve healthcare systems in lower-income communities.

Some consider community service as merely a means to an end, a favorable feature for resumes, or even a way to show off, but I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind. Knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one had to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution, which was due to dangerous waste management and disposal, the mismanagement of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and other factors. Additionally, health care in Cameroon was a disaster in the sense that crucial vaccines were withheld from the public for free, which led to massive increases in diseases like malaria, of which I was a victim. The healthcare facilities were often unhygienic, and getting legitimate healthcare was often unaffordable for most. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt went to a neighbor’s house for help, they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. Community service is extremely important to me because when participating in activities in my community I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society and volunteering at local healthcare facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community.

As I lived in the Southwest region of Cameroon for twelve years of my life, I never really understood the impact of growing up in a strict religious home, until I moved to the US in 2018, where I had my first encounter with someone of the LGBT community. Growing up I was surrounded by Christians who lived strictly by the contents of the Bible, and the community I lived in was full of people who had some type of religious affiliation, so I never got to experience anything out of the “ordinary,” like meeting someone who as my uncle would say, “challenges the word of God.” My first encounter with someone from the LGBT community left me speechless because I simply did not know how to react to the predicament I was in since I had always been taught that homosexuality is a sin. Throughout my high school career, I have witnessed the amount of hostility those of the LGBT community face, and unfortunately, I have also been guilty of displaying such hostility towards them, as I am a straight Christian man who did not know any better. By growing up in a home where Christian values were stringently enforced, I only could recognize those of the LGBT community as sinners. This enabled me to see just how much of a judgmental mentality I had been brought up with, and yet this newfound understanding somehow did not stop me from making a decision I regret to this day. Soon after this realization, I pondered upon the legitimacy of homosexuality, reached out to church members and relatives for more understanding of this complex topic we face today, and further contemplated if it was even my place to determine the legitimacy of homosexuality. During my first two years of high school, I became friends with an extremely hardworking individual, and so after being informed of my friend’s homosexuality, I yet again was left in awe, not knowing how to react to this information. I was filled with disgust for reasons I did not even know because looking back I realized those reasons were not mine to begin with. Unaware of why I felt immense anger towards him, I digested the information as one who had intestinal blockage due to abdominal adhesions from surgery. I then could fathom just how delusional I was for questioning the authenticity of a nation’s diversity and thinking everyone shared my values. Up to this day, I think that might have been one of the worst and unforgivable decisions I made during my high school career, since I not only ruined an incredible friendship, but also judged him based on his sexuality. Instead of showing affection and hospitality towards him, I neglected his beliefs and values, and basically, his whole being. I was disgusted at myself for being such an inconsiderate friend, one who expected respect for my religion but could not show the same towards another individual’s values and beliefs. I could now feel the severity of my actions, which left me earnestly hoping the universe would grant me an opportunity to relive that day and not negligently damage the genuine friendship I once had. This experience led to an immense level of mental and spiritual growth within me, understanding that although the constitutionality of homosexuality remains a controversy, what I do know is that it is not my place to judge others based on their sexual orientation or for any other reason, but rather show affection and care to all humans, treating them the way I would also want to be treated.

Some consider community service as merely a means to an end, a favorable feature for resumes, or even a way to show off, but I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind. Knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one had to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution, which was due to dangerous waste management and disposal, the mismanagement of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and other factors. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt went to a neighbor’s house for help, they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. When participating in community service I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This inspires me to continue participating in community service to have an immense impact on my community, which is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society, volunteering at local healthcare facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community. In pursuit of higher education, there are countless factors such as the cost of college tuition, room and board housing, study abroad opportunities and more, and all these expenses add up to be extremely expensive. This scholarship presents the opportunity to be a tremendous aid in my transition to college because it will alleviate some of the stressors acquainted with college transitions, while also enabling me to focus more on acquiring an education, rather than fully focusing on funding my education.

As an aspiring medical professional, the classes I take not only reflect my intellectual ability but also my ability to balance out my honors and AP classes while doing extracurriculars. I played football and I’m currently involved in cross country, track and field, a member of the Spartones acapella group at St. Charles High School, a member of MODEL UN, Key Club, and NHS, and a news anchor for Charles County Public Schools. Doing extracurriculars has genuinely changed me as a person, while also helping me learn unique social values from people in my community. Out of all my extracurricular activities, the ones I am most passionate about are track and field, Key Club, NHS, and singing as a member of my school's acapella group. Track has taught me valuable lessons while on and off the track, some being self-discipline and one’s ability to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations in life. Track is a sport that requires dedication and commitment, and unless one is willing to put forth such attributes then one will find no improvement or success while doing it. Seeing as I needed to remain eligible for the track, that meant I could not let my grades be in the decline, so I mastered coming home from track practice and getting myself situated in time to start or continue any assigned schoolwork, to review or study for upcoming tests. As track practices and meets occupied a lot of my time, I was able to improve my time management skills, meet new people and socialize, while also doing a sport I love. Knowing how hard track is, I use the recollection of that pain as a motivation to push through all other hardships and obstacles in life, which is why I am extremely passionate about the sport. Secondly, as a member of Key Club and NHS, both organizations that focus on volunteerism, I can volunteer and give back to my community. These volunteer organizations allowed me to tutor kids at an elementary school, be involved in a local soup kitchen, and participate in fundraising, in which all funds were to go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and for other charitable purposes. I take pride in tutoring because I help the younger kids with schoolwork, they may have difficulties with, I can reveal valuable life lessons, and thus tutoring gives me a sense of great accomplishment, as it is mostly done to benefit kids who need not only a teacher but a mentor as well. By being involved in a soup kitchen I made sure to be a team player who prepared, transported, and handed out food to those in need. By doing such gratifying activities in my community, I had a genuine feeling of happiness inside because I knew that not only was I being exposed to other perspectives in life, but I was also performing an act of kindness in my community, which is why I will continue being passionate about volunteering. Furthermore, being in an acapella group has helped me both mentally and spiritually, as singing helped me express myself in an unfathomable way. By being in an acapella group I was able to meet other talented individuals and have fun performing songs that had true meaning to us. Singing is an activity that soothes my soul and uplifts me whenever I am down or feeling dreary. When I sing, I let out a lot of emotions and often just have fun with the songs I am singing, which is what makes singing such a passionate extracurricular for me.

As an aspiring medical professional, the classes I take not only reflect my intellectual ability but also my ability to balance out my honors and AP classes while doing extracurriculars. I played football and I’m currently involved in cross country, track and field, a member of the Spartones acapella group at St. Charles High School, a member of MODEL UN, Key Club, and NHS, and a news anchor for Charles County Public Schools. Doing extracurriculars has genuinely changed me as a person, while also helping me learn unique social values from people in my community. Out of all my extracurricular activities, the ones I am most passionate about are track and field, Key Club, NHS, and singing as a member of my school's acapella group. Doing track has taught me valuable lessons while on and off the track, some being self-discipline and one’s ability to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations in life. Track is a sport that requires dedication and commitment, and unless one is willing to put forth such attributes then one will find no improvement or success while doing it. Seeing as I needed to remain eligible for the track, that meant I could not let my grades be on the decline, so I mastered coming home from track practice and getting myself situated in time to start or continue any assigned schoolwork, to review or study for upcoming tests. As track practices and meets occupied a lot of my time, I was able to improve my time management skills, meet new people and socialize, while also doing a sport I love. Knowing how hard track is, I use the recollection of that pain as a motivation to push through all other hardships and obstacles in life, which is why I am extremely passionate about the sport. Secondly, as a member of Key Club and NHS, both organizations that focus on volunteerism, I can volunteer and give back to my community. These volunteer organizations allowed me to tutor kids at an elementary school, be involved in a local soup kitchen, and participate in fundraising, in which all funds were to go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and for other charitable purposes. I take pride in tutoring because I help the younger kids with schoolwork, they may have difficulties with, I can reveal valuable life lessons, and tutoring gives me a sense of great accomplishment, as it is mostly done to benefit kids who need not only a teacher but a mentor as well. By being involved in a soup kitchen I made sure to be a team player who prepared, transported, and handed out food to those in need. By doing such gratifying activities in my community, I had a genuine feeling of happiness inside because I knew that not only was I being exposed to other perspectives in life, but I was also performing an act of kindness in my community, which is why I will continue being passionate about volunteering. Furthermore, being in an acapella group has helped me both mentally and spiritually, as singing helped me express myself in an unfathomable way. By being in an acapella group I was able to meet other talented individuals and have fun performing songs that had true meaning to us. Singing is an activity that soothes my soul and uplifts me whenever I am down or feeling dreary. When I sing, I let out a lot of emotions and often just have fun with the songs I am singing, which is what makes singing such a passionate extracurricular for me.

When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. When participating in community service I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society and volunteering at local healthcare facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community. In pursuit of higher education, there are countless factors such as the cost of college tuition, room and board housing, study abroad opportunities and more, and all these expenses add up to be extremely expensive. My parents have an enormous responsibility to care for me and my siblings, which leaves them with only so much money to put down for my college education. This scholarship presents the opportunity to be a tremendous aid in my transition to college because it will alleviate some of the stressors acquainted with college transitions, while also enabling me to focus more on acquiring an education, rather than fully focusing on funding my education. No one ever said medical school or any other type of educational pathway would be easy. However, I will not let that facet prevent me from pursuing my dreams of becoming a medical doctor, because as a wise one once said, “There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and your struggles only make you better at the end.” This quote has indeed helped me overcome perilous circumstances throughout my life and especially during high school, seeing as there were days I felt like giving up, tests I scored low on although having studied for, athletic injuries I sustained that left me mentally and physically devastated, and despite all this I continued to be resilient in the face of adversity, all thanks to that quote and a great support system. With a mindset guided by such a quote and an incredible support system, not only do I intend to pass medical school, but I also intend to have a monumental impact on the world before, during, and after becoming a medical doctor. My words and actions as a medical professional will be to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, respecting the values and beliefs of all persons, while also prioritizing my mental, spiritual, and physical health.

Some consider community service as merely a means to an end, a favorable feature for resumes, or even a way to show off, but I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind. Knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment I was in, which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country in which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one had to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution. Additionally, health care in Cameroon was a disaster in the sense that crucial vaccines were withheld from the public for free, which led to massive increases in diseases like malaria, to which I was a victim of. In fact, getting legitimate health care was often unaffordable by most. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people sacrificed for me. I received care from friends, to relatives, to church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt had to take to a neighbor’s house for help, and they helped me with temporary relief medications, and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. When participating in community service I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their true and genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society, and volunteering at local health care facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community. In pursuit for a higher education, there are countless factors such as cost college tuition, room and board housing, study abroad opportunities and more, and all these expenses add up to be extremely expensive. My parents have an enormous responsibility caring for me and my siblings, which leaves them with only so much money to put down for my college education. This scholarship presents the opportunity to be a tremendous aid in my transition to college, because it will alleviate some of the stressors acquainted with college transitions, while also enabling me to focus more on acquiring an education, rather than fully focusing on funding my education.

As someone who naturally had the zeal to work extremely hard in becoming the best version of myself, I have always envisioned working in the field of medicine. Although most despise this field due to factors like how long it takes to become a doctor or any other profession in the medical field, how difficult and demanding this career is, or being unable to handle the pressure of having someone’s life in their hands, I feel as though these factors, however, motivate me even more to be a medical professional, while cherishing every aspect of it. I consider human life as genuinely valuable, thus inspiring me, even more, to study science and all matters on biological beings, from the little insects to most especially the greater species, humans. In pursuit of a medical profession that requires a science-heavy education, I will ensure that I am not only learning strictly in the confines of scientific concepts but learning meaningful aspects of social life and other cultural backgrounds to better interact with my patients later in the future when I finally become a medical doctor. My goal is to learn what it truly means to help people overcome whatever arduous circumstances they may find themselves in, and this scholarship will help me in pursuing higher education in a career field that allows me to do just that. As a member of Key Club and NHS, both organizations that focus on volunteerism, I can volunteer and give back to my community. These volunteer organizations allowed me to tutor kids at an elementary school, be involved in a local soup kitchen, and participate in fundraising, in which all funds were to go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and for other charitable purposes. I take pride in tutoring because I help the younger kids with schoolwork, they may have difficulties with, I can reveal valuable life lessons, and thus tutoring gives me a sense of great accomplishment, as it is mostly done to benefit kids who need not only a teacher but a mentor as well. By being involved in a soup kitchen I made sure to be a team player who prepared, transported, and handed out food to those in need. Additionally, I got the opportunity to volunteer at a community hospital, and although I was in the surgical department and was only allowed to do minimal tasks, the little tasks I was able to do such as bringing blankets or accompanying patients to and out of the surgery room, made me feel extremely grateful to be able to help someone else in need and contribute to the improvement of their health. By doing such gratifying activities in my community, I had a genuine feeling of happiness inside because I knew that not only was I being exposed to other perspectives in life, but I was also performing an act of kindness in my community, which is why I will continue being passionate about volunteering.

As someone who naturally had the zeal to work extremely hard in becoming the best version of myself, I have always envisioned working in the field of medicine, and community service has always been an activity that gives me a genuine feeling of accomplishment because I get to be of service to others. I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind, and knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. I don't envision myself ever as someone who will ever quit volunteering because I know just how much help and healing this world needs, and I will always be willing to be of service and provide comfort and care to those in need. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society and volunteering at local healthcare facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community. Although most despise the medical field due to factors like how long it takes to become a doctor or any other profession in the medical field, how difficult and demanding this career is, or being unable to handle the pressure of having someone’s life in their hands, I feel as though these factors, however, motivate me even more to be a medical professional, while cherishing every aspect of it. I am capable of looking past whatever strenuous levels of education I will have to undergo to become a doctor, but I know it is worth it because at the end of this road, I will be more qualified to be of help to a lot more people, and I will use this qualification to improve the living standards in my community. I consider human life as genuinely valuable, thus inspiring me, even more, to study science and all matters on biological beings, from the little insects to most especially the greater species, humans. In pursuit of a medical profession that requires a science-heavy education, I will ensure that I am not only learning strictly in the confines of scientific concepts but learning meaningful aspects of social life and other cultural backgrounds to better interact with my patients later in the future when I finally become a medical doctor. My goal is to learn what it truly means to help people overcome whatever arduous circumstances they may find themselves in, and this scholarship will help me in pursuing an education in a career field that allows me to do just that.

Some consider community service as merely a means to an end, a favorable feature for resumes, or even a way to show off, but I consider community service as an opportunity to do remarkable deeds of kindness and affection towards mankind. Knowing how hard life turns out to be, being the solution to someone else’s problem holds great value to me, and I will not hesitate to put certain things in my life on hold, for the sake of others. When I was younger, I frequently got ill and in need of care, due to the environment which weakened my immune system and left me vulnerable to countless diseases. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Cameroon, a country which has some exceptional features, but more undesirable ones. The air pollution in Cameroon was so bad to the point where one may have to stay indoors on some days just to avoid the full effect of this pollution, which was due to dangerous waste management and disposal, the mismanagement of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and other factors. Additionally, health care in Cameroon was a disaster in the sense that crucial vaccines were withheld from the public for free, which led to massive increases in diseases like malaria, of which I was a victim. The healthcare facilities were often unhygienic, and getting legitimate healthcare was often unaffordable for most. During this time of sickness, I realized just how much people put aside just for me. I received care from friends, relatives, church members, and even neighbors who were under no obligation to care for me and show kindness towards me, but still did. I remember when times were so bad my aunt had to take me to a neighbor’s house for help, and they helped me with temporary relief medications and even got me to the hospital with no questions asked. I remember church members visiting with food for me, and I would see deep down into their pure hearts which genuinely wanted me to get better. The level of kindness they showed towards me was unfathomable, and up to this day, those acts of kindness compel me to do the same for others in need. When I see people in my community who need any help whatsoever, I see myself in them, and although the scenarios might be different, anyone in need of help deserves assistance. When participating in community service I often tell others that those doing community service may not always be praised for their genuine acts of kindness, and that is perfectly fine because one does not serve their community solely to be exalted for it, but rather to simply do work for the benefit of others and demonstrate ones love for humanity. This is why I am already involved in serving my community by being involved in organizations like Key Club and the National Honors Society and volunteering at local healthcare facilities, and I plan to always be an active member of volunteering because one can never really do “too much” for their community.

As an aspiring medical professional, the classes I take not only reflect my intellectual ability but also my ability to balance out my honors and AP classes while doing extracurriculars. I played football and am currently involved in cross country, track and field, a member of the Spartones acapella group at St. Charles High School, a member of MODEL UN, Key Club, and NHS, and a news anchor for Charles County Public Schools. Doing extracurriculars has genuinely changed me as a person, while also helping me learn unique social values from people in my community. Out of all my extracurricular activities, the ones I am most passionate about are track and field, Key Club, NHS, and singing as a member of my school's acapella group. Track has taught me valuable lessons while on and off the track, some being self-discipline and one’s ability to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations in life. Track is a sport that requires dedication and commitment, and unless one is willing to put forth such attributes then one will find no improvement or success while doing it. Seeing as I needed to remain eligible for the track, that meant I could not let my grades be in the decline, so I mastered coming home from track practice and getting myself situated in time to start or continue any assigned schoolwork, to review or study for upcoming tests. As track practices and meets occupied a lot of my time, I was able to improve my time management skills, meet new people and socialize, while also doing a sport I love. Knowing how hard track is, I use the recollection of that pain as a motivation to push through all other hardships and obstacles in life, which is why I am extremely passionate about the sport. Secondly, as a member of Key Club and NHS, both organizations that focus on volunteerism, I can volunteer and give back to my community. These volunteer organizations allowed me to tutor kids at an elementary school, be involved in a local soup kitchen, and participate in fundraising, in which all funds were to go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and for other charitable purposes. I take pride in tutoring because I help the younger kids with schoolwork, they may have difficulties with, I can reveal valuable life lessons, and thus tutoring gives me a sense of great accomplishment, as it is mostly done to benefit kids who need not only a teacher but a mentor as well. By being involved in a soup kitchen I made sure to be a team player who prepared, transported, and handed out food to those in need. By doing such gratifying activities in my community, I had a genuine feeling of happiness inside because I knew that not only was I being exposed to other perspectives in life, but I was also performing an act of kindness in my community, which is why I will continue being passionate about volunteering. Furthermore, being in an acapella group has helped me both mentally and spiritually, as singing helped me express myself in an unfathomable way. By being in an acapella group I was able to meet other talented individuals and have fun performing songs that had true meaning to us. Singing is an activity that soothes my soul and uplifts me whenever I am down or feeling dreary. When I sing, I let out a lot of emotions and often just have fun with the songs I am singing, which is what makes singing such a passionate extracurricular for me.