As a future Obstetrician/Gynecologist, my favorite scientific discovery was the development of the APGAR score which quickly assesses the condition of newborns after birth. It was developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952. Her name is used as a mnemonic for A - Appearance (skin color), P - Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone) and R - Respiration (breathing). The APGAR score combats infant mortality. Newborns are given a score of 0, 1 or 2 for each category which helps doctors quickly assess their needs. The score is reported at one minute and five minutes after birth. If a baby scores less than 7, the score is gathered every five minutes for the next twenty minutes. The APGAR assessment helps doctors provide the best care for babies in a timely manner. Not only is the APGAR score effective, but it was developed by a woman doctor, which is even more encouraging to me. In the 1950's, women doctors fought to be considered peers in the medical field. Not only was Dr. Apgar respected, but she left a legacy that has had a lasting effect, impacting babies to this day. Hopefully, after I obtain my degree in Biology/Pre-Med at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and attend medical school, I will have a similar impact on the medical community. It is my goal to have a lasting impact that will help change the world for the better.

I am ADAMANT about recycling! Everyone around me knows better than to throw any recyclable objects into the trash when I am around because they know i will go BALLISTIC if I see it! It is just too easy to recycle - I don't understand why more people won't do what is necessary to protect our environment. When we recycle, we ensure that our resources are used more than once. There is only so much space we have on this earth, and so many resources. We need to maximize what we have to provide for future generations. Not only do I recycle, but I encourage youth that I mentor to recycle as well. I think the younger generation is going to make all the difference in the world in changing the future of our earth. It begins with recognizing the impact of climate change and doing what is necessary to reverse the impact that greedy corporations have had on our environment. Turning the negative impact of the climate around can be done. I am not only doing all I can to make a difference, but encouraging others to join me as well!

Unfortunately, my family has been almost demolished due to the loss of all of my Uncles within three years of one another. My first Uncle, Quewanncoii C. Stephens II, died unexpectedly from a heart attack July 1, 2015. He was my Mom's younger brother and best friend. They talked almost every day. She was devastated by his loss. Just as she started to come out of his loss, 11 months later, my Uncle Aaron, an Army Veteran who went to Afghanistan and Iraq three times committed suicide. Aaron was 13 years younger than my Mom. He was more like her son than her brother, because she raised him while her Mom worked 7 jobs to keep the family afloat. Then, my Uncle Quinton Cy died from a seizure. My Mom lost all of her brothers within three years, and I didn't know if she was going to make it. Of course, my Mom's grief directly impacted my brother and I. It was hard because she cried every day. She went from being an outgoing person to being very reserved. She didn't want to go to as many places or do the type of things that she used to do. Some days, it took all she had just to take us to school. But I remembered the person she was before my Uncle's died and set out to be the kind of person who made a difference in the lives of other, just like them and my Mom. I want to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist to "fight" for mothers giving birth to children, particularly those with limited resources. I want to be their advocates and listen to them when no one else will. I want to give them the advice necessary to raise healthy, happy and strong babies just like I and my Uncles were raised. I want to do this not only in memory of my Uncles, but also in honor of my Mother and all that she has endured in her life. No matter what, she kept family in the front of her mind. We always knew that we were what mattered most to her, and it made a difference in our lives. Now, I look forward to pursuing the first part of my educational requirements at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida, the first path to becoming an OB/GYN. Losing my Uncles was heartbreaking, but I still feel them with me. They were very proud of me, which motivates me as I take my classes. I work hard to not only honor my family and the memory of my Uncles, but to make my dreams come true as well. I know they are behind me and are smiling down on me every day!

I believe that the lack of empathy is the biggest problem facing the world right now. My heart breaks every time I see or hear fights due to differences in political views, religious beliefs, race...the list is endless...and unnecessary! We all live on this earth together and need to work together. I think the most defining moment that showed the differences in our views was the storming of the Capitol January 6th. I sat dumbfounded. I could not believe the number of people who allowed themselves to be completely brainwashed into thinking that by taking the Capitol, they could overthrow the election and America's entire democratic process. I couldn't believe the imagery represented - the Confederate flags and the noose that was erected on the grounds of the Capitol, all reminders of days not that far gone that obviously still have an impact today. It was absolutely heart wrenching, but I am glad that we are starting to hear about the people who stepped up to try to protect the American people. We need more compassionate leaders in the world who are willing to not only act, but first, listen to those in need of assistance. Don't just give people what you think they need, give them what they want (if you can). We have to open up our hearts to others, even those who are different from us. Diversity is what America was built on, not division! By taking the time to actively listen to one another and then acting on what we heard, we could make real change in this world of ours. I am doing what I can to start that difference by being open to others and encourage my peers to do the same because I believe that we are going to change the world!

My Mother is the main reason I applied to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida, and was not interested in applying to any other university! I am a legacy. A member of my family has attended FAMU since its inception in 1887, but it was my Mom bringing me to Homecomings every year that made all the difference for me. Every year, I could see how much the alumni loved one another as "FAMUly" for myself. It only made me that much more determined to attend FAMU for myself. My Mom is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. She accepted a scholarship from the Army to attend FAMU, which required her to give back at least 7 years for the scholarship. She ended up serving nearly 28 years, but did not want me to have to do the same. She wanted me to have options. If I wanted to join the Army, great, but she did not want that to be the only option for me to attend college like it was for her. When my Mom went to college at FAMU, my Grandma, Emmarhaye Mitchell checked on her frequently and cared for her from Plant City. Her mother was in Paso Robles, California and could not check on her. Now, my Mom checks on me. I love my Mother and am very proud of what she did while at FAMU. She was Miss Junior Attendant, Miss Army ROTC and Queen of Orange and Green as well as Senior Class President. I plan on running for several positions while I'm at FAMU and continue her legacy. I have looked up to my Mom since I was a little girl. For awhile in middle school, I was telling my teachers to call me Sabrina, which was her middle name. She is an author, and I created a group with one of my classmates called "DOPA", Daughters of Published Authors. I have always been proud of her. The best thing about my love for my Mother is that she loves me even more. She calls me her "Angel Baby" and tells everyone how proud she is of me. It makes me very proud and makes me want to work hard to do well in college. This summer I attended summer school at FAMU and earned a 4.00. My goal is to earn at least a 3.8 at FAMU this fall at FAMU. My Mom encouraged me to help her write a book with our family friend, Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine in Little Rock, Arkansas. Due to her, I was a published author at age 13, the same age Elizabeth was when she attempted to attend Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. We travelled across the country presenting her efforts to desegregate Central High. I was proud to encourage students and let them know that they can do anything that they set their minds to, even being an author. The title of our book is "The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High." The best part of my experience at FAMU is that although my Mom is proud of me being a legacy, she wants me to be my own person. She does not encourage me to do anything except get good grades so that I will be eligible for scholarships to medical school. She wants my experience to be her own - she is not living vicariously through me. To me, that is the mark of a great parent, and I love her for it. I can't wait to be an OB/GYN!

The most helpful piece of financial advice I've ever received is to remain fully aware of your fees for college and know what your fees are each semester down to the penny. This way, you'll know what your responsibility is and what you are required to pay back. I am a student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. I know that I will have substantial requirements for the next four years, but I monitor my iRattler account regularly to know what my fees and responsibilities are for attending college. Thankfully, FAMU has received some funds due to the Cares Act that has benefitted students, but I am always remaining focused on what fees are leftover and trying to ensure that my parents (specifically my Mother) do not have an overwhelming debt due to my desire to attend college. I am grateful that some fees are being covered by the Cares Act, but I am trying to address my college requirements on my own without the help of my family. I want to stand on my own two feet and stand on my own. Before I left high school, my Mom made me take a financial management course to learn the steps necessary for me to be financially independent. She purchased a book for me to learn about the stock market for my 18th birthday because one of her friends told her that she learned about stocks while she was in college and now she is a millionaire. My goal is to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist when I complete my medical education. I know that it will take many years to achieve my goals, but I am willing to do whatever is necessary to help new mothers, especially mothers of color, to be successful as new parents.

I remain active in my community to affect positive change. I was selected to be a member of the Junior League of Pensacola's Spark Board. We participated in activities within the community and developed potential projects that could benefit the community. I was very proud to serve on that board. Additionally, I was selected to serve on the inaugural Student Mayor's Board of Pensacola identifying projects that would benefit the residents of Pensacola. I have been an Army Brat all my life - living in Pensacola at my Mom's last duty station provided me with something that I never had before - stability. We lived in Pensacola for 10 years before my entering Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida, the #1 historically black public college or university in the nation. While I was in Pensacola, I was also President of the Pensacola NAACP Youth Council and was the youngest recipient of the Gloster P. Current Leadership Award in Region V for my leadership. I was very proud to receive that award and of the work that we did in the community, to include recognizing the NAACP members who participated in the sit-ins in the 60's. They actually participated in the longest civil rights protest in history, but they were not recognized for their efforts. We ensured they were recognized and a historic marker was placed in downtown Pensacola in recognition of their efforts. When I was in middle school, I participated in Pensacola's Young Entrepreneur's Academy and created "Missing Petals," an organization dedicated to warning children about the dangers of human trafficking. Many children think they are hurting their parents by running away. I helped them understand the realities that could happen to them currently experienced by one-quarter of the population. I'm proud of the work I've done.

My utopian vision for optimal mental health for the African American community would have to be access to medical care. My mother just entered a mental treatment facility for grief therapy but had to jump through hoops with her insurance agency and the additional hoops place on her through the system as a retiree. It should just be enough that a person wants help...they shouldn't have to endure what she did just to be accepted into a treatment facility. Over the years, we have seen countless African Americans killed at the hands of the police that should have received medical care. I am trying to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem by attending college at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and helping low-income mothers in need of medical care. There are too many mothers who were ignored by their doctors who did not believe them when they expressed pain or requested help. I plan to be a doctor who stands on the front line to assist them. I will believe them when others don't. Mental health care is critical for the African American community. I lost my Uncle Aaron, an Army Veteran, to suicide several years ago and my family has never recovered. My Mom tried to get him to move in with us, but he didn't want to be away from his family. It pains me to think that he considered suicide to be the only option that he had, but it is my hope that I can help others realize that suicide is not the option for them. Unfortunately, the percentage of African Americans who have committed suicide has increased exponentially. I want to see those numbers decrease because I know the pain that suicide can cause. One of the reasons that my Mom is seeking treatment is because she was so torn up by the suicide of her baby brother, my Uncle Aaron. She raised him...he was like a son to her...we all loved him. He deployed three times to Afghanistan. He was never the same after he returned and he did not receive the help he needed from Veterans Affairs. In my utopian world, medical health would be free. It would be recognized as what it is, crucial to the success of the patients in need. The caregivers would be competent, empathetic, concerned and willing to do whatever it takes to provide the care necessary for their clients. We live in a world where no one cares anymore and it is very disconcerting. We must care, and we must care in particular for African Americans because they have been absolutely marginalized within our community. By recoginizing people of color as PEOPLE, there will be a complete shift in the way they are treated, but it will take fighting against 400 + years of oppression to ensure that happens. I plan to make a difference. Thank you for encouraging me to do so!

I have wanted to be an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) since I was a little girl. I love babies and want to help mothers during the most trying time of their life, when they are giving birth to their children. My desire to serve as an OB/GYN has increased since reading numerous reports that state African American women receive disparate hospital care, often resulting in death. I will be a doctor that is receptive to the needs of my patients. The issue of intersectionality arises within my desired field of medicine because there are some doctors who provide care but believe racial stereotypes. As such, they believe that African Americans are less likely to feel pain and refuse to prescribe the pain medications their patients request. Not only will I believe my patients when they express discomfort or pain during the childbirth process, I will also advise my peers to not succumb to stereotypes and treat all patients equally. I plan to sponsor intercultural community classes that prepare parents for their new roles. Early cross-cultural exposure eases racial tensions and improves interracial interactions. I want my "Mommy and Me" classes to make a difference for our participants, both personally and professionally. I look forward to attending Florida A & M University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).I know that while I am there I will receive education and development from an Afrocentric perspective, something that I very much look forward to. Not only will I take African American history classes, but African American history is infused in every class. For once, I will be part of the majority, not a minority. I know that as I serve as a OB/GYN I will encounter someone who does not want to be treated by an African American woman. It is my hope that should that happen, I will be able to maintain my composure and help them see that I am an excellent doctor who is focused on providing them the best care possible. Hopefully, my reputation will proceed me. The best way for me to address the issue of intersectionality in the workplace is to serve as an example in everything that I do. I want to set a standard of excellence that surpasses race or gender. I hope to be the one who helps others see the numerous ways that we all interconnect, rather than be focused on the divisions that divide us.

I have encountered adversity in my life due to my race and height. I am an African American woman who has primarily attended school with White students, and I am usually the tallest person in my class. I currently stand at 6'3, which is unusual for a girl. Yes, people always ask me if I play basketball and no, I do not. I played volleyball my freshman year, but soon realized that I wanted to focus on academics instead of sports - my dream is to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. I used to wear my hair in an afro, and would frequently be asked by classmates if they could touch it. Although I would say no, they would reach out and grab my hair anyway. I never understood the fascination, but always stood my ground and asked them to stop. I now have Sisterlocks that reach my waist, and I am frequently asked if that is my "real" hair. It is tiresome. I try to educate when I can. The county that I live in, Escambia County, is second in the state of Florida in the school to prison pipeline. The school to prison pipeline is what is referred to when (primarily) minority children are sent to jail via law enforcement instead of the principal's office. Numerous issues are identified as reasons for the conflict, to include teacher bias. Unfortunately, due to the school to prison pipeline, there are students who are felons before they attend high school! Since I was a former president of the NAACP Youth Council, I was cognizant of the pipeline and tried to ensure that I was never in a situation that might put me at risk of being inserted into the pipeline. I have wanted to be an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) since I was a little girl, but I have wanted to attend the college that I was accepted to, Florida A & M University, since I was a toddler. Now, both dreams are a reality! I love babies and want to help mothers during the most trying time of their life – during childbirth. My desire to serve as an OB/GYN has increased since reading numerous reports that state African American women receive disparate hospital care, often resulting in death. I will be a doctor that is receptive to the needs of my patients, and I will also teach proactive parenting classes in the community to help new parents raise healthy, happy children. My interests are not limited to medicine. In 2017, I had the honor of helping Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine write her autobiography, Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High with my Mom, Dr. Eurydice Stanley. For the past three years (prior to Covid), we travelled across the country sharing Ms. Eckford’s unique experiences desegregating Central High to include enduring daily physical, mental and verbal abuse at school. We use her experiences to teach civil rights history, promote resilience, and combat bullying and suicide in schools. I am grateful I could help Ms. Eckford tell her story. I have been an advocate for social justice my entire life. My Mom used to serve as an Equal Opportunity Officer for the Army. She would often bring me to civil rights museums and presentations, exposing me to African American history. I believe the murder of George Floyd has been a wake-up call for many Americans. It is unfortunate that it would take watching a man being choked to death to serve as a catalyst for change, and even sadder knowing that some who watched still do not care. Although our country is more politically polarized than ever before, I remain hopeful. I plan to always remain active in the community, because I know to whom much is given, much is expected. I know that I have been blessed with much throughout my life, so I will always give back! I am confident that change will come and am excited to see the increased involvement of youth my age. We are tomorrow’s leaders, My first step begins at FAMU. If awarded the Bubba Wallace Live to Be Different Scholarship, I will have the assistance necessary to fund my education and achieve my dream of becoming an OB/GYN. Thank you for your consideration. I assure you that not only will I live to be different, I will live to make a difference!

The woman who I admire most is my mother, Dr. Eurydice Stanley, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. She endured so much as an African American woman leader in the Army National Guard! My Mom served active duty for the National Guard at the end of her military career which lasted nearly 28 years. I am very proud of her because she received many awards for her efforts while serving. The Army National Guard has a long history of being exclusionary, and my Mom had the serious challenge of conducting human relations training for senior leaders to combat topics such as racism, discrimination, sexism and sexual assault within the ranks. She had a very challenging job, one that became that much more difficult after my parents divorced and she was left with two children under three to care for along with her many responsibilities in the military. Through it all, she remained focused on always taking care of her children and her service members. She takes responsibility seriously, and I do as well. My mom also Commanded a Public Affairs unit in Florida. It was a tumultuous time during two hurricane seasons of 8 storms pounding Florida and the Gulf Coast, ending in the devastation of Katrina. She was a first responder for all the storms and even had a baby (my baby brother Christian) between hurricane seasons which kept her on bedrest from month 6 until she delivered. My parents divorced shortly thereafter. To be an Army Officer, one has to be a leader, decisive, strong, persistent, visionary and an effective communicator. My Mom is that and so much more. I have never felt that I wasn't her priority. She always instilled in me the importance of pursuing excellence in everything that I do. Aside from my Mom, I have great respect for all women who serve in the military, because they serve in a male-dominated occupation that can result in life and death. I knew that I was not interested in serving in the military personally, but I definitely aspire to emulate the traits of strength previously mentioned that I've seen exhibited by my Mom and women in the military. When I was a little girl, Mom took me to meet Specialist Alyce Dixon, a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all African American Women's Army Corps unit to serve overseas during World War II. She was 102 when I met her. Because of her and the members of her unit opening the door, my Mom and countless women like her were able to serve in the military and excel. In honor of Ms. Alyce, I made a historical documentary about her and the 6888th, sharing the stories of underrecognized African American heroines which can be viewed at bit.ly/6888CPDB. I aspire to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) after attending college and medical school. I know pursuing that career will require persistence and strength as I take challenging classes and intern before becoming a doctor. I plan to work hard to achieve my dreams and because I want to make a difference within the African American community regarding the disparate number of African American women who do not survive childbirth. Representation matters, and I plan to make a difference. I also plan to provide training in the community to help new mothers who may be uncertain about parenting learn how to have healthy homes for their children, ensuring that they grow up in the best, most nurturing environment possible. I hope to mentor and provide excellent medical care. Before I was born, my Mother obtained her PhD in 2000 while working full-time. She would get up at 3:00 am in the morning and work on her dissertation until 7:00 am before leaving for work. Her determination is something that I will definitely replicate in college. When I was a little girl growing up as an "Army Brat," we moved every two years until I was 10. As a result, I learned to be flexible and adapt to change quickly, just like my Mom, which I am sure will be important in college. After my Mom retired, we asked to stay at our last duty station to establish family roots and stay with our friends. Thankfully, she allowed us to stay, even though there weren't many jobs available for her in the area. She is a great example of a Mother and a leader. I look forward to being the same for my children one day!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Maya Angelou This is my favorite motivational quote from my favorite poet because it reminds me to always live in and appreciate the moment. One person can live life but not maximize it to its fullest extent, while another person can fill their lives with happiness and joy by deliberate choice. I choose joy. It doesn't matter what age a person is, it matters what they do with their life. I would rather have a beautiful life filled with meaning that ends earlier than expected than live to be 100 wasting every day away watching television on the sofa. I want to travel, explore, become a medical doctor and eventually, get married and have beautiful babies. I look forward to those future moments that will take my breath away, but I will enjoy the journey along the way!

I want to study Biology/Pre-Med to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. I hope to provide the type of attentive, effective medical care that is currently lacking for many African American mothers. Countless studies address the higher mortality rates that have disparately impacted African American women during childbirth. I love babies and want to provide critical care to them during their greatest time of need. I want to help mothers have healthy children and create ideal environments for their family to thrive in and grow by presenting classes for the community. As an “Army Brat” (a military dependent), I had the opportunity to attend numerous schools throughout my life. We moved often, making me very resilient. As the frequent new girl in school, I learned to quickly adjust to change and be adaptable, which will help me in college. I attend a magnet high school studying biological sciences. I take classes that provide a firm foundation for medical professionals. I am determined to become a medical doctor, but I also enjoy theater. I enjoy becoming different characters as an actress and interpreting the playwright’s words in ways that appeal to audiences. It was a real thrill to receive notification that I was accepted to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), a Historically Black College/University. My major will be Biology/Pre-Med, which will prepare me for medical school. I will be my family’s first medical doctor. I am determined to work hard and achieve my goal. I currently serve as Miss Black Teen Florida International Ambassador 2019-2021. In that role, I promote women's empowerment, especially to little girls. I am proud to represent the state of Florida at events throughout the state and participate in community service events. I have more than 115 hours of community service volunteering with several organizations to include the Chappie James Foundation where students learn the basics of aeronautics and even fly an airplane! I participated in the program years ago and loved flying with a pilot mentor. Giving back makes me grateful for my blessings and more determined to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. In 2017, I helped Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine write her autobiography. I was 15, the same age she was when she desegregated Central High in 1957. We use the book to teach civil rights history and combat bullying. It is exciting to watch students connect with Ms. Eckford at our speaking engagements. Ultimately, we promote diversity and fight racism. To date, the book has received seven awards of excellence. The thing that I am most proud of is that we helped Ms. Eckford share her important story with today’s generation while providing the opportunity for her to receive appreciation in person from grateful international audiences. I can't wait to go to college to study biology. As an OB/GYN, I want to educate parents by presenting trainings in the community to help them establish the best home environment possible for their children. I will be a community doctor that makes a difference.

I am a storyteller who brings history to life! I create documentaries, presentations and books that bring the untold stories of African American women to the forefront. For too long, many critical stories have been pushed aside or overlooked. I say NO MORE! I am proud to honor my ancestors in this special way. I started by creating presentations for National History Day when I was in 5th grade. Meeting the requirements of that program forced me to ensure that I documented my sources and packaged my presentation in a way that is interesting and exciting. I started with Individual Performances and advanced to Documentaries. I believe it is critical to maintain one's history. One story in particular that touched me was the experiences of civil rights icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine. My mother was a military officer and our family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where she befriended Ms. Eckford. As a result, I had the blessing of having Ms. Eckford as a mentor my whole life. She was the first member of the Little Rock Nine to arrive at Little Rock Central High September 4, 1957 to arrive at the school to face an enraged, incensed mob alone. The Governor, Orval Faubus, also sent in armed soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the black students from entering the building. It was an honor to assist Ms. Eckford tell her story for the first time in 60 years by helping her write her first autobiography, "The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High". We have traveled across the country using her story to teach civil rights history and combat against racism, discrimination and bullying. I am so encouraged by the positive results from the book and a documentary that I made about women who helped desegregate schools which can be viewed at bit.ly/PersistedChanged. Thankfully, I was selected as Youth Ambassador of the Year by the 2020 Orlando Film Festival due to my documentaries, leadership, and community service. It has been a pleasure to watch Ms. Eckford receive her roses of recognition while she lives. That satisfaction is the reason that I plan to continue making documentaries and books about underrepresented stories. The latest project that I am working on recognizes the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all African American unit to serve overseas during World War II. I made a documentary about the trials and triumphs of the 6888th that was a state finalist for the National History Day program for the state of Florida. I also won the World War II Heritage Award that year. The documentary can be viewed at bit.ly/6888CPDB. The women of the 6888th did not receive any awards for the incredible job they did delivering three years worth of backlogged mail to heartsick soldiers serving overseas. Morale was low because they were not receiving news from home. In less than three months, the 6888th delivered all of the mail, tracking down the right person for every letter and package while enduring a segregated Army. A nomination has been submitted for them to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. They were remarkable women - hopefully, their service will finally receive the honor and recognition they deserve! I want to continue to create documentaries, books and presentations that edify the African American community. The long-term impact of slavery has had a lasting impact on African Americans, just like racism has impacted communities of color throughout our country. I will eventually branch out and tell other stories as well, but there are so many Although I plan to pursue becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the future because I love babies and want to help mothers who may not have access to dependable, safe medical care, I will never stop telling these important stories. My mom created an independent publishing company, Lamp Press, in honor of my Uncle Quewanncoii Stephens who died unexpectedly from heart disease in 2015. He was a history major who loved Black History. He and my mom used to spend hours discussing how to make African American history interesting and accessible to students. By telling these stories, we continue to honor his memory and keep his spirit alive. In addition to documentaries and stories, I enjoy making crochet products and bead jewelry. I am self-taught, and continue to purchase crochet books and watch videos to develop my skills. My friends and family have enjoyed the blankets, scarves and hats that I have created. They see them as pieces of art that reflect my love, which is a beautiful visual. I am currently creating a large, soft blanket for my mom to snuggle with while I'm away to college. I know that she will miss me. I just want to leave something with her to comfort her while I'm gone. Crochet helps me relax. I plan to create blankets and booties to donate to newborns while I'm in college. Throughout my life, I have been active in the arts in one form or another. I am grateful to have been afforded an education in magnet programs that developed my ability to write poetry, act, dance and create art. When I am an adult serving as a OB/GYN, I will continue to explore those interests and work with children to develop those skills in them as well. I wouldn't be the person that I am today without the time invested in me by my mom, teachers, mentors and Ms. Eckford. I want to share the gifts developed in me with others and lay the groundwork to help change the world for the better. I have renewed hope for our future as a country. By working together, I believe that we can make a difference.

My Grandma would not ask what I'm working on, but rather what AREN'T I working on! I admit, I can be very busy at times, but I am completely consumed with currently working to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) and would use this scholarship to start off my first year of college and help pay for my tuition. I am currently a senior in the Biomedical Sciences Academy at my school. I have learned a large and diverse amount of information that interests and prepares me for my future in medicine to include medical terminology, understanding blood splatter, and gene coding. Author Earl Nightingale said, “One hour per day of study in your chosen field is all it takes. One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you’ll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do.” My current training is setting me on the right path to become an OB/GYN. I am passionate about babies and caring for mothers. I am dedicated to pursuing higher education to reach my goals and certain that this is the career path for me. Also, I plan on obtaining a master's in public health at Howard University before medical school to further my knowledge of how to help the community. This October, I was accepted into Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's (FAMU) Fall Class of 2025, which is my dream school, to major in Biology with a focus on Pre-medicine. I would use this scholarship to help pay my tuition and other required expenses. I will retake the ACT in February in the hopes of increasing my score one point to 25 so I will be eligible for the Florida Bright Futures scholarship. I met all the other requirements to include community service and grade point average. If I receive the Bright Futures Scholarship, it will pay for 75% of my tuition. This scholarship would help me pay for the rest of my tuition. I have been working on attending college most of my life, ever since my Mother took me to FAMU as a little girl for football games and to see the band perform. FAMU was incredible to me then and even more exciting to me now. I cannot wait to attend the campus as a student. I look forward to starting my college experience off on the right foot, which includes raising the funds for the rest of my tuition. That way, I will not have to worry about obtaining a job immediately, but rather focus on my studies during the first year and becoming acclimated with the rigor of college courses. Hopefully as a sophomore I will be able to get a work-study job and work on campus, hopefully in the biology department. Like Nightingale said, I want my work and study on campus to help prepare me for future success as an OB/GYN.

I understand the pain you felt with the loss of your Mom because I experienced great pain when my Uncle Aaron committed suicide. Uncle Aaron was a former Army Specialist. He deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan three times. My Mom was also in the Army but she was an Officer. She would always cry hysterically whenever my Uncle deployed, wishing she could take his place. Mental health is a challenging thing that can be difficult to assess. If you met my Uncle, you would NEVER think that he would ever consider hurting himself because he was such a laid-back guy, a father and a husband. I remember my Uncle coming to visit our family one Easter. We had recently moved into a new home, so we waited to have a housewarming until we could do it with him present. It was a beautiful event with foods and friends. Our Pastor even prayed for us. My Uncle signed the wall in our garage with his initials along with the other guests at our housewarming. It was then that he let us know that he was going through a divorce, but we had no idea how much that divorce was weighing on his head and his heart. I can honestly say that my mental health has been significantly impacted since we have been on lockdown due to COVID-19. I have experienced extensive depression but I am lucky because I have a therapist that I can speak with about my concerns and loving family members. My Uncle did not talk with anyone about his challenges fully. He made it seem as if everything was fine, but in reality, it wasn't. Mom wished he shared fully because she he would have gotten him help! But that is the nature of suicide. My Uncle was an absolutely beautiful person, inside and out. He was biracial with blue eyes the color of the sky and beautiful curly hair that he kept cut short. My Mom was 13 years older than him when he was born, so she basically raised him because her Mom had 7 cleaning jobs at the time and was gone the majority of the time. My Mom considered Uncle Aaron to be her first baby. They were extremely close. Since we have two extra bedrooms, my Mom offered for Uncle Aaron to come live with us after the divorce and attend a computer training program that a local community college offered for Veterans to develop an new profession. Unfortunately, my Uncle could not see himself moving to Pensacola from Orlando because he would not be able to see his son on a daily basis. Following that logic however, it does not make sense for him to ultimately take his own life and never see his son or anyone else again. I know that my Uncle was in a lot of pain, but I just wish that he would have made a different decision than to hang himself. It was heartbreaking! On the day that my Uncle died, my Mother was at a routine doctor's appointment. Out of nowhere, she became overwhelmed with the need to throw up. She wasn't able to make it to the trashcan and ended up vomiting on the doctor's floor. She was so embarrassed and had no idea what caused it, until she later received a call from her Grandmother advising her that Uncle Aaron was gone. Our family believes that she threw up when Uncle Aaron left this earth. They were truly connected. I was very focused on mental health during this period due to my family. I was concerned that I was going to lose my Mom as well because 11 months before Uncle Aaron died, Mom's first brother, Uncle Que, had a massive heart attack. He was Mom's best friend. They talked on the phone every single day. His loss was unexpected and overwhelming. My Mom was barely able to bring us to school in the morning and we were frequently late to school. She seemed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown and we didn't know what to do. I did what I could, which was help out in the house and help with cooking, but ultimately, my Mom had to work through the pain. It seemed that she was getting better, but then Uncle Aaron committed suicide. It was completely out of the blue and it devastated our family. To make matters worse, her third brother had an epileptic seizure while he slept and he lost his life. She lost three brothers in three years and has no more siblings. She is all that is left now and her parents are very protective of her. Given everything that I have recently seen and experienced, I know the impact that stress and pain can have on a family. As a result, I have tried to be very understanding when I deal with people, because you never know what they are dealing with underneath the surface. My Mother would frequently smile when we were outside our house but start crying the second she walked through our door. She could finally show her real feelings when we were at home. Those were very hard years, exacerbated by the fact that my Mom's family didn't know how to help her because they were in such pain themselves. In the future, I plan on becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist to help mothers. I will help mothers during the most challenging experience of their lives. My services will focus on the needs of the whole woman. It is my hope to provide assistance to mothers who may not normally be able to afford my help. I will also present classes in the community that will help mothers be better prepared for their new role as a parent promoting stable environments and the best possible environment for their children. Mental health will also be an important aspect of what I share in the community, because I know it is critical!

My significant height of 6'2 has placed me in the category of “misfit” since I was a child, especially for a girl. I have always been tall, but I am much taller than most of my peers. I was a head above my classmates all throughout elementary school and most of middle school. There was no missing me when you look at my class pictures. Thankfully, my pediatricians knew that I was going to be at least six feet tall, so my parents were prepared. My mother worked hard to instill a positive self-image to make sure I wouldn’t have a low self-esteem due to my height. I was always presented with wonderful, elegant tall animals like beautiful giraffes to make me tall of my height. As a result, I was never one of those tall students who hunched over to make themselves appear smaller. I am proud and have always been proud of my height making my dreams unlimited. My Mom taught me about strong Amazonian warriors who I admire and strive to become like. They were historically strong, statuesque, tall women who I aspire to become. I want to become Obstetrician/Gynecologist, a profession which is not influenced by height. The primary thing is that I believe that I can become medical doctor instead of internalizing the negative influences of others who are influenced by their own height insecurities. Fortunately, the way I perceive myself is of no concern to those around me, specifically men. If I considered their insights, I might be self-conscious. I have always found it amusing to see men of all ages and stations of life, specifically adult men, become so emasculated by the height of a young girl. It is easy to see that they equate height to masculinity. When I am taller than them, regardless of how much, they tend to try to increase their height in pictures by standing on their toes. They try to laugh and joke it off, but ultimately, it is a direct reflection of their perception of my assault on their manhood. It is always fascinating...especially when I wear 4 inch heels! I am also a young black girl with thick and poofy natural hair which caused a lot of attention and conversation starters in school. People would make it a habit of pulling my hair to watch it stretch or touching it out of curiosity. I never understood what made someone think that it was okay to do that, but it happens time and time again. I remain patient with people when they touch my hair if I can't avoid it. I currently serve as Miss Black Teen Florida International 2019-2021 and use these experiences to remind girls that they are beautiful when I participate in official appearances throughout the state. Of course, those events have diminished due to COVID-19. My influences are not limited to official events. I also remind my friends, who sometimes are self-conscious of their hair, that it is beautiful. I want all of my friends and everyone to feel beautiful in their own skin and not allow themselves to be labeled by others. Although I can’t correct the posture of those who hunch over, I can remind tall girls that they are beautiful. I don't want tall girls or girls with big hair to see themselves as misfits. Despite the efforts of others to make fun of tall girls or label them misfits, I want them to know that they are incredible and fantastic, just like my Mother told me. I am confident that if everyone believed in themselves, the world would be a completely different place. My Mother was purposeful in her programming of me being proud of my height and hair at a very young age, and I think that others should do the same with their loved ones or significant others. My Mother made sure that I knew that I was beautiful and told me that I was lucky to be tall even though others made fun of me, so I believed her instead of them. I want people to believe the positive reports of their cheerleaders instead of the negative reports of their naysayers. If more loving support took place in the world, I believe we could change the world!

I dream big because I want to live big! My desires are not solely for myself, but also for the mothers that I hope to help in the future as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. I look forward to opening my own practice and providing affordable healthcare for mothers who may not be able to afford my services. I also want to have a family of my own, travel and be very happy. I am a senior attending West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. What I like best about my school is I have the opportunity to major in Biomedical Sciences. My classes provide the foundation necessary to help me prepare to attend medical school at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). I was recently advised that I was accepted to FAMU! I am so excited because they have high demand and a very low acceptance rate (38%). I am the fifth generation of my family to attend FAMU. It is a legacy of love that I look forward to continuing. Community service has always been important to me and my family. I have always been active in the community, volunteering wherever I can. When I was a little girl, my family would put together back to school supplies for children in need or give them Christmas stockings. My Mom is a retired Army Officer and disabled Veteran, so we also focus on the needs of Veterans. For example, we distributed Christmas gifts at a Veteran home and a Veterans Administration hospital. I know small efforts can make a significant difference in someone's life. I currently serve as Miss Black Teen Florida International Ambassador 2019-2021 for Miss Black International Ambassador. I serve as a role model and encourage Floridians at community events. The pageant focus is women's empowerment, and I like providing inspiring, encouraging words to all, especially little girls. I spread the empowerment message wherever I can. I have participated in events from the Dr. Martin Luther King parade in North Florida to community service at largest book fair in the state, the Miami Book Fair. I love meeting people from the community, taking pictures with them and encouraging them! In 2017, I helped Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine write her autobiography, “The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Little Rock Central High.” It was her first time telling her horrific experiences desegregating Central High. We use the book to teach civil rights history and combat bullying in schools. It is always exciting to watch students connect with Ms. Eckford at our speaking engagements and is another way that we promote diversity and fight racism. The book has been recognized for excellence six times with international awards and numerous outstanding reviews. I am proud that we helped Ms. Eckford share her important story with today’s generation. I have participated in many competitions for National History Fair throughout my years of school. My first documentary shared the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which was the only all African American Woman’s Army Corps unit to serve during World War II. The all-woman unit separated and delivered millions of pieces of backlogged mail to boost soldier morale during World War II. I advanced to state finals and received the World War II Heritage Award for my documentary. It can be viewed at bit.ly/6888CPDB. My second documentary shared stories of women and girls who helped influence school desegregation. The documentary pays homage to “sheroes” often overlooked in the fight for civil rights, to include Elizabeth Eckford and Dr. Sybil Hampton Jordan, a member of the second group of African American students to attend Central High. Both paid an extremely high personal cost to pursue their educations, which makes me value my opportunity to freely pursue education even more. That documentary can be viewed at bit.ly/PersistedChanged. In recognition of my documentaries, I was selected as the 2020 Orlando Film Festival Youth Ambassador of the Year, a great honor. In the future, I want to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and provide excellent prenatal services to help mothers from all socioeconomic backgrounds receive medical care. I want to open my own practice as an entrepreneur instead of being tied to a hospital. Ultimately, I want to educate parents by presenting trainings in the community to help them establish the best home environment possible for their children. I want to be a community doctor that makes a difference. I consistently do things to better myself because I believe in self-improvement. I read numerous books to include those from leadership expert John C. Maxwell. I also am cognizant of what I eat and my exercise regime to be my very best. I also better myself by helping others. I have more than 100 hours of community service volunteering with several organizations to include the Chappie James Foundation (he was an Air Force pilot from Pensacola, FL and the first African American 4-star general) where students learn the basics of aeronautics and even fly an airplane. I was grateful to be able to participate in the program years ago and loved flying with a pilot mentor! It was a joy to give back the following year as a mentor to the next class of students to help them achieve their goal of flying. By pursuing my current educational plans, I will be the first person in my family to become a medical doctor. It will take a lot of dedication and hard work. It is a big dream, but I know that I can achieve this goal. Giving back makes me grateful for my blessings. Hopefully, I will win the MBIA pageant and have the additional opportunity to encourage and empower other girls to pursue their dreams, no matter how big! I am also determined to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist who provides services to help new mothers in need of excellent, affordable medical care. I will provide free parenting classes within the community help new mothers. I can't wait to live my big life!

Dr. Virginia Apgar is a woman in STEM who made a life-changing impact in obstetrics that continues to impact families around the world. I greatly admire Dr. Apgar, an obstetrics anesthesiologist, who created the APGAR score in 1952 to determine infant health immediately after birth. This test was originally to determine if resuscitation was required for newborns, but has since saved the lives of countless babies. The exam measures appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing rates), creating the acronym APGAR. Dr. Apgar studied the anesthesia records of previous clients, 1025 babies born and scored with her scale. The babies are scored on a scale from 1 - 10. Although Dr. Apgar died in 1974, her score lives on and continues to provide key insights regarding newborn babies today. I aspire to become an OB/GYN, so Dr. Apgar's contribution of this analysis affects me and my future profession directly. Without Dr. Apgar’s contribution, many fatal issues wouldn’t be recognized as early as they are due to the APGAR score. Along with being able to assist in the birthing process, I plan on hosting monthly classes in my local community center to discuss a wealth of information that my demographic (the African American community) should hear but often doesn't. My goal is to provide community classes for a diverse demographic. I plan to speak to teens and adults regarding safe sex to remove the stigmas and taboo surrounding it. I also want to speak to expecting families and families trying to get pregnant about the importance of issues such as taking vitamins and other critical issues. I want to answer any questions or concerns they may have and help them be as prepared as possible. I will use the knowledge that studying and practicing medicine has taught me to help positively impact those surrounding me. I am passionate about spreading awareness and knowledge that could potentially help save someone’s life, especially the lives of new mothers and their babies. I want to provide them the information necessary to help them create the best environment possible in their homes so that their babies will grow up healthy and happy. I want mothers who may not normally have access to excellent medical care due to economic constraints to come to me to receive all of the help that they need. Aside from pursuing a medical degree, I hope to also obtain a Master's of Public Health. I want to do something that will help families in the community. I don't know if I will be able to create something as significant as Dr. Apgar's score, but I am confident that the training that I provide in the community will make a difference. I know that one person can make a difference, like Dr. Apgar, and I hope to have an incredible, positive influence on new mothers in the community in the future. I look forward to helping babies and mothers like Dr. Apgar!

Music is significant because it provides the soundtrack to my life. I am an Army Brat who has lived all over the country, so my musical taste is very eclectic. It is definitely influenced by the songs that I listened to while growing up or that I heard during times of trial. I distinctly remember listening to the sweet melody of "Butterflies" by Michael Jackson repeatedly, then switching over to listen to Teddy Pendergrass sing about the need to let his relationship go due to a "Love T.K.O." I hold all of those memories close in my heart. I know the words to thousands of songs and they always make me smile. However, whenever I hear a song from the "Black Rose" album by Tyrese, I am reminded of my Uncle Que's unexpected heart attack in 2015. My Mom would play "Shame" from that album over and over because she said he would have loved the song and the fact that Tyrese produced and distributed the album himself. My Uncle believed in Rhythm & Blues (R&B). Whenever I hear the intro to Shame and the words, "I need your forgiveness, and your mercy too. I must be all kinda crazy, for what I've done to you..." I immediately see my Uncle's mischievous smile. By the time Tyrese gets to the chorus, "Oh, I'm ashamed of me (shame on me), wish I never done you wrong (shame on me). Every night of us I dream that I wake up in your arms..." I actually see Uncle Que singing the song with Tyrese! Unfortunately, less than a year after Uncle Que died, his brother Aaron, an Army Veteran, committed suicide. Uncle Aaron's loss was devastating for my family, particularly my Mom who helped raise him. My Mom played "Victims" by Culture Club repeatedly when he passed away. She grew up in California, so she loved Culture Club and Boy George when she was in high school, and now I love them too. The song says, "The victims you know so well, they shine in your eyes when they kiss and tell. Strange places we never see but you're always there, like a ghost in my dream and I keep on telling you, please don't do the things you do. When you do those things, pull my puppet strings, I've the strangest void for you...". My favorite part is the bridge, which says, "Pull the strings of emotion, take a ride into unknown pleasure. I feel like a child on a dark night, wishing there was some kind of Heaven. I could be warm with you smiling, hold out your hand for a while the victims, you know them so well...so well...". Of course, I don't only listen to sad or love songs. As I initially said, music is my life soundtrack. I use it to regulate my mood and it usually makes me happy. My ultimate "go-to" song is "Happy" by Pharrell Williams because the beat always makes me dance and smile!

Acting gives me life! I have participated in the International Thespian Society's (ITS) competitions every year since I was a freshman. I love taking a play and bringing it to life with the nuances that I bring to the character through my voice inflection, movements and actions. During the summer of 2019, I was able to advance from my school to regional and state competitions where I received superior scores at every level. I presented a piece from Shakespeare and a comedic monologue. As a result, I was able to advance and compete in the Individual Monologue competition at nationals, held at the University of Nebraska. I was extremely proud of that achievement because there were very few students from the state of Florida in attendance. My goal in life is to become an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. It seems very foreign to my family because I have been recognized all of my life for speaking, acting or writing, especially poetry. However, I love babies and want to help bring them into the world safely. However, that will only be one aspect of who I am after I complete medical school. I still plan to be very active in theater after I become a medical doctor. I will use this scholarship to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). It is a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Tallahassee, Florida. I can't wait to step foot on FAMU's campus in the fall! The entire campus is a gift to the arts, to include holding the largest collection of African American memorabilia in the south. FAMU also has "The FAMU Connection," a group of students who sing, dance and act to recruit students to the school. I hope to be selected for the FAMU Connection so that I can continue to pursue my love for acting while I pursue a degree in Biology/Pre-Med. I know that I will always pursue my love for the arts!

COVID-19 absolutely ruined my senior year! It has also ruined my social life and 18th birthday. I hate that hundreds of thousands of Americans have died due to this plague that has overtaken our world and wish that something could have been done to end this months ago! Since nothing like that exists, we all continue to suffer, but not in silence. I have noticed that students and youth in particular have been very vocal about COVID-19 and the decisions that have been made impacting our country. In March, I was supposed to see my best friends perform in a show, but the lockdown caused them to cancel their performances. Prom was also supposed to be in March. I had a date and dress prepared, but it was cancelled and it broke my heart. I fear that my senior prom will also be cancelled as well. I understand in the big scheme of things, especially since we're dealing with a life and death issue, Prom may not be considered a big deal, but it is something that I have looked forward to since I entered high school. I pray that my class will be able to graduate unlike the students from the class of 2020. My mental health has only deteriorated since quarantine started. I experienced one of my biggest depressive episodes ever in April and May. I usually have event-filled summers, travelling and participating in different programs. This year, all of my events were cancelled, including Girl's State, which is only offered to juniors and requires selection by the members of the American Legion. Since school started, I haven't been able to see my friends who I previously saw every day in the hallways or in classes. Now I am a remote student taking classes from home, which leaves me generally confined to my house and makes my classes generally harder. On the bright side of remote classes, I find it easier to keep track of assignments in my planner and learn materials at my own pace to an extent. I have two best friends who I miss dearly. Neither of them live near me or can visit often due to social distancing and safety precautions. With this virus, it is impossible to know who is infected. My 18th birthday is November 26th, Thanksgiving Day. i am trying to maintain the right perspective and be grateful for life and health, but it is extremely hard. The virus numbers are rising and I am worried whenever I venture outside of the house. Earlier this year, I was planning on a huge celebration and party to dance my way into adulthood, but now I won't be able to have a party and it breaks my heart. My family also travelled frequently during the Thanksgiving holiday, but we can't even travel to see loved ones like we have typically done years prior. I feel like I am trapped and cannot get out. I do not want to get into a political debate regarding COVID-19, but it has been well documented that the American response has lapsed far behind other countries. Additionally, we have the greatest losses of any country. America's current leader has not sat in a COVID briefing since October and there is no telling if that will change before January. I just hope that with the next administration, people will mask up and take the precautions necessary to save lives. Throughout the pandemic, I have learned that the ambivert that I once was has slowly and surely begun to lean more towards an introvert. I appreciate the safety of my house, but I despise the total isolation and complete disregard for human lives that some display by blatantly refusing to take the necessary precautions to further prevent the spread of Covid-19. I wish this pandemic was over so I could hug my friends again. I look forward the day when a vaccine is available and life can return to normal, although I don't know if life will ever return to normal again given everything that has happened this year to our world.

I believe that Dr. Jessica Bullard, M.D., is one of my biggest role models. She is my mother's sorority sister, so she is just like an aunt to me. She is a strong, intelligent, successful, independent black woman in the field of Obstetrics/Gynecology. She made me want to pursue the same field. She graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, (FAMU), the HBCU that I will attend next year. She is also blessed with a beautiful family (a husband and three children) that also inspires me to follow my personal dreams. I hope to have a family and career like hers filled with numerous international travels, education, community service and passion for everything that I do, just like her. Dr. Bullard met my mom while they both attended FAMU together. They pledged on the same sorority line, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and have been friends for more than 30 years. They were so close that my Mom was one of Aunt Jessica's Bridesmaids. We have a photo of them together on our piano. She is definitely part of our family. Aunt Jessica initially pursued a career of education after graduating from college and was a music teacher for a number of years, but eventually decided that education was not where her passion was anymore. She did something that few people would have the courage to do - she stopped being a teacher and went back to school to pursue a medical degree. Although she was older than the other students and did not have a biology/pre-med background, she still went to medical school to become an OB/GYN. She received recognition for being the top student in her class. I plan on following her steps and becoming an OB/GYN! Aunt Jessica and I share a passion for babies. In fact, she cries every time she sees the miracle of a baby being born! Similarly, I am fascinated by the creation and progression of life. I have a great admiration for motherhood and newborns and cannot wait to help mothers bring their precious bundles into the world. Between her medical school, Aunt Jessica also pursued a Master's in Public Health. I have already researched schools that I can attend to obtain the same credential to help patients more. I want to be extremely well-rounded and prepared as a OB/GYN. I hope to have my own practice so I can provide trainings within the community. I hope to help mothers who may not have access to affordable health care and provide them with excellent care. I am a "Army Brat," so I have moved numerous times. My favorite duty station was when we lived in Washington DC and Auntie lived near us in Virginia. It gave me the opportunity to spend time with her family frequently. I loved visiting her. Not only was she successful, but her family emulated black excellence. Her brilliant children, Gabrielle, Gary, and Sophie, are also well educated and successful people. Gabrielle is a talented actress. I hope to someday raise children of the same prestige. Aunt Jessica's husband and son shared a great bond, golfing, that led to my cousin Gary eventually becoming recognized as one of the best junior golf players in the country! Due to his success and academic excellence, he was accepted to West Point. Gary currently golfs for West Point Academy and I am very proud of him. Sophie is still in middle school. She attends a private school and is learning to play the piano from my Auntie. A few other admirable attributes that my Aunt has is she is a beautiful woman and a gifted songstress. Although I do not aspire to be a singer, I love to listen to her. When my mother was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Aunt Jessica sang the national anthem for my mother's ceremony. Her daughter, Gabrielle, also has a beautiful voice and participates in musical theatre in New York. Dr. Bullard is also fluent in Spanish, which is a goal of mine that I am determined to achieve. I believe knowing a foreign language, especially Spanish, is very important in the healthcare industry. I want to help the most people possible, and understanding their needs will be a very important part of helping them. When my family lived in Virginia, I attended a Spanish immersion program that presented classes in Spanish half of the school day. Unfortunately, my family had to transfer to another duty station before I was able to become fluent, but my enunciation is excellent. I have taken two courses of Spanish in high school and practice daily with an app. I will take more classes in college until I am fluent. Dr. Bullard is very well travelled. She has spent time around the world. I love this about her because she has managed to balance a beautiful marriage, motherhood, and professional life while still pursuing things that she loves to do. She has not been able to travel due to quarantine, even to visit her son in West Point (the cadets are on lockdown), but she looks forward to it in the future (as do I). My inspiration, Dr. Jessica Bullard, is a loved one whom I greatly admire. She is not only intelligent, but she is also a fabulous person who is full of joy and always quick to laugh. She epitomizes everything that I am interested in with her wonderful career, loving family, beautiful home and her wonderful personality. Although she had a few challenging things happen to her, she did not allow them to change her outlook on life. I am so grateful that I have someone like her to look up to while I was growing up. She gave me direction and focus. I am grateful to have Aunt Jessica in my life because as you can see, she is simply an exceptional person. Not only is she a fantastic human being, but she is one of my biggest role models.

Be Bold! At age 15, I coauthored the book, "The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High" with Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine and my Mom, Eurydice Stanley. I was proud to help Eckford 60 years later share her experiences desegregating Central High. We teach civil rights history and combat bullying in schools. Last year, I accepted several awards for our book to include Reader's Favorite and Children's Book of the Year from the Indie Author Legacy Awards. Thankfully, our book has received six awards for excellence since publication. Believe and follow your dreams!

I am the daughter of a single woman Army Lieutenant Colonel who did whatever it took to take care of her children despite a demanding career. I am used to being around people who wear camouflage and boots. No matter her job requirements, I knew that my brother and I were always Mom's most important "mission." I grew up in a completely different world that was male-dominated and often did not care about children. My Mom often had to go head-to-head with leaders who were not concerned about our illnesses or needs, but Mom would never send us to the hospital with anyone else. My Mom and I are extremely close because I know how much she loves me. Truly, she would do anything for me! Our family transferred to Florida after a very demanding assignment in Washington D.C. Mom thought Florida was going to be a break, but it turned out that was not the case at all. During the two years that we were in Florida, the state was hit by eight hurricanes over two years! Mom was a first responder who had to go to every hurricane site prior to the hurricane making landfall. She sent me to Louisiana with my Dad so she wouldn't have to worry about me. However, when we came to visit her after Hurricane Ivan hit, my brother Christian was conceived. Mom considers him to be her "best hurricane souvenir." While my Mom was fighting hurricanes, her own home from a previous assignment at Patrick Air Force Base was TOTALED! By that time, my parents were fighting all the time. Mom had so much to deal with because I was two, she was pregnant, she had to drive from St. Augustine to Melbourne, Florida to oversee the repairs of the hurricane demolished house. To top it all off, my Mom had to be placed on bedrest during her pregnancy because her hip was knocked out 15 times during the pregnancy! Yes, my Mom was really going through, but she did not quit. She gave birth to my brother and was back to work to serve during the next four hurricane operations, to include Hurricane Katrina. This scholarship is perfect for me because my Mom is a single parent who sacrificed a lot to be in the military, to include (unintentionally) part of her family. Moving with the Army became too much for my Dad. My parents divorced while my Mom was Commanding a public affairs unit in Florida. At the same time, she served as the Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the Florida National Guard, was in school and had a newborn and a toddler (me). Needless to say, she had a lot of responsibilities, and she exceeded them all. While Mom was on bedrest, she used the time to compile a book of poems that she had been writing off and on during her pregnancy to tell me how much she loved me. Although she could have been a couch potato during that time, she did not remain idle. She commanded her unit via telephone from the bed and wrote a book dedicated to me titled "God's Grace: Psalms of Love, Laughter, Tears and Joy from Mother to Daughter." She would speak to women in domestic abuse shelters with the book to encourage them. I couldn't read at that time, but I heard her read the poems so much that I was able to recite my favorite poem, "My Precious Jewel" to her from memory. Things were very toxic in my home at the time with my parents, and my Mom actually feared for her life! As a result, she wrote the poem, "Should Anything Ever Happen" where she described how much she loved us in case she wasn't there when we grew up. Eventually, I asked her to not read that poem because it would always make me sad. I could never imagine being without my Mom, ever! Due to hearing my Mom's loving poetry about me as a baby and personally experiencing her love for me, I developed a real love for babies. As a result, my future goal is to become an OB/GYN and care for mothers and their babies during the most critical time in their lives. I will attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in the fall to begin my educational journey. I am very excited to be the fifth generation of my family to attend FAMU where we have established a real legacy of love. I know that my goal will require many years of school, which is why I am pursuing scholarships to help offset my family's financial need. At one point, one of Mom's bosses made her choose between doctor appointments for her or my brother. Of course, that was illegal, but when Mom reported it, her bosses boss did not do anything. Unfortunately, Mom ended up needing emergency surgery, but thankfully it was caught in time. It upset me to realize that I almost lost my Mom, but my brother never missed an appointment. I am grateful that I was raised by my Mom. By watching her, I learned the importance of integrity, pursuing excellence, and lifelong learning. She is always volunteering in the community and I know that I will do the same thing. I plan to provide parenting classes to new mothers to help them understand how to create the best environment for their children. I want their children to have a great start. As a doctor, I hope to help mothers who may need help during pregnancy like Mom did with my brother. Of course, my Mom is not perfect, but she is perfect for me and my brother. As a single Mom, she has taught me tenacity and resilience. I am grateful for the sacrifices she made for us and hope that one day (many years from now) that I can be an excellent Mother like her. She believes in me and is a true inspiration!