Medicine has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I watched my mother care for patients as a doctor, and I admired the trust people placed in her. At the time, I saw medicine as a respected profession, but I did not fully understand how deeply illness can affect a person and a family until my mother became a patient herself. When I was in high school, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. That experience changed me. Hospitals became places filled with fear, hope, and uncertainty. I saw how difficult it was for a family to absorb complicated medical information and make decisions while feeling scared. I also saw the difference a kind and patient physician could make. Medical knowledge mattered, but so did the way doctors explained things, listened, and gave our family comfort when everything felt overwhelming. That was when my interest in medicine became closer. I began to understand that being a physician is not only about treating disease, but also about helping people feel less alone during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. My mother’s illness also drew me toward cancer research. I became interested in knowing how diseases develop, how treatments work, and how medicine can continue to improve. Through my research experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I learned that progress often begins with small steps in the laboratory. I have worked on cancer-related projects involving experimental design, tissue analysis, cell culture, and data interpretation. Research has taught me patience and humility. Experiments do not always go as planned, and answers do not come quickly, but each discovery can become part of something larger that may one day help patients. My clinical and volunteer experiences have also shaped the kind of doctor I hope to become. While shadowing in pediatric hematology, I saw physicians care for children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. I noticed how important communication was—how a physician could explain complicated information in a way that helped families feel more grounded. Through volunteering, I also learned that small acts of service can matter. Checking on patients, helping families feel comfortable, or simply being present can make a hospital feel less frightening. The impact I want to make is to combine science and compassion. I hope to become a physician who understands not only disease, but also the fears and questions patients and families carry with them. I want to use my education to improve health education, support patients through difficult diagnoses, and reassure families. I also hope to stay involved in research, especially work that improves quality of life for cancer survivors. The people who inspire me most are those who use their knowledge to serve others. My mother inspires me both as a doctor and as a patient. The physicians I have shadowed inspire me through their compassion and dedication. The scientists I have worked with inspire me because they are the pioneers pushing human knowledge into uncharted realms. From all of them, I have learned that medicine is not only a career, but a responsibility to use what we learn to help others. Through my education, I hope to become the physician who brings both skill and humanity to patient care. My goal is to take the opportunities I have been given and use them to serve others. To be the bridge connecting vulnerable patients to healing. That is the change I am determined to be part of.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, the obstacles I’ve faced have shaped me into a person who refuses to give up—not because the path has been easy, but because I’ve learned the value of perseverance and purpose. My journey has taught me that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about being the one who shows up, listens, and acts with integrity—even when no one is watching. I moved to the United States at the age of eleven, speaking very little English. I was placed in middle school classrooms where I could barely understand what the teacher was saying. I recall the frustration of wanting to ask questions but struggling to find the words. That sense of isolation was painful, but it taught me the importance of having someone who will sit beside you, believe in you, and help you feel seen. Years later, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, I saw students across the country struggle with that same feeling of being lost and left behind. That’s when I joined a nationwide volunteer initiative called Yes Learn!, which provides free, Zoom-based tutoring in math and Mandarin for students whose families cannot afford extra help. At first, I was just a tutor. However, as more families signed up and the organization expanded, I stepped into a leadership role—helping other tutors develop lesson plans, coordinating schedules, and serving as a liaison between volunteers and parents. There were weeks when I tutored six days straight, juggling time zones and schoolwork. But I kept going—not because I had to, but because I knew how it felt to be on the other side of the screen. I had lived that struggle, and I wasn’t about to let these students fall through the cracks. To this day, I’ve tutored over 50 students from all backgrounds and even helped raise awareness and resources for other students who wanted to get involved. I wasn’t just teaching math—I was building confidence, creating consistency, and proving that even in a global crisis, we can lift each other up. Outside of tutoring, I’ve taken on leadership roles that combine compassion with action. I’ve helped organize Emery’s Big Climb—a fundraising initiative inspired by a close friend who battled leukemia. Through community outreach and event coordination, we’ve raised over $16,000 each year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Leading this effort showed me how one person’s story can ignite a movement when others choose to care and act. Every challenge I’ve faced—whether it was adapting to a new language, managing school and work as a transfer student, or facing financial uncertainty—has made me more resilient. I’ve learned that leadership is not about waiting for the perfect opportunity. It’s about using what you have to make a difference now. This scholarship, in honor of Jimmy Cardenas, represents more than just financial aid—it reflects the spirit of service, strength, and community. I may not be in a criminal justice program, but I share Jimmy’s commitment to protecting others and building a better world. I hope to become a physician who uplifts underserved communities, breaks barriers in healthcare access, and leads with both skill and empathy. Thank you for considering my application. I will carry this opportunity with honor, and continue working toward a future where every obstacle becomes a chance to lead.

My name is Guanshu Liu, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in Sociology at Columbia University. As a woman of faith attending college with a 4.0 GPA, I am deeply committed to growing academically, spiritually, and personally so that I can use my future career to serve others with compassion and purpose. Studying at a rigorous university has been both a blessing and a challenge. While I feel honored to receive an education that pushes me intellectually and prepares me for a future in medicine, I also face significant financial burdens that require careful balancing of academic responsibilities with work and budgeting. This scholarship would be a tremendous support, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, research, and service without the constant stress of financial pressure. As a female student at a prestigious institution, I strongly resonate with the message behind this scholarship. The verse, “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), speaks deeply to my own calling. I believe I have been placed on this path not just for personal achievement, but to be a witness through my actions—to offer healing, comfort, and dignity to those in need. Whether it’s in a hospital, a research lab, or on a global mission trip, my education is preparing me to serve with integrity and compassion. My academic and career path is shaped by my desire to help others, especially vulnerable populations. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering in pediatric oncology and working on cancer research projects at MD Anderson Cancer Center. These experiences have opened my eyes to the intersection of science and service, and confirmed my goal of becoming a physician who not only treats illness but also sees and supports the whole person. This scholarship would make a meaningful difference in my journey. It would help cover tuition and academic expenses, giving me more time to deepen my learning, engage in campus ministry, and pursue research that contributes to the well-being of others. It would also affirm my belief that faith and education can walk hand in hand—and that, as a woman with both ambition and purpose, I can thrive in higher education while preparing to be a force for good in the world. Thank you for investing in students like me. I hope to honor the mission of this scholarship by continuing to pursue excellence, serve others, and carry forward the spirit of Esther: bold, faithful, and ready for such a time as this.