Without God, I am nothing. He is the anchor of my life, the steady hand behind every success and step forward. My perseverance is not my own; my accomplishments are not my own. They are by the grace of God. If it weren’t for His mercy, guidance, and love, I would have nothing to stand on. I believe with my whole heart that He is the reason behind every good thing I have experienced. Each day, I strive to focus less on fulfilling my desires and more on being obedient to Him. I’ve learned that true peace and joy come not from trying to be a “better version” of myself, but from seeking to be more like Jesus. I believe the Lord placed in me a passion for helping others. Over time, I realized that my plans for myself often revolved around my own glory and success. But God shifted my heart. He gave me a dream of becoming a holistic dermatologist, not only to help people care for their skin, but to care for their souls. It may not be saving lives through surgery or guiding people through therapy, but it is a unique kind of aid. Through this career, I want to use the skills He gives me as a bridge: to restore confidence, promote health, and share His goodness. Currently, I am in my third year of undergrad and work as a licensed lash technician to support myself through school. I could have chosen another job, but beauty has always been a personal interest of mine. I’ve done hair, makeup, lashes, and more. Yet, I know God is calling me to something greater than just a hobby or side income. I believe His presence can be found anywhere, not just within the four walls of a church. That’s why, even in my lash appointments, I play worship music, pray over my clients, and speak to them about the Lord. I want God to be seen in the beauty industry, an uncommon place for Him to shine, but one where His light is deeply needed. Part of this calling is also rooted in my own struggles. I’ve wrestled with vanity and seasons of pride, placing too much value on my appearance. But God humbled me, showing me that beauty is not for my glory but for His. Helping others with their skin shifts the focus away from myself and onto His children. Each patient, each consultation, each appointment is an opportunity to serve, to love, and to “make heaven crowded.” How incredible that God would entrust me with a career allowing me to meet people where they are, help them feel whole, and share His truth? I never would have chosen this dream for myself. In the past, I sought attention, but in this career, the focus isn’t on me. It’s on the patient. I get to use the education and wisdom the Lord provides to serve others and sow seeds of faith into their lives. Now that I’ve grown beyond selfish desires, I am grateful to want a career that allows God to shine through me in an unexpected way. Whatever I end up doing, I want it to glorify Him. My faith in Him will lead me to succeed in this career. Without God, I am inadequate. With Him, I have purpose, direction, and hope. My greatest desire is that through my work, others might experience the same peace and love I’ve found in Christ. That is the true measure of success. Not fame, not wealth, not recognition, but a life that points others to Him.

Everyone has dreams and plans for their lives but, unfortunately, only a few will ever reach the stars. I have found my dream. I plan to follow it by becoming a dermatologist. I am currently attending Texas Southern University to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biology. I want to eventually have my own dermatology practice to service all people with skin concerns. I have chosen my illustrious HBCU because I wanted to be apart of a history and legacy that can’t be shaken. I appreciate the diversity and supportive atmosphere that my university has to offer me. The student life and access to cultural education is another addition as to why I chose to attend Texas Southern. I have found myself among a new community at my university. I have found my chosen family. People of color deserve better for their skin, so I am going to educate myself more. People of color deserve to have people that look like them in higher positions to look up to, so I will become a doctor. I want my community to benefit from having a black female doctor near them. I recognize that speaking up matters, representation matters, and everyone matters regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. My passion to grow and help others comes with no ill intent or for personal gain reasons. I am most excited to bring the future of dermatology further, so that it may benefit people in a way like never before.

In this world, everyone believes their truths are different. Some people believe that their stories make them who they are or their decisions have given them their identity, but I beg to differ. I believe the truths of people are the physical facts of our lives along with the realities of our emotions. Jesus takes that truth and turns it into something more favorable. Our newfound truths are found in our everlasting savior. Some may not believe or maybe just don’t understand the truth, but that does not make it untrue. This is the only identity that we may never depart from because of the unconditional love that God has for us. The truth that the bible delivers us is that Jesus is the only way. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” God’s word also tells us that we are accepted in Romans 15:7 and that we are chosen in John 15:16. We should always have unwavering faith in God and have an unshaken truth within His word, for He has told us that we are made in His image in Genesis 1:27. Our identities in Christ come with promises and a purpose. Our “truth” and the truth that God has destined for us should align with one another. It is vital to understand that we are nothing without the breath of God within us, the Holy Spirit. The other truth, an unfortunate one, is that we are not like God. We are a flawed species that has sinned since the beginning of time, but in all we do, we should aim to be most like Christ. Our salvation is only secure in Christ Jesus, and He is the sole reason we have access to the Father. Ephesians 1:4-6 says “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption in sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” While our salvation is solely found in Jesus Christ, that does not mean we aren’t required to change. We are to pick our crosses daily, spread the gospel, and live a life that honors God. Luke 9:23-24 says “Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” All in all, there is a difference between our truths for ourselves and the truth God has for us. From a biblical standpoint, the only truth that matters is the newfound identity we gain as a consequence of following God’s word and becoming more Christ-like. We are required to deny ourselves and turn from our old ways to be renewed. The walk is not easy, and will never be easy, but the reward is eternal and invaluable. We should do everything we can in our power to live out our true identity through Jesus.

Everyone has dreams and plans for their lives but, unfortunately, only a few will ever reach the stars. I have found my dream, and I am doing everything that I can to pursue it. I refuse to allow the limitations of life to hold me down. I plan to follow my dream of becoming a dermatologist. I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field due to my mother’s career. She’s worked in hospitals all my life, and her co-workers, friends, and associates have aided in my decision. I used to dream of saving lives. I initially wanted to become a surgeon, but my adversaries brought me a new passion for becoming a dermatologist. I am currently attending Texas Southern University to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biology, and later, I plan to attend medical school followed by internships and residency. I want to eventually have my own dermatology practice to service all people with skin concerns. Throughout my 18 years of living, I have had the disadvantage of facing many painful skin concerns, conditions, and problems. Due to this, I have always relied on dermatologists, allergists, and many other specialists for cures or some other form of comfort. I have been prescribed every cream, pill, shot, and medication, and even went as far as having biopsies performed to solve my dilemmas. After many failed attempts to resolve anything, my family and I began to search outside my state for relief. This only led me to more empty answers. After understanding that the doctors failed to discover the cause of my discomfort, I began creating skincare products made of pure, natural ingredients intended for people of color. I included shea butter, aloe vera gel, green tea, and more. I even altered my diet and saw minimal change. Through all of the detriment, I became inspired by these doctors’ inability to diagnose me or find a cure properly. From then on, I realized that being a dermatologist was my true dream. People of color deserve better for their skin, so I am going to educate myself more. Girls deserve to have women in higher positions to look up to, so I will become a doctor. I want my community to benefit from knowing and having a black female doctor near them. I recognize that speaking up matters, representation matters, and everyone matters regardless of race, gender, religion, etc. I want to save others who long for someone to save them because they can’t escape their skin. That is the exact thing I have felt for many years, and I believe I am the change for others who feel the same. These unfortunate circumstances have built my dreams because I first handily understand the pain that comes with skin discomfort. My passion sprouts from my troubles and experiences, making my desire more genuine. My passion to grow and help others comes with no ill intent or for personal gain reasons. I am most excited to bring the future of dermatology further, so that it may benefit people in a way like never before. I truly want to help and guide others, and that is the only pleasure I will have.

I believe this scholarship will help me the most because my desire to learn, grow, and develop my personal skill set is stronger than average. I plan to follow my dream of becoming a dermatologist. I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field due to my mother’s career. She’s worked in hospitals all my life, and her co-workers, friends, and associates have led to my dream of helping others medically. I used to dream of saving lives. I initially wanted to become a surgeon, but my adversaries brought me a new passion for becoming a dermatologist. I am currently attending a university to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biology, and later, I plan to attend medical school followed by internships and residency. I want to eventually have my own dermatology practice to service all people with skin concerns. This scholarship will aid in funding my education, so I can become the best doctor I dream to be. Throughout my 18 years of living, I have had the disadvantage of facing many painful skin concerns, conditions, and problems. Due to this, I have always relied on dermatologists, allergists, and many other specialists for cures or some other form of comfort. I have been prescribed every cream, pill, shot, and medication, and even went as far as having biopsies performed to solve my dilemmas. After many failed attempts to resolve anything, my family and I began to search outside my state for relief. This only led me to more empty answers. After understanding that the doctors failed to discover the cause of my discomfort, I began creating skincare products made of pure, natural ingredients from the earth. I even altered my diet and saw minimal change. Through all of the detriment, I became inspired by these doctors’ inability to diagnose me or find a cure properly. From then on, I realized that being a dermatologist was my true dream. I wanted to save others who longed for someone to save them because they couldn’t escape their skin. That is the exact thing I have felt for many years, and I believe I am the change for others who feel the same. To this day, I have yet to have been presented with a cure or to be properly diagnosed for my unknown skin conditions. These unfortunate circumstances have built my dreams because I first handily understand the pain that comes with skin discomfort. My passion sprouts from my troubles and experiences, making my desire more genuine. I have shown perseverance and endurance in uncanny, uncomfortable situations. This scholarship will help me deliver the help people need. My passion to grow and help others comes with no ill intent or for personal gain reasons. I truly want to help others, and that is the only pleasure I will have.

I believe this scholarship will help me the most because my desire to learn, grow, and develop my personal skill set is stronger than the average person’s. I plan to follow my dream of becoming a dermatologist. I am attending a university to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biology, and later, I plan to attend medical school followed by internships and residency. I want to eventually have my own dermatology practice to service all people with skin concerns. This scholarship will aid in funding my education, so I can become the doctor I dream to be. Throughout my 18 years of living, I have had the disadvantage of facing many painful skin concerns, conditions, and problems. Due to this, I have always relied on dermatologists, allergists, and many other specialists for cures or some other form of comfort. I have been prescribed every cream, pill, shot, and medication, and even went as far as having biopsies performed to solve my dilemmas. After many failed attempts to resolve anything, my family and I began to search outside my state for relief. This only led me to more empty answers. After understanding that the doctors failed to discover the cause of my discomfort, I began creating my skincare products made of pure, natural ingredients from the earth. I even altered my diet and saw minimal change. Through all of the detriment, I became inspired by these doctors’ inability to diagnose me or find a cure properly. From then on, I realized that being a dermatologist was my true dream. I wanted to save others who longed for someone to save them because they couldn’t escape their skin. That is the exact thing I have felt for many years, and I believe I am the change for others who feel the same. To this day, I have yet to have been presented with a cure or to be properly diagnosed. These unfortunate circumstances have built my desire, passion, and dreams because I first handily understand the pain that comes with skin discomfort. My passion sprouts from my troubles and experiences, making my desire more genuine. I have shown perseverance and endurance in uncanny, uncomfortable situations. This scholarship will help me deliver the help people need. My passion to grow and help others comes with no ill intent or for personal gain reasons. I truly want to help others, and that is the only pleasure I will have.

Being a book lover is a luxury that not everyone has. Many people can’t find a love for reading; they prefer realities that they can touch. But, I enjoy escaping reality sometimes to dive into a new world full of stories, fantasies, and dreams. There’s a book that is full of truth and can lead a generation very far, no matter their beliefs. This book can help a parent raise a child, help a leader serve their people, and heal a nation. This book is full of morals to build a better people among us, and that book is the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible enables a quicker mind, a spirit full of joy, and an equipped worker. Reading the bible, religious or not, opens our understanding and furthers our comprehension in all aspects. The Bible makes room for moral truth in the mind of someone who doesn’t believe in anything and builds faith for a better world; a world full of love and selflessness. Regardless if you’ve grown up in church, or believe in the bible or not, this book is full of stories, wisdom, and advice that can alter a person. I believe the Holy Bible is the word of God. I read the bible because it reveals God’s unchanging, loving, faithful character to me. I appreciate the bible because it allows God to speak to me. If I am ever in a stage of confusion or uncertainty, the bible is a crunch for me to rely on. My peace remains in Christ and I can find it in God’s word. For Christians, the bible shows God’s true character and it provides God’s revelation of Himself to us. For anyone who isn’t religious, the Holy Bible provides unquestionable guidance for their everyday lives. This Holy book is full of lessons that can be accepted by any reader. Lastly, the Holy Bible is the book to read because of its consistency. The book follows one agenda, and that’s God. Aside from the wonderful stories full of action and lessons, the bible provides comfort for those who lack it. The Bible offers love and a safe place for the lonely, a place of security for the insecure, and a place of peace and joy for the anxious. Religious or not, the bible has so much to offer and everyone should take the opportunity and read it.

I believe this scholarship will help me the most because my desire to learn, grow, and develop my personal skill set is stronger than the average person’s. I plan to follow my dream of becoming a dermatologist. I am attending a university to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biology, and later, I plan to attend medical school followed by internships and residency. I want to eventually have my own practice to service all people with all kinds of skin concerns. This scholarship will aid in funding my education, so I can become the doctor I dream to be. Throughout my 18 years of living, I have had the disadvantage of facing many painful skin concerns, conditions, and problems. Due to this, I have always relied on dermatologists, allergists, and many other specialists for cures or some other form of comfort. I have been prescribed every cream, pill, shot, and medication, and even went as far as having biopsies performed to solve my dilemmas. After many failed attempts to resolve anything, my family and I began to search outside my state for relief. This only led me to more empty answers. After understanding that the doctors failed to discover the cause of my discomfort, I began creating my skincare products made of pure, natural ingredients from the earth. I even altered my diet and saw minimal change. Through all of the detriment, I became inspired by these doctors’ inability to properly diagnose me or find a cure. From then on, I realized that being a dermatologist was my true dream. I wanted to save others who longed for someone to save them because they couldn’t escape their skin. That is the exact thing I have felt for many years, and I believe I am the change for others who feel the same. To this day, I have yet to have been presented with a cure or to be properly diagnosed. These unfortunate circumstances have built my desire, passion, and dreams because I first handily understand the pain that comes with skin discomfort. I am the best candidate for this scholarship because my passion sprouts from my troubles and experiences, making my desire more genuine. I have shown perseverance and endurance in uncanny, uncomfortable situations. This scholarship will help me deliver the help people need. My passion to grow and to help others comes with no ill intent or for any personal gain reasons. I truly want to help others, and that is the only pleasure I will have. Lastly, my success will reach the mountains and above, which makes me the best fit for this scholarship.

I feel like I’ve been preparing myself to write this very essay throughout my entire life. “What are you passionate about?”, they ask. I have prepared this answer very well. “I aspire to go to the Air Force”, I respond each time. I have been saying this answer for years. I am not passionate to join the military, but I believe I have trained myself to say this simple answer to keep adults from trying to tell me all they’ve done with their lives. I just want to be free to express how I feel and all I want to do without the feedback that could lead me downhill. I appreciate this opportunity because I can share a part of myself without the degrading judgment or the limits people try to force onto me. I am Heavenly Porter. I aspire to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). I dedicate my time and life to Jesus Christ, volunteering, and assisting in God's work on earth. I am passionate about following Christ and being one of His disciplines. I want to do whatever I can to be a reflection of Him, and because of this, I want to live my life knowing I can help be a vessel to whoever is in my path. I may never know when my days will end, so with that, I want to live my life to the fullest. I keep a positive headspace because I cannot allow anger to take my days away. I forgive with ease because I cannot let rage hold me back. I make the most of my days because everything eventually comes to an end. I am passionate about helping others who truly need me. This is why I dream about being a nurse. Sometimes, certain situations lead people to things they never thought imaginable for themselves. I want to be the strength they need during their times of distress. I've learned that people become embarrassed under certain circumstances. I want to be the comfort they need, and I can do that while being a nurse. I chose this nursing path instead of any other one because of the kind of patient care I will be assigned. I want to leave a positive view of myself when I am not around. I want my integrity to take up for me when I can't help myself. I fear being average. I will remain ambitious to be better than I was yesterday, for all the days of my life. I always want to be reminded of why I started my journey, and I’ll always want to be encouraged to finish it. I already know that I want to help others, so I would like my career and future workplace to exploit those characteristics. So the next time someone asks what I want to do with my life, I’ll be ready. I’ll be able to answer this question with confidence, and my simple response won’t be needed. I am proud to walk into my nursing career. I have been well prepared by high school and other experiences throughout my years, and I believe my good heart will lead me to those people who will need my care. I am excited to branch out and begin something new and innovative. I have developed many skills, such as communication and collaboration skills and so much more. I am ready to begin growing into the new person I will become.