My family’s story began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where we fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, disease, and loss. When my parents finally made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they’d lost. That trauma didn’t get left behind—it followed us into our small home in Erie, Pennsylvania, where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I grew up in a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and skipped meals to make sure we had somewhere to call home. I helped however I could—from translating mail to taking care of my paralyzed brother’s daughters. I stepped up in ways most kids never imagined, because I had to. When my brother died after being shot last year, it carved a scar into me that’s still healing. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint. Pain, like trauma, follows you. But so does resilience. That resilience—passed down from my mother, who bore unimaginable burdens without ever letting us go without—is what shaped my beliefs about the world. I’ve seen what happens when systems fail families like mine. I’ve seen how hard it is to succeed without support, without representation, without money. But I’ve also seen how powerful it is to be given even one opportunity—and how far grit can take you when opportunity is scarce. Those early experiences shaped my belief that education is not just a personal victory—it’s a vehicle for justice and visibility. I became the first in my family to attend college, now a senior studying Mechanical Engineering at Penn State. I support myself fully—paying tuition, rent, and groceries—while juggling school and community involvement. But I’m not just a student. I’m a symbol of possibility for others in my community. When I served as Youth Program Director at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, supervising over 50 students, I wasn’t just running activities—I was trying to be the mentor I never had. I know what it’s like to have potential but no one to recognize it. That’s why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers. That’s why I participate in community cleanups and youth outreach—so younger students can see someone who looks like them in STEM and know they belong too. My family’s story taught me to never take anything for granted and to never forget where I came from. It taught me that success isn’t about escaping your past—it’s about honoring it by building a better future. That belief fuels my career aspirations. I don’t just want to become an engineer—I want to be someone who uses engineering to solve problems that matter, who creates systems that work for people who’ve been left behind. I may never know the name of the person I’ve inspired, but I hope they see someone who refused to be broken. Someone who used pain as fuel, turned struggle into strength, and carried their family’s story into every room they entered. Because I wasn’t put here just to survive. I’m here to build, uplift, and create a world where others like me don’t have to carry so much just to be seen.

My greatest achievement isn’t a trophy or a title—it’s becoming the person I am today. My story began long before I set foot in a classroom. It began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, disease, and loss. When my parents finally made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they’d lost. But trauma doesn’t get left behind. It followed us into our small home in Erie, Pennsylvania where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I learned early on that nothing was guaranteed—especially not education. I grew up in a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and skipped meals to make sure we had somewhere to call home. So I helped however I could—from translating mail to taking care of my paralyzed brother's daughters. I stepped up in ways most kids never imagined. But when my brother died after being shot this past year, it carved a scar into me that’s still healing. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint. Pain, like trauma, follows you. Still, I push forward because I’ve always known my story couldn’t end in survival—it had to grow into something more. That “something more” is who I am now: a Mechanical Engineering student entering my senior year at Penn State, the first in my family to make it this far in education. I support myself entirely—paying tuition, rent, and groceries—while juggling school and giving back to my community. But I’m not just a student. I’m an example. I carry the weight of generations who didn’t get the chance to dream. I’m a role model I never had growing up. What sets me apart is that I don’t let my challenges define me, but I do let them drive me. And someone out there is watching. Maybe it’s the kids I mentored at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, where I served as Youth Program Director and supervised over 50 students. I serve as a mentor because I remember what it felt like to have no one. Or maybe it’s the high school students walking past me during a community cleanup, seeing a Black engineering student from their neighborhood picking up trash without shame. My greatest accomplishment is that I try to be the person I needed when I was younger: visible, present, and real. That’s why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers—to show that students like me belong in STEM. It’s why I never stop showing up, even when it’s hard—because sometimes just existing with purpose is enough to light the path for someone else. I’ve seen systems fail families. I’ve seen what happens when people aren’t given opportunity. But I’ve also seen resilience, and I embody it. I don’t come from wealth, legacy, or opportunity. I come from struggle—but also from strength. I may never know the name of the person I’ve inspired. But I hope they see someone who refused to be broken. Someone who used pain as fuel and hardship as a stepping stone. I wasn’t put here just to survive. I’m here to build, uplift, and create a world where others like me don’t have to carry so much just to be seen.

I come from a place where survival was never guaranteed. My story began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, and loss. When my parents made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. But trauma doesn’t get left behind. It followed us into our small home where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I grew up in a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and skipped meals to make sure we had somewhere to call home. I helped however I could—translating mail, caring for my paralyzed brother’s daughters, stepping up in ways most kids never imagined. When my brother died after being shot last year, it carved a scar into me that still aches today. But I’ve always known my story couldn’t end in pain—it had to become purpose. That purpose and which later became passion is what led me to engineering. As a Mechanical Engineering student at Penn State, I’ve learned that engineering isn’t just about machines. It’s about people. It’s about designing systems that work better and last longer, especially for communities that are often overlooked. I plan to make a positive impact in three ways: through innovation, representation, and mentorship. First, I want to innovate for accessibility and equity. I’ve seen what happens when infrastructure fails the people who need it most. Through my hands-on work at Wabtec Corporation as a Turbocharger Design Intern, I contributed to locomotive systems that power essential industries. But I want to go further—designing systems that are efficient, sustainable, and built for people like me. My goal is to use engineering not just to solve problems, but to anticipate and prevent them, especially in underserved communities. Second, I aim to increase representation in STEM. I don’t truly know the power of a role model because I never really had one. That’s why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers to show that students like me belong in these spaces. I know what it means to be the “only one in the room,” and I want to make sure others never feel invisible the way I once did. Third, I believe in the power of mentorship. I currently mentor students through the Urban Erie Development Corporation, where I served as Youth Program Director. I supervised over 50 student workers, helped secure over $50,000 in funding, and led community service efforts. Whether I’m guiding students during summer programs or leading community cleanups, I do it because I remember what it felt like to have no one and I never want any kid especially those from communities similar to mine to feel like they’re alone. I don’t come from privilege or legacy. I come from struggle. But I also come from strength. I am here not just to earn a degree, but to use it as a tool to build, uplift, and create a world where kids like me don’t have to carry so much just to be seen. Engineering is how I fight back against systems that forgot us and I plan to keep showing up—visible, present, and real—for those still finding their way.

My story began long before I set foot in a classroom. It began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, disease, and loss. When my parents finally made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. But trauma doesn’t get left behind. It followed us into our small home where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I learned early on that education was not guaranteed. In a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to make sure we had somewhere to call home. I helped however I could, from translating mail to caring for my paralyzed brother's daughters. I stepped up in ways most kids never imagined. But when my brother died after being shot this past year, it carved a scar into me that is still healing today. That loss shattered what little sense of safety I had. I struggled with grief, anger, and the weight of responsibilities that suddenly grew even heavier. Pain, like trauma, follows you everywhere you turn. I have lost friends to drugs and violence. I have been robbed at gunpoint. But still, I push forward because I have always known my story couldn’t end in survival. It had to grow into something more. That something more is who I am now—a Mechanical Engineering student going into my senior year at Penn State, the first in my family to make it this far in education. I support myself entirely, paying tuition, rent, and groceries while juggling school and giving back to my community. I am not just a student. I am an example. I carry the weight of generations who didn’t get the chance to dream. I try to be the role model I never had growing up. What sets me apart is that I do not let my challenges define me, but I let them drive me. Someone out there is watching. Maybe it is the kids I mentored at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, where I served as Youth Program Director and supervised over 50 students. I mentor because I remember what it felt like to have no one. Or maybe it is the high school students walking past me during community cleanups, seeing a Black engineering student from their neighborhood picking up trash without shame. I learned to become the person I needed when I was younger—visible, present, and real. That is why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers, to show that students like me belong in STEM. It is why I never stop showing up, even when it is hard, because sometimes just existing with purpose is enough to light the path for someone else. I have seen systems fail families and what happens when people are not given opportunity. But I have also seen resilience, and I embody it. I do not come from wealth, legacy, or opportunity. I come from struggle, but I also come from strength. I may never know the name of the person I have inspired, but I hope they see someone who refused to be broken and who used pain as fuel and hardship as a stepping stone. Graduating is not just a goal. It is a must. My future depends on it. My family depends on it. Every kid who sees a bit of themselves in me depends on it.

My greatest achievement isn’t a trophy or a title, it’s becoming the person I am today. My story began long before I set foot in a classroom. It began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, disease, and loss. When my parents finally made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they’d lost. But trauma doesn’t get left behind. It followed us into our small home where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I learned early on that nothing was guaranteed, especially not education. I grew up in a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and skipped meals to make sure we had somewhere to call home. So I helped however I could from translating mail to taking care of my paralyzed brother's daughters. Stepping up in ways most kids never imagined but when my brother died after being shot this past year, it carved a scar into me that’s still healing today. But pain similar to trauma can also follow you everywhere you turn. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint. But, still I push forward because I’ve always known my story couldn’t end in survival, it had to grow into something more. That “something more” is who I am now: a Mechanical Engineering student going into my senior year at Penn State, the first in my family to make it this far in education. I support myself entirely paying tuition, rent, and groceries all while juggling school and giving back to my community. But I’m not just a student. I’m an example. I carry the weight of generations who didn’t get the chance to dream. A role model I never had growing up. What sets me apart is that I don’t let my challenges define me, but I do let them drive me and someone out there is watching. Maybe it’s the kids I mentored at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, where I served as Youth Program Director and supervised over 50 students. I serve as a mentor because I remember what it felt like to have no one. Or maybe it’s the high school students walking past me during a community cleanups, seeing a Black engineering student from their community picking up trash without shame. My greatest accomplishment is that I try to be the person I needed when I was younger: visible, present, and real. That is also why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers, to show that students like me belong in STEM and it’s why I never stop showing up, even when it’s hard because sometimes just existing with purpose is enough to light the path for someone else. I don’t truly know the power of a role model because I never really had one. That’s why being different means I carry a perspective most people don’t see. I’ve seen systems fail families and I’ve seen what happens when people aren’t given opportunity. But I’ve also seen resilience, and I embody it. I don’t come from wealth, legacy, or opportunity I come from struggle, but I also come from strength. I may never know the name of the person I’ve inspired. But I hope they see someone who refused to be broken, someone who used pain as fuel and hardship as a stepping stone. This scholarship makes graduating on time even more possible because graduating isn’t just a dream or a goal. It’s a must. My future depends on it. My family depends on it. Every kid who sees a bit of themselves in me depends on it. This journey has taught me that I am resilient, that I can carry the weight of generations and still rise. I’ve seen what happens when people are forgotten, but I’ve also seen what’s possible when someone decides to fight anyway. I hope you see my story and see that no matter how hard life is, anyone can become something greater. Because I was not put here just here to survive. I’m here to build, uplift, and create a world where others like me don’t have to carry so much just to be seen.

My story began long before I set foot in a classroom. It began in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We endured refugee camps, hunger, and disease. When my parents finally made it to the United States, they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they’d lost. But trauma doesn’t get left behind it followed us into our small home where we struggled to pay the bills and sat beside me as a child trying to understand my homework with no one to guide me. I grew up in a household of ten, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs and skipped meals to make sure we had somewhere to call home. I helped however I could from translating mail to taking care of my paralyzed brother and his daughters. Stepping up in ways most kids never imagined but when my brother died after being shot in the head, it carved a scar into me that’s still healing today. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint. But still I push forward because I’ve always known my story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something more. That “something more” is what makes me different. I carry the weight of generations who didn’t get the chance to dream. I’m not just a mechanical engineering student at Penn State. I’m the first in my family to reach this far in education. I support myself fully paying rent, groceries, tuition, and books while managing school and staying involved in my community. What sets me apart is that I don’t let my challenges define me, but I do let them drive me and someone out there is watching. Maybe it’s the kid I mentored at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, where I served as Youth Program Director and supervised over 50 students. Maybe it’s a high school student walking past me during a community cleanup, seeing a Black engineering student picking up trash without shame. Maybe it's one of the kids who came to our events, who thought no one cared until we showed up for them. I try to be the person I needed when I was younger: visible, present, and real. I don’t truly know the power of a role model because I never really had one. That’s why I joined the National Society of Black Engineers, to show that students like me belong in STEM and it’s why I never stop showing up, even when it’s hard because sometimes just existing with purpose is enough to light the path for someone else. Being different means I carry a perspective most people don’t see. I’ve seen systems fail families. I’ve seen faith weaponized to silence marginalized voices. I’ve seen what happens when people are forgotten. But I’ve also seen resilience, and I embody it. I don’t come from wealth, legacy, or opportunity I come from struggle, but I also come from strength. I may never know the name of the person I’ve inspired. But I hope they see someone who refused to be broken, someone who used pain as fuel and hardship as a steppingstone. I hope they see that our stories no matter how hard can become something greater because I’m not just here to survive. I’m here to build, uplift, and create a world where others like me don’t have to carry so much just to be seen.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. The Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I pay rent for my apartment. I pay for groceries, clothes, school supplies — everything. I do this while still showing up to class, staying involved, and giving back to my community. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. Even with everything I juggle, I stay connected to the community that raised me. I’ve always believed that to give is to receive, and I’ve gotten my fair share of help over the years. Now I give back. I served as a Youth Program Director at the Urban Erie Development Corporation, supervising over 50 student workers and planning events that brought people together. We secured thousands in grant funding to keep future programs running. A lot of the kids I worked with didn’t see much in themselves. They came from the same kinds of situations I did. So I tried to be the person I needed when I was younger. I’m also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve taken part in community cleanups, and I’ve had to remind other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. This scholarship wouldn’t just lift a financial burden. It would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived and everything I’m working to become. It would help me afford my living expenses so I can focus more on my education, especially as I approach graduation. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

My story began long before I stepped foot into a classroom. It started in a war-torn village in Sudan, where my family fled on foot as violence destroyed our home. We survived refugee camps, starvation, and disease and when my parents came to the U.S., they carried nothing but the clothes on their backs and the weight of everything they had lost. That pain didn’t disappear when we got here. It followed us into the small home where we struggled to keep the heat on and water running. It sat with me on the couch as I child where I struggled to do homework because I lacked the help and guidance. I was raised in a household of ten by a single mother who worked two jobs. I watched her skip meals to work day and night just to make we had somewhere to call home. I did all I could to relieve the weight she carried from translating mail to supporting my paralyzed brother and his daughters. When my brother was shot in the head and soon later died from his injuries, it left a scar I carry with me every day. I’ve lost friends to drugs and violence. I’ve even been robbed at gunpoint. But through all of it, I never gave up because I knew my family’s story couldn’t end in survival it had to grow into something greater. That “something greater” is why I study mechanical engineering. I’m currently going into my fourth-year at Penn State, not because things have been easy, but because I’ve fought for every grade. I’ve faced every semester knowing that no one in my family can afford to support me and still, I move forward. I want to build a future my family has never known—a future where struggle isn’t the only story we pass down. My experiences shaped how I see engineering. It’s not just about machines or equations. To me, engineering is about solving problems that impact people like the ones I grew up with. It’s about designing sustainable and accessible infrastructure for communities that have always been overlooked. I got a taste of that impact during my internship at Wabtec, where I worked on improving turbochargers for locomotives. It made me realize how even small changes in design can create lasting change. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. That’s why I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am apart of a community with other students who, like me, come from places where no one expects them to succeed in STEM. I’ve led student teams. I’ve helped secure funding for community programs. I’ve even convinced other young black students that picking up trash and keeping our community clean isn’t shameful—it’s powerful because that is not the way our community should be portrayed. To me that leadership might be different since I see it as seeing people, valuing them, and pulling them forward with you. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would be a recognition of everything I’ve survived, and everything I’m working to become. I want to be the first engineer in my family. I want to lift us out of poverty with my own two hands and I want to be a living example for kids in my community who think their dreams are too far out of reach. I don’t come from privilege. I come from resilience and I plan to use my education not just to change my life, but to change the lives of those around me.

At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. from war-torn Sudan with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Soon after the stress took a toll on my family and my parents were separated. My single mother worked 2 jobs and my mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I work to support myself, help take care of and discipline my siblings, and do simple things like read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. But the trials and tribulations don’t end there. My brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down and I must take care of him & his children. While drug addiction is also slowly taking away some of my other family members. So, I am here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who lives in poverty and was raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in my hands and with it I shall achieve greatness. In the future, my greatest aspiration is to make a significant difference in my community. I alone did not witness the hardships of poverty alone so do my neighbors and fellow community members. This has ignited a deep sense of responsibility within me and I am determined to be a catalyst for change, uplifting those in need and providing opportunities for growth. I have already collaborated with local organizations and advocated for access to essential resources and the implementation of sustainable development projects. I aim to empower other individuals in my community to break free from the cycle of poverty. My ultimate goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can flourish, fostering a resilient and thriving community in my hometown and abroad back in my home country of South Sudan.

At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. Soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. But the trials and tribulations didn't end there. My brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down and it instilled an unnecessary fear in me. I am here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who lives in poverty and was raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. So, the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in my hands and with it I shall achieve greatness.

The shots rang out. To many it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbed from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan. A reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license. To having experienced the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who lives in poverty and was raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in my hands and with it I shall achieve greatness.

The shots rang out. To many, it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family, it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbeds from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. This reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan is a reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license to having experienced the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. So I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were within her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and was raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some are greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. This scholarship will allow me to carry the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo and with it, I shall achieve greatness.

The shots rang out. To many it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbed from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. This reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan is a reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license to having experienced the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. So I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. This scholarship will allow me to carry the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo and with it, I shall achieve greatness.

The shots rang out. To many it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbed from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan. A reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license. To having experienced the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. Although I’m a sapling I believe I will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if I don't plant my roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by my mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in my hands and with it I shall achieve greatness.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community. So, throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. Now in return for the support I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. During the pandemic, when the coronavirus carried stigma in the community. I volunteered at a COVID-19 test side located in the Harbor Homes area with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went around the community picking up trash. But many teenagers didn’t want to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it was viewed as shameful. They worried that if people saw them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. But an ego works against us because it pushes us into fear and scarcity. So I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the good they were providing the community. Growing up, I was taught to place others before myself. Unfortunately, this often goes against human nature. Which is why I believe community service is not enough, I also have to be virtuous. Which means the guiding virtue that determines if the service is truly selfless is one’s own ethics. The integrity that is associated with service can be undone when the intention behind the service is tainted when being selfish. The way I made sure that the service I was providing was truly selfless is I made sure that I was putting things before myself. I’ve made simple changes to my lifestyle, like performing random acts of kindness every day. Since I have noticed people are only kind to someone else when they feel like they owe that person something. Or, donating to charity, even if it is just a dollar or your time. During JROTC, I learned that instead of giving money, donate your time. Your time is the most valuable resource that you have. When you spend it helping others, you demonstrate that you are not a selfish person. There are things in a community that can not be accomplished with money. Because some services require individuals to personally offer their time to help. Our love for our community must be a priority. More love means more peace, inside each of us, for this and future generations. Love can help preserve and protect our community. The simple things I do can uplift others to change to help improve our community. My selfless service does more than just get things done. It is a way for me and anyone to bring change in the world they are a part of, and with change anything is possible.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community. So, throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. Now in return for the support I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. During the pandemic, when the coronavirus carried stigma in the community. I volunteered at a COVID-19 test side located in the Harbor Homes area with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went around the community picking up trash. But many teenagers didn’t want to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it was viewed as shameful. They worried that if people saw them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. But an ego works against us because it pushes us into fear and scarcity. So I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the good they were providing the community. Growing up, I was taught to place others before myself. Unfortunately, this often goes against human nature. Which is why I believe community service is not enough, I also have to be virtuous. Which means the guiding virtue that determines if the service is truly selfless is one’s own ethics. The integrity that is associated with service can be undone when the intention behind the service is tainted when being selfish. The way I made sure that the service I was providing was truly selfless is I made sure that I was putting things before myself. I’ve made simple changes to my lifestyle, like performing random acts of kindness every day. Since I have noticed people are only kind to someone else when they feel like they owe that person something. Or, donating to charity, even if it is just a dollar or your time. During JROTC, I learned that instead of giving money, donate your time. Your time is the most valuable resource that you have. When you spend it helping others, you demonstrate that you are not a selfish person. There are things in a community that can not be accomplished with money. Because some services require individuals to personally offer their time to help. Our love for our community must be a priority. More love means more peace, inside each of us, for this and future generations. Love can help preserve and protect our community. The simple things I do can uplift others to change to help improve our community. My selfless service does more than just get things done. It is a way for me and anyone to bring change in the world they are a part of, and with change anything is possible.

At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. My family came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license. To having to experience the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. When my parents got separated and my single mother started to work 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. Since none of my other siblings would. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I work so I can get school supplies, and take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. I’m here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, he can afford to be a little greedy. Although he’s a sapling he believes he will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if he doesn’t plant his roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by his mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in his hands and with it he shall achieve greatness.

Being a sheriff was not an easy job, especially in a town of fifty thousand. In a place where people had so much land you can’t see the other houses. But what a sight, before the stories started my town was as empty as the night. The townsfolk would go to work, and not make a chirp. Except one idiotic man, that was tall and disgusting, his name was Stan. He stared at us with a scowl because he could not bear to see we were happy as days passed hour by hour. I remember Stan yelling, “there's something in the woods!” That is how the rumors began, of course Stan saw it first, the poor townsfolk he got them immersed. In his spiel about a creature whose claw could cut through a log. A living curse and worse, a run in would leave you with a permanent visit to a hearse. The townsfolk saw it everywhere, “look over there, that thing had razors as hair, we swear,” they yelled. “We smelled something musty. The creature? It must be!” Every word I heard was absurd, but every day Stan would stray into the eerie woods, I knew he was up to no good. He asked, “Who else was brave enough to save us from the monster’s plot?” As the rest of us would watch as he entered from behind the Walmart parking lot. Sure, that any closer we were bound to be found deep in the woods left to rot. I begged the townsfolk to learn and be mature. But my words just went unheard, and their fear was undeterred. I received a wall full of messages and calls that said, “they didn’t like my lack of action at all.” But what was I supposed to do, search the whole forest. Yeah, right, would you? Does that mean I didn’t care? That’s not fair. Of course I would regret if there was a real threat. But the townsfolk were displeased, the city council acted, and dismissed me. “Like they knew what was best for this town!” Do you know how difficult it is to get a job when bitter slobs slander your rep with neglect? Little vile swine's, really are you blind, will you find your spines? Stan is a man who decides to fill our minds with lies, then the next thing you see is people treating me like I’m committing crimes. “But I can play along,” I thought as I grabbed my rope. “I can help, do you hear that, Stan? There’s something in the woods.” I whispered as he gasped for air and choked.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community so I take it upon myself to return that favor. Throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. In 2021, when the coronavirus carried many superstitions in the African community, I volunteered at pop up COVID-19 test sites with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I have provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went street by street picking up trash in the community. But many teenagers didn’t want to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it was viewed as shameful. They worried that if people saw them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. Which would create an identity of them that does not do any justice. But an ego can be the death of righteousness; I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the great good they are providing for the environment.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community. So, throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. Now in return for the support I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. During the pandemic, the coronavirus carried stigma in the community. I volunteered at a COVID-19 test side located in the Harbor Homes area with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went around the community picking up trash. But many teenagers didn’t want to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it was viewed as shameful. They worried that if people saw them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. But an ego works against us because it pushes us into fear and scarcity. So I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the good they were providing the community. I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge my friend's unfortunate death and I am very satisfied with what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. I learned that instead of giving money, donate your time. Your time is the most valuable resource that you have. When you spend it helping others, you demonstrate that you are not a selfish person. I learned to place others before myself. Unfortunately, this often goes against human nature. Which is why I believe community service is not enough, I also have to be virtuous. Which means the guiding virtue that determines if the service is truly selfless is one’s own ethics. The integrity that is associated with service can be undone when the intention behind the service is tainted when being egotistical. The way I made sure that the service I was providing was truly selfless. I made sure that I was putting things before myself. I have made simple changes to my lifestyle, like performing random acts of kindness every day. Since I have noticed people are only kind to someone else when they feel like they owe that person something. But the status quo of things right now brings nothing but pain and hardship for my family. I am here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. I will use education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, I can afford to be a little greedy. I don’t want charity for my family, my plan is to uplift them with my own two hands, hard work, and education. I am a creative person, artist, and athlete. I am a dreamer and my dream is to reach for the stars. But if I miss the stars then I will grab a handful of clouds.

The shots rang out, to many it was just another conflict in Sudan, but to my family it was the end of the world. My family fled on foot walking for days after having most of the people in their village murdered. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me. It was hell on Earth and my family lived it. When my family lived in refugee camps, they saw hundreds of people lying on their deathbed from malaria. But the illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Like my father, who struggles with chronic diabetes to this day. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan. A reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age, I realized what it took for my family to be here today. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. The transition to America was not kind, and how could it have been for two parents, 7 kids, many who were not their own. The culture of the U.S. did not suit my parents. Because of the difficulty of learning all of the little things at once from how to get a driver's license. To having to experience the stressors associated with being a minority. Which exacerbated the situation of these newly arrived Americans. Then soon after my parents were separated and my single mother worked 2 jobs. My mother needed my help. So, at a young age, I decided that I would become a man that could support his family. I help take care of and discipline my siblings. I read mail for my dad because he doesn’t understand English. I take care of my paralyzed brother & his children. But the trials and tribulations don't end there. Drug addiction is slowly taking away my family members. When my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down it instilled unnecessary fear in me. I am here today, shaped by countless blessings and adversity. I’ve lived in poverty most of my life. But, I still move forward because my mother has instilled in me the importance of striving for excellence in education. Since a lack of a formal education and obstacles is what limited my mother’s potential. Without an education, countless doors that were in her reach remained closed. My mother sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today and her hard work can only secure us so much. So it is my duty to open all the doors that were closed to her. The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of what they face, can attain their own version of success. So, I know it is not born in wealth or handed to you. I would like to imagine the American dream is in me. A boy who has lived in poverty most of his life and raised in a household of ten by a single mother. That is using education to become an engineer for many reasons, some greedy, but coming from nothing, he can afford to be a little greedy. Although he’s a sapling he believes he will grow to be a great tree, but that vision can’t be achieved if he doesn’t plant his roots in a diverse and nurturing environment. So, the torch that has been carried by his mother, Victoria Angelo, is now in his hands and with it he shall achieve greatness.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community so I take it upon myself to return that favor. Throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. Now in return for the support I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. In 2021, when the coronavirus carried many superstitions in the African community, I volunteered at pop up COVID-19 test sites with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went street by street picking up trash in the community. But few teenagers wanted to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it is viewed as shameful. They worry that if people see them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. Which would create an identity of them that does not do any justice. But an ego can be the death of righteousness; I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the great good they are providing for the environment. There are things in a community that can not be accomplished with a wage, there are some services that require individuals to personally offer their time to help. Our love for the world must be a priority. More love means more peace, inside each of us, for this and future generations. Love can help preserve and protect our world. The simple things I do can uplift others to change to help improve our world. My selfless service does more than just get things done. It is a way for me and anyone to bring hope in the world they are a part of, and with hope everything is possible.

To most, service is just a requirement they have to do in order to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community so I take it upon myself to return that favor. Throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I’ve depended on a lot of people in my community. As a part of the community I met a lot of people who helped me through community service. So I have always appreciated the aspect of community service. Now in return for the support I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. In 2021, when the coronavirus carried many superstitions in the African community, I volunteered at pop up COVID-19 test sites with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went street by street picking up trash in the community. But many teenagers didn’t want to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it was viewed as shameful. They worried that if people saw them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. Which would create an identity of them that does not do any justice. But an ego can be the death of righteousness; I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the great good they are providing for the environment. Growing up, I was taught to place others before myself. Unfortunately, this often goes against human nature. Which is why I believe community service is not enough, I also have to be ethical. Which means the guiding virtue that determines if the service is truly selfless is one’s own ethics. The righteousness that is associated with service can be undone when the intention behind the service is tainted with selfish intent. The way I made sure that the service I was providing was truly selfless is I made sure that I was putting things before myself. I’ve made simple changes to my lifestyle, like performing random acts of kindness every day. Since I have noticed people are only kind to someone else when they feel like they owe that person something. Or, donating to charity, even if it is just a dollar or your time. During JROTC, I learned that instead of giving money, donate your time. Your time is the most valuable resource that you have. When you spend it helping others, you demonstrate that you are not a selfish person. There are things in a community that can not be accomplished with a wage, there are some services that require individuals to personally offer their time to help. Our love for our community must be a priority. More love means more peace, inside each of us, for this and future generations. Love can help preserve and protect our world. The simple things I do can uplift others to change to help improve our community. My selfless service does more than just get things done. It is a way for me and anyone to bring change in the world they are a part of, and with change anything is possible.

Throughout my college search, I struggled to find the perfect undergraduate school for my interests until I found Morehouse. Attending Morehouse will not only change my life and put me one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. Which will bring elusive happiness and stability to my family. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. These experiences drew me toward biology. As a student at Morehouse, I believe the integrative and applied learning can help me develop an understanding and a disposition that builds from making simple connections. With this I can contribute many things to understand and develop purpose and values. The proficiency in analytical skills I will gain at Morehouse is shown through commitment to excellence which is essential in plastic and reconstructive surgeons. I believe Morehouse is a school that can help me realize my passions while providing a focused learning environment.

Throughout my college search, I struggled to find the perfect undergraduate school for my interests until I found Morehouse with its proactive approach that included my career path. Being admitted to Morehouse will not only change my life and put me one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. But the excellence and leadership embedded in the Morehouse core values can be found in me. I believe Morehouse's strategic framework for action provided by the curriculum will better prepare me for the future and employment success. The opportunity to attend Morehouse will not only lead me on a path to a better paying and higher skilled job. But it will also bring elusive happiness and stability to my family. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. These experiences drew me toward biology, but I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in the field because it is a goal that I am willing to work for. As a student at Morehouse, I believe the integrative and applied learning can help me develop an understanding and a disposition that builds from making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations beyond the campus. With this I can contribute many things to understand and develop purpose and values. The proficiency in analytical skills I will gain at Morehouse is shown through commitment to excellence which is essential in plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Since recognizing that perfection is impossible but seek to achieve excellence in each individual case we undertake. As a Morehouse graduate, I will be able to understand and evaluate problems and issues, gather relevant evidence, make appropriate assumptions and come to a logical conclusion or summary. Which fits right into plastic surgery since surgeons must understand the limits of their capabilities and be realistic in their expectations. Because a lack of humility might lead me to apply my skills in a less-than-safe manner. I believe Morehouse is a school that can help me realize my passions while providing a focused learning environment. For some, service is just an assignment they do when the crunch of time gets close and they need every minute to graduate, but for me, community service is a must. For to give is to receive and I have gotten my fair share of assistance from the community so I take it upon myself to return that favor. Throughout my high school career, I have obtained over 150 hours of community service, with many more unrecorded. I depended on a lot of people in my community. I was a part of many after school programs and met a lot of people who helped me through community service so I have always appreciated the aspect of a community. So in return for the grace I received, I now participate in many community service activities as well. In 2021, when the coronavirus carried many superstitions in the African community, I volunteered at pop up COVID-19 test sites with a group of other youth. This was our way of saying that it is safe to trust health professionals. Since the black community had a low vaccination and testing turnout. So by having the youth encourage safety and testing we helped destroy the stigma that vaccination held in our community. Another service I’ve provided on countless occasions was community clean up. At the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation we went street by street picking up trash in the community. But few teenagers wanted to be seen picking up trash, since they believed it is viewed as shameful. They worry that if people see them picking up trash then they would be vulnerable to judgment. Which would create an identity of them that does not do any justice. But an ego can be the death of righteousness; I convinced many peers to remove their ego from service and see the great good they are providing for the environment. There are things in a community that can not be accomplished with a wage, there are some services that require individuals to personally offer their time to help. Our love for the community must be a priority. More love means more peace, inside each of us, for this and future generations. Love can help preserve and protect our world. The simple things I do can uplift others to change to help improve our community. My selfless service does more than just get things done. It is a way for me and anyone to bring hope in the world they are a part of, and with hope everything is possible.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family. Many people faced chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. So, at a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. Since they came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. I would say I am a dedicated member of the community. I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in rallies and marches to speak out for Black people in America. During elections I helped the Urban Erie Community Development Center increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young Black man's unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. So, the impact I could have on the community after graduating or in college would be greater. Lastly, I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I Henry Olango am here today as a testament that my mother succeeded. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life that almost steered me off the path to success. I’ve seen what poverty can do to people, so I need this opportunity to escape it all. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family. Many people faced chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. So, at a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. Since they came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. I would say I am a dedicated member of the community. I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in rallies and marches to speak out for Black people in America. During elections I helped the Urban Erie Community Development Center increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young Black man's unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. So the impact I could have on the community after graduating or in college would be greater. Lastly, I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family. Many people faced chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. So, at a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. Since they came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. With all of this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Which is why I have chosen Biology as my major because I want to become a plastic surgeon. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want this opportunity, but I need it. I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

I’ve chosen biological sciences and chemistry because I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon. I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body, for example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I am also interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. I have the desire to become a mechanical engineer because I believe mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse engineering fields. I understand mechanical engineering plays a critical role in manufactured technologies, from cars to refrigerators. Which is why I have fallen in love with the study of objects and systems in motion. I also enjoy knowing that mechanical engineering involves almost every aspect of modern life. Lastly, as a mechanical engineer I would like to improve efficiency across a wide range of industries, design, and build solutions to a wide range of problems. I believe that with all the adversity I’ve faced it has made me more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want admission into this institution, but I need it. I want to change the world if I can with engineering or people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. With all of the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so.

I would say I am a dedicated member of the community I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in marches to speak out for black people in America, and during elections I helped the UECDC increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I have also raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young black boys unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. Being admitted to the college will change my life. It will also change the lives of others around me. The impact I could have after graduating or in college would be greater. Some people want this opportunity but I need it. I want to change the world if I can or people's lives just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

I would say I am a dedicated member of the community I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in marches to speak out for black people in America, and during elections I helped the UECDC increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I have also raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young black boys unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. Being admitted to the college will change my life. It will also change the lives of others around me. The impact I could have after graduating or in college would be greater. Some people want this opportunity but I need it. I want to change the world if I can or people's lives just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

I would say Thurgood Marshall has inspired me a lot. I’ve learned about him and many other significant black figures in the civil rights movement. I remember reading an article about him in school. His story lingers in the back of my mind, a story of passion and daily struggle to confront injustice which is the foundation of our American democracy. I also relate to Thurgood Marshall as he was also a counsel to the NAACP. But most important if not for his position in the Brown v. Board of Education case, racial segregation in public schools could have taken longer to end. Since I have also experienced the effect of segregation, to where in Egypt my family were treated like dogs for being refugees and not being Egyptian. Or in my city where the public school I go to, and others are separated by the fact that we may be smarter. But also, because they are black, and at my school the majority are white. Thurgood Marshall utilized the judiciary system, where instead we used confrontation and war. But if we had more people like Thurgood in the world, we would never have had to. The final reason I want to meet Thurgood Marshall is because I want to learn and walk a similar path Thurgood walked and have the same opportunity.

Being admitted to college will not only change my life and put me one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. But the excellence and leadership embedded in many colleges core values can be found in me. I believe there strategic framework for action provided by the curriculum will better prepare me for the future and employment success. The opportunity to attend college will not only lead me on a path to a better paying and higher skilled job. But it will also bring elusive happiness and stability to my family. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. These experiences drew me toward biology, but I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in the field because it is a goal that I am willing to work for. As a student, I believe the integrative and applied learning can help me develop an understanding and a disposition that builds from making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations beyond the campus. With this I can contribute many things to understand and develop purpose and values. The proficiency in analytical skills I will gain in college is shown through commitment to excellence which is essential in plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Since recognizing that perfection is impossible but seek to achieve excellence in each individual case we undertake. As a college graduate, I will be able to understand and evaluate problems and issues, gather relevant evidence, make appropriate assumptions and come to a logical conclusion or summary. Which fits right into plastic surgery since surgeons must understand the limits of their capabilities and be realistic in their expectations. Because a lack of humility might lead me to apply my skills in a less-than-safe manner. Also, a creative thinking mindset I might adapt from college so I will be able to combine existing ideas, and images in original ways. Since The degree of creativity, ingenuity, and scientific curiosity that characterize the best plastic and reconstructive surgeons distinguish the sub-specialty from others. Since as a graduate I will demonstrate the experience of thinking, reacting and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation and risk taking. Lastly, I have envisioned myself participating in practical and hands-on learning that will prepare me to create positive and purposeful change. I want to change peoples live's with plastic surgery as going to college would change mine.

Being admitted to college will not only change my life and put me one step closer to my dream of becoming an engineer. It will also change my life and the life of others around me. The excellence and integrity embedded in many colleges core values can be found in me. I believe that college can help me with it's innovative and research-based educational experiences provided by the curriculum will better prepare me for future employment success. The opportunity to attend college will not only lead me on a path to a better paying and higher skilled job. But it will also bring elusive happiness and stability to my family. I have the desire to become a mechanical engineer because I believe mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse engineering fields. I understand mechanical engineering plays a critical role in manufactured technologies, from cars to refrigerators. Which is why I have fallen in love with the study of objects and systems in motion. I also enjoy knowing that mechanical engineering involves almost every aspect of modern life. Lastly, as a mechanical engineer I would like to improve efficiency across a wide range of industries, design, and build solutions to a wide range of problems. These experiences drew me toward mechanical engineering. I understand that being or becoming a mechanical engineer is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. Including this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I can afford to be a little greedy, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. I have chosen Mechanical Engineering as my major because I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so. Some people want admission into this institution, but I need it. I want to change the world if I can through Mechanical Engineering just as receiving admissions would change mine.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria.the illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family.Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I Henry Olango am here today as a testament that my mother succeeded. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life. I’ve seen what poverty can do to people, so I need this opportunity to escape it all. Since I have achieved many things with the opportunities I have been given. I am the light and the salvation; the stronghold of my life is family. I am the blossom that will bloom to bring elusive happiness to my family. The torch that has been carried by my mother Victoria Angelo has now been passed on to me and with it I shall achieve greatness.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria.the illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family.Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I Henry Olango am here today as a testament that my mother succeeded. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life. I’ve seen what poverty can do to people, so I need this opportunity to escape it all. Since I have achieved many things with the opportunities I have been given. I am the light and the salvation; the stronghold of my life is family. I am the blossom that will bloom to bring elusive happiness to my family. The torch that has been carried by my mother Victoria Angelo has now been passed on to me and with it I shall achieve greatness.

At a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. We experienced many housing situations after starting off at government housing, we were kicked out due to complications. After that we bounced around from house-to-house with 9 kids to raise. My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I Henry Olango am here today as a testament that my mother succeeded. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life that almost steered me off the path to success. I’ve seen what poverty can do to people, so I need this opportunity to escape it all. Since I have achieved many things with the opportunities I have been given. I am the light and the salvation; the stronghold of my life is family. I am the blossom that will bloom to bring elusive happiness to my family. I keep in mind that most people will never experience what I have or put in extra effort to achieve success so I must do so. The torch that has been carried by my mother Victoria Angelo has now been passed on to me and with it I shall achieve greatness.

At a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. We experienced many housing situations after starting off at government housing, we were kicked out due to complications. After that we bounced around from house-to-house with 9 kids to raise. My parents are separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. I Henry Olango am here today as a testament that my mother succeeded. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life that almost steered me off the path to success. I’ve seen what poverty can do to people, so I need this opportunity to escape it all. Since I have achieved many things with the opportunities I have been given. I am the light and the salvation; the stronghold of my life is family. I am the blossom that will bloom to bring elusive happiness to my family. I keep in mind that most people will never experience what I have or put in extra effort to achieve success so I must do so. The torch that has been carried by my mother Victoria Angelo has now been passed on to me and with it I shall achieve greatness. Being admitted to college will not only change my life and put me one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. But the excellence and leadership embedded in the core values of many schools can be found in me. I believe the strategic framework for action provided by the curriculum will better prepare me for the future and employment success. The opportunity to attend Howard will not only lead me on a path to a better paying and higher skilled job. But it will also bring elusive happiness and stability to my family. I have the desire to become a plastic surgeon because I find it fascinating when I see the reconstruction of the body. For example, watching the muscle, fat, and skin being transposed to the breast for reconstruction after a mastectomy or when I first watched the reconstruction of a someone's nose. I am so intrigued that I even watch surgeons perform various types of procedures. I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in field because it is a goal that I am willing to work toward, and I am willing to learn & improve upon what I already know. These experiences drew me toward biology, but I understand that being or becoming a plastic surgeon is not easy, but I think that I would be successful in the field because it is a goal that I am willing to work for. As a student, I believe the integrative and applied learning can help me develop an understanding and a disposition that builds from making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations beyond the campus. With this I can contribute many things to understand and develop purpose and values. The proficiency in analytical skills I will gain in college is shown through commitment to excellence which is essential in plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Since recognizing that perfection is impossible but seek to achieve excellence in each individual case we undertake. As a graduate, I will be able to understand and evaluate problems and issues, gather relevant evidence, make appropriate assumptions and come to a logical conclusion or summary. Which fits right into plastic surgery since surgeons must understand the limits of their capabilities and be realistic in their expectations. Because a lack of humility might lead me to apply my skills in a less-than-safe manner. Also, a creative thinking mindset I might adapt from college so I will be able to combine existing ideas, and images in original ways. Since The degree of creativity, ingenuity, and scientific curiosity that characterize the best plastic and reconstructive surgeons distinguish the sub-specialty from others. Since as a graduate I will demonstrate the experience of thinking, reacting and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation and risk taking. Lastly, I have envisioned myself participating in practical and hands-on learning that will prepare me to create positive and purposeful change. I want to be at a school that can help me realize my passions while providing a focused learning environment.

I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live Erie, Pennsylvania. I would say I am a dedicated member of the community I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in marches to speak out for black people in America, and during elections I helped the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I have also raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young black boys unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. Including this and the adversity I’ve faced I believe it has taught me to be more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I can afford to be a little greedy, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I am a well-rounded student, I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. Being admitted to the college will not only change my life but it will put me one step closer to my dream. It will also change the lives of others around me. The impact I could have after graduating or in college would be greater. Some people want this opportunity but I need it. I want to change the world if I can or people's lives just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live Erie, Pennsylvania. I would say I am a dedicated member of the community I have over 145 hours of community service and I have been participating in community outreach since I was in middle school. From JROTC, the body improvement club, to helping low-income families in the community. I have given out information during elections, participated in marches to speak out for black people in America, and during elections I helped the UECDC increase voter turnout in national, local, and state elections. I have also raised money for disabled & homeless veterans, grown food at my local community center for students in the program, and even did a 5k marathon to raise awareness for heart disease & stroke prevention to shine a light on hypertension which is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. I am proud of the things that I have done for the community. I have participated in many projects involving the community. But I would say that the accomplishment I am most proud of is helping raise over $18,000 for the family of Jaures Golmen. I feel that it was necessary to acknowledge this young black boys unfortunate death and I am very satisfied for what I could do for his family after his death. Jaures was a close friend to me and many others, he was a teammate, mentor, and he meant the world to his parents. Being admitted to the college will not only change my life but it will put me one step closer to my dream. It will also change the lives of others around me. The impact I could have after graduating or in college would be greater. Some people want this opportunity but I need it. I want to change the world if I can or people's lives just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. With all of the adversity I’ve faced I believe I am more ambitious than any other student. Since it simply doesn’t just take intellect to be successful. I believe other students lack the determination to follow through because many have failed. But I have the desire to do so, I’ve come from nothing, and I believe I deserve the chance to succeed. I have worked hard, and faced more obstacles than most. I look around and see people settle for less, but I can’t allow myself to do so.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria.the illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family.Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. So, at a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. We experienced many housing situations after starting off at government housing, we were kicked out due to complications. After that we bounced around from house-to-house with 9 kids to raise. My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life. Which is why I I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.

When I think of a refugee I think of my mother, my father, 9 of my siblings, and the stories my mother told me. The conditions my family faced during one of the longest civil wars the continent of Africa has ever seen were harsh. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria.the illnesses did not just affect people around out, they slowly crept into our family.Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. I could vividly smell the stench of dead bodies when my mother described it to me, it was hell on earth and my mother lived it. When my family lived in camps, this is where they saw people lying on their deathbed from malaria. The illnesses did not just affect people around them, they slowly crept into our family. Many people face chronic health problems like diabetes, which my father struggles with to this day. During the rainy season, my family starved in these camps. My mother told me there were days she didn’t eat but scavenged around to make sure that at least my siblings did. Which is the reality my family faced before coming to the U.S. from South Sudan, a reality that affected me growing up in America. At a very young age I had to realize what it took for my family to be here today. I had to take the torch carried by my mother and father and go somewhere. They came to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes they wore on their backs. We experienced many housing situations after starting off at government housing, we were kicked out due to complications. After that we bounced around from house-to-house with 9 kids to raise. My parents were separated, always working, and my single mother works 2 jobs. So, there was nobody to watch us. I felt like I was missing something in my life and realized maybe my younger siblings were too. So, I became a father figure, I helped take care of and discipline them. Since none of my other siblings stepped up to the plate I had to. I had to sacrifice a lot of time doing things to help. I have to read mail for my dad, I must work so I can afford school supplies & clothes, I have to fix things around the house, I have to take care of my paralyzed brother, and I have to babysit my siblings, nieces, and nephews. While struggling to keep up with my school and sports. I’ve seen drugs take away my brother, I know how gun-violence can affect a person, my brother was shot in the head and paralyzed from the waist down. He didn’t go outside thinking he was going to get shot. Now even I fear going outside to protect myself, I even stay after school studying because my home isn’t an environment that encourages studying and learning. I don’t just live in a bad neighborhood I live in the worst city for a black person to live. All the adversity I’ve faced motivated me to pursue my education. I was motivated by the struggle my family went through and risen above many challenges in my life. Which is why I want to change people's lives with plastic surgery just as receiving this opportunity would change mine.