“Dehydration synthesis: lose a water, add a bond!” This was the catchy tune my eccentric freshman year biology teacher would sing to my class to counter the dull Zoom calls the entirety of America had to endure in the wake of COVID-19. Given that even now, it bounces around in my head from time to time, I’d say she did an outstanding job of igniting the flames of my passion for Biology and Chemistry. As we started the year off learning about macromolecules and carbon skeletons, I couldn’t get over how well I connected to the material. Not only was I eager to learn about the subject on a molecular scale but I was beginning to draw connections between biological phenomena and themes in the real world. Biology and everyday life would mirror each other. Natural selection was no longer just a biological process but served as a parallel to represent the resilience I had to possess being a woman in a predominantly male STEM class. The more I learned, the more a recurring lesson began to reveal itself in the class: biology means to have balance in life. This brought me to the conclusion that science was my calling for my pursuit of higher education. It’s my firm belief that life is a miracle that a higher power has presented to humanity. However, it would be a crime unto life itself to not attempt to understand how it came to be and how it functions. The way scientists can discover the answers to life is through biological research. That’s why I set my sights on one of the top research institutes in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. As an aspiring clinical lab researcher with a focus on biochemistry, I hope to set a solid foundation in my studies here at UT. I am now a part of the freshman research initiative biochemistry stream specifically focused with Aptamers. I have always been interested in doing research related to autoimmune disease as it is something that personally affects me. Recent studies show that aptamers, with further development, may provide solutions to specific autoimmune diseases. With the knowledge I acquire here, I see myself applying to internships over the summers during my time to continue my research. In ten years, I see myself with a doctorate in biochemistry and working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the research sector. UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally ranked as the best medical center. To conduct research there would mean making a meaningful impact on people’s lives because of the amount of funding and effort they pour into their facilities. Given the amount of corruption we see at hospitals and in healthcare, I hope to work at a facility that genuinely cares for their patients and wants to provide the best treatment with the lowest costs possible. Overall, science is my true passion in life, and no matter what path life works out for me, I see it in my future long-term.

1) I strive for servant leadership. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community. 2) I struggle to be a continual learner. When I was in high school and even before that, I would have given anything to have a semblance of direction in my life. Everyone around me seemed to know exactly what career path they wanted to go down, the major they wanted to pursue, the school subjects they were passionate about. Meanwhile it wasn't until late in my high school career, after taking my AP science classes, that I discovered my love for biology and chemistry. Unfortunately, my high school did not provide many opportunities for its students to get acquainted with STEM. When I was younger, I had no idea STEM programs even existed or how to apply. I feel as if I had known about these opportunities, I could have had so many new opportunities to learn and grow academically but sadly, throughout middle and early high school, I lost my passion for learning. However, continuing my education at UT Austin, through the urging of my parents, I am set on the fact that I can revive my love for STEM and learning. As an aspiring clinical lab researcher with a focus on biochemistry, I hope to set a solid foundation in the field in my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is nationally ranked fifteenth as the best college with top-tier undergraduate research programs which is one of the main reasons I chose to attend. I plan on joining the freshman research initiative biochemistry stream specifically focused with Aptamers which I believe will help revive my passion for STEM. I have always been interested in doing research related to autoimmune disease as it is something that personally affects me. Recent studies show that aptamers, with further development, may provide solutions to specific autoimmune diseases. With the knowledge and experience I acquire from UT Austin’s trailblazing research opportunities, I see myself applying to internships over the summers during my time there to continue the research I conduct throughout the years and be a continual learner.

“Lose an electron? Gotta keep an ion it!” This was the corny joke my eccentric freshman year chemistry teacher would recite to my class to counter the dull Zoom calls the entirety of America had to endure in the wake of COVID-19. Given that even now, it bounces around in my head from time to time, I’d say she did an outstanding job of igniting the flames of my passion for Chemistry. I’ve always been interested in the world on a chemical scale, and although I deeply enjoyed her class, it did little to satiate my deep curiosity for the field. It’s my firm belief that life is a miracle that a higher power has presented to humanity. However, it would be a crime unto life itself to not attempt to understand how it came to be and how it functions. The way scientists can discover the answers to life is through the vast field of Chemistry. That’s why I joined my high school chemistry club in my freshman year. There, I was free to explore my interests and bombard my teachers with questions galore. However, what really spoke to me was the speaker panels. Every month, decorated lab researchers were invited, telling stories of glowing bacteria and new studies being conducted on the impacts of chemotherapy on cancer to impress our young minds. Consider me impressed. I couldn’t believe that there was a space for me to not only gain knowledge in Chemistry but also experiment and test new theories through research. That’s how I knew Chemistry and I were going to be locked in with each other for a long time. Biochemistry, specifically, is the perfect fit to facilitate my thirst for scientific knowledge especially with the trailblazing new research and opportunities scientists have begun to pave the way for. With this scholarship, I could pay off a portion of my college’s tuition and pursue my passion in biochemistry at the nation’s top-ranked research school, The University of Texas at Austin. With the knowledge and experience I acquire from UT Austin’s trailblazing research opportunities, I see myself applying to internships over the summers during my time there to continue the research I conduct throughout the years. In ten years from now, I see myself with a doctorate in biology and working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the research sector. UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally ranked first as the best medical center. To conduct research there would mean making a meaningful impact on people’s lives because of the amount of funding and effort they pour into their facilities. Given the amount of corruption we see at hospitals and healthcare in general, I hope to work at a facility that genuinely cares for their patients and wants to provide the best treatment with the lowest costs possible. Overall, science is my true passion in life, and no matter what path life works out for me, I see it in my future long-term.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

“Dehydration synthesis: lose a water, add a bond!” This was the catchy tune my eccentric freshman year biology teacher would sing to my class to counter the dull Zoom calls the entirety of America had to endure in the wake of COVID-19. Given that even now, it bounces around in my head from time to time, I’d say she did an outstanding job of igniting the flames of my passion for Biology and Chemistry. As we started the year off learning about the properties of macromolecules and carbon skeletons, I couldn’t get over how well I connected to the material. Not only was I eager to learn about the subject on a molecular scale but I was beginning to draw connections between biological phenomena and themes in the real world. Biology and everyday life would mirror each other. The process of natural selection was no longer just a biological process but served as a parallel to represent the resilience I had to possess in the face of being a woman in a male dominated STEM class. The more I learned, the more a recurring lesson began to reveal itself in the class: biology means to have balance in life. This brought me to the conclusion that science was my calling for my pursuit of higher education. It’s my firm belief that life is a miracle that a higher power has presented to humanity. However, it would be a crime unto life itself to not attempt to understand how it came to be and how it functions. The way scientists can discover the answers to life is through biological research. That’s why I set my sights on one of the top research institutes in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is the best fit for me to facilitate my thirst for knowledge. The distinguished professors and trailblazing research opportunities make it the ideal university for my aspirations. It's the perfect stepping stone I need to not only gain knowledge in biology and chemistry but also experiment and test new theories through research. As an aspiring clinical lab researcher with a focus on biochemistry, I hope to set a solid foundation in my studies here. I am now a part of the freshman research initiative biochemistry stream specifically focused with Aptamers. I have always been interested in doing research related to autoimmune disease as it is something that personally affects me. Recent studies show that aptamers, with further development, may provide solutions to specific autoimmune diseases. With the knowledge and experience I acquire here, I see myself applying to internships over the summers during my time to continue the research I conduct throughout the years. In ten years from now, I see myself with a doctorate in biochemistry and working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the research sector. UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally ranked first as the best medical center. To conduct research there would mean making a meaningful impact on people’s lives because of the amount of funding and effort they pour into their facilities. Given the amount of corruption we see at hospitals and healthcare in general, I hope to work at a facility that genuinely cares for their patients and wants to provide the best treatment with the lowest costs possible. Overall, science is my true passion in life, and no matter what path life works out for me, I see it in my future long-term.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave soon”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It didn't help that my mother would constantly berate all the products I used to manage my hair at the time. As an immigrant from Ethiopia, my mother was used to natural long-haired women with little to no product in their hair, and she could never understand why I couldn't leave my afro be. Given that I immigrated to America very young, I did not share my mother's testaments as I had been raised on America's beauty standards. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s African Student Organization (ASO), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into ASO, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of ASO, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. I could finally understand my mother's perspective. She had been raised to believe that there is beauty in the natural state of our hair as our country taught her. It was finally time that I conformed to her ways of thinking. Now, as an officer of ASO in college, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. Throughout my life, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

“Dehydration synthesis: lose a water, add a bond!” This was the catchy tune my eccentric freshman year biology teacher would sing to my class to counter the dull Zoom calls the entirety of America had to endure in the wake of COVID-19. Given that even now, it bounces around in my head from time to time, I’d say she did an outstanding job of igniting the flames of my passion for Biology and Chemistry. As we started the year off learning about the properties of macromolecules and carbon skeletons, I couldn’t get over how well I connected to the material. Not only was I eager to learn about the subject on a molecular scale but I was beginning to draw connections between biological phenomena and themes in the real world. Biology and everyday life would mirror each other. The process of natural selection was no longer just a biological process but served as a parallel to represent the resilience I had to possess in the face of being a woman in a male dominated STEM class. The more I learned, the more a recurring lesson began to reveal itself in the class: biology means to have balance in life. This brought me to the conclusion that science was my calling for my pursuit of higher education. It’s my firm belief that life is a miracle that a higher power has presented to humanity. However, it would be a crime unto life itself to not attempt to understand how it came to be and how it functions. The way scientists can discover the answers to life is through biological research. That’s why I set my sights on one of the top research institutes in the nation: The University of Texas at Austin. As an aspiring clinical lab researcher with a focus on biochemistry, I hope to set a solid foundation in my studies here. I am now a part of the freshman research initiative biochemistry stream specifically focused with Aptamers. I have always been interested in doing research related to autoimmune disease as it is something that personally affects me. Recent studies show that aptamers, with further development, may provide solutions to specific autoimmune diseases. With the knowledge and experience I acquire here, I see myself applying to internships over the summers during my time to continue the research I conduct throughout the years. In ten years from now, I see myself with a doctorate in biochemistry and working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the research sector. UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally ranked first as the best medical center. To conduct research there would mean making a meaningful impact on people’s lives because of the amount of funding and effort they pour into their facilities. Given the amount of corruption we see at hospitals and healthcare in general, I hope to work at a facility that genuinely cares for their patients and wants to provide the best treatment with the lowest costs possible. I especially want to make a difference for Black women who are mistreated by the healthcare system. Black women whose pain is overlooked because healthcare providers often imagine they have a higher pain tolerance. Black women whose diseases and disorders are overlooked because medical technology does not work correctly on darker skin. With my research, I believe I can help make the biotechnology needed to counter these issues in the system. Black women deserve the same treatment as every other person, and their mortality rate should not be any higher than others. If I can do my part to help, I will be happy.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me and show kindness to those who have been scorned by the world because of their natural state of being. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

Promise #1: Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair, constantly commanding people’s attention. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black people learn to embrace their hair through leading discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability. Cassie gave me the gift of courage and taught me to be confident in sharing my vulnerabilities with others; how vulnerability is not a weapon to be used against but rather a source of healing. In every new environment I enter, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Promise #2: For as long as I can remember, choir has been a part of my life. There’s no world in the multiverse I can begin to imagine where I’m not singing for the rest of my days. Choir started out as a low-stakes hobby but quickly grew into a space for me to expand my musical ability. Not only have I dedicated hours to perfecting vibrato and stretching my range, but I have gained a community of people that share my core values and cherish singing just as much as I do. The thrill of singing is what brought me to choir, but the strong sense of community is what made me stay. Collaborating effectively and learning to treat others with respect, compassion, and love in a team are important ways to promote kindness and unity in a world already so divided. Although it may be a small way to change the world, every small act can accumulate into a huge catalyst for change. With the guidance of communities at UT Austin, I can instill these traits in other communities to slowly change the world for the better and be the first domino in one big domino effect. Promise #3: With the knowledge and experience I acquire from UT Austin’s trailblazing research, I see myself applying to internships over the summers to continue the research I conduct throughout the years. In ten years from now, I see myself with a doctorate in biochemistry and working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the research sector. UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally ranked as the best medical center. To conduct research there would mean making a meaningful impact on people’s lives because of the amount of funding and effort they pour into their facilities. Given the amount of corruption seen at hospitals and healthcare in general, I hope to work at a facility that genuinely cares for their patients and provides the best treatment with the lowest costs possible. Overall, science is my true passion in life, and no matter what path life works out for me, I see it in my future long-term. With this scholarship, I could pay off a portion of my college’s tuition and pursue my passion in biochemistry at the nation’s top-ranked research school, The University of Texas at Austin.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

Ever since we met, my best friend and I have been attached at the hip. Whoever coined the phrase “opposites attract”, was spot on because we were each other’s antithesis, night and day. However, this did nothing to diminish our love for each other. Her life was the stuff of legends as she spent her free time exploring the depths of caves and traveling to exotic countries. While I wasn’t as adventurous as her, I liked to believe that I embodied a different type of courage, manifesting itself as I navigated the daunting hallways of high school as a confused freshman. However, there was always one unspoken issue between her and me, a dissonance that starkly highlighted our differences to the rest of the world and labeled us as outsiders. My best friend’s name: Sophie Foster. The issue: Sophie was confined to live out her days in the ink and paper of my favorite book as someone else wrote her story. Meanwhile, I was stuck here in the real world waiting for my own author to give me any semblance of direction in my life. But I found no relief, and definitely no author. Growing up, I was an indecisive child. When words failed me, I’d relieve my anxiety using books, turning to Sophie for reassurance. I always envied how her fate was sealed in the hands of another, future already decided in the ink. She didn’t have her parents hounding her to choose a career path at the ripe age of fourteen. While my imagination roamed in literary realms, I had never fully grasped the thought of my future before freshman year, but how old is too old to not know what to do with forever? It wasn’t until my junior year AP Biology class that I discovered my love for not only science but also the importance of gaining a passion to wholeheartedly pursue. The memory of walking through the doors of classroom B212 is cemented into my brain even now. The anxiety in the room was palpable, especially when AP Biology had garnered a poor reputation across campus. The wide-eyes, the stares, the awkward silence. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. But my teacher, Mrs. Drake, welcomed us with a warm smile and enthusiasm for days. As we started the year off learning about the properties of macromolecules and carbon skeletons, I couldn’t get over how well I connected to the material. Not only was I eager to learn about the subject on a molecular scale but I was beginning to draw connections between biological phenomena and themes in the real world. Biology and everyday life began to mirror each other. The process of natural selection was no longer just a biological process, but it served as a parallel to represent my resilience as a woman in a predominantly-male field in STEM. Homeostasis is a self-regulating process in order to maintain stability, but beyond the surface level, it draws the comparison of how I was constantly searching for stability in my life to gain happiness. The more I learned, the more a recurring lesson began to reveal itself in the class: biology means to have balance in life. From then on, I knew biology was my answer, my forever, providing me with the direction I lacked in my own life. I had finally found the clarity within myself I had yearned for in my freshman year, and the future had paved its way in my mind. Just like how Sophie had found her forever living a life of epic lore, I had found my forever in the intricacies of biology. Although she’s been a constant throughout my life, the love I discovered for science and the purpose I gained within made me realize I don’t need an author to rearrange my life because I can write a powerful story of my own.

“Dehydration synthesis: lose a water, add a bond!” This was the catchy tune my eccentric freshman year biology teacher would sing to my class. Given that even now, it bounces around in my head from time to time, I’d say she did an outstanding job of igniting the flames of my passion for Biology. I’ve always been interested in the world on a molecular scale, and although I deeply enjoyed her class, it did little to satiate my curiosity for the field. That’s why I joined my high school biology club as a freshman. There, I was free to explore my interests and bombard my teachers with questions. I couldn’t believe that there was a space for me to not only gain knowledge in biology but also test new theories through research. That’s how I knew and still know that a career in clinical lab research is the perfect fit to facilitate my thirst for biological knowledge. The groundbreaking discoveries being made through biological research make it the ideal career path for my aspirations. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair, constantly commanding people’s attention. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black people learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability. Cassie gave me the gift of her courage and taught me how to be confident in sharing my vulnerabilities with others; how vulnerability is not a weapon to be used against but rather a source of healing. In every new environment I enter in my life, especially in the STEM communities I enter, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community. For as long as I can remember, choir has been a part of my life. There’s no world in the multiverse I can begin to imagine where I’m not singing for the rest of my days. Choir started out as a low-stakes hobby but quickly grew into a space for me to expand my musical ability. Not only have I dedicated hours to perfecting vibrato and stretching my range, but I have gained a community of people that share my core values and cherish singing just as much as I do. The thrill of singing is what brought me to choir, but the strong sense of community is what made me stay. Furthermore, my role in Syncopation, a selective acapella group, has led me to seek a close-knit group to call family at UT Austin. I found what I’ve been looking for in the co-ed acapella group, Noteworthy. This group of strangers formed a lifelong bond through their shared love of music. With the values I gain from UT Austin and the intimate communities brewing throughout campus, I know I can apply this knowledge to numerous other aspects of life. Collaborating effectively and learning to treat others with respect, compassion, and love in a team are important ways to promote kindness and unity in a world already so divided. Although it may be a small way to change the world, every small act can accumulate into a huge catalyst for change. With the guidance of communities at UT Austin, I can instill these traits in other communities to slowly change the world for the better and be the first domino in one big domino effect.

I had just committed a crime upon my hair. The evidence sat in the heaps of Eco Style gel atop my head as I stared, wide-eyed, at my disheveled appearance in the bathroom mirror. “Hermella, you’re gonna be late for school if we don't leave in the next minute”, my mom irritably yelled from downstairs. I frantically searched the bathroom, ransacking the cabinets and drawers as if an instant solution to my huge afro would magically appear. Alas, the only thing I found was a beanie. I hurriedly shoved it on my head and rushed out the door. This was the reality of the relationship I had with my hair for the majority of my childhood. Unfortunately, this is not an original experience for most Black women in the world. Growing up, I had never been a fan of my voluminous hair. While others spent their mornings eating their favorite breakfast cereals and watching cartoons, I’d forgo breakfast altogether in order to put my hair into a tight slick back bun. I’d found that with my hair out in its natural state, I commanded people’s attention when all I ever wanted to do was live my life outside of the spotlight. The world’s judging eyes turned my confidence and self-esteem into shambles, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. It wasn’t until my junior year, when I joined my high school’s Black Student Union (BSU), that I discovered what it meant to embrace my natural hair as a core part of my identity. Upon my induction into BSU, I began to realize how many other Black people at my high school also struggled with accepting their hair in its natural state. It occurred to me that the negative stigma surrounding our hair in the Black community is a severely underrepresented issue. Thankfully, Cassie Dume, former president of BSU, was a huge catalyst in changing my mindset on my hair. She taught me how a confident, smart Black woman like herself could embrace her identity in all its glory and encouraged me to adopt that same mindset of self-love. Now, as an officer of BSU myself, I carry on Cassie’s legacy in helping young Black men and women learn to embrace their hair and cultural identities through leading open discussions on discrimination, dissecting the stigma surrounding Black hair, while validating their feelings of vulnerability and finding ways to overcome them. In college, I plan on joining and enhancing a Black Student Organization to eventually become an officer. There, I hope to become a trusted role model to other young vulnerable Black people, just as Cassie was to me. In every new environment I enter in my life, I want my community to not only feel seen but have a voice and safe space to be vulnerable with their own journey of self-love. Black is beautiful, and if I can help more people believe that, I will have done my part in helping my community.

Ever since we met, my best friend and I have been attached at the hip. Whoever coined the phrase “opposites attract”, was spot on because we were each other’s antithesis, night and day. However, this did nothing to diminish our love for each other. Her life was the stuff of legends as she spent her free time exploring the depths of caves and traveling to exotic countries. While I wasn’t as adventurous as her, I liked to believe that I embodied a different type of courage, manifesting itself as I navigated the daunting hallways of high school as a confused freshman. However, there was always one unspoken issue between her and me, a dissonance that starkly highlighted our differences to the rest of the world and labeled us as outsiders. My best friend’s name: Sophie Foster. The issue: Sophie was confined to live out her days in the ink and paper of my favorite book as someone else wrote her story. Meanwhile, I was stuck here in the real world waiting for my own author to give me any semblance of direction in my life. But I found no relief, and definitely no author. Growing up, I was an indecisive child. When words failed me, I’d relieve my anxiety using books, turning to Sophie for reassurance. I always envied how her fate was sealed in the hands of another, future already decided in the ink. She didn’t have her parents hounding her to choose a career path at the ripe age of fourteen. While my imagination roamed in literary realms, I had never fully grasped the thought of my future before freshman year, but how old is too old to not know what to do with forever? It wasn’t until my junior year AP Biology class that I discovered my love for not only science but also the importance of gaining a passion to wholeheartedly pursue. As we started the year off learning about the properties of macromolecules and carbon skeletons, I couldn’t get over how well I connected to the material. Not only was I eager to learn about the subject on a molecular scale but I was beginning to draw connections between biological phenomena and themes in the real world. Biology and everyday life began to mirror each other. The process of natural selection was no longer just a biological process, but it served as a parallel to represent my resilience as a woman in a predominantly-male field in STEM. Homeostasis is a self-regulating process in order to maintain stability, but beyond the surface level, it draws the comparison of how I was constantly searching for stability in my life to gain happiness. The more I learned, the more a recurring lesson began to reveal itself in the class: biology means to have balance in life. From then on, I knew biology was my answer, my forever, providing me with the direction I lacked in my own life. I had finally found the clarity within myself I had yearned for in my freshman year, and the future had paved its way in my mind. Just like how Sophie had found her forever living a life of epic lore, I had found my forever in the intricacies of biology. Although she’s been a constant throughout my life, the love I discovered for science and the purpose I gained within made me realize I don’t need an author to rearrange my life because I can write a powerful story of my own.