When I was five years old my father was dying of Congestive Heart Failure. He was in the hospital almost the entire time I was that age. We would speak on the phone because I was not allowed to visit the respiratory floor. While my mother visited him at the hospital, I was participating in our local Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club of America's afterschool programs. This way she knew I was being properly looked after while she had to attend to my dad. At the club, I learned instruments, archery and golf. We had theme days, dodgeball tournaments and video game challenges. A man named Mr. Al always brought us snacks and treats on Thursdays, just because. We also attended chapel services and grew closer to The Lord. We were not allowed to fight or use bad language. They made sure we were becoming respectful young people. I felt very safe there. The Captains said I had leadership qualities and promoted me to "head student". I eventually aged out of the student category altogether and began volunteering instead. I just could not leave my friends and counselors. Eventually, the kids started looking up to me and I became a mentor. I volunteered every day in the summers too. I wanted to give back to the place that helped me through my dad's illness and his death. They were my backbone. I looked forward to the trips, the Christmas parties and spending time with my mentees. For 5 years now, I have also volunteered as a CPR & First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes and helping during them. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save a life. Most of them do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished many times the participants are sweating and out of breath. I also demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine. Each person has to qualify for that as well. My educational goal is to be either a doctor or work in medical research. I want to help find the cure for cancer, diabetes or heart disease (which is what my father died from). I realize that I enjoy helping others. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy seeing people get better. Working as a volunteer at the Salvation Army and as a CPR and First Aid Intern in this way makes me want to learn even more about how to help people in need.

When I close my eyes, I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save lives. Most of the participants do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished, they are sweating and out of breath. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain.

When I close my eyes, I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save lives. Most of the participants do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished, they are sweating and out of breath. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain.

When I close my eyes, I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) at our national treasure, Morgan State University, and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. If I am granted this scholarship, it will be used to cover school expenses such as books and tuition. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain.

When I was five years old my father was dying of Congestive Heart Failure. He was in the hospital almost the entire time I was that age. We would speak on the phone because I was not allowed to visit the respiratory floor. While my mother visited him at the hospital, I was participating in our local Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club of America's afterschool programs. This way she knew I was being properly looked after while she had to attend to my dad. At the club, I learned instruments, archery and golf. We had theme days, dodgeball tournaments and video game challenges. A man named Mr. Al always brought us snacks and treats on Thursdays, just because. We also attended chapel services and grew closer to The Lord. We were not allowed to fight or use bad language. They made sure we were becoming respectful young people. I felt very safe there. The Captains said I had leadership qualities and promoted me to "head student". I eventually aged out of the student category altogether and began volunteering instead. I just could not leave my friends and counselors. Eventually, the kids started looking up to me and I became a mentor. I volunteered every day in the summers too. I wanted to give back to the place that helped me through my dad's illness and his death. They were my backbone. I looked forward to the trips, the Christmas parties and spending time with my mentees. For 5 years now, I have also volunteered as a CPR & First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes and helping during them. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save a life. Most of them do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished many times the participants are sweating and out of breath. I also demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine. Each person has to qualify for that as well. My educational goal is to be either a doctor or work in medical research. I want to help find the cure for cancer, diabetes or heart disease (which is what my father died from). I realize that I enjoy helping others. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy seeing people get better. Working as a volunteer at the Salvation Army and as a CPR and First Aid Intern in this way makes me want to learn even more about how to help people in need.

When I close my eyes, I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. If I am granted this scholarship, it will be used to cover school expenses such as books and tuition. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain.

In my family there were four children born within the same year, myself and my first cousins. Because my family is so close, we have been raised more like siblings than cousins. When we were young, we went everywhere together with our grandmother. However, we each had different home lives. My parents are stable and married but in each of my cousins’ homes there is turmoil. My cousin Jaylen has it the worst. His father is an alcoholic, and his mother is a bit wild. Jaylen saw his parents physically fight and was removed from their home multiple times. He’s lived with many relatives. After his father went to rehab for the third time, he came home promising to care for my cousin. He gained custody of him and tried his best to maintain a stable home, but the damage had already been done. Jaylen has been tossed aside, abused and neglected, and now he is reacting. As we have grown, I have seen my cousin spiral with threats of self-harm, suicide and even cutting. Recently we took a family trip to Disney World and my cousin, in a fit of rage brought on by a very minor disagreement, threatened to murder his father. I saw the entire thing unfold and have been forever changed. I knew my cousin had a temper; I had heard he can become violent. There was also an incident when we were in line to get on a roller coaster. We were all talking, laughing and having fun, and Jaylen erupted in anger, cursing and yelling obscenities. Everyone in the line stopped and tried to back away from him. My mother went to him to try and calm him down. She discovered his eruption started with a disagreement with his sister about holding a water bottle. Seeing these things for myself shook me to my core. I have since, painfully, distanced myself from him. It hurts. He is (was) my favorite cousin. He is like my big brother – we are only four months apart in age. I check on him through social media and talk with him every once in a while, but I don’t feel safe around him. I miss the Jaylen I knew, before the damage was done to him. I wish I could turn back time and make his mother and father care for him more. I already knew I wanted to be a doctor because of my love of science and helping others. Seeing how medication affects people when they take it, and when they do not, has made me want to focus more on medical research. Jaylen once told me he does not like taking his medication because it makes him feel loopy and tired. He skips it a lot. He didn’t take it at all in Disney World and I could tell. He was angry, loud and very scary. I also have family members with diabetes and heart issues. I understand that without their medications they would not be able to function in life. I would like to be the one who finds a cure for these things through medicine. I know it is a huge goal, but I am going to do my best to try.

When I close my eyes I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save lives. Most of the participants do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished, they are sweating and out of breath. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain. I plan to possibly find the cure for cancer or heart conditions. If I do not cure these diseases, I can at least treat them and offer families the same support that was offered to mine.

When I close my eyes I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save lives. Most of the participants do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished, they are sweating and out of breath. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. I am determined to use my pain, past experiences and love of science as my motivation. I want to make my father proud and let him know that his death was not in vain. This is what success looks like to me. It is me setting this goal and achieving it. It is me graduating from college and medical school with low or zero debt. It is me having M.D. behind my name.

When I close my eyes I see the letters “M.D.” behind my name. I want to become a doctor. My entire year at age five was spent in and out of Cardiac Units at Johns Hopkins Hospital, visiting my father. He died when I was six from Congestive Heart Failure. I remember the sadness of seeing him go from my big strong dad to a frail weak man who could only whisper. Although I was very sad, I remember feeling like he was being taken care of by people in white coats. I would watch them come into the room like superheroes. I remember thinking the superheroes looked like me. Many were African-American. I thought to myself, "I can be just like them when I grow up!" They would look at the machines beeping and give him medicine. There was always a team of them talking about what they were going to try next. I also remember the others, the nurses, who would hold his hand, feed him and try to keep him in good spirits. Eventually, I wasn’t allowed to visit him anymore. I was too young to be on the respiratory floor. So, the nurses got together and took pictures of his room, the doctors and themselves. They made a little book for me explaining how they were caring for my dad. I treasure that book to this day. For a little kid, the whole experience was scary but deep down I knew one day I wanted to do that for people too. Coincidentally, I also love science. I am in my senior year in the International Baccalaureate program. I have already taken Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems. I like researching, experimenting and seeing what works. I had no idea that the loss of my dad and my love of science would someday work in my favor. My major will be Biology (Pre-Professional) and I plan on going to medical school. To learn what it is like to help people I am currently a CPR and First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save lives. Most of the participants do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished, they are sweating and out of breath. I demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine as well. I also volunteer at our local Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club of America. I am working to set up a CPR class for the kids there too. I hope that becoming a Black Female Doctor will bring comfort to other children who look like me too. I want to give them calm in a time of storm

My great-grandfather served as a Cook for the Negro units during World War II. He enlisted in the early 1940s to serve his country, even though his country didn't recognize him as a man. In those days Negro men and women still did not have equal rights. My great-grandfather did not let that stop him. He wanted to serve his land with dignity and respect. He tested higher than a Cook job, but only servant jobs were available to him. He held his head high throughout his service to our nation and started a legacy that many of my relatives followed. My grandfather served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He jumped out of planes onto enemy land to protect our nation. He continued his service as a Reservist for an additional 13 years until his Honorable Discharge. He was selected as a percussionist for the illustrious Tops In Blue. He was a self-taught, extremely talented drummer. He toured around the country showcasing his talent. My uncle retired, in 2018, as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force. He began his service as Military Police and retired as the head of Cyber Security. He has been deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Oman and Korea. His family is so proud of his service that both of his children followed in his footsteps and joined our military. One served in the U.S. Navy and the other is currently in the U.S. Army. My brother is currently serving as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army. He plans on a 20-year career of service. And finally, my mother served as a Farsi Linguist in the U.S. Army. She enlisted after she graduated from university. Her initial contract was for five years, and she planned to make it a career. Unfortunately, she was honorably discharged before her contract was over due to medical reasons. She is now a disabled veteran. I have grown up in a family where service to The Lord and our country has been the backbone of what we stand on. I would like to serve my fellow man by becoming a doctor. My father passed away when I was just six years old. I remember visiting him in the hospital and having dinner at his bedside. I loved how the doctors and nurses took care of him. I knew at that time I wanted to take care of people too. I will be studying Biology with an emphasis on pre-med/pre-professional. When I graduate, I see myself attending Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. One day I would like to work there, the place where my father was cared for.

When I was five years old my father was dying. While my mother visited him at the hospital, I was participating in our local Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club of America's afterschool programs. At the club, I learned instruments, archery and golf. We had theme days, dodgeball tournaments and video game challenges. We also attended chapel services and grew closer to The Lord. We were not allowed to fight or use bad language. They made sure we were becoming respectful young people. I felt very safe there. I eventually aged out of the student category and began volunteering instead. I just could not leave my friends and counselors. The kids started looking up to me and I became a mentor. I volunteered every day in the summers too. Each time I walk in the door all the children look at me and yell... "SUNSHINE!!!!! Look Sunshine is here!" That's my nickname, Sunshine. They run up to me and give me the biggest hugs and high-fives. I feel so fulfilled knowing that I am showing the kids what a good teenager looks like. We create Tik-Tok dances, do art projects and talent shows. I wanted to give back to the place that helped me through my dad's illness and his death. I want them to know they do not have to give in to peer pressure just because they see other people doing it. These are just a few of the things volunteering there has taught me. For 5 years now I have also volunteered as a CPR & First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes and helping during them. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save a life. Most of them do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished many times the participants are sweating and out of breath. I also demonstrate how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine. My educational goal is to be either a doctor or work in medical research. I want to help find the cure for cancer, diabetes or heart disease (which is what my father died from). I realize that I enjoy helping others. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy seeing people get better. Working as a volunteer at the Salvation Army and as an Intern in this way makes me want to learn even more about how to help people in need.

I am Inara Harrison, a high school senior. I am currently in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. My classes are college-level courses, and they feel like it! The work is very challenging but I am not a failure and I will not quit. I want to work in the medical field and help cure people. I was impacted by the loss of my father when I was six years old. I watched, early on in his demise, how the doctors and nurses would care for him in the hospital. He was dying of Congestive Heart Failure. While my mother visited him at the hospital, I was participating in our local Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club of America's afterschool programs. This way she knew I was being properly looked after while she had to attend to my dad. At the club, I learned instruments, archery and golf. We had theme days, dodgeball tournaments and video game challenges. A man named Mr. Al always brought us snacks and treats on Thursdays, just because. We also attended chapel services and grew closer to The Lord. We were not allowed to fight or use bad language. They made sure we were becoming respectful young people. I felt very safe there. The Captains said I had leadership qualities and promoted me to "head student". I eventually aged out of the student category altogether and began volunteering instead. I just could not leave my friends and counselors. Eventually, the kids started looking up to me and I became a mentor. I volunteered every day in the summers too. I wanted to give back to the place that helped me through my dad's illness and his death. They were my backbone. I looked forward to the trips, the Christmas parties and spending time with my mentees. For 5 years now, I have also volunteered as a CPR & First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes and helping during them. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save a life. Most of them do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished many times the participants are sweating and out of breath. I also demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine. Each person has to qualify for that as well. My educational goal is to be either a doctor or work in medical research. I want to help find the cure for cancer, diabetes or heart disease (which is what my father died from). I realize that I enjoy helping others. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy seeing people get better. This scholarship will help with my books or tuition. Medical school is very costly. I do not want to start my life off with debt from my extended education. I have worked hard through my high school career and I hope my efforts will pay off with this scholarship.

When I was 15 years old, I got the news that my favorite cousin had suddenly passed away. When I heard the news, I was in shock, and denial as well. It took a couple of days to realize that he was actually gone. Due to COVID restrictions students were allowed to go to school twice a week, only with masks. When I went back to school I could not focus. I would complete my work, but if one asked me what it was about, I could not recall. I could not sleep, I had no appetite, I just could not come to the realization that he was no longer with us. After the funeral, I went into a state of depression. I did not wish to do anything with anyone. I became so lazy that I was okay with only getting a C, whereas before, I never settled unless the grade was a B or above. I prayed on it and asked God to fill this void, this empty feeling. God answered my prayers. He allowed me to focus and excel in all my classes. I even passed the quarter with straight A’s. We found out later that he had passed away as a result of his diabetes. He had type 2 diabetes and wore an armband that monitored his sugar levels. Well, my cousin was quite stubborn. He was 32 years old and thought he was untouchable. He was the life of the party and everyone enjoyed his presence. I visited him often and he would always complain about having to take so much insulin or pills. He hated it. My aunt would constantly remind him... "Byron, take your medicine." He would snarkily reply, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ma!" We thought it was all fun and games until he ended up hospitalized because his glucose numbers were either too low or too elevated. This happened several times. I recall asking him about his medications. I would question his side effects because I just couldn't understand why he resisted taking something that could potentially save his life. He would complain about nausea, vomiting and weakness. I thought 'Surely, there have to be more options'. Well, the night he died we learned he was not wearing his arm monitor. He had been feeling low for days and wanted to be alone. His roommate found him unresponsive. The first thing I thought was 'Did he take his medicine? What kind of medicine was it? Did he run out of insulin?' I have been interested in science my entire life. I love experiments and seeing the results. Having loved ones around me perish because of preventable diseases has turned my focus from simple experimentation to medical research, pharmacy or potentially becoming a physician. I want to pursue this field because I know for sure there are cures for cancer, heart disease and diabetes! We just have to find them.

When I was five years old my father was dying of Congestive Heart Failure. He was in the hospital almost the entire time I was that age. We would speak on the phone because I was not allowed to visit the respiratory floor. While my mother visited him at the hospital, I was participating in our local Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club of America's afterschool programs. This way she knew I was being properly looked after while she had to attend to my dad. At the club, I learned instruments, archery and golf. We had theme days, dodgeball tournaments and video game challenges. A man named Mr. Al always brought us snacks and treats on Thursdays, just because. We also attended chapel services and grew closer to The Lord. We were not allowed to fight or use bad language. They made sure we were becoming respectful young people. I felt very safe there. The Captains said I had leadership qualities and promoted me to "head student". I eventually aged out of the student category altogether and began volunteering instead. I just could not leave my friends and counselors. Eventually, the kids started looking up to me and I became a mentor. I volunteered every day in the summers too. I wanted to give back to the place that helped me through my dad's illness and his death. They were my backbone. I looked forward to the trips, the Christmas parties and spending time with my mentees. For 5 years now, I have also volunteered as a CPR & First Aid Intern. Several times a year I help with setting up the classes and helping during them. I take attendance, sanitize and set up mannequins and gather email addresses so participants can receive their American Heart Association CPR & First Aid qualification cards. I also show people how to properly do chest compressions to potentially save a life. Most of them do not realize there must be at least 100 chest compressions every minute. When they are finished many times the participants are sweating and out of breath. I also demonstrate how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine. Each person has to qualify for that as well. My educational goal is to be either a doctor or work in medical research. I want to help find the cure for cancer, diabetes or heart disease (which is what my father died from). I realize that I enjoy helping others. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy seeing people get better. Working as a volunteer at the Salvation Army and as a CPR and First Aid Intern in this way makes me want to learn even more about how to help people in need.

The person who has supported me the most in reaching my educational goals is my mother. My mother has been there for me through every step of the way. Although we may fuss a lot, she’s the sweetest woman I know. I am very indecisive when it comes to decisions regarding my education, and she has been very patient with me through it all. When I was younger, I went to an immersion school which offered Chinese, French, Russian, Arabic and Spanish. Although I was fluent in Chinese, I was failing. The school reported that I was excelling, but I could not do basic math. My mother found a tutor which helped for a little, then it went downhill from there. My grades still portrayed me as excellent, but I had no clue how to count coins. Subsequently, my mother took me out of that school. I entered another school, a private school. This was the best school I have been to. They took their time with me and made sure I understood everything before moving on, unlike the previous school. I still was not the best in math, so my teacher offered to tutor me after school. My mother would sit in the tutoring sessions with me to see what we could work on at home… then spend hours with me on the floor doing the work. Because of my mother’s patience and determination to make me the best version of myself, I got an award for “Most Improved.” The principal recognized where I came from and where I was going and decided to reward me out of all the other students in the school. Unfortunately, this school closed, so I was forced to transfer. My mother did a lot of research to try and find schools that would benefit my future. She met with principals, parents of various school and allowed me to have shadow days. She took all the backlash from my extended family just to get me a good education. After months and months of searching, my mother found a school for me. This one reminded me of my previous school. Plus, many of my former classmates transferred there too. Unfortunately, a situation happened, and the result was me having to leave. I was stuck. I had nowhere else to go, so I was forced to go to the neighborhood zone school. I was terrified… the kids were like wild animals. My mother spent the morning with me, looking in classes and getting to know the teachers. As the school year went by, I adjusted and so did my mom. She became very friendly with teachers and requested for weekly updates. She helped me with homework and made sure I knew the context of everything. Going from middle school to high school is when COVID hit. My freshman year was solely virtual. Many people failed or just did not participate. My mother made sure I had a quiet space to log on to my Google Meets, she had all the teacher’s information in case I had questions and she even helped me with things I didn’t understand. My mother set my future up by putting me in a program called IB (International Baccalaureate.) The IB program is exceedingly difficult. Tears are shed, books are thrown, voices are raised, the whole nine yards. Instead of giving up on me, she holds me, comforts me, helps me, reaches out to my teachers. Although she was not an IB student, she understands the challenge. To this day, she continues to be my backbone.

For 30 years, it has been a Harrison family tradition to go to Disney World. I have gone almost every year since I was two years old. It is the one time of year my family from all over the United States comes together to enjoy a vacation. Many years we have almost seventy family members and friends come along. Being around all of my family at once makes life enjoyable. We travel by Amtrak's Silver Meteor train from Baltimore, Maryland to Orlando. This voyage is 18 hours long. On the train, we share funny and heartwarming stories about loved ones who have passed on, eat delicious food, and sometimes we even sing. Each family is responsible for a specific dish that they share with everyone. This special time allows my family and I to bond with one another before our adventure begins. Once we arrive in Orlando, a chartered bus takes us to the hotel, and we settle in. The following day our weeklong adventure begins, starting at Magic Kingdom. The little ones meet all the Disney characters, watch the parades, ride on rides, and experience the Magical World of Disney. On the second day, we venture to the next park, Epcot. My family and I stay together to experience all the countries. We enjoy getting on rides, especially Guardians of the Galaxy and Mission Space, and eating cultural foods. As children, my cousins and I attended a language immersion school where we were taught Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and French. Going to the different countries is always exciting. We can put our talents to the test by talking to the workers in their native tongue. On the third day, we head to Animal Kingdom where we enter into a fascinating world of wildlife. Animal Kingdom, in my opinion, is one of the best parks because of its beautiful nature. It has my favorite ride too, The Avatar! It is also one of the hottest parks! Even with the heat we love to see the animals roaming around, characters in parades and the singers and dancers. Sometimes we take the hopper and head to MGM, or Hollywood Studios, which is another favorite of mine. Once we arrive at MGM, the first thing we do is eat… it never fails. After the meal, my grandmother, cousins and I head to the back of the park to ride the Tower of Terror and the Rock N Rollercoaster. Granny doesn't ride actually. She finds a cool bench and watches the strollers. She is always laughing at us as we act silly. It is usually time to go back to our bus once we have finished the roller coaster thrills. Going to Disney World is always the highlight of my summer because it allows all my family to reunite and enjoy each other’s company. I strongly recommend family travel to Disney World as a vacation. It is super fun, and a great bonding experience. Taking a family vacation to Disney World will forever be a core memory for me as I love and cherish every moment spent in each park with my family. I love Disney! -Inara Harrison