Since childhood, I have dreamed of being a superhero—someone who could change the world and make a lasting impact. As I grew older, I realized that while changing the entire world may not be feasible for one person, I could still create meaningful change on an individual level. This realization led me to medicine, where I could help people fight their personal battles with the superpower of science and compassion. My academic journey has prepared me for this path in a unique way. Currently, I am more than halfway through earning a B.S. in Biology: Neuroscience and a B.A. in English at Penn State University. Neuroscience has provided me with a strong scientific foundation to understand the complexities of pain, while my English degree has given me a deeper appreciation for human connection and communication. Pain is not just a physical experience but an emotional one, and to be the best anesthesiologist I can be, I must recognize the individual behind each case. Beyond fostering empathy, my background in English will allow me to be a strong advocate for my patients, ensuring their concerns are heard and their needs are met in an often complex healthcare system. Medicine is not just about treating symptoms—it is about understanding and advocating for the person behind them. Anesthesiology captivates me because it is a field filled with untapped potential, particularly in the realm of pain management. My ultimate goal is to reintroduce Penthrox—commonly known as the green whistle—to the United States. As a fast-acting, inhalable analgesic with non-opioid, non-addictive properties, I believe Penthrox has the potential to revolutionize pain management and serve as an alternative in a healthcare system grappling with the opioid crisis. In particular, I see its application in women’s health, where pain management is often inadequate or dismissed. Too many procedures subject women to unnecessary suffering, offering little more than ibuprofen before invasive interventions. By advocating for better, more humane pain relief options, I hope to challenge the current ‘gold-standard’ and ensure that patient comfort is treated as a priority rather than an afterthought. As a freshman, I took on a demanding 19-credit course load while driving two hours each way twice a week to complete a phlebotomy certification course. This year, I have continued to push my limits, balancing a 20-credit schedule with working every other weekend as a phlebotomist, tutoring for the College Board, and contributing to four distinct research projects. While each research endeavor is in a different field, they collectively reflect my passion for exploration and problem-solving. Through ornithology research, I examined how human desires shape the natural world; in sustainability research, I am working to develop a bioplastic alternative to combat the single-use plastic crisis. My work in communication research took me to Buffalo, New York, where I analyzed the portrayal of mental health in modern media, and in organic chemistry, I have been synthesizing compounds that may contribute to the fight against African Sleeping Sickness. While these projects may seem disconnected, they have broadened my perspective, ensuring that I approach medicine with a well-rounded, multidisciplinary mindset. As a future doctor, I do not want to be limited to a single viewpoint—I want to understand problems from every possible angle, ensuring that my patients receive the most thoughtful and comprehensive care possible. Despite my involvement, the reality is most of my pursuits are unpaid, driven purely by passion and a desire to push boundaries. With this support, I can continue to explore, innovate, and challenge the limitations of medicine, ensuring that my impact—both in anesthesiology and beyond—extends as far as my ambition will take me.

On September 18, 2021, I killed someone. It is essential to note that this was not an actual homicide, nor was it murder under any circumstance. However, it was a metaphorical assassination of my Mr. Hyde. This is not my confession, but rather my villain origin story. The crime scene: Blue Mountain High School’s student section. Specifically, the third row from the bottom, located at the far end and nearest to the parents section of the bleachers. It was an unanticipated heatwave, with temperatures surpassing 90 degrees exacerbated by body heat from the overcrowded student section. Second quarter mere seconds before halftime, trailing by a touchdown with our team attempting a 30-yard field goal. Conveniently, it was at the exact moment the kill shot was metaphorically fired, and my world plunged into darkness. I woke up on the ground with an underclassman holding my limp body. Surrounded by people but still so alone. They shipped my semi-conscious body to the closest hospital, subjecting me to several tests which all reinforced the same painfully obvious conclusions. Malnutrition. Over-caffeination. Anemia. I should have been unconscious or hospitalized months prior. My friends, those self-proclaimed martyrs, kept repeating that they were “doing this for me.” I was surrounded by people but still so alone. And so began my downward spiral. Mr. Hyde was dead and exposed. I had to endure multiple doctor visits, everyone treating me like I was a broken puzzle in desperate need of fixing. I was the sole mourner at my own funeral, yet nobody seemed to understand my loss. After all, it was for my own good, or so they claimed. But don’t talk too much about it, the murder. The homicide. The death. They don’t want to enable these negative thoughts, and it’s better to bury it all six feet under. I did not know what to do. My friends knew about the murder, yet failed to understand how I could possibly lament the death of my former self. It seemed that Dr. Jekyll was their preferred personality. She was the embodiment of “Little Miss Perfect,” checking every box, maintaining phenomenal grades, and overall being easier to deal with. They did what they could, checking in periodically and reiterating TikTok motivational quotes to ensure that I knew they cared. However, they were at a loss for words and walking on shards of glass, trying not to further shatter me. At the time, I saw them as accessories to my murder. After I ‘recovered’ at least from a physical perspective, these same friends helped me to found a mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. Though my murder was not the sole cause of this organization’s creation, it is the primary reason for my involvement, as well as most of my friends. I wanted to create something that helped others realize they are not broken nor alone. I wanted to help people prevent meeting a similar tragic fate that I had. I wanted people to know that “it’s okay to not be okay” as all the banners around the school said. This was my villain origin story. Though not so villainous, more of a justification. As much as I try to advocate for mental health awareness, there are still metaphorical barriers that prevent me from penetrating the source of pain. I cannot fully cure nor solve the puzzle when my view is obstructed. This is why I am drawn to the field of anesthesia. I can solve the puzzle. I can cure the pain, at least temporarily. Everything is right in front of me on monitors and can be solved with the proper dosage of medication rather than some cliche quote from a social media poet. That same hospital that pronounced the death of Mr. Hyde named me Student of the Year less than a year later. They unknowingly helped to heal me both physically and give me a reason to continue. I went from patient to patient advocate. I went from being in the bed in the ER to being in the spinny chair at the head of the bed in the OR. Mr. Hyde is dead, and he will not be missed.

The individual who has undoubtedly had the most significant impact on my personal and academic development is none other than my sophomore-year biology teacher, Mr. Kerstetter. Before meeting him, I had yet to encounter an educator who took a genuine interest in my growth and potential. Regrettably, I was a student who was content with mediocrity, harboring only slightly above-average grades and career aspirations that were laughably out of reach. As a student who tended to blend in with the masses, possessing modest grades and far-fetched ambitions, Mr. Kerstetter recognized the dormant potential within me and made it his mission to push me beyond my perceived limitations. He astutely identified that my lack of motivation and support had previously stifled my progress, and resolved to instill an unwavering conviction to aim higher within me. Through his unwavering encouragement and guidance, I rose to the top percentage of my class, my GPA ascending from an unremarkable 3.9 to an extraordinary 4.2 within a single semester. With his steadfast support, I honed my perfectionism towards constructive end by excelling in all my academic pursuits. It was under his mentorship that I realized that hard work and dedication were the keys to realizing my aspirations, and I internalized this mindset into every facet of my life. Though he didn’t necessarily intend on me staying awake until ungodly hours each night studying to maintain my newfound perfect grades, he still supported my decisions. Within a few months, I became a tutor for my peers, spreading my recently discovered knowledge and helping others to succeed academically by using what Mr. Kerstetter taught me. Moreover, he was the first person who took my dream of becoming an anesthesiologist seriously, providing me with the resources needed to pursue an internship at a hospital where I am currently excelling. Despite being a first-generation student with limited connections in the medical field, I have amassed an extensive network of professional connections through his support. He paved the way for me to achieve a remarkable 4.4 GPA, instilled in me an unshakeable self-assurance, and guided me to establish critical connections that launched my career in the medical field. Mr. Kerstetter unlocked my potential in ways beyond my wildest imagination. He saw me not just as an average honors student, but as an individual with great passion and potential in the medical field. Through his unyielding support, I discovered that nothing was beyond my reach. I remain forever indebted to his mentorship and guidance, and the achievements that I now enjoy are a testament to his persistent belief in my abilities.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my personal mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my personal mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my personal mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my personal mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

As a driven and passionate individual, I have dedicated much of my time to giving back to my community through various philanthropic endeavors. My love for animal welfare led me to volunteer at my local shelter, where I have been able to take on leadership roles over the past four years. I have organized pet food drives and fundraisers, tended to a diverse range of animals, and helped to inspire other students to participate in the volunteering program. This scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to continue my volunteer work while pursuing my education, allowing me to expand my impact on the community. I have also devoted myself to volunteering at my local hospital, where I have accumulated hundreds of hours of service over my one-year tenure. My experiences at the hospital have been transformative, providing me with valuable insights into the world of medicine and helping to solidify my career aspiration as a doctor of anesthesiology. The scholarship would provide me with the financial support to continue volunteering at the hospital and gain these valuable experiences, as well as enable me to focus on my studies and clinical work. It was during my time at the hospital that I had the opportunity to work with skilled technicians and doctors, which allowed me to gain valuable knowledge about the healthcare system. My immersion in the Ct/X-ray department was especially enlightening, and it gave me a holistic understanding of the integral roles each member of the medical team plays in facilitating optimal patient care. The work I have done as a volunteer tutor has also made a notable impact on my community. I offer my services pro bono, and my reputation as a dependable resource has grown as a result. My success as a mentor is evidenced by the induction of my cohorts into prestigious academic honor societies and their attainment of exceptional scores on exams and essays. This scholarship would enable me to continue gaining such valuable experiences and knowledge, without worrying about financial burdens. My experiences have solidified my passion for medicine, and I have set my sights on becoming an anesthesiologist. I recognize that the path to achieving this goal will be long and challenging, but I am committed to the journey. I believe that anesthesia is the perfect field for me because it allows me to tangibly fix the pain of others. However, I also understand the importance of mental health in the medical field, and I am committed to promoting greater awareness of this issue. As someone who has struggled with mental health issues, I understand the importance of prioritizing mental wellness. With my education and future career as an anesthesiologist, I hope to create more awareness for mental health in the medical field. I plan to contribute to the conversation around the importance of mental wellness and to help break down the stigma that often surrounds mental health struggles. I have already taken steps to make this a reality by founding a mental health awareness club, Aevidum, at my school. The scholarship would enable me to continue this work, as well as pursue other mental health initiatives in the medical field. This scholarship would be invaluable in helping me achieve my goals. It would provide me with the financial support I need to pursue my education and work towards becoming an anesthesiologist, while also allowing me to focus on my mental health and well-being. With this scholarship, I would be one step closer to achieving my dreams and making a difference in the world of medicine.

As a passionate individual seeking to make a meaningful impact in my community, I constantly seek opportunities to give back. My volunteer work has been a fundamental aspect of my personal and professional growth, and it has allowed me to give back to my community in ways that are meaningful to me. Driven by my passion for animal welfare, I began volunteering at my local animal shelter as soon as I was old enough, dedicating countless hours to providing care for the shelter’s animals. My tenure at the shelter has been exceptionally fulfilling, having tended to a diverse range of animals ranging from traditional pets such as dogs and cats to non-traditional animals such as rabbits, birds, and even a goat. However, my philanthropic endeavors extend beyond animal welfare. I have also devoted myself to volunteering at my local hospital, where I have accumulated hundreds of hours of service over my one-year tenure. My experiences at the hospital have been nothing short of transformative, providing me with valuable insights into the world of medicine and helping to solidify my career aspiration as a doctor of anesthesiology. During my time at the hospital, I had the privilege of assisting in a variety of capacities. For patients, I provided comfort and care, ranging from something as simple as giving them a blanket to talking them through hour-long tests. I also had the privilege of working closely with skilled technicians and doctors, augmenting my knowledge of the healthcare system. My immersion in the Ct/X-ray department, in particular, has been especially enlightening, imbuing me with a holistic comprehension of the integral roles each member of the medical team plays in facilitating optimal patient care. My service at the hospital has not only been rewarding on a personal level, but I have also inspired numerous fellow students to participate in the volunteering program. I motivated enough students to eventually build an extensive network of volunteers from my high school and subsequently instituted the program as an official school initiative. Though unconventional to consider this volunteer work, my altruistic efforts as a tutor have also made a notable impact on my community. I offer my services pro bono, catering primarily to science and English subjects, but I am willing to accommodate other areas upon request. My reputation as a dependable resource has blossomed, with peers seeking my guidance at all hours and subsequently achieving exceptional results. The success of my mentorship is evidenced by the induction of all of my cohorts whom I consistently assist into prestigious academic honor societies and their attainment of exceptional scores on exams and essays. Through my volunteer work, I have gained valuable skills such as leadership, communication, and empathy. I have learned to work effectively with others, to take on responsibilities, and to manage my time efficiently. These skills have not only helped me in my volunteer work but also in other aspects of my life, such as my academic pursuits and future career aspirations. I am committed to continuing my service and making a positive impact on the world around me.

There are times when I envy Icarus and his moment of flight. The feeling of soaring, weightless and free, must have been exhilarating. Nobody accredits him for this moment of flight, for his desire to touch perfection. They only know of the tragedy of his failure to reach it. After all, it is called the “Fall of Icarus”. Similarly, people may only know of my fall, but not of my struggles with perfectionism and mental health. This pursuit of self-destructive perfectionism has been my curse. I have fallen one too many times during this quest. I shall forever mourn the loss of my former self, once ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection. I now stand before you not as a victim of my experiences, but as a survivor who has turned my struggles into a source of strength. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, I too strived for unattainable ideals of perfection. This led to an eating disorder that I suffered from in silence until the elephant in the room became too much to ignore. I ended up passing out in a student section, and this was my fall. But through this fall, I have also learned to rise again. My experiences with my struggles have allowed me to discover how much my friends truly cared. They saved me in ways I cannot even begin to describe, and for this, I am eternally grateful. Due to this, I became one of the founding members of the mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum. This club is centered around the idea of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Like Icarus, we may have attempted to soar to perfection, only to fall and be labeled by our failures. I have made it my personal mission to help others rise from their lowest points in life. It has always been my most prominent aspiration to become an anesthesiologist since middle school, but it wasn’t until recently that I learned why I was so innately drawn to this profession. Through my internship at a local hospital, it has become apparent to me that I have been so fixated on this career because I will be directly helping people by taking their pain away. Everything is tangibly right in front of me on monitors, and there are no metaphorical barriers elicited by the mind that I need to break through. This is why I am fixated on anesthesia rather than psychology. I will be able to help people rise from their pain again in the most tangible sense possible. I want to break the cycle of pain and help others to find their path to healing. Just as my friends rescued me, I hope to provide comfort and relief to those who are suffering. I am determined to use my struggles as a source of strength. Like Icarus, I have fallen, but now I have also risen again. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that there is a certain beauty in falling. Although Icarus’ tale came to a tragic end, my journey is just beginning.

As a young and aspiring pre-med student, I have always been determined to reach for the stars in pursuit of my career goals. My biggest aspiration is to become an anesthesiologist, and this scholarship is the fuel that will propel me toward that goal. This scholarship is ironically named because it is one of the stars I am shooting for on my journey toward my ultimate goal. This scholarship is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Jeremy Michael Higgins, who found immense joy in working with his hands and creating items to share and sell with others. Like Dr. Higgins, I too have a passion for using my skills to make a positive impact on the world. Although I do not know if or how I will invent something, it is one of my predominant goals to create happiness and positivity in the field of mental health. I am a realist, and I like to focus on what I can immediately do “right now” as most of my goals are for the long term. With this mindset, I have helped to found a mental health awareness club at my school, Aevidum, which has successfully been operating for two years with the mission of spreading the message “it’s okay to not be okay”. Though this isn’t necessarily the scale of the invention that Dr. Higgins has accomplished this is only the beginning of my journey, and I intend to continue creating these positive environments and raising awareness for causes I believe in. As an anesthesiologist, I will have the ability to alleviate people’s tangible pain. However, I am also committed to raising awareness for the invisible pain that cannot always be easily seen. Mental health is an issue that is close to my heart, and I believe that it is crucial to increase awareness and advocacy for mental health issues. The North Star Dreamers scholarship is just that, the guiding star to help me embark on my long educational journey. With this scholarship’s assistance, I will be able to cover some of the expenses associated with my education. I am hoping that my educational endeavors will lead me to find a way to “invent” a more positive environment and raise awareness for those who are struggling with their mental health. Like a navigator using the North Star to chart a course, I believe that this scholarship will significantly help guide me toward my dreams to help make a difference in the lives of those around me.

The individual who has undoubtedly had the most significant impact on my personal and academic development is none other than my sophomore-year biology teacher, Mr. Kerstetter. Prior to meeting him, I had yet to encounter an educator who took a genuine interest in my growth and potential. Regrettably, I was a student who was content with mediocrity, harboring only slightly above-average grades and career aspirations that were laughably out of reach. As a student who tended to blend in with the masses, possessing modest grades and far-fetched ambitions, Mr. Kerstetter recognized the dormant potential within me and made it his personal mission to push me beyond my perceived limitations. He astutely identified that my lack of motivation and support had previously stifled my progress, and resolved to instill an unwavering conviction to aim higher within me. Through his unwavering encouragement and guidance, I rose to the top percentage of my class, my GPA ascending from an unremarkable 3.9 to an extraordinary 4.2 within a single semester. With his steadfast support, I honed my perfectionism towards constructive end by excelling in all my academic pursuits. It was under his mentorship that I realized that hard work and dedication were the keys to realizing my aspirations, and I internalized this mindset into every facet of my life. Though he didn’t necessarily intend on me staying awake until ungodly hours each night studying to maintain my newfound perfect grades, he still supported my decisions. Within a few months, I became a tutor for my peers, spreading my recently discovered knowledge and helping others to succeed academically by using what Mr. Kerstetter taught me. Moreover, he was the first person who took my dream of becoming an anesthesiologist seriously, providing me with the resources needed to pursue an internship at a hospital where I am currently excelling. Despite being a first-generation student with limited connections in the medical field, I have amassed an extensive network of professional connections through his support. He paved the way for me to achieve a remarkable 4.4 GPA, instilled in me an unshakeable self-assurance, and guided me to establish critical connections that launched my career in the medical field. Mr. Kerstetter unlocked my potential in ways beyond my wildest imagination. He saw me not just as an average honors student, but as an individual with great passion and potential in the medical field. Through his unyielding support, I discovered that nothing was beyond my reach. I remain forever indebted to his mentorship and guidance, and the achievements that I now enjoy are a testament to his persistent belief in my abilities.

As a passionate individual seeking to make a meaningful impact in my community, I constantly seek opportunities to give back. Driven by my passion for animal welfare, I began volunteering at my local animal shelter as soon as I was old enough, dedicating countless hours to providing care for the shelter’s animals. Over the past four years, my unwavering commitment has led me to take on leadership roles, such as assisting in a pet food drive at my school that collected hundreds of pounds of pet food and spearheading a fundraiser at my younger brother’s middle school to collect cleaning supplies and toys for the shelter. My tenure at the shelter has been exceptionally fulfilling, having tended to a diverse range of animals ranging from traditional pets such as dogs and cats to non-traditional animals such as rabbits, birds, and even a goat. However, my philanthropic endeavors extend beyond animal welfare. I have also devoted myself to volunteering at my local hospital, where I have accumulated hundreds of hours of service over my one-year tenure. My experiences at the hospital have been nothing short of transformative, providing me with valuable insights into the world of medicine and helping to solidify my career aspiration as a doctor of anesthesiology. During my time at the hospital, I had the privilege of assisting in a variety of capacities. For patients, I provided comfort and care, ranging from something as simple as giving them a blanket to talking them through hour-long tests. I also had the privilege of working closely with skilled technicians and doctors, augmenting my knowledge of the healthcare system. My immersion in the Ct/X-ray department, in particular, has been especially enlightening, imbuing me with a holistic comprehension of the integral roles each member of the medical team plays in facilitating optimal patient care. My service at the hospital has not only been rewarding on a personal level, but I have also inspired numerous fellow students to participate in the volunteering program. Eventually, building an extensive network of volunteers from my high school and subsequently instituted the program as an official school initiative. Though unconventional to consider this volunteer work, my altruistic efforts as a tutor have also made a notable impact on my community. I offer my services pro bono, catering primarily to science and English subjects, but I am willing to accommodate other areas upon request. My reputation as a dependable resource has blossomed, with peers seeking my guidance at all hours and subsequently achieving exceptional results. The success of my mentorship is evidenced by the induction of all of my cohorts whom I consistently assist into prestigious academic honor societies and their attainment of exceptional scores on exams and essays. My volunteer work has been a fundamental aspect of my personal and professional growth. It has allowed me to give back to my community in ways that are meaningful to me, while also providing me with experiences and skills that will be invaluable in shaping my future career path. I am committed to continuing my service and making a positive impact on the world around me.

The individual who has undoubtedly had the most significant impact on my personal and academic development is none other than my sophomore-year biology teacher, Mr. Kerstetter. Prior to meeting him, I had yet to encounter an educator who took a genuine interest in my growth and potential. Regrettably, I was a student who was content with mediocrity, harboring only slightly above-average grades and career aspirations that were laughably out of reach. As a student who tended to blend in with the masses, possessing modest grades and far-fetched ambitions, Mr. Kerstetter recognized the dormant potential within me and made it his personal mission to push me beyond my perceived limitations. He astutely identified that my lack of motivation and support had previously stifled my progress, and resolved to instill an unwavering conviction to aim higher within me. Through his unwavering encouragement and guidance, I rose to the top percentage of my class, my GPA ascending from an unremarkable 3.9 to an extraordinary 4.2 within a single semester. With his steadfast support, I honed my perfectionism towards constructive end by excelling in all my academic pursuits. It was under his mentorship that I realized that hard work and dedication were the keys to realizing my aspirations, and I internalized this mindset into every facet of my life. Though he didn’t necessarily intend on me staying awake until ungodly hours each night studying to maintain my newfound perfect grades, he still supported my decisions. Within a few months, I became a tutor for my peers, spreading my recently discovered knowledge and helping others to succeed academically by using what Mr. Kerstetter taught me. Moreover, he was the first person who took my dream of becoming an anesthesiologist seriously, providing me with the resources needed to pursue an internship at a hospital where I am currently excelling. Despite being a first-generation student with limited connections in the medical field, I have amassed an extensive network of professional connections through his support. He paved the way for me to achieve a remarkable 4.4 GPA, instilled in me an unshakeable self-assurance, and guided me to establish critical connections that launched my career in the medical field. Mr. Kerstetter unlocked my potential in ways beyond my wildest imagination. He saw me not just as an average honors student, but as an individual with great passion and potential in the medical field. Through his unyielding support, I discovered that nothing was beyond my reach. I remain forever indebted to his mentorship and guidance, and the achievements that I now enjoy are a testament to his persistent belief in my abilities.

The onerous task of bearing unrelenting agony has been an affliction that I have suffered for far too long. It is a malady of paramount virulence, infiltrating every fact of one’s existence and menacing to devour them entirely. I was once ensnared by the manacles of my psyche, unable to escape the grasp of my internalized insidious pain. I shall forever lament the loss of my former self, once unsullied by the malevolence of the world, ignorant of the pernicious ideals of perfection that would later be imposed upon me. I stand at the funeral pyre of my former self, as the innocent child who used to be looked down upon me from the heavens, horrified by the metamorphosis that has occurred. In pursuit of my fastidious goals, I was shackled to the unattainable concept of perfection, a social construct that somehow imprisoned me in a dungeon beneath that of rock bottom. My lowest point came when I passed out in the student section during a sporting event, a place where I used to find comfort and joy. My soul was bereft of any reason to persist, and that reflected in both my physical state and character. It was through the benevolence of my friends that I was rescued, they took it upon themselves to assuage my suffering and get me the help I desperately needed. The aphorism, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” is a fallacy. It implies that suffering and trauma have a clear end and can be overcome easily when in reality, the effects can linger long after the initial experience. Instead, it will mutate and attempt murder once more, attempting to bind to any fragment of being left inside of you. Attempting to extinguish the very flame of life that burns within you. I refuse to be a victim of my own experiences, and instead, I want to use them as a source of inspiration and hope. I want to be the flame that reignites this torch. I want to share the feeling of pain alleviation that I got to experience. By doing so, I hope to break the cycle of suffering and help others find their path to healing. I am resolute in utilizing my experiences to alleviate the bodily suffering of others. I have chosen the path of anesthesia over psychology, for the malady is tangible, evident, and provides a concrete solution to pain management. Anesthesia offers a practical means to diminish physical pain, and I will be able to simulate the feeling of relief that I felt on a more visceral level. This is my purpose. This is my calling. I am determined to turn my struggles into a source of strength and use them to make a positive impact on the world.

In a world that places a premium on raw intelligence and natural talent, I find solace in the fact that I am a testament to the power of hard work. Amidst a sea of individuals who seem to have been born with a preternatural gift for their chosen craft, I stand out as a beacon of perseverance, unwavering in my commitment to self-improvement and the attainment of my goals. Through tireless study and relentless effort, I have learned that what I lack in innate genius I can more than makeup for through sheer determination and steadfast devotion to my aspirations. Each day, I mark off another checkbox on my roadmap to success, moving ever closer to the future I have so meticulously planned for myself. My unparalleled mastery of the art of hard work is the defining characteristic that sets me apart. My determination and tireless effort in pursuit of my dream career as an anesthesiologist are an affirmation of my steadfast commitment to excellence. My hard work and an unrelenting dedication to my studies will serve as a testament to my perseverance in the face of any obstacle that may arise during the rigorous schooling required for this esteemed profession. I am a firm believer that one cannot simply start something and leave it unfinished, and thus, I shall channel all of my energy and focus into achieving this goal. I am confident that my unrelenting pursuit of success will pay off in the form of a rewarding career that I have always dreamed of, and for which I will continue to work tirelessly until I attain it. Currently, my dedication is best exemplified by my rigorous schedule, where I demonstrate my tireless work ethic on a daily basis. Through hours of diligent study, as well as dedicated time spent at my internship where I am privileged to shadow at a renowned hospital, I am constantly seeking to expand my knowledge and deepen my understanding. But my drive for self-improvement is not limited to myself alone, as I also take great pride in helping others achieve their aspirations. Through my efforts as a tutor, I lend my knowledge to numerous fellow students, guiding them on their own journeys toward success. I wholeheartedly embrace the philosophy that one’s station in life is a mere reflection of one’s indomitable spirit and unwavering fortitude. My preternatural aptitude for hard work and boundless determination simply knows no bounds, and I firmly believe that these hallmarks of my character shall carry me triumphantly over any obstacles. I am resolutely confident in the knowledge that my relentless pursuit of excellence shall eventually lead me to the apogee of my professional aspirations. The field of medicine is a veritable kaleidoscope of infinite possibilities, ever-evolving and mutable, and I am quite eager to maintain a position at the forefront of this dynamic landscape.

A kaleidoscope of life’s changes, Reflects upon my soul, With shifting hues and shapes, so strange, That shapes my life’s goal. Like a stethoscope, that listens deep, To the beat of life’s desire, It shows me what my future can keep, And sets my heart on fire. And through a microscope’s view, I see the world with new eyes, The pain, the beauty, all in full, That I must learn to realize. But when I look in life’s mirror, I see a battle I must fight, With food and mind, it’s not so clear, The path to peace in sight. Yet in this kaleidoscope of life, I find a purpose in my strife, To ease the pain, bring peace to light, And finally, bring comfort to my life. And with a stethoscope in hand, I hope to heal with love and care, And bring hope to a world so bland, With prayer in the shape of care.

As someone who has faced their own personal demons of pain and discomfort, I have always had a deep-seated desire to help others who are similarly suffering. The field of anesthesia offers a unique opportunity to address physical pain in a tangible and concrete manner, and it is through this discipline that I aim to bring comfort to those who have been unable to find it elsewhere. My unwavering commitment to alleviating physical pain and discomfort is not just limited to the realm of medicine, but extends to my life philosophy as a whole. I firmly believe that every individual deserves to live a life free from the shackles of pain and suffering, and it is my life's ambition to play a role in making that a reality for as many people as possible. I chose the field of anesthesia over other medical specialties, such as psychology, because of its practical applications and its emphasis on tangible, concrete solutions to complex medical challenges. My calling to become an anesthesiologist was first sparked in my formative years in middle school, and since then, I have devoted myself to the acquisition of knowledge and the refinement of my skills. I have undertaken a rigorous program of self-improvement, through an internship at a renowned hospital. From this, I have been given the opportunity to shadow esteemed physicians, radiologists, and surgeons, gaining an unparalleled understanding of the interplay between different medical specialties and the critical role that anesthesia plays in providing quality patient care. My internship experience has only further confirmed my belief that anesthesia is my true calling. I have been fortunate enough to observe the meticulous and compassionate approach of skilled anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, and I am in awe of their unwavering commitment to providing the best care possible to their patients. I have also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the delivery of first-rate medical services, and I am fully committed to being an active and contributing member of any healthcare team I am a part of. It is my unwavering commitment to perfection and my innate compassion, combined with the knowledge and experience I have acquired, that position me to make a meaningful and long-lasting impact on the lives of those in my care. I am confident in my ability to bring solace to those in pain and to touch the very essence of human discomfort. My journey to becoming an anesthesiologist has been long and arduous, but I am motivated by my passion for the field and my unwavering commitment to fulfilling my purpose as a healer. I am eager to bring my skills and knowledge to the bedside and make a lasting impact on the lives of those in my care.