After graduating high school, I had no idea what my future had in store. Stressed and anxious about the next steps in my life, I went to my routine cleaning appointment, where my hygienist suggested a career in the field. Not too long after, I applied as a clinical assistant to begin my journey in the world of dentistry. I quickly fell in love with the fast-paced world and patient-centered career. I worked during the day and attended night classes at night in hopes of being accepted into my local Dental Hygiene Program at NHTI. Once accepted, my passion only grew as I dove deeper and expanded my knowledge. I became very passionate about not only treating those in regular care but also putting a focus on those that have been out of care for a very long time and helping them remove the barriers that are holding them back. I come from a family supported by a single mother who always prioritized us kids and put herself on the back burner. She was my first patient of dental hygiene school and received a cleaning for the first time in almost twenty years. To be able to bring that care to a person who felt as if it was unattainable for them for so long was a tremendously rewarding feeling, and it sparked a fire inside of me to continue to provide resources for those who feel hopeless when it comes to caring for their teeth. My goal for my career is to break down the walls that are holding back the underserved population and show them that there are so many resources and options out there to help support them. A personal achievement that has shaped my commitment to a career in dental hygiene was being one of two students selected out of my class to attend the State Hospital and provide education to the long-term patients there. It was not only an honor to be selected but also allowed me to attain experience that I would have never been able to acquire. It has taught me an unbelievable amount about the lack of care in our health system, as well as the importance of education and how it is truly the base work for all that we do. I hope to incorporate my work with those suffering from mental health problems in my career. I do not have any financial support from my parents, so being able to graduate and start my career with little to no debt has been a big goal of mine. Money has always been a major stressor and played a very large role in my decision of where to attend college and further my education. Receiving this scholarship would not only help alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with college, but it will also help me ensure I can finish my program and attain the degree I have been working so hard for. I appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you.