Maybe it was the experiences along the way that shaped me into the person I was meant to be. My name is I'Sadaria Jones, and I am a senior at Dumas High School. As a child the hospital was like a second home to me. I would often find myself spending several weeks on end strapped to a hospital bed waiting for the day that I could be released. After spending several nights in hospital, they eventually shipped me off to Children’s Hospital. Thinking this would be the norm for the rest of my life I had begun to accept it. Nonetheless, Children’s Hospital staff were just as caring and compassionate as the staff back home. They showed kindness and concern for the state of my well-being throughout my whole stay. They had eventually discovered that I was suffering from few red blood cells and severe asthma. They immediately started me on the correct treatment to try and reverse the damage my lungs had already endured. They worked around the clock to ensure that I was improving daily and would soon be able to be back at home. As my days in the hospitals were coming to an end, I made “thank you” cards to all the people who played a part in helping me get better. I believe that not only was it their healthcare skills that made me better, but also the compassion they showed me that gave me strength to fight for myself. This experience ignited a passion within me. I wanted to one day be the one to help in times of need rather than forever be the patient. Through their compassion and dedication I was able to see a life much better for myself. I want to be able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Looking ahead, my goal is to attend Arkansas State University after I graduate from Dumas High School in 2025. I am eager to pursue a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. I believe I can positively impact the world by improving access to healthcare, promote public health, and through improving diagnostics. My journey in life this far has been shaped by many experiences that I have managed to embrace, challenges I’ve overcome, and goals that I am striving everyday to meet. Each step I've taken has been guided by my desire to grow, learn, and accept. I am confident that the skills, knowledge, and values I've gained will serve me well in the next chapter of my life.

Granting me this scholarship would lead to a very pivotal moment in my educational journey, and will significantly ease the financial burden I may endure. I am deeply passionate about working in the healthcare field. I’ve had the drive since I was a little girl that laid up in hospital beds being cared for by amazing nurses. I hoped that one day I would be in their shoes. However, the financial demands of higher education is a challenge that could impede my progress. Being a college student is financially challenging without any support. As there are many expenses to pay for, whether it's for classes or even personal expenses, it’s hard to afford. However, this scholarship will allow me to dedicate more time and energy to my studies without the constant worry of making ends meet. It will give me the freedom to excel further academically, help reduce my work hours, and fully commit myself toward my education. Coming from a low-income home, I missed out on several opportunities that would have developed me into a greater person than I already am. Not being as fortunate as others has lead to me losing several experiences which inhibited my success. I no longer want this to be the reason for being held back from wonderful experiences. Aside from financial relief, this scholarship will culminate in a vote of confidence in my own potential to succeed. Receiving this scholarship will have a profound impact on my life.