My infatuation with gospel music is one out of familial and generational influence. I grew up listening to Kirk Franklin on the way to church in my Auntie’s Ford Expedition. I grew up attending the funerals of family members, anticipating the emotion of veneration to “shout music” in the sweltering Mississippi Houses of God. My infatuation with gospel music made me teach myself the piano. Inadvertently, the piano taught me about my culture. I play the piano with passion - my spirit to venerate all of those who have suffered before me. I play the piano to inspire - to reassure my ancestors who had no hope of our future. They said I wouldn’t make it, they said I wouldn’t be here today. They thought there was no future for their children, growing up as property and contraband. They thought of their culture as a necessity, owning nothing other than their soul and spirit. They thought of their joy and despair through music, allotting the mentally malnourished an escape. They said I never amount to anything, but I’m glad to say that I’m on my way. I play the piano to show my ancestors how far we’ve come. I play the piano to make my ancestors proud. I play the piano to show my ancestors that their sacrifices weren’t for naught. Above all, I play gospel music to show my ancestors that I haven’t forgotten about them. And I’m going more and more each day. “They said I wouldn’t make it, they said I wouldn’t be here today. They said I never amount to anything. But I’m glad to say that I’m on my way, and I’m going more and more each day.” - Luther Barnes, “I’m Still Holding On” (1984)

When I was a child, I was astonished at how the body and mind worked. When I was 7 years old, I got to touch a preserved human brain during a children’s health expo at a hospital. I remember thinking that the person’s cold brain contained his entire life, and I was just touching a bunch of memories. I believed that in the near future, we would be able to record dreams as we slept, and memories as we died. This event made me ask myself, “How does this even work? It doesn't even look real!” The movie "Dr. Strange" piqued my interest even more. While a work of fiction, the movie discussed concepts of consciousness, the cosmos, and human perceptions of reality. After watching the movie, I eventually came to the conclusion that the human race is currently at an “evolutionary roadblock.” We are constantly making monumental technological and social advancements, yet we lack the mental ability to calculate and perceive the more complex questions the universe presents. We cannot mentally comprehend what a higher dimension is supposed to look like- let alone manipulate its conditions in order to answer other questions the universe creates. I believe that unless we are able to accelerate brain development and enhance our perceptions of reality, we may be unable to answer certain mysteries. In the 21st century, I have the opportunities to answer the mysteries of the unknown. I have been accepted into Biomedical Engineering programs across the state of Virginia, and my goal is to further study neuroscience at a Master's and Ph.D. level. My goal is to research ways to stall neurodegeneration, and even expand our mental capabilities. I want to be involved and contribute to the progression of our knowledge about the wonderful human brain.

This past year, I had the misfortune to witness my grandfather slowly lose his mind and succumb to dementia. Although curiosity regarding the brain is hardly uncommon, watching someone I loved struggling to remember his life developed an intrinsic need for me to understand the full story. I need to know why he developed dementia. I need to know what was possible to prevent it. I need to know what is possible to cure it. The answers I seek are largely unknown and may be deemed out-of-reach in modern medicine by some. Despite the fact that there is progress in this field of science, it is possible that the answers I seek may not appear until after my lifetime. I want to be involved and contribute to the progression of our knowledge through the use of stem cell research. I’d like to witness the symptoms of neurodegeneration stalled or eradicated. Technologies of this capacity could relieve emotional burdens on families and is something that I wish could have been available for my own grandfather. I have been accepted into Biomedical Engineering programs across the state of Virginia, and I will further study neuroscience at a Master's and Ph.D. level. My goal is to research ways to stall neurodegeneration with the potential to relieve emotional burdens on patients and their families. Although my passion has the end goal to affect the future, I am eager to help families of our time spend more time with one another before the inevitable.

The best way to live a long, healthy life... that's a question I've heard interviewers ask centenarians. I think the answer is a combination of discipline and mindfulness. "Discipline" has varying meanings, but I'll use the definition, "to train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way." Most people are aware of what foods, drinks and vices are not good for them, but they are unwilling to give up those things. Perhaps, they say, " I will start eating healthy after New Year's Day," but lack the discipline to stick to it. I believe a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins without excessive portions is good place to begin. Staying physically active as I grow older is also important. Avoiding harmful substances like drugs and tobacco is key. Going to bed at a decent time and getting good rest is equally important. If I am disciplined in these habits, I believe I will be on my way to a long, healthy life. Mindfulness is basically self-awareness. This is important in reducing stress, which can cause so many health problems if unchecked. . Stressors come in many forms, and it's not always avoidable. Being aware that stress is happening, how it is affecting me and taking the steps to actively manage my stress is mindfulness. I sometimes find this harder to do than maintaining those good habits I mentioned before. I allow myself to seek support from positive people who care for me. I sometimes retreat to have some quiet, centering moments. I also find speaking with a professional is helpful. I hope to live a long, healthy life! Discipline to maintain healthy habits and managing my stressors will hopefully take me there, and maybe one day someone will ask me how I did it.