I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare because I have seen firsthand how powerful compassionate medical care can be—both in moments of hope and in moments of heartbreak. My journey began when I was eighteen and started working as a patient care technician. Being at the bedside opened my eyes to what nursing truly is: a blend of skill, empathy, advocacy, and calm presence during some of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. Every patient I encountered reminded me how meaningful it is to support someone when they feel scared, uncertain, or unheard. I realized quickly that healthcare wasn’t just something I wanted to study—it was something I felt called to do. My personal experiences also guided me to this path. Losing my father this past August was the hardest moment of my life, but it taught me more about nursing than any textbook ever could. I watched the nurses care for him with such dignity and tenderness, especially a nurse named Grace who stayed with my family after he passed. Her compassion didn’t erase our pain, but it made an unbearable moment just a little lighter. That experience showed me the type of difference a nurse can make—a difference that stays with families long after they leave the hospital. It strengthened my commitment to join this field and become that same source of comfort for others. As a young Black woman in healthcare, I hope my presence makes an impact before I ever say a word. Representation matters deeply—especially in women’s health. I plan to specialize in OB/GYN nursing, a field shaped by generational disparities, gaps in education, and barriers to culturally competent care. My grandmother passed from cervical cancer because she grew up in a time where Black women didn’t receive the information or healthcare access they deserved. I want to be part of changing that reality. I hope to make a positive impact by educating, advocating, and creating a safe space for women—especially women of color—who may feel overlooked or misunderstood in medical settings. I want young Black girls to see me and know that their bodies matter, their questions matter, and they deserve to be heard and cared for. Ultimately, I chose healthcare because I believe in healing—not just physically, but emotionally and generationally. As a woman in this field, I plan to carry that purpose into every patient interaction, creating change one person at a time.

The most significant loss I have ever experienced was the passing of my father this past August. Nothing prepares you for the moment you lose a parent. It felt as if the world stopped moving, and for a while, I did too. My father was one of my biggest supporters, always reminding me to push for my dreams even when life felt overwhelming. Losing him reshaped my life in ways I’m still learning to understand, but it also ignited a deeper sense of purpose in me. Sitting by his bedside in the hospital, I watched the nurses care for him with patience, gentleness, and dignity. Even when he could no longer respond, they treated him as if he were fully present. After he passed, one nurse—Nurse Grace—stayed with my family, offering comfort during one of the darkest moments of our lives. Her compassion touched me in a way I will never forget. That experience taught me that nursing is more than a profession; it is a form of human connection that can bring light into moments of pain. My father’s death changed my outlook on life. It made me realize how fragile time is, and how important it is to pursue what truly matters. Instead of looking at challenges as setbacks, I now see them as reminders of how far I’ve already come. His passing strengthened my resilience and pushed me to keep going, even on days when grief feels heavy. This loss also solidified my decision to become a nurse. I want to be the type of nurse who shows up for people the way those nurses showed up for us. I want to bring compassion, education, and advocacy—especially those in underserved communities who experience barriers to healthcare similar to the obstacles my family has faced. Today, I live my life with more intention, gratitude, and drive. My father’s memory pushes me to work harder, love deeper, and serve others with the same warmth he showed me. I spent a lot of time after his death wanting to quit and give up, life felt like it had no purpose. my dad was a man who had an impact on 100's of people and he become a memorable guy. Recently, I have thought about all the positive memories with my father and how he spoke so much life and wisdom into me. I know he wouldn't want his passing to cause me to put my life on hold, he would want me to move forward. His loss didn’t break me—it built me into someone stronger, more empathetic, and more committed to making a meaningful impact in healthcare.

My dreams have always been bigger than the circumstances I grew up in. Coming from a disadvantaged background meant that stability, resources, and opportunities weren’t guaranteed. But those challenges shaped the person I am today—driven, compassionate, and determined to build a future where I can uplift others. My aspiration is to become an OB/GYN nurse who advocates for women in underserved communities, especially young Black girls who deserve education, care, and confidence in their own voices. I’ve been working in healthcare since I was eighteen as a patient care technician, and every shift has taught me something about humanity. I’ve learned how much people need reassurance, empathy, and someone who will truly listen. Those lessons became even more personal when my father passed away this past August. Losing him broke me in a way I never expected, but it also sharpened my purpose. The compassion shown by the nurses who cared for him—especially in his final days—showed me the impact I want to make. I want to be that steady, comforting presence for families who are experiencing moments they will never forget. Community involvement has always been part of who I am. I support friends through tough moments, help classmates navigate challenging coursework, and volunteer whenever I can with women’s health and education programs. A lot of that comes from experiencing instability myself. My family faced housing insecurity, trying to stay afloat. It was frightening, but it made me resilient and deeply committed to serving others who feel overlooked or unsupported. This scholarship would mean more than financial help—it would be a bridge. Personally, it would ease the weight of funding my education alone. Professionally, it would bring me closer to becoming the nurse I’ve worked so hard to grow into: someone who transforms her hardships into healing for others.

The RELEVANCE Scholarship recognizes that every experience—good or difficult—shapes who we become. My decision to pursue a career in medicine is deeply connected to the personal challenges I have faced and the lessons they left behind. My experiences with loss, inequity, and responsibility have not discouraged me; instead, they have strengthened my resolve to become a nurse who leads with compassion, understanding, and purpose. One of the most significant challenges that shaped my path was losing my grandmother to cervical cancer. She grew up as a Black woman in the 1950s and 1960s, a time when healthcare access and education for women like her were extremely limited. She was never informed about preventative screenings, reproductive health, or vaccines that could have saved her life. Watching the long-term impact of those barriers—decades before I was even born—taught me that lack of knowledge can be fatal, and lack of access is not just unfair but devastating. Her story became the foundation of why I want to work in women’s health and ensure that underrepresented communities receive the education and care they have historically been denied. Another pivotal challenge occurred this past August when my father passed away. Losing him was heartbreaking, but the experience also gave me a profound understanding of the role nurses play during life’s most painful moments. A nurse named Grace cared for him with unwavering compassion, speaking to him gently and treating him with dignity even when he could no longer respond. After he passed, she remained with my family, offering emotional support when we could barely process what was happening. Her presence brought a sense of humanity into a moment of deep grief. That experience showed me the true power of nursing—not just in treating illness but in supporting families through their hardest days. These personal challenges did not weaken me. They helped me understand the type of nurse I want to become: one who makes people feel safe, informed, and seen. They also taught me that medicine is not just a career; it is a responsibility to provide the care and education my loved ones often did not receive. My years working as a patient care technician, beginning at age eighteen, further strengthened that commitment. I have cared for patients from all backgrounds, and I’ve seen how fear, lack of information, or previous negative experiences often affect how people approach healthcare. My personal experiences help me recognize this not as resistance, but as a sign that people need patience, compassion, and culturally sensitive care. I know how to listen deeply, explain without judgment, and meet people where they are—skills shaped by both my work and my life. My goal is to enter OB/GYN nursing, where I can advocate for women’s health, especially in underserved Black communities. I want to help break generational cycles of silence, misinformation, and fear surrounding reproductive care. I want young Black girls to see someone who looks like them and know they deserve knowledge, wellness, and a future without preventable suffering. My challenges have shaped me into someone who understands loss, inequity, and resilience firsthand. These experiences will help me make a positive impact in healthcare by guiding me to practice with empathy, cultural awareness, and a commitment to justice. They are why I am pursuing medicine—and why I am determined to change it for the better.

My passion for nursing is rooted in the belief that compassionate, knowledgeable care has the power to change lives. Throughout my journey—from discovering my love for biology, to working as a patient care technician, to navigating personal loss—I have learned that nursing is far more than a profession. It is an opportunity to stand with people during their most vulnerable moments, to educate them about their health, and to advocate for those who may not feel heard. These experiences have shaped my commitment to the field and my determination to build a career that serves both individuals and communities. I first realized how meaningful patient care could be when I began working as a patient care technician at eighteen. Those early shifts taught me how small acts—listening, comforting, explaining, or simply being present—could completely change a patient’s experience. I saw firsthand how nurses bridged gaps between providers and families, blending clinical skill with human connection in ways that deeply impacted patient outcomes. Over the years, this role has reaffirmed that nursing aligns perfectly with who I am: someone who values empathy as much as expertise and finds purpose in helping others feel safe and supported. My personal life has also shaped my passion for nursing in profound ways. When my father passed this past August, a nurse named Grace provided care that extended beyond her clinical responsibilities. She treated my father with dignity and stayed with my family through our grief, offering comfort when we were overwhelmed. Her compassion left an unforgettable imprint on me. It showed me the powerful and lasting impact a nurse can make—not just during treatment, but during moments that families remember for the rest of their lives. I hope to bring that same level of presence and humanity to my own career. These experiences have guided me toward the field I hope to enter: OB/GYN nursing. Women’s health is deeply personal to me, especially after losing my grandmother to cervical cancer. Growing up as a Black woman in the 1950s and 1960s, she did not have access to adequate healthcare education, screenings, or preventive options—barriers that ultimately cost her life. Her story drives me to contribute to a future where women, especially women of color, receive the knowledge, advocacy, and care they deserve. As an OB/GYN nurse, I hope to create a positive and empowering healthcare experience for women at every stage of life. I want to focus on education, prevention, and building trust—particularly within underserved communities where misinformation and generational trauma can discourage women from seeking care. My goal is to be a source of guidance, encouragement, and safe conversation. I want young Black girls to know that their bodies matter, their questions matter, and their health deserves attention and respect. I want them to feel confident in making decisions, advocating for themselves, and breaking cycles of silence or fear around reproductive health. The impact I hope to make in my specialty is rooted in empowerment and equity. I want to be the nurse who not only provides excellent care, but also makes my patients feel seen, valued, and educated. My mission is to help close gaps in women’s health by offering compassion, access, and information—elements that my grandmother never received but that every woman should have. Nursing gives me the chance to combine my passion for science with my dedication to people. I hope to build a career defined by advocacy, empathy, and lasting impact—one patient, one family, and one community at a time.

My journey toward a career in medicine has been shaped by a lifetime of personal experiences, family influences, and a deep desire to serve communities that have historically been overlooked or underserved. From a young age, I learned that healthcare is not just about the science of the human body—it is also about knowledge, access, advocacy, and empowerment. These lessons have guided me toward my goal of becoming an OB/GYN nurse dedicated to supporting underprivileged women, especially young Black girls who may not realize how much agency, strength, and potential they possess. One of the greatest influences on my decision to pursue medicine was my grandmother. She and I were extremely close, and losing her to cervical cancer left a lasting mark on my life. Growing up in the 1950s as a Black woman, she did not have access to the healthcare knowledge, preventive screenings, or vaccines that could have saved her life. She was never taught about HPV, Pap smears, or the importance of routine women's health visits. That lack of information wasn’t her fault—it was a reflection of systemic barriers, racial inequities, and a medical system that often failed to educate and protect women like her. Her death showed me the cost of medical inequity and planted the seed for my desire to join the field, not just as a healthcare worker but as an advocate for better education and access. My passion for medicine grew even stronger during high school, where my love for biology blossomed in Mrs. Welch’s class. She made the human body feel like a world of endless questions and possibilities. At home, I saw my mother working for years as a medical assistant and later pushing herself to return to school and become a nurse. The compassion she brought to her work, combined with her determination to grow, became a blueprint for the kind of provider I hope to become. My hands-on experience began when I became a patient care technician at 18. Working at the bedside for years taught me how meaningful it is to support patients through vulnerability, fear, and uncertainty. I learned how to listen, reassure, advocate, and connect. Those experiences crystallized my desire to focus specifically on women’s health. I want to play a direct role in providing education, prevention, and whole-person care to those who may not otherwise receive it. The loss of my father this past August further shaped my understanding of what compassionate care looks like. One nurse in particular, Nurse Grace, cared for him—and for us—with such dignity and empathy that she transformed a devastating moment into one filled with humanity. She reminded me of the incredible impact nurses can have not just clinically but emotionally. I want to bring that same sense of comfort and presence to the families I will serve. These combined experiences have led me toward my future specialty: OB/GYN nursing. I want to work with women across generations, especially young Black girls who may not fully understand their bodies, their health options, or the power of preventative care. I want to break cycles of silence, misinformation, and generational trauma by creating a space where they feel seen, heard, and educated. My grandmother didn’t have that space. I am determined to create it for others. My life has taught me that medicine is not only a science—it is a form of justice and empowerment. Becoming an OB/GYN nurse will allow me to honor my grandmother, uplift my community, and help ensure that young Black women grow up knowing that they deserve knowledge, care, and the opportunity to pursue any desired path.

Continuing my education in nursing is more than a career step, it is a commitment to becoming the strongest advocate and most skilled provider I can be. My inspiration to pursue an advanced nursing degree began with the foundation of my early experiences: my high school biology teacher, my work as a patient care technician, and the influence of my mother, who recently completed nursing school herself. These experiences shaped not only my love for science, but also my desire to serve patients with empathy, knowledge, and confidence. Working as a patient care technician since the age of eighteen allowed me to understand healthcare from the ground up. I learned firsthand how essential nurses are, not just in performing clinical tasks but in driving patient outcomes, supporting families, and coordinating care across disciplines. Over the years, I have grown more comfortable at the bedside, but I have also recognized how much more I want to contribute. I want to be the person who understands complex conditions, anticipates complications, and guides patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Pursuing an advanced degree will give me the skills and authority to take on that responsibility. My father’s passing this past August solidified my decision. During his final days, one nurse—Nurse Grace—made an impact that I will carry with me forever. She cared for him with gentleness, dignity, and unwavering compassion. Even after he passed, she remained with our family, offering emotional support that felt personal and genuine. In that moment, I realized the profound difference one nurse can make—not only through skill, but through presence. I want to become the type of nurse capable of delivering that level of care, especially for patients and families facing moments they will never forget. My specific goal is to pursue advanced practice in a field that allows me to remain close to patient care while expanding my clinical knowledge—most likely family practice or acute care. As an advanced practice nurse, I want to take on a leadership role in patient education, care planning, and preventative health. I am especially passionate about underserved communities and hope to contribute to improving access to compassionate, high-quality care. I want to empower patients not just by treating them, but by helping them understand their bodies, their conditions, and their options. Continuing my education also represents personal growth. Watching my mother earn her nursing degree later in life taught me the value of perseverance and lifelong learning. She showed me that advancing your education is not only about expanding career options but about expanding your capacity to serve. I want to follow that example by pushing myself academically and professionally. Pursuing an advanced nursing degree will allow me to honor my father, build on my years of healthcare experience, and grow into the nurse I aspire to be. I am committed to this path because I know the impact a knowledgeable, compassionate nurse can have. My goal is to become that nurse—one who combines technical expertise with humanity, and who makes a lasting difference in the lives of the patients and families I care for.

My love for Biology and ultimately nursing started in high school, in Mrs. Welch's classroom. Biology was the first subject that made me genuinely curious every single day. Mrs. Welch created an environment where learning did not feel like memorization; instead, she connected every chapter to real people, real bodies, and real experiences! I would spend hours in high school doing Google searches on how diseases can affect someone's physical and mental state. I would stay after class and ask more questions, wanting to understand why organism functioned the way they did and how small changes could impact an entire system. That class sparked a passion I have carried with me long after graduation and laid the foundation for my desire to work in healthcare. At the same time, my mom's journey played a large role in shaping my own. She worked as a medical assistant for years, and I watched her carry herself with compassion, patience, and resilience. October 2025, she pushed herself even further and graduated from nursing school, a moment that showed me what dedication can achieve, no mater the challenges that may arise. Seeing my mom build her genuine connections with patients, going to work with her some days and witnessing the comfort she brought to patients at their most vulnerable times, further helped me understand that nursing isn't just a career; its a commitment to serving others with empathy. Her example made the path feel both meaningful and attainable. My own hands-on experience began when I become a patient care technician (Med-Surg unit) the summer i graduated high school. That first day was very eye-opening! I learned quickly that technical skills matter, but so does every conversation, reassurance, and every moment spent listening to a patient. Over the years, now as a college senior, I have cared for patients across different units and seen first hand the wide range of emotions that come with illness and recovery. Being at the beside taught me that what I valued most wasn't diagnosing conditions or pursuing the title of a black physician. Instead, I wanted to be present with patients, advocate for them, and build relationships that support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nursing will allow me to do exactly that. This Past August, my father passed away, and his loss reshaped my understanding of patient care in a deeply personal way. I saw how nurses supported not only him but also our family, their presence made an unbearable moment feel a little less overwhelming. During his final days, I remember a nurse named Grace who cared for him with a level of compassion that went far beyond her clinical duties. Her presence made a devastating experience feel a little less isolating. I want to be a nurse like Grace: someone who can turn a painful moment into a lasting memory of kindness, strength, and genuine care, what every experience within the healthcare system should feel like. My journey to nursing has been shaped by classroom inspiration, family influence, professional experience, and personal loss. Each part of my story reinforces the same truth: nursing is where I am meant to be, where I am going to be. I'm committed to this path not only because of my passion for science, but because I understand the power of kindness and connection in healthcare. I carry my farther's memory, my mother's determination, and the lessons from every patient I have cared for. They fuel my drive to become the kind of nurse who makes a lasting difference.

Hello, my name is Jada Holley, I'm currently a first-year student at Ohio University majoring in Chemistry on the pre-med route following through with my great interest in science. I’m a passionate, respectful, and efficient leader that aspires to make the world a better place for generations to come. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my application. The smile on someone’s face, the peppy walk, and the overall mood booster that appears on the face of others when I’m more involved in my community and help someone out. It truly feels good to help uplift someone else and provide an outlet of support for someone in need, that’s what truly inspires me to get involved in my community. Giving something to someone or helping them out is the real gift that keeps giving as you have just made a lasting impact on them. My late grandma was someone I watched give the clothes off her back to the next person so they would feel conferrable. The late Ms. Williams helped every soul she interacted with by cooking meals or even providing a place to stay for a few days, she taught me the greater meaning of what it means to be selfless, and that image is what puts the battery in my back to stay involved in bettering my community. It’s important to leave a lasting impact on someone so they will gain the spirit to keep giving, which could create a more accepting and inclusive society! That’s important to spread on for generations to come. I have worked in many ways to bring about change in my community and communities around me. During my last year of high school, I worked as a free tutor for students struggling in math, science, psychology, their writing skills, and in social studies. I was able to forge connections with my peers while also help uplift the student’s emotional well-being by providing encouragement and steadily improving their academic performance. I have also worked the last few years at the recently closed Champions in the Making daycare in Wilmington, Ohio. I got the chance to volunteer and poor greatness into our youth by pushing the kids to better themselves in many aspects and I was an additional support system for the students. I got to read the children books, listen to the kids express themselves, and even mentor as a “big sister”. I enjoyed seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they saw me and yelled “Ms. Holley”. I find value in setting up the youth up for success as kids are affected the most by problems of older generations and people don’t realize the toll it can take on them in their early years of development. In addition, a touching experience I had while volunteering was at St. Vincent De Paul homeless shelter for women and families. During thanksgivings and Christmases, I volunteer there in the kitchen prepping food and making plates. The people there are so grateful for my attendance and thank me and conversate with me the whole time. Moments like those encourage clarity and really teach you the lesson of selflessness that needs to be spread around the world to create a more caring society!

Hello, my name is Jada Holley, I'm currently a first-year student at Ohio University majoring in Chemistry on the pre-med route following through with my great interest in science. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my application. Passion. Selflessness. Drive. Creative & focused. Those are all traits I feel you must embody as someone who wants to pursue a medical career. The medical field is a career path that is constantly evolving due to never-ending research, while also getting to improve the health of the world around you and that is what is so captivating about it. From a young age, I have known I wanted to work in the medical field and have many plans for myself. I plan on becoming a surgical oncologist who can make an impact in cancer research by advocating for more light to be shed on holistic approaches before my patient has to be put on the operating table. In addition, I would like to "heal the gut" by contributing to microbiology research and furthering our knowledge of the human microbiome, which contributes to autoimmune diseases and mental illness. It’s important we heal our community mentally and physically from the inside out! I have larger aspiration to help other aspiring African American doctors such as opening my own practice that creates the jobs for other minorities that have faced the struggles and sometimes doubt of joining a career pathway that is predominantly white. My late grandma has greatly inspired my ambition to become an oncologist, as she passed from cancer when I was in 5th grade, and I find it important to carry on her love for others and help take care of others and potentially add on to the research for the overall new pathways for the cure for cancer. It’s dear to me that I help others not experience the pain she faced and save as many lives as possible! In a world that can make it hard for African Americans to prevail and make a more successful life for themselves and their families, it’s crucial that I help increase racial diversity in healthcare. About five percent of doctors are black compared to other races tripling their presence in the medical field. If I can increase racial diversity not only in healthcare but in the world of STEM, then I can create a more inclusive environment for minorities as well as open doors for future generations to come. Moreover, I have heard horror stories of how African Americans get treated in the healthcare system due to racism from their own doctors, which puts their own life at danger. More diversity and inclusion could greatly benefit minorities as they get treated by people who look just like them and care for them on a deeper level. There are strength in number helping potential increase that five percent would raise the eyes of other healthcare professions and would enforce the acceptance of people of color taking over positions such as head surgeon, or lead nurse in their hospital, which is something I hope to see soon. All in all, the medical field is something I’m truly focused on, and I have so many goals set for myself to help others and improve the treatment of minorities, so they feel safe when they go to the doctor to get treated.

Hello, my name is Jada Holley, I'm currently a first-year student at Ohio University majoring in Chemistry on the pre-med route following through with my great interest in science. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my application. Passion. Selflessness. Drive. Creative & focused. Those are all traits I feel you must embody as someone who wants to pursue a medical career. The medical field is a career path that is constantly evolving due to never-ending research, while also getting to improve the health of the world around you and that is what is so captivating about it. From a young age, I have known I wanted to work in the medical field and have many plans for myself. I plan on becoming a surgical oncologist who can make an impact in cancer research by advocating for more light to be shed on holistic approaches before my patient has to be put on the operating table. In addition, I would like to "heal the gut" by contributing to microbiology research and furthering our knowledge of the human microbiome, which contributes to autoimmune diseases and mental illness. It’s important we heal our community mentally and physically from the inside out! I have larger aspiration to help other aspiring African American doctors such as opening my own practice that creates the jobs for other minorities that have faced the struggles and sometimes doubt of joining a career pathway that is predominantly white. My late grandma has greatly inspired my ambition to become an oncologist, as she passed from cancer when I was in 5th grade, and I find it important to carry on her love for others and help take care of others and potentially add on to the research for the overall new pathways for the cure for cancer. It’s dear to me that I help others not experience the pain she faced and save as many lives as possible! In a world that can make it hard for African Americans to prevail and make a more successful life for themselves and their families, it’s crucial that I help increase racial diversity in healthcare. About five percent of doctors are black compared to other races tripling their presence in the medical field. If I can increase racial diversity not only in healthcare but in the world of STEM, then I can create a more inclusive environment for minorities as well as open doors for future generations to come. Moreover, I have heard horror stories of how African Americans get treated in the healthcare system due to racism from their own doctors, which puts their own life at danger. More diversity and inclusion could greatly benefit minorities as they get treated by people who look just like them and care for them on a deeper level. There are strength in number helping potential increase that five percent would raise the eyes of other healthcare professions and would enforce the acceptance of people of color taking over positions such as head surgeon, or lead nurse in their hospital, which is something I hope to see soon. All in all, the medical field is something I’m truly focused on, and I have so many goals set for myself to help others and improve the treatment of minorities, so they feel safe when they go to the doctor to get treated.

Hello, my name is Jada Holley, I'm currently a first-year student at Ohio University majoring in Chemistry on the pre-med route following through with my great interest in science. I’m a passionate, respectful, and efficient leader that aspires to make the world a better place for generations to come. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my application. I’m a very driven and efficient person which has pushed me to find as many outlets as possible to help support me in attending college, which can sometimes be seen as an unachievable dream for young men and women in the black community due to the cost to attend a university. I’m planning/ working to address my current and future student loan debt by staying faithful and using research to find grants and scholarships that will ease the burden of accumulating debt. I currently maintain a job during all college breaks and weekends I happen to be home by working at my externship at Clinton Memorial Hospital as a patient care tech. The job allows me to gain experience in the medical field, a pathway I’m truly passionate about. I’m able to gain some income although inconsistent once I return to school from breaks. I also have a work-study where I work at my school’s Multicultural center as a receptionist, which allows me to make connections with my peers that look like me. My work study allows me to get money biweekly although, in very low portions, I can save from time to time to put up and pay towards my tuition. I have also filled out my FASAS early so that I can get the best chance of receiving the maximum Pell grant! Moreover, I maintained a 4.3 GPA in high school which allowed me to gain scholarships from my current university and as a first year I achieved a 4.0 GPA while being named on the dean’s list, which allows me to maintain my scholarships. I have also had meetings with my financial aid advisor and applied for my universities upperclassmen scholarships to hopefully get my tuition balance reduced for my sophomore year of college to continue my studies to one day become a future oncologist. I have applied to as many outside scholarships as possible to hopefully reach someone who sees my great potential and helps ease the worry of debt. I currently live in a one-parent household and my mom will also be going back to school to better herself and I would like to help ease her mind so she can also focus on her studies!

One specific experience that I have faced that I feel has shaped me as a teen is dealing with mental health as a young black woman. Mental health in the black community throughout generations has been seen as an uncomfortable topic that is avoided. A feeling of being anxious and feeling highs and lows are all things I didn’t know how to deal with, and I recognized that it was a problem for myself. African Americans are a group that has been oppressed for many years even up until now, and many of us are taught to show no weakness, that we have to stay strong. It is an idea instilled into our heads at a young age. We have always been taught that our people survived slavery and that the trials that Blacks are facing now are those that we need to be able to deal with and rise above, especially in the mental health area. With all those emotions of being a teen and having a lot of other internal and external pressures, I was scared to ask for help. I have family members that say depression isn’t a “thing”. After all our people have gone through, they say that those concepts of struggling mentally are nothing. That pushed me away from speaking up, and that was something new for me. Letting things bottle up and manifest themselves in a negative light isn’t good, and I realized that. I had to pivot and open up about what I was going through to my mom. We both dove into the field of mental health and learned more about it. My mom helped me find coping techniques. She reminded me to take a breath and step back from intense and stressful situations. I have learned so much from that time and I have grown so much from it as well. As I’m growing into an adult, I’m seeing it's very important to reflect, so I use a journal, and seeing the words before my eyes empower me. I see that this shows strength within. Since opening up more about my mental health, I’m seeing what an impact it can make on my peers of any color. People are afraid and don’t know how to overcome mental health setbacks. I realized there was something going on with me, and I couldn’t stick to the stigma of avoiding that. I didn’t want this ethic to keep being drilled into young black kids’ minds; it's something that must be seen in a neutral light so everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. The idea of this generational problem can’t continue. If I spoke up this could really make a difference. I will continue to preach the importance of African American mental health. I hope to start an organization for young black kids so they can learn about mental health. I want them to know it's okay to be vulnerable as a black person in today's society. Every obstacle comes with responsibility, being uncomfortable, and pushing myself to overcome it. Moments like these have opened my eyes. Asking for help can be difficult for certain people and having an outlet helps ease people into speaking about issues. I am someone who has seen the result of what the difficulty of opening up is like. Finally expressing myself was one of the best experiences I encountered from my obstacle.

One specific experience that I have faced that I feel has shaped me is dealing with mental health as a young black woman. Mental health in the black community throughout generations has been seen as an uncomfortable topic that is avoided. A feeling of being anxious and feeling highs and lows are all things I didn’t know how to deal with, and I recognized that it was a problem for me. African Americans are a group that has been oppressed for many years even up until now, and many of us are taught to show no weakness, that we have to stay strong. It is an idea instilled into our heads at a young age. We have always been taught that our people survived slavery and that the trials that Blacks are facing now are those that we need to be able to deal with and rise above, especially in the mental health area. With all those emotions of being a teen and having a lot of other pressures while not knowing what to do with them, I was scared to ask for help. I have family members that say depression isn’t a “thing”. They say that after all our people have gone through, those concepts of struggling mentally are nothing. That pushed me away from speaking up, and that was something new for me. Letting things bottle up and manifest themselves in a negative light isn’t good. I had to pivot and open up about what I was going through to my mom. My mom was saddened by what I had expressed, but glad I opened up to her. We both dove into the field of mental health and learned more about it. My mom helped me find coping techniques and acknowledge sometimes I need an “unloader” day to reflect and grow from what I faced that week or even month. She reminded me to take a breath and step back from intense and stressful situations. I have learned so much from that time and I have grown so much from it as well. As I’m growing into an adult, I’m seeing it's very important to reflect, so I use a journal, and seeing the words before my eyes empower me. I see that this shows strength within. Since opening up more about my mental health, I’m seeing what an impact it can make on my peers of any color. People are afraid and don’t know how to overcome setbacks involving mental health. I realized there was something going on with me, and I couldn’t stick to the stigma of avoiding that. I didn’t want this ethic to keep being drilled into young black kids’ minds; it's something that must be seen in a neutral light so everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. The idea of this generational problem can’t continue. If I spoke up this could really make a difference. I will continue to preach the importance of African American mental health. I hope to start an organization for young black kids so they can learn about mental health. I want them to know it's okay to be vulnerable as a black person in today's society. Every obstacle comes with responsibility, being uncomfortable, and pushing myself to overcome it. Moments like these have opened my eyes. Asking for help can be difficult for certain people and having an outlet helps ease people into speaking about issues. I am someone who has seen the result of what the difficulty of opening up is like. Finally expressing myself was one of the best experiences I encountered from my obstacle.

1. I’m a minority so this is reparations and I just need the money for free college ! 2.I want to become a surgical oncologist to help cancer patients because my grandma someone I was very close with died from cancer. Also, the medical field bring in the big money $$$$ 3.Mental health is a topic not discussed in the black community because we don’t want to be seen as weak. I have found coping methods and reached out for help to deal with my mental health and I’m currently kicking anxiety’s a$$.

One specific experience that I have faced that I feel has shaped me as a teen is dealing with mental health as a young black woman. Mental health in the black community throughout generations has been seen as an uncomfortable topic that is avoided. A feeling of being anxious and feeling highs and lows are all things I didn’t know how to deal with, and I recognized that it was a problem for me. African Americans are a group that has been oppressed for many years even up until now, and many of us are taught to show no weakness, that we have to stay strong. It's an idea instilled into our heads at a young age. We have always been taught that our people survived slavery and that the trials Blacks are facing now are those that we need to be able to deal with and rise above, especially in the mental health area. With all those emotions of being a teen and having a lot of pressure while not knowing what to do with them, I was scared to ask for help. I felt pushed away from speaking up, and that's new for me, since I'm a very outgoing person. Letting things bottle up and manifest in a negative light isn’t good. I had to pivot and open up about what I was going through to my mom. She was saddened by what I had expressed, but glad I opened up. My mom helped me find coping techniques and acknowledge sometimes I need a day to reflect on what I faced that week. She reminded me to take a step back from intense situations. As I’m growing into an adult, I’m seeing it's very important to reflect, so I use a journal, and seeing the words before my eyes empower me. I see that this shows strength within. Since opening up more about my mental health, I’m seeing what an impact it can make on my peers. People are afraid and don’t know how to handle their mental health. I realized there was something going on, and I couldn’t stick to the stigma of avoiding that. I didn’t want this ethic to keep being drilled into black children's minds; it's something that must be seen in a neutral light so everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. The idea of this generational problem can’t continue. If I spoke up this could really make a difference. I will continue to preach the importance of African American mental health. I hope to start an organization for black teens so they can learn about mental health. I want them to know it's okay to be vulnerable as a black person in today's society. Asking for help can be difficult for certain people and having an outlet helps ease people into speaking about issues. I'm someone who has seen the result of what the difficulty of opening up is like. Finally expressing myself was one of the best experiences I encountered from my obstacle.

I aspire to change the world by being a positive role model for minorities such as young black men and women. I want to work in the STEM field as a surgical oncologist where I want to help develop further research on cancer and find less painful ways of curing cancer. My grandmother passed away from cancer when through radiation, and it was painful having to watch her suffer as she lost herself. I want to advance the research on more natural and holistic ways of curing cancer. My efficient work skills and great work ethic will allow me to do so while also being a positive figure for African Americans. In the STEM field, there is not only a large gap between men and women but also between people of color as the numbers of African Americans in the field are very low. I want to work on expanding that and allowing people to know there are so many opportunities in the world that allow you to help others and be a part of something greater than themselves. Being seen as a minority because the color of my skin has made me want to be the voice for so many like me that experience the same situations in today's society. A topic of concern of mine that has became more into light is the subject of mental health for black men and women. Mental health in the black community is topic that is consistently downplayed, especially by elders. I have had many talks about mental health with my older family members that kids in my generation should not be stressed, anxious, or depress because of what our ancestors have dealt with from slavery to the civil rights movement. As a teen I have had my experiences with mental health which wasn't my best moments such as anxiety and feeling highs and lows and I felt I could not open up about it. I'm a very strong-willed person as well as I have always liked to speak my mind and not being able to open up felt very limiting to me. I saw that this is an issue for my peers and I could make a pivotal change in the black community. I talked to my mom about what I had been dealing with and she was sadden but also help me cope with what I was experiencing. That specific situation has made me stronger in belief of I need to advocate for mental health for young African American men and women. I want to start an organization to teach not only black teens but even grown men and women about mental health and stop this generational idea of the unimportance of taking care of ourselves mentally. I'm going to make an enormous impact on my people and help create stronger and more mentally inclined people. The need for shedding light on mental health so that African Americans feel comfortable with being vulnerable with a society we already feel is against us. Everyday I aspire to create plans that I can use in the future to make a difference in the world around me to impact us all for the better.

1. I grew up with a loving and very supportive family that pushed me to do anything I put my mind to I have always valued education and the presence I make academically as well as the impression I leave on others. I want to continue in the footsteps and make an example of a strong black woman for others. I want to inspire others and leave a mark on them to help uplift them. I'm motivated by my mom and my grandmother who are the backbone of my family and continue to show me what a kind and selfless person is like. My mother is in the medical field which sparked my interest at a young age and allowed me to have a support system to continue to grow my knowledge on the subject of matter. That also played a part in my wanting to become a surgical oncologist to make a difference in cancer research. My late grandmother passed away from cancer and my part in the field would allow me to honor her passing. I want to find new approaches that would allow cancer patients to go through less stress and pain when getting treated, that is my major goal at heart because I watched the toll it took on my grandmother. I aspire to use my medical degree and go further on with opening my medical practice so I can take a step in closing the gap of diversity in the STEM field. 2. The STEM field is constantly growing and it's a line of work that creates critical thinkers. I am most excited about all the skills I will gain as a part of the STEM field. I am a visual person and being able to be so hands-on in this field will be my favorite part. I will be able to grow to be my most innovative and hard-working self to help with research to help others. STEM has so many high-paying rewards such as being able to help others and being a part of cutting-edge work. In this field, it is very competitive and will keep me and my colleagues to stay up to par by pushing each other to be the very best we can be in our line of work. A fascinating part of this is how much of a role the STEM field plays all around the world and knowing I could change research and technology around the world is amazing. I want to be able to create a more efficient system to possibly change medicine forever. I'm working toward less harmful medicine practices such as radiation. Furthermore, I would be able to touch technology and create faster processes in the medical field that would demonstrate my strong skill sets not only to myself but to others around me. I want to be able to break gender roles as well as close the wage gap between not only men and women but also minorities of color. 3. As a young black woman in America I am a minority when it comes to a lot of certain aspects in life, and I have never let those put me down. As I am developing I'm facing certain challenges but one specifically that I would say was my greatest challenge would be on the topic of mental health and how to properly deal with it. In the black community mental health is often a topic that is disregarded and downplayed in our society. Many of my older relatives have voiced to me that I should be strong-willed because I have never faced anything close to what my ancestors have endured. The consistency of that being preached scared me away from talking about my feelings of highs and lows as well as anxiety. I'm a very social person that has never been afraid to speak my mind so keeping what I was going through to myself, while also not understanding what's going on and how to deal with it was extremely difficult. I realized I didn't want to keep pushing on with the weight of it so I finally opened up to my mom, someone who was very saddened to hear what I was going through. My mom helped me immensely by finding coping methods such as using a journal to express myself, which was empowering to see all my words before me. I also tried "unloader days" where I did self-care and just reflected on everything I had been going through. Being able to open up was one of the best feelings and I regained my strength back mentally as well as emotionally.

STEM is an umbrella term used for a group of academic disciplines, and in my case, the subject of science is what I am most passionate about. I am someone who truly enjoys expanding my knowledge about biology, physics, chemistry, etc. From a young age, I have been fascinated by the idea of science and how it opens the door for the exploration of the world around me. Before me, there is a wide list of scientists that have created a path for future research, and it is amazing to see. In addition, as a young black female, the field of STEM seems like a place with small possibilities. Only 11% of people working in the field are black and that goes along with a major reason why I am so passionate about it. I want to work in the field of medicine as an oncologist and this can be my opportunity to be a trailblazer for other young African American's to see they can make a path in any career field even if it seems the odds are against them. I am looking to expand the diversity as well as close the economic gap for black women in the STEM field to create a fair world for the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and tech workers. To add to my love for science I want to dive into the field of entrepreneurship. Once I gain my degree and become a surgical oncologist I would like to open up a practice as well. I can be a strong front for women and inspire them to go out there and get what they want. The importance of opening up my practice and becoming my boss is major. I hope to hire other headstrong women in the field of medicine and keep expanding on with an all-women practice. Additionally, with the funds, I make from my practice I hope to start an organization to help teach young African Americans how to deal with the topic of mental health, which is something that is greatly ignored in black communities. I want to make the world a more open place for black kids to be vulnerable and feel accepted. By making kids feel open about talking about their feelings we are creating stronger young men and women that will be the next forefronts in so many job positions. All in all, my passion for STEM and entrepreneurship expands larger than just myself, I want to reach people around me to help them gain interest in those fields and better themselves.

STEM is an umbrella term used for a group of academic disciplines, and in my case, the subject of science is what I am most passionate about. I am someone who truly enjoys expanding my knowledge about biology, physics, chemistry, etc. From a young age, I have been fascinated by the idea of science and how it opens the door for the exploration of the world around me. Before me, there is a wide list of scientists that have created a path for future research, and it is amazing to see. In addition, as a young black female, the field of STEM seems like a place with small possibilities. Only 11% of people working in the field are black and that goes along with a major reason why I am so passionate about it. I want to work in the field of medicine as an oncologist and this can be my opportunity to be a trailblazer for other young African American's to see they can make a path in any career field even if it seems the odds are against them. I am looking to expand the diversity as well as close the economic gap for black women in the STEM field to create a fair world for the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and tech workers. To add to my love for science I want to dive into the field of entrepreneurship. Once I gain my degree and become a surgical oncologist I would like to open up a practice as well. I can be a strong front for women and inspire them to go out there and get what they want. The importance of opening up my practice and becoming my own boss is major. I hope to hire other headstrong women in the field of medicine and keep expanding on with an all-women practice. Additionally, with the funds, I make from my practice I hope to start an organization to help teach young African Americans how to deal with the topic of mental health, which is something that is greatly ignored in black communities. I want to make the world a more open place for black kids to be vulnerable and feel accepted. By making kids feel open about talking about their feelings we are creating stronger young men and women that will be the next forefronts in so many job positions. All in all, my passion for STEM and entrepreneurship expands larger than just myself, I want to reach people around me to help them gain interest in those fields and better themselves.

My name is Jada Holley and I am currently a senior at Wilmington high school. I recently turned 18 and I am excited to venture out into the world and make an impact upon others, and college is where I see fit on starting. I plan on attending an HBCU to further my education where I will major in biology for Pre-medicine and minor in business. I chose my field of study because of my grandma who passed away due to cancer which inspired me to become a surgical oncologist. My grandma was someone very dear to me and she taught me a lot about being a young black woman and how to navigate the world. My mother who works in the medical field is also someone that has inspired me to keep pushing forward in perusing this career of science and health. In addition, I have always been interested in the medical field from a young age and I have taken steps such as taking classes at Southern State Community College to get a step ahead in the field of medicine. As a driven, hard-working, and student that is always willing to expand my knowledge, I think the field of medicine will be perfect for me. I am not a first-generation college student because my mom and older brother have both attended college and set examples for me for what being ambitious is like. In order for me to broaden my knowledge at an HBCU, I would need this scholarship to help me with my journey. I live in a single-mother household with me and my younger sister, and this scholarship would provide an opportunity for me to earn my next level of education at a university. My chosen field will help the people around me by creating a healthier community. I want to take care of others and provide a new light of faith. African Americans have set many trailblazing impacts in the medical field and I would like to honor my ancestors by carrying that on. The medical field needs more diversity and I would be setting an example for other young black women in my career, and that’s exactly what I want to do. Once I gain my degree I will go onto medical school and hopefully become an oncologist in a hospital where I want to bring more of a holistic/natural approach to treating diseases such as cancer. My education in the health field will also allow me to open up a non-profit organization for black men and women where I can teach them more about mental health, which is a topic in the black community that is downplayed. I want to become a role model for others and make an impact on everyone I come in contact with to show how powerful black women are.

Gratitude and appreciation are both things a person should give, receive, and acknowledge in their lifetime to make personal growth. I grew up in a household where these values were taught and I feel like I am someone who expresses my gratitude and appreciation. For example, I volunteer at a kitchen for a homeless shelter in a city nearby me. In my experience at St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter, I have gained more appreciation for the situation I am in life because people are struggling all around the world. I am thankful I can help out a community and gain personal connections with the people who are currently residing at the shelter. I try to practice mindfulness of my actions, thoughts, and words. I am someone who believes in reflecting upon myself and so I keep a journal where I can do that. I can go back on situations and appreciate how lucky I am or how I can change my approach to show gratefulness. As I mature I am seeing that life deals a lot with personal connections and relationships you make with the peers around you. Things such as giving someone a phone call, saying "Please and thank you", and just writing a simple note to show someone that 'you see them' can make all the difference in someone's life. The gratification I feel from doing the small things to help make someone's day just slightly better has allowed me to be more appreciative of the time I have with people. To bring it all back, I feel appreciation and gratitude are major aspects of life and that is why I try to demonstrate those traits in my everyday life.

One specific experience that I have faced that has shaped me as a teen is dealing with mental health as a young black woman. Mental health in the black community throughout generations has been seen as an uncomfortable topic that is avoided. A feeling of being anxious and feeling highs and lows are all things I didn’t know how to deal with, and I recognized that it was a problem for myself. African Americans are a group that have been oppressed for many years even up until now, and many of us are taught to show no weakness, that we have to stay strong. It is an idea instilled into our heads at a young age. We have always been taught that our people survived slavery and that the trials that Blacks are facing now are those that we need to be able to deal with and rise above, especially in the mental health area.With all those emotions of being a teen and having a lot of other pressures while not knowing what to do with them, I was scared to ask for help. I have family members that say depression isn’t a “thing”. They say that after all our people have gone through, those concepts of struggling mentally are nothing. That pushed me away from speaking up, and that's something new for me, since I am a very outgoing person. Letting things bottle up and manifest itself in a negative light isn’t good, and I realized that. I had to pivot and open up about what I was going through to my mom. My mom was saddened by what I had expressed, but glad I opened up to her. My mom helped me find coping techniques, and acknowledge sometimes I need an “unloader” day to reflect and grow from what I faced that week or even month. She reminded me to take a breath and step back from intense and stressful situations. I have learned so much from that time and I have grown so much from it as well. As I’m growing into an adult, I’m seeing it's very important to reflect, so I use a journal, and seeing the words before my eyes empowers me. I see that this shows strength within. Since opening up more about my mental health, I’m seeing what an impact it can make on my peers of any color. People are afraid and don’t know how to overcome setbacks involving mental health. I realized there was something going on with me, and I couldn’t stick to the stigma of avoiding that. I didn’t want this ethic to keep being drilled into young black kids’ minds; it's something that must be seen in a neutral light so everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves on. The idea of this generational problem can’t continue. If I spoke up this could really make a difference. I will continue to preach the importance of African American mental health. I hope to start an organization for young black kids so they can learn about mental health. I want them to know it's okay to be vulnerable as a black person in today's society. Every obstacle comes with responsibility, being uncomfortable, and pushing myself to overcome it. Moments like these have opened my eyes. Asking for help can be difficult for certain people and having an outlet helps ease people into speaking about issues. I am someone who has seen the result of what the difficulty of opening up is like. Finally expressing myself was one of the best experiences I encountered from my obstacle.

One specific experience that I have faced that I feel has shaped me as a teen is dealing with mental health as a young black woman. Mental health in the black community throughout generations has been seen as an uncomfortable topic that is avoided. A feeling of being anxious and feeling highs and lows are all things I didn’t know how to deal with, and I recognized that it was a problem for myself. African Americans are a group that have been oppressed for many years even up until now, and many of us are taught to show no weakness, that we have to stay strong. It's an idea instilled into our heads at a young age. We have always been taught that our people survived slavery and that the trials Blacks are facing now are those that we need to be able to deal with and rise above, especially in the mental health area. With all those emotions of being a teen and having a lot of pressures while not knowing what to do with them, I was scared to ask for help. I felt pushed away from speaking up, and that's new for me, since I'm a very outgoing person. Letting things bottle up and manifest in a negative light isn’t good. I had to pivot and open up about what I was going through to my mom. She was saddened by what I had expressed, but glad I opened up. My mom helped me find coping techniques, and acknowledge sometimes I need a day to reflect on what I faced that week. She reminded me to take a step back from intense situations. As I’m growing into an adult, I’m seeing it's very important to reflect, so I use a journal, and seeing the words before my eyes empowers me. I see that this shows strength within. Since opening up more about my mental health, I’m seeing what an impact it can make on my peers. People are afraid and don’t know how to handle their mental health. I realized there was something going on, and I couldn’t stick to the stigma of avoiding that. I didn’t want this ethic to keep being drilled into black children minds; it's something that must be seen in a neutral light so everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. The idea of this generational problem can’t continue. If I spoke up this could really make a difference. I will continue to preach the importance of African American mental health. I hope to start an organization for black teens so they can learn about mental health. I want them to know it's okay to be vulnerable as a black person in today's society. Asking for help can be difficult for certain people and having an outlet helps ease people into speaking about issues. I'm someone who has seen the result of what the difficulty of opening up is like. Finally expressing myself was one of the best experiences I encountered from my obstacle.