At a young age, my late father instilled the importance of good oral hygiene and a beautiful smile. He would make going to the dentist's office a fun experience, helped make sure I brushed and flossed, and told me that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile. I am passionate about dental hygiene because, through my experience working in dentistry and enrolling in dental hygiene school, I firmly believe that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile. Many people often focus on the aesthetics of their teeth – the color, shape, and size. Therefore, it is frequently forgotten that oral health is directly linked to our body’s systemic health. I saw this early on when I started working in dentistry in 2018, as I saw several cases of diabetes affecting patients’ gums. Additionally, I saw cases where untreated gum disease would lead to serious complications. These cases encouraged my commitment to educating patients on their oral care and preventative health. Furthermore, I worked as a dental hygiene assistant for five years while pursuing my bachelor’s degree and applying to dental hygiene programs because I was determined to join this field to make a difference in all my patient's encounters and help them achieve a healthy smile. Both of my parents were diagnosed with periodontal disease early in their lives and I saw the lasting effects. My parents divorced when I was ten, but they worked hard to ensure that my three sisters and I were always happy. This made it hard for them to prioritize their own health and happiness at times. I saw this firsthand in my mom who did not understand the extent of her periodontal diagnosis and neglected to see the dentist for years, this led to her needing partial dentures at an early age. My father who suffered from diabetes, and heart disease also had a diagnosis linked to periodontal disease which led to partial dentures for him as well. Both my parents suffered from pain in their gums, and teeth, and often had a hard time eating. Seeing the consequences of my parents neglecting their oral health was very hard for me, this further motivated me to become a dental hygienist. Once I graduate, it will be my goal to help patients with periodontal disease understand the lasting effects if they do not take care of their oral health. Leading up to my acceptance to dental hygiene school, I was working part-time and pursuing my bachelor’s degree in biology. During this time, I was consistently saving in hopes I would be accepted into a dental hygiene program. Though I was saving, I still had to take out loans for school and I continued to work while being enrolled in school. I knew my dream early on of becoming a hygienist would never be easy, and this journey would come with hardships. Receiving this scholarship, would significantly help my journey by providing financial support and help me to continue to pursue my passion for dental hygiene.