As an out-of-state student, college is extremely expensive and can sometimes be unbearable. Additionally, as the child of a newly single mother, my mother still cannot meet the expenses of out-of-state tuition alone. Going into senior year, I have already accumulated $18,500 over the past three years. I am an aspiring pediatrician, which means I will attend medical school, which carries a greater financial burden. We already cannot afford undergrad tuition. I do not know how or if I will be able to afford to attend medical school. This scholarship will help ease some of the financial burdens I experience as an out-of-state student. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to take out fewer loans to pay for tuition this school year. I aspire to graduate with the least amount of debt possible because I know I simply cannot afford medical school without loans. This scholarship puts me one step further toward graduating debt-free. As a senior, I also have concerns as it pertains to graduation. I cannot walk across the stage with a balance on my account. The time has come for all of my hard work and stress to pay off. I must receive my degree, it is not an option. Graduating puts me closer to medical school, which gets me closer to being a pediatrician. However, I have to overcome this first hurdle and ease some of the financial burdens I carry from loans by earning this scholarship. Without this scholarship, I will have to take an additional $7500 loan for this school year, putting me 25,000 in debt at the age of 21. With 25,000 in student loan debt, I will struggle to pay for medical school expenses. Moreover, this scholarship impacts my ability to achieve my future goals because it eases the financial burden I will carry in my undergraduate years, allowing me to go into medical school with less debt coming in, making it slightly easier to afford medical school. This scholarship also eases worries about how my balance will get paid and ensures that I will walk across the stage for graduation and receive my degree. Making certain that I can further my education and attend medical school. I've worked hard not to let my struggles define me. This scholarship is important because it is an investment in my future. It is an acknowledgment that all my hard work is not in vain. Please take a chance on me and extend me the opportunity to demonstrate just how far this scholarship can take me.

The way my mother took care of me inspired me to learn the science behind caring for someone. She always knew what to do when I was hurt. My mother understood the basic principles of life, which allowed her to take care of me effectively. Her understanding of the science behind life helped me decide on my field of study; biology. I want to be able to have the same basic understanding so I can help other kids the same way she helped me. Biology is the study of life, so if I can understand how things can live, I can help them stay alive. I want to use biology when it has the most significant impact on a child’s life; life or death. Without my mother, I would not have a passion for understanding how the science of life helps heal or the desire to use that knowledge as a pediatrician.I aspire to create a bright future for others in my career. After completing medical school, I plan to specialize and become a pediatrician or a pediatric surgeon. I have always had a passion for children, and I believe is the best choice for me to be able to change the world. I not only aspire to be a pediatrician, but I also plan on opening up my own clinic. I want to open a clinic and host healthcare events specifically for homeless children. Everyone always says that children are the future. However, statistics show that homeless people have a lower life expectancy. I believe that when people say that children are the future, it should include all children, especially homeless children. We should not count homeless children out of the future because of circumstances beyond their control. Children should never have to suffer. I want to offer homeless children the same opportunities to live and be the future as any other child. I want to offer them access to healthcare and ensure they are healthy and have a fighting chance at life. Homeless children have a ten times higher mortality rate than their peers, which is unacceptable. I will ensure that these homeless children exceed the typical life expectancy and can grow up to be whatever they want. I will ensure they have the same access to healthcare so they can have the same opportunities to live. I want to use this clinic to be a light for homeless children, so they can be a light to the world. Homelessness and health will not be a statistic that stops them from being great. They will have access to the same healthcare as other children. They will beat the odds and become successful young men and women. Under my clinic, they will not become just another number or another statistic. They will become the children of the future. I will positively impact the homeless community by providing the resources and access to healthcare needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children will not die because their parents can't afford to give them the healthcare they need. I want to impact the homeless community by helping them live. Children cannot be the future if they die before they can even make it to the future. Thus, I plan to change the statistics and allow homeless children the same shot at the future as other children through my clinic, ultimately creating a brighter future for all.

As an out-of-state student, college is extremely expensive and can sometimes be unbearable. Additionally, as the child of a newly single mother, my mother still cannot meet the expenses of out-of-state tuition alone. Going into senior year, I have already accumulated $18,500 over the past three years. I am an aspiring pediatrician, which means I will attend medical school, which carries a greater financial burden. We already cannot afford undergrad tuition. I do not know how or if I will be able to afford to attend medical school. This scholarship will help ease some of the financial burdens I experience as an out-of-state student. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to take out fewer loans to pay for tuition this school year. I aspire to graduate with the least amount of debt possible because I know I simply cannot afford medical school without loans. This scholarship puts me one step further toward graduating debt free. As a senior, I also have concerns as it pertains to graduation. I cannot walk across the stage with a balance on my account. The time has come for all of my hard work and stress to pay off. I must receive my degree, it is not an option. Graduating puts me closer to medical school, which gets me closer to being a pediatrician. However, I have to overcome this first hurdle and ease some of the financial burdens I carry from loans by earning this scholarship. Without this scholarship, I will have to take an additional $7500 loan for this school year, putting me 25,000 in debt at the age of 21. With 25,000 in student loan debt, I will struggle to pay for medical school expenses. Moreover, this scholarship impacts my ability to achieve my future goals because it eases the financial burden I will carry in my undergraduate years, allowing me to go into medical school with less debt coming in, making it slightly easier to afford medical school. This scholarship also eases worries about how my balance will get paid and ensures that I will walk across the stage for graduation and receive my degree. Making certain that I can further my education and attend medical school. I've worked hard not to let my struggles define me. This scholarship is important because it is an investment to my future. It is an acknowledgment that all my hard work is not in vain. Please take a chance on me and extend me the opportunity to demonstrate just how far this scholarship can take me.

As a child, I was seen as what many call a “roughrider.” I didn’t enjoy playing with dolls and actually ended up popping the head off of one of them for entertainment. My idea of fun was not the typical “girly” activities, such as playing with dolls and makeup. I was the girl with grass stains on her pants from playing football and bruises on her body from body slamming and wrestling with my brothers in the basement. The girl who screamed at the football players for making silly mistakes while simultaneously cheering on the sidelines. As aggressive as I was from growing up with my brothers, I was not immune to pain. From skinning my knees whenever I was pushed “ out of bounds” while playing football or being pushed around because I was better than most of the boys I played with, I still felt all of that pain. My first black eye was from a fight between my little brother and me. I was choking him, so he punched me directly in the eye. Naturally, we both got punished, but my mom was always there to patch me up and send me back out. My mom was there when I fell into the wheelchair at church after she told me to stop running around in the foyer with the boys and I cut myself right under my nose, creating the scar I have today. My mom was my fixer, there to make me all better and smile once again. The way my mother always took care of me when I needed it the most inspired me to take care of other children like me when they need it the most. The way my mother took care of me inspired me to learn the science behind caring for someone. She always knew what to do when I was hurt. Her understanding of the science behind life helped me decide on my field of study; biology. I want to be able to have the same basic understanding so I can help other kids the same way she helped me. Biology is the study of life, so if I can understand how things can live, I can help them stay alive. I want to use biology when it has the most significant impact on a child’s life; life or death. Therefore, I plan to be a pediatrician. Without my mother, I would not have a passion for understanding how the science of life helps heal or the desire to use that knowledge as a pediatric surgeon. ​​Growing up as the product of a single-parent household has presented its own set of challenges. Witnessing the strain and eventual dissolution of my parent's marriage has been emotionally taxing. As my family unit fractured, financial hardships became prevalent, exacerbating the burdens we already faced. However, my mother's unwavering determination and resilience have been a source of inspiration. Despite the difficulties, she has provided a stable and loving environment, ensuring that my education and well-being remained a priority. Witnessing her strength has instilled in me the belief that adversity can be conquered with determination, love, and a supportive community. This scholarship is important because as a single mother my mom cannot afford the financial burden of college. I have already accumulated roughly $20,000 in student loan debt before this semester even begins. More importantly, graduation is approaching, however, if there is a balance on my account, I cannot graduate. Therefore, this scholarship eases some of the financial burden my other and I carry and will put me one step closer to graduation.

Life is a journey with obstacles and challenges unique to each individual’s experiences. Throughout my life, I have encountered several hurdles that have shaped my character, tested my resilience, and transformed me into who I am today. These challenges have encompassed various aspects of my life, including family background, financial circumstances, community setting, educational experiences, and personal loss. ​​Growing up as the product of a single-parent household has presented its own set of challenges. Witnessing the strain and eventual dissolution of my parents' marriage has been emotionally taxing. As my family unit fractured, financial hardships became prevalent, exacerbating the burdens we already faced. However, my mother's unwavering determination and resilience have been a source of inspiration. Despite the difficulties, she has provided a stable and loving environment, ensuring that my education and well-being remained a priority. Witnessing her strength has instilled in me the belief that adversity can be conquered with determination, love, and a supportive community. This past summer tragedy struck my life once again. Tre Byrd, one of my close friends, passed away unexpectedly. The profound grief and sense of loss shook the foundations of my world. In the face of this immense sadness, I sought solace in the memories we shared and the support of our mutual friends. I realized the importance of cherishing those around us, embracing the fleeting nature of life, and living each day to the fullest. Through this loss, I learned to honor the memory of my friend by appreciating the present and valuing the connections I have with others. Life's challenges are not meant to define us; rather, they shape our character, resilience, and capacity for growth. The obstacles I have encountered, from surviving a near-death experience and dealing with the aftermath of divorce to grieving the loss of a dear friend, have taught me invaluable life lessons. I have learned to confront fear with courage, to seek strength in the face of adversity, and to cherish the relationships that enrich my life. These challenges have transformed me into a resilient individual who refuses to be defined by past struggles. With each hurdle overcome, I have emerged stronger, more compassionate, and determined to make a positive impact in the world. I aspire to create a bright future for others in my career. After completing medical school, I plan to specialize and become a pediatrician or a pediatric surgeon. I have always had a passion for children, and I believe is the best choice for me to be able to change the world. I not only aspire to be a pediatrician, but I also plan on opening up my own clinic. I want to open a clinic and host healthcare events specifically for homeless children. Everyone always says that children are the future. However, statistics show that homeless people have a lower life expectancy. I believe that when people say that children are the future, it should include all children, especially homeless children.

Texas is a state that is held back by old-time traditions and ideals. Modernization in Texas is slow. Some people still have ideas that women only belong at home and their sole job is to take care of the house and have children. This ideology of women as weaker is reflected in our laws as women cannot make their own decisions about their bodies, but also in the wage gap. On average, women are making $12,475 per year less than white men. This statistic is even worse for black women who average almost $27,000 less than white men. $27,000 is enough to buy a 2023 car, which is extremely disheartening. As a black woman, I find this extremely frustrating that we are not being thoroughly compensated in our careers. I aspire to make Texas a better place, not just for women but also children. I aspire to create a bright future for others in my career. After completing medical school, I plan to specialize and become a pediatrician or a pediatric surgeon. I have always had a passion for children, and I believe is the best choice for me to be able to change the world. I not only aspire to be a pediatrician, but I also plan on opening up my own clinic. I want to open a clinic and host healthcare events specifically for homeless children. Everyone always says that children are the future. However, statistics show that homeless people have a lower life expectancy. I believe that when people say that children are the future, it should include all children, especially homeless children. We should not count homeless children out of the future because of circumstances beyond their control. Children should never have to suffer. I want to offer homeless children the same opportunities to live and be the future as any other child. I want to offer them access to healthcare and ensure they are healthy and have a fighting chance at life. Homeless children have a ten times higher mortality rate than their peers, which is unacceptable. I will ensure that these homeless children exceed the typical life expectancy and can grow up to be whatever they want. I will ensure they have the same access to healthcare so they can have the same opportunities to live. I want to use this clinic to be a light for homeless children, so they can be a light to the world. Homelessness and health will not be a statistic that stops them from being great. They will have access to the same healthcare as other children. They will beat the odds and become successful young men and women. Under my clinic, they will not become just another number or another statistic. They will become the children of the future. I will positively impact the homeless community by providing the resources and access to healthcare needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children will not die because their parents can't afford to give them the healthcare they need. I want to impact the homeless community by helping them live. Children cannot be the future if they die before they can even make it to the future. Thus, I plan to change the statistics and allow homeless children the same shot at the future as other children through my clinic, ultimately creating a brighter future for all.

I aspire to create a bright future for others in my career. After completing medical school, I plan to specialize and become a pediatrician or a pediatric surgeon. I have always had a passion for children, and I believe is the best choice for me to be able to change the world. I not only aspire to be a pediatrician, but I also plan on opening up my own clinic. I want to open a clinic and host healthcare events specifically for homeless children. Everyone always says that children are the future. However, statistics show that homeless people have a lower life expectancy. I believe that when people say that children are the future, it should include all children, especially homeless children. We should not count homeless children out of the future because of circumstances beyond their control. Children should never have to suffer. I want to offer homeless children the same opportunities to live and be the future as any other child. I want to offer them access to healthcare and ensure they are healthy and have a fighting chance at life. Homeless children have a ten times higher mortality rate than their peers, which is unacceptable. I will ensure that these homeless children exceed the typical life expectancy and can grow up to be whatever they want. I will ensure they have the same access to healthcare so they can have the same opportunities to live. I want to use this clinic to be a light for homeless children, so they can be a light to the world. Homelessness and health will not be a statistic that stops them from being great. They will have access to the same healthcare as other children. They will beat the odds and become successful young men and women. Under my clinic, they will not become just another number or another statistic. They will become the children of the future. I will positively impact the homeless community by providing the resources and access to healthcare needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children will not die because their parents can't afford to give them the healthcare they need. I want to impact the homeless community by helping them live. Children cannot be the future if they die before they can even make it to the future. Thus, I plan to change the statistics and allow homeless children the same shot at the future as other children through my clinic, ultimately creating a brighter future for all. This is important to me because I've always had a passion for working with children from a young age. In pre-school, I wanted to be a daycare owner but as I grew up I learned that I actually wanted to become a doctor. With this clinic, I will be able to combine my passion for children, but also impact my community which is an amazing opportunity.

Life is a journey with obstacles and challenges unique to each individual’s experiences. Throughout my life, I have encountered several hurdles that have shaped my character, tested my resilience, and transformed me into who I am today. These challenges have encompassed various aspects of my life, including family background, financial circumstances, community setting, educational experiences, and personal loss. Three significant challenges, in particular, come to mind as experiences that have shaped me into who I am today, a near-death experience in 7th grade, the struggles of growing up in a newly single-parent household, and the unexpected loss of a dear friend. In the tumultuous landscape of Chicago, violence can permeate even the most unexpected places. During my 7th-grade year at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, I found myself confronted with the harsh realities of urban life. One fateful day, while running outside in PE, gunshots pierced the air, and panic gripped my heart as I narrowly escaped the line of fire. This traumatic incident left an indelible mark on my psyche, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, rather than succumbing to fear, I chose to confront and overcome my trauma through therapy, support networks, and personal resilience. By facing my fears head-on, I not only gained a deeper understanding of my own strength but also developed empathy for others facing similar challenges. ​​Growing up as the product of a single-parent household has presented its own set of challenges. Witnessing the strain and eventual dissolution of my parent's marriage has been emotionally taxing. As my family unit fractured, financial hardships became prevalent, exacerbating the burdens we already faced. However, my mother's unwavering determination and resilience have been a source of inspiration. Despite the difficulties, she has provided a stable and loving environment, ensuring that my education and well-being remained a priority. Witnessing her strength has instilled in me the belief that adversity can be conquered with determination, love, and a supportive community. Life's challenges are not meant to define us; rather, they shape our character, resilience, and capacity for growth. The obstacles I have encountered, from surviving a near-death experience and dealing with the aftermath of divorce, have taught me invaluable life lessons. I have learned to confront fear with courage, to seek strength in the face of adversity, and to cherish the relationships that enrich my life. These challenges have transformed me into a resilient individual who refuses to be defined by past struggles. With each hurdle overcome, I have emerged stronger, more compassionate, and determined to make a positive impact in the world.I aspire to create a bright future for others in my career. After completing medical school, I plan to specialize and become a pediatrician or a pediatric surgeon. I have always had a passion for children, and I believe is the best choice for me to be able to change the world. I not only aspire to be a pediatrician, but I also plan on opening up my own clinic. I want to open a clinic and host healthcare events specifically for homeless children. Everyone always says that children are the future. However, statistics show that homeless people have a lower life expectancy. I believe that when people say that children are the future, it should include all children, especially homeless children. We should not count homeless children out of the future because of circumstances beyond their control.