If you ask any Grey’s Anatomy fan who their favorite character is, there is a good chance they will say Derek Shepard (especially my mom). I must admit, I would answer McDreamy as well. But if you asked me why, it would not be because of his chiseled jaw that could cut diamonds (although it probably could); it would be because he is a neurosurgeon. I have always loved the brain. I want to know how it functions, how those functions affect the rest of the body, and how to heal it. For the longest time, I wanted to be a therapist so I could connect to people's emotions and experiences. Then I wanted to be an FBI profiler so I could understand why people behave the way they do and predict their actions. No matter what path I chose for myself, it circled back to one principle: fixing people's brains. Not only that, but I wanted to do it in an extraordinary way. What better way to achieve both of those things than to slice into arguably the most important part of the human body? I am an overachiever, after all, and I have a mission: to help people. Community, leadership, scholarship, and service are all fundamental pillars of who I am that drive me to help others. I am in various school clubs, including President of National Honor Society, President of Royal Connections, Senior Editor of the Yearbook, member of Student Council, Link Crew, and Student Ambassadors, and I volunteer regularly. My ambition to involve myself in my community will not fall short entering this new chapter; if anything, it will only grow. Throughout high school, I have had the pleasure of hosting community-based initiatives over the past four years, where we have secured hundreds of thousands of donations in food, clothes, books, hygiene products, and more for local community members, hospitals, and shelters. I hope to continue these efforts at a local hospital or shelter at my new school. This upcoming fall, I will be attending the University of Minnesota with an intended major of Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Neuroscience. I have applied to the honors and accelerated bachelor's programs to strengthen my path to medical school. I have received acceptance into the Women in Science and Engineering Living Learning Community offered at the UMN, where I will collaborate and interact with other ambitious women. Within this community, we will conduct various volunteer activities, aid in research projects, and foster each individual's passion into a specialized career. Additionally, I intend to secure an internship or work at a hospital in hopes of acquiring an early introduction to life in the medical field. My efforts to immerse myself in every opportunity are all in pursuit of becoming the best surgeon I can be, so I may better serve those in need. Even in this early stage of my life, I have come far in my dedication to that goal, and I am more than ready to dive into this next chapter with enthusiasm, purpose, and focus. Thank you so much for your time and consideration for this scholarship. If you were to choose me as a recipient, you would not only be investing in my future, but also in the future of every patient I hope to help one day. Ten or fifteen years from now, I am going to stand in the operating room with a scalpel in hand and say, “Today is a great day to save lives,” knowing your support helped me reach that moment.

1. This fall, I will attend the University of Minnesota, where I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Neuroscience on a pre-med track. Over the next four years, I am committed to excelling academically, pursuing research opportunities, and gaining hands-on experience through medical internships. These experiences will prepare me to earn admission to a prestigious medical school, where I hope to continue developing both my scientific knowledge and clinical skills. My dream is to attend the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, where I would have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned physicians and surgeons while exploring my passion for neurosurgery. Ultimately, I aspire to become a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 2. My parents had me while they were both in college, and I was raised alongside my three siblings on the campus of Purdue University. My father grew up with close to nothing and worked to give our family everything. Today, he is a chemical engineer at 3M, but his success came only after years of sacrifice, student loan debt, and financial hardship. Watching my parents overcome such challenges has taught me the value of perseverance and hard work. Although my family has reached a place of financial stability, the cost of college remains significant. Tuition, housing, books, and other expenses add up quickly, and I plan to fully take on that responsibility myself by working part-time throughout college. Scholarships like this one will allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my schoolwork, research opportunities, and preparation for medical school, rather than worrying about the financial burden of my education. Receiving this scholarship would be an investment not only in my future but also in the patients I hope to serve as a physician. It would help make my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon more attainable while allowing me to devote myself fully to becoming the best future doctor I can be. 3. Heavy metal is one of the most misunderstood music genres. Many people dismiss it as nothing more than loud, aggressive noise, but that stereotype overlooks the messages at its core. Much of heavy metal and rock music is rooted in advocacy for human rights, social justice, anti-authoritarianism, and compassion. Rather than promoting violence, many heavy metal artists challenge injustice and encourage listeners to think critically about the world around them. Music has always been an important part of my life because of its ability to connect people, inspire empathy, and give voice to emotions that words alone cannot express. While I enjoy almost every genre, from classical and jazz to hip-hop, R&B, and rap - rock and metal have had the greatest influence on the person I have become. Through artists such as Propagandhi, NOFX, System of a Down, Black Sabbath, Evanescence, Sepultura, Napalm Death, and Metallica, I have been exposed to ideas about equality, empathy, and standing up for what is right. Their music has challenged my assumptions, encouraged me to think critically, and helped me develop my own values. One of the aspects I appreciate most about heavy metal is its inclusivity. Despite its intimidating reputation, the community is built on acceptance and a shared passion rather than appearances or backgrounds. It has taught me the importance of remaining open-minded, questioning injustice, and using my voice to advocate for others, values that I hope to carry with me throughout my education and future career in medicine. Although I have not yet attended a heavy metal concert, seeing Iron Maiden or Metallica with my father is a top bucket-list item. He was my introduction to the world of heavy metal and the reason I love it to this day. If it weren't for his overcomplicated explanations of every song's progressive meaning, I might not be the fiery little activist I am today or meet the requirements of being a “full-on nerdy headbanger” for this scholarship.