Mental health became a priority for me early on. Growing up in a household marked by instability and surrounded by limited resources, I learned firsthand how mental health influences everything—from academic success to building resilience. I realized that mental health is more than just feeling “okay”; it’s the foundation that allows us to thrive in every area of life. These early experiences, while challenging, instilled in me the importance of nurturing mental wellness as a way to grow stronger and remain focused on my goals. To maintain my mental wellness, I prioritize therapy, which has been a cornerstone of my emotional resilience. Beginning therapy at a young age allowed me to process my experiences, gain self-awareness, and build a toolkit of healthy coping mechanisms. Therapy not only helped me navigate past traumas but also continues to give me a safe space to reflect and recharge, strengthening my ability to handle challenges as they arise. I also rely on mindfulness and reflection as part of my wellness routine. Whether through journaling or meditating, setting aside time each day to reconnect with myself has helped me manage stress and gain clarity, especially during intense academic periods. This practice allows me to pause, let go of stress, and refocus on what truly matters. Physical activity plays a big role in my mental health as well. Running and practicing yoga have become essential for my well-being, providing a natural way to release stress and boost my mood. Staying active not only keeps my body healthy but also helps me maintain the energy and focus I need to excel in both my studies and community work. Connection and purpose are also key to my mental wellness. Engaging in community service and organizing support initiatives for foster children remind me of the power of giving back, helping me stay grounded and driven. These activities allow me to make a positive impact on others’ lives, which reinforces my own sense of fulfillment and resilience. Finally, I’ve learned to set healthy boundaries to avoid burnout. Balancing my responsibilities as a student and researcher with time for rest ensures I remain productive without sacrificing my mental health. By managing my schedule carefully, I create a work-life balance that sustains both my academic success and personal well-being. In the long term, I view my mental health as essential to achieving my goals. Each of these practices—therapy, mindfulness, physical wellness, and purposeful connection—continues to strengthen my resilience and commitment to personal growth. As I move forward in my education and future career in healthcare, I know that maintaining my mental wellness will enable me to serve others with compassion and stability.

I always thought of myself as a rose that grew from the concrete, the famous allegory illustrated by the writer and artist, Tupac Shakur. I struggled to find my purpose in my youth, and the reason why I had to endure the coldness of the “concrete”. I was adopted into a childhood that wasn’t very joyous, it was filled with threats, years of sleepless nights, and feelings of loneliness. I constantly hoped for someone to recognize my struggle and care enough to help my mother and me out of her abusive marriage. During these times, I struggled with my mental health and was consistently dismissed as just a child lacking guidance. I was afforded the luxury of an amazing, vigilant mother who was able to recognize my struggles and needs and did everything she could to help me. I participated in therapy from a young age and learned to express myself and my emotions, which helped my mental health tremendously and allowed me to begin to bloom into the rose I portray today. However, I realized that many don’t have the opportunity to afford and attend therapy, especially in the predominantly African American community I am from. I also realized that it was a dire need that has affected many households and children, as it had affected me, and would only continue in a cycle without the proper help. I knew from that moment on, I wanted to be able to help people- not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. This realization made me determined to turn my thoughts into actions. I sought opportunities to become involved within my community, helping kids in similar situations that I experienced. I took a position assisting children at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA in an after school program daily and when I was offered the chance to continue my position over the summer as a camp counselor, I jumped at the opportunity. I was introduced to over 30 rising second graders that I was with every day, most of whom went through hardships in their homes, which was reflected in their behavior and mental health. I saw myself in those children, and it was at that moment I realized my passion for children’s development and their mental health. I now aspire to blossom into a nurse practitioner, one who cares for the whole body including the mental and emotional state of mind. I hope to address some of the disparities in the concrete I grew from, overlooked black communities where internal battles are silently fought. My special concentration in obstetrics and childhood development will target the beginning stages of life, which I hope will be the seed for children and families to grow into fruitful lives. Without the events of my childhood that allowed me to mature and flourish, I would not have discovered the passion I have for working with others in all aspects of their being. This investment in my education would be an investment in the next garden of roses to bloom.

My life had a rugged beginning, I was put up for adoption by my biological mother who suffered from a variety of mental health needs as well as substance abuse issues. I was adopted at the age of four and was introduced to an amazing and vigilant mother who then married my stepfather. Their relationship became tumultuous and verbally, physically, and mentally abusive, which affected both myself and my mother. For years, I did not know how to properly cope with the emotional and mental pain of seeing my mother suffer- sleepless nights of arguing, being thrown out of the home during the beginning of the pandemic, etc. I found myself being very angry, which is unlike me and even began to get in trouble at school, even to the point of being involved in a physical altercation. After this event, my mother decided it was time for a change, and I, at the age of 15 and being a sophomore, transferred schools, while my mother started her journey as a single parent. Around this time, the pandemic shut down schools. Though I always sustained good grades, I began to take school even more seriously during the virtual time and was able to earn a 4.0 GPA towards the end of my junior year. I found my passion in working with children who've experienced the same downtrodden upbringing I have. I was inspired by their stories and wanted to be an example that they could become something as well. I have since maintained great grades, joined a variety of clubs, including student government and National Honors Society, and earned 24 credits towards my degree. I've been accepted into multiple colleges as a first-generation college student and I'm excited to continue to write the rest of my story, despite the beginning.

I aspire to become a labor and delivery or pediatric nurse practitioner. I chose this specific profession after being influenced by my generous foster mother, who I watched care for many newborns and young children born into the foster care system. I endured my own challenges in my upbringing lacking the behavioral and emotional help I needed as a child. Once I matured, I wanted to be able to cater to children who experienced the same things I went through. Additionally, upon learning about the disparities black mothers face in the delivery room and the overlooked obstacles black children often encounter, I was even further inspired to cater my education and future career to fixing these issues within my community. While I worked at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA, I encountered children with a variety of neurodivergent, behavioral, and mental challenges that were going unaddressed, most of whom were African American and underprivileged. I purposed then to further educate myself on these issues in my present and future experiences. In my future endeavors, I promise to commit myself to caring for underrepresented children and mothers, including African Americans and children with a variety of other neurological and behavioral challenges. I hope to bring the issues that challenge marginalized communities to the forefront of healthcare to transform the mental, emotional, and physical needs of our communities. I will need financial help to help me experience all 4 years of college and all of my scholarship money will go towards paying my tuition and/or other college needs, such as housing, textbooks, and transportation. Within the next ten years, I plan to have received both my bachelor's and master's degrees and be working as either a labor and delivery or pediatric nurse practitioner. I hope to work in a hospital rather than private practice in order to be more involved within my community and care for everyone who needs care. I plan to be a holistic provider who caters to the physical, emotional, and mental needs of all. I also hope to be able to further educate black mothers, who are more likely to die during childbirth, on their rights during childbirth and help them explore options that work for them- which can range from a natural, water birth to labor induction with the medicines and technology we have available. Through my education, passion for giving back to my community, and love for learning, I hope to plant the seeds for the generations of black mothers and children to bring in new prosperous, and fruitful lives.

I always thought of myself as a rose that grew from the concrete, the famous allegory illustrated by the writer and artist, Tupac Shakur. I was adopted into a childhood that wasn’t very joyous, it was filled with threats, years of sleepless nights, and feelings of loneliness. I constantly hoped for someone to recognize my struggle and care enough to help my mother and me out of her abusive marriage. During these times, I struggled with my mental health and was consistently dismissed as just a child lacking guidance. I was afforded the luxury of an amazing, vigilant mother who was able to recognize my struggles and needs and did everything she could to help me. I was able to participate in therapy from a young age and learned to express myself and my emotions, helping my mental health tremendously and allowing me to begin to bloom into the rose I portray today. However, I realized that many don’t have the opportunity to afford and attend therapy, especially in the predominantly African American community I am from. I also realized that it was a dire need that has affected many households and children, as it had affected me, and would only continue in a cycle without the proper help. I knew from that moment on, I wanted to be able to help people- not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. This realization made me determined to turn my thoughts into actions. I sought out opportunities to become involved within my community, helping kids in similar situations that I experienced. I took a position assisting children at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA in an afterschool program daily and when I was offered the chance to continue my position over the summer as a camp counselor, I jumped at the opportunity. I was introduced to over 30 rising second graders that I was with every day, most of whom went through hardships in their homes, which was reflected in their behavior and mental health. I saw myself in those children, and it was at that moment I realized my passion for children’s development and their mental health. I now aspire to blossom into a nurse practitioner, one who cares for the whole body including the mental and emotional state of mind. I hope to address some of the disparities in the concrete I grew from, overlooked black communities where internal battles are silently fought. My special concentration in obstetrics and childhood development will target the beginning stages of life, which I hope will be the seed for children and families to grow into fruitful lives. Without the disheartening events of my childhood that allowed me to mature and flourish into the young woman I am today, I would not have discovered the passion and empathy I have for working with others in all aspects of their being.