Growing up, I didn't prioritize mental health until I witnessed my dad's first suicide attempt. Mental health isn't considered important in my Arab Muslim community, a perspective ingrained in me. I was always told, “Anxiety isn't real, neither is depression,” labeling those who struggled as crazy. When my father fell into depression in 5th grade, I began questioning this belief. I vividly remember my younger sister pulling me from Barbie dolls to find my dad on his bed with an empty pill bottle. In panic, I forced my hand into his mouth to retrieve the pills. At 10, I faced a life-and-death situation. Over the years, I watched him lose himself, attempting suicide multiple times. This drove me to take action, sparking my interest in public health and the Physician Assistant field. I aim to improve our communities and raise awareness about mental health while serving as a first-responder in the healthcare system. My passion for public health and the Physician Assistant profession is deeply rooted in my personal experiences. Growing up with English as a second language, my family faced challenges in the healthcare system when my father fell ill. Witnessing these struggles firsthand, I felt a calling to pursue a career in healthcare to advocate for marginalized communities and address healthcare disparities. Becoming a physician assistant aligns with my aspirations to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. My experiences as a person of color have shaped my desire to increase diversity in the healthcare workforce and challenge cultural stereotypes surrounding mental health. Additionally, the goal of achieving financial stability for my family motivates me to pursue this career path. Despite the challenges I've faced, including my father's struggles with mental health, I remained committed to my academic pursuits. His challenges fueled my academic drive and inspired me to enlighten my family and Muslim community about mental health. Being the first college graduate in my family further inspires me to persevere despite the difficulties I've encountered. In my pursuit of becoming a physician assistant, I am dedicated to advocating for marginalized communities and addressing healthcare disparities. My journey has instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. Making a difference at 18 motivates me to major in public health, with plans to attend graduate school to become a Physician Assistant. Through my journey, I hope to contribute to creating a brighter and healthier future for individuals and communities alike.

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and what specifically motivates you. If you could do anything with your life, what do you imagine you’d do? As a first-generation low-income Muslim-American, I am proud to share a bit about myself and my journey. My name is Judy Hijazi, and I am currently a student participating in the Reality Changers college prep program. Growing up in a tight-knit Muslim family with limited financial resources has presented its challenges, but it has also fueled my determination to pursue higher education and break generational barriers. I am passionate about public health because growing up with English as a second language my family faced challenges in the healthcare system when my father fell ill. As a result, I decided to become a physician assistant. This aspiration has been shaped by my experiences as a person of color, my desire to increase diversity in healthcare and fight cultural stereotypes, and the goal of achieving the financial stability my family did not experience. Being the first college graduate in my family also motivates me to continue on my journey despite the difficulties I have encountered so far. In my pursuit of becoming a physician assistant, I am committed to advocating for marginalized communities and addressing healthcare disparities. My journey has instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination to overcome obstacles, and I am eager to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare. 2. What excites you about STEM? How do you feel you could make a positive impact on the world through a job in information technology? What excites me about STEM, especially in information technology (IT), is the boundless potential for innovation and discovery. The rapid pace of technological advancement and its transformative impact on society captivates me. The opportunity to continuously learn and apply new skills to solve intricate problems in creative ways is truly exhilarating. Through a career in IT, I envision making a positive impact on the world in several ways. IT plays a vital role in enhancing efficiency and productivity across various sectors, from healthcare to finance to education. By developing innovative software solutions or refining existing systems, I can assist organizations in streamlining their operations and providing improved services globally. Moreover, information technology has the capability to connect people and bridge gaps. Whether it's through developing communication tools, creating accessible digital platforms, or bolstering cybersecurity measures, I can contribute to constructing a more inclusive and interconnected world where everyone has access to information and resources. Additionally, IT offers opportunities to tackle pressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare disparities, and cybersecurity threats. By devising sustainable technologies, designing healthcare applications, or enhancing cybersecurity protocols, I can contribute to meaningful solutions that benefit society as a whole. Overall, what excites me about STEM, particularly in information technology, is the potential to drive positive change and make a tangible difference in the world. By harnessing technology to innovate, collaborate, and solve problems, I am confident that I can contribute to creating a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come. 3. Please describe the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome and how you managed to get past it. Growing up, I didn't prioritize mental health until I witnessed my dad's first suicide attempt. Mental health isn't considered important in my Arab Muslim community, a perspective ingrained in me. I was always told, “Anxiety isn't real, neither is depression,” labeling those who struggled as crazy. When my father fell into depression in 5th grade, I began questioning this belief. I vividly remember my younger sister pulling me from Barbie dolls to find my dad on his bed with an empty pill bottle. In panic, I forced my hand into his mouth to retrieve the pills. At 10, I faced a life-and-death situation. Over the years, I watched him deteriorate, attempting suicide multiple times. This drove me to take action, sparking my interest in public health and the Physician Assistant field. I aim to improve our communities and raise awareness about mental health while serving as a first-responder in the healthcare system. Despite my father's struggles, I stayed active in extracurriculars and maintained high grades. His challenges fueled my academic drive and the mission to enlighten my family and Muslim community about mental health. Making a difference at 18 motivates me to major in public health. After obtaining my degree, I plan to attend graduate school to become a Physician Assistant. Being the first college graduate in my family further inspires me to persevere despite the difficulties I've faced.