Jody Owens was my first best friend. More importantly, I was blessed enough to call her my grandmother. I learned many life lessons from her that are truly unforgettable. And for the longest time, the little girl in me was convinced that she was immortal - for some selfish reason, I pictured Grander being at my wedding, my college graduation, and a future great-grandmother. In no way did I imagine her not being by my side, regardless of the health issues she had faced since I was a child. If there is one thing I admired about my Grander, it was that she had one of the strongest fighting spirits I had ever seen. So to lose her was one of my first heartbreaks. It's still weird to talk about her in the past tense. February 13th, 2024, was when my world crumbled. And what hurt the most was I couldn't be there to hold her hand, to smell her, or to kiss her on her forehead. I remember I stayed on the phone for two days straight, watching her, crying so hard my body was sore. In those moments, it felt so surreal knowing she wouldn't be with me much longer. Despite how hard she was fighting to stay awake, I will never forget when she looked at me over the phone, smiled at me, and mouthed the words "Don't cry, it will be okay, I love you." In the moment, those words were comforting, but when I got the phone call that she was gone, those words faded, and I wished I hadn't existed. Nothing else mattered. And for weeks, I felt dazed, out of touch, and purposeless. I had never seen the world so grey and bleak, knowing I was never going to hear her laugh, or get a call from her, or feel her arms around me. Even typing that now, it still stings. It never gets any easier. But what I did learn is that when you are grieving a loved one, there is no "proper" way to grieve. Often, I experienced guilt when I eventually had to get back to my life and back to school because I didn't want Grander to think I had forgotten her or she was less important. However, I did have a distinct turning point when I had a phone call with my grandfather a few days after we both lost her. I told him I couldn't find the motivation to eat, shower, or get out of bed - everything felt pointless. He told me that there was nothing to do to get her to come back. But, what he did tell me, was that Grander would be heartbroken to see me rotting my life away. He reminded me that the best thing I could do was continue to live my life because that's what she would have wanted. I thought back to all the times I would be on the phone with her, scared or nervous to do something, and each and every time her being my cheerleader. I realized that just because her life ended, mine didn't need to also. Losing her opened my eyes, and I learned the importance of cherishing all the everyday blessings I am surrounded with - if you don't start now, it will be too late. Grander was always so full of life and unapologetically herself; in the moments I felt scared or small, I would tell myself, "Channel your inner Grander," and imagine how excited she would be to see that I was living my life. One of my most important values in life is happiness - I am a firm believer in the statement "happiness over everything." Having Grander as my angel now made me even more passionate to fight for my happiness because it is something we easily take for granted. I know that every day that I continue to live my life to the fullest for me and for my happiness is all Grander could ask for. Reflecting on all that she taught me, I now understand that the essence of living a fulfilled life is to embrace each moment, find joy in the little things, and keep pushing forward despite the challenges. Grander’s legacy is not just the memories we shared, but the enduring spirit she instilled in me. She taught me resilience, the importance of family, and the power of love. Even though she's no longer physically here, her influence continues to guide me every day. I strive to make her proud, to live a life that honors her memory, and to spread the same kindness and warmth she always showed me. In doing so, I keep her spirit alive, and that brings me a sense of comfort and purpose amidst the pain of her loss.

Growing up, Doc McStuffins was one of my favorite TV show characters. To see a brown girl that looked like me on the screen, taking care of and helping others, was an inspiration to myself before I even knew it. The representation she provided was a powerful affirmation of my own identity and aspirations. I have always had a passion for helping other people who are less fortunate than me. Unfortunately, as a kid, you are less aware of the discrimination and disparities that groups of people must face. I wasn't aware of the fact that I had a plethora of challenges and hardships I was going to have to face as a Black woman. There is a quote from writer Kola Boof who makes the statement: "The Black woman is the most unprotected, unloved woman on earth ... she is the only flower on earth that grows unwatered." When I saw this quote, it was one that I knew was going to stick with me for years to come, and with a heavy heart, I saw that this statement is still relevant in society today. Black women often find themselves at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination, and the societal neglect they face is a harsh reality that can be observed in many areas, from healthcare to the workplace. As I mentioned earlier, one of my biggest passions is to help people, and I have since followed this passion as I am now currently a pre-med student at Howard University, in hopes of pursuing my dreams to enter the field of medicine. For decades, even centuries dare I say, Black women have always received lower quality healthcare. They often suffer more likely from certain health conditions and lack the necessary aid to receive the help they need. Often, they are dismissed or underestimated by providers because there is still a negative stigma that Black women "don't feel as much pain," as if we are some type of experiment or are lesser humans. This harmful stereotype can lead to tragic outcomes, such as higher maternal mortality rates among Black women, and the inadequate treatment of chronic pain and other serious health conditions. Through my career, I want to make it certain that my Black sisters feel seen and heard when receiving the treatment they need. I would love to build and expand on a platform that celebrates and recognizes their importance, and to let them know they are not alone. If I were to open my own practice, I want to emphasize their importance and create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where they can feel like they have a safe space to address their concerns without feeling scrutinized or belittled. By fostering an environment of empathy, respect, and understanding, I aim to challenge the systemic biases in healthcare and provide the care and support that Black women deserve. My goal is to contribute to a future where all individuals, regardless of their race or gender, can receive equitable and compassionate healthcare.

It is one thing to be a woman, it is an entirely other thing to be a black woman, at that. As a black woman I strongly believe that we are the blueprint for so many of the things that we see today -- we are creative, innovative, strong, and so much more. Many of the things we have would cease to exist had it not been for black women. Unfortunately, we do not earn half as much credit that is deserved for a multitude of successes in society. There is a quote by a poet Kola Boof who writes: "The Black woman is the most unprotected, unloved woman on earth ... she is the only flower on earth that grows unwatered." I remember seeing these words when I was a younger girl in middle school, and they have stuck with me since I have read them. Black women are so often being critiqued and picked apart by others, while we are idolized, at the same time we are torn down for every mistake made, yet expected to stay in the "strong and independent black woman" trope. I want to be able to be an advocate and a representative for the community of black women in the field of STEM, because I know that there are so many creative minds who are waiting to expand and make a big change in the world. If I was given the opportunity to improve this community, I would make sure that black women all had equal opportunity to get access to higher education without having to go through so many difficult loopholes. I would like to be able to celebrate them more and create safer, more inclusive spaces, especially in the field of medicine, where it is a more male-dominated space. There have often been too many times that I have seen black women get discredited for their accomplishment, or had to stand in the shadow of others, and make themselves smaller to make others more comfortable. As someone who has such a fierce passion to pursue a career in medicine, I hold these goals so near to me because I want to the future generations of black female doctors to be trail blazers without having to make such difficult attempts and have equal opportunity just as everyone else. I was raised by many strong black women, who were raised by strong black women in the generations before them. I would like to continue the legacy to fight for black women so that we may uplift and encourage one another to make a difference.

Growing up, the women in my family were my role models - my rock. My Grandmother, Jody Owens, was my best friend: she taught me to be unapologetically me. Any problem I had, story I wanted to share, or things to cry about, she was always by my side. From my kindergarten graduation to my high school graduation, and my leave to college -- there was never a time she was not with me to support me. February 13, 2024 was when my entire world crumbled -- I had lost her and everything went dark. I was halfway through my sophomore year, and had never experienced a death in my immediate family, much less my world. At the time, I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to continue on in my life without her, and it felt wrong to continue in my academics without properly grieving her. I was a thousand miles from home and had never felt so alone. I had no motivation to do anything, as I felt like I had lost my sense of purpose. My grades began to slip, and I had no desire or want for anything. Days began to bleed together, and I felt like I was in the passenger seat of my own mind. As I continued to spiral, I reminicised on the last moments I got to see my grandmother over a FaceTime call. She saw my tears, smiled, and mouthed the words in her last few breaths, "It's going to be okay, don't cry." Those words are forever written on my heart, and are what pulled me out of the deep dark place I was in. I knew that instead of throwing my own life away because of a loss, I needed to live and continue on with mine. Everyday I spent moving forward I pictured my grandmother, cheering me on like she always had. I wanted to achieve greatness. The reason why I have such a deep passion for pursuing a career in STEM is because I wanted to make a difference in the world by helping those who weren't as fortunate as me. Being able to give, or aid someone, has always left a warm feeling in my hear since I was young. As a black woman in this field, I believe that we need more representation. I want to be included in this change! Since I was younger I have been raised by my single mother - and I saw a woman who gave constant sacrifice for my happiness. She has always shown me the true meaning of unconditional love. My mother has shown me that with hard work and determination, anything is possible: all you need is you. As of right now, she is working two jobs to help provide for my tuition as a full time student. I would love to be able to take some stress off her back as she is constantly putting my needs before hers. This scholarship would help in aiding me to shift my focus more on my studies rather than financial stressors. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to me, and to my mother.

I am a very spiritual person. I believe that we are meant to be here for a reason, and that we were put here by someone much larger than us on a cosmic level; a creator. There are so many instances where I see such beautiful things that are so intricate and detailed - snowflakes for example, that remind me that God is real. Things like mountains, oceans, the million kinds of different species, and not to mention, a vast multitude of universes and galaxies that expand for an infinite amount of time and space, I think to myself, "God is such creative artist." Like the prompt says, STEM is very calculated and carefully thought out. Technically speaking - science has every and any explanation to counter the argument that God is real. However -- there are many unexplainable occurrences that I simply believe are too intricate to be created from a "Big Bang." For example, in DNA transcription, which is a very detailed and specific process: you have small proteins, amino acids and polymers which are building blocks to life itself. We have how many trillions of cells in our body, which right in this moment is copying our DNA to produce more genetic code that is running through us, through you, reader, right in this moment. Women have the ability to produce life from a small clump of cells to create another living being from their own bodies. In my faith, there has to be a creator who made all of this. So, I don't have an exact "ah-ha" moment in when my belief was solidified. It was always there to begin with. The fact of the matter is, God continues to prove his existence to me every day through daily occurrences. For example, we can't see the wind, but we can feel it, and we know it is there. That is the same statement that I make when others ask me how I know God is real. If anything, I think that science has a beauty to it from a certain angle, because it's us creating explanation, or trying to solve the "how" for everything that God created. It is a display of the vast construction and design which was so carefully thought out, down to singular atoms which build everything that surround us today. Sure, we have a literal explanation for the processes, but what we do not have in tangible form is a "how" or "what." And that is my belief in itself -- walking by faith, and not by sight.

Growing up, the women in my family were my role models - my rock. My Grandmother, Jody Owens, was my best friend: she taught me to be unapologetically me. Any problem I had, story I wanted to share, or things to cry about, she was always by my side. From my kindergarten graduation to my high school graduation, and my leave to college -- there was never a time she was not with me to support me. February 13, 2024 was when my entire world crumbled -- I had lost her and everything went dark. I was halfway through my sophomore year, and had never experienced a death in my immediate family, much less my world. At the time, I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to continue on in my life without her, and it felt wrong to continue in my academics without properly grieving her. I was a thousand miles from home and had never felt so alone. I had no motivation to do anything, as I felt like I had lost my sense of purpose. My grades began to slip, and I had no desire or want for anything. Days began to bleed together, and I felt like I was in the passenger seat of my own mind. As I continued to spiral, I reminicised on the last moments I got to see my grandmother over a FaceTime call. She saw my tears, smiled, and mouthed the words in her last few breaths, "It's going to be okay, don't cry." Those words are forever written on my heart, and are what pulled me out of the deep dark place I was in. I knew that instead of throwing my own life away because of a loss, I needed to live and continue on with mine. Everyday I spent moving forward I pictured my grandmother, cheering me on like she always had. I wanted to achieve greatness. The reason why I have such a deep passion for pursuing a career in STEM is because I wanted to make a difference in the world by helping those who weren't as fortunate as me. Being able to give, or aid someone, has always left a warm feeling in my hear since I was young. As a black woman in this field, I believe that we need more representation. I want to be included in this change! Since I was younger I have been raised by my single mother - and I saw a woman who gave constant sacrifice for my happiness. She has always shown me the true meaning of unconditional love. My mother has shown me that with hard work and determination, anything is possible: all you need is you. As of right now, she is working two jobs to help provide for my tuition as a full time student. I would love to be able to take some stress off her back as she is constantly putting my needs before hers. This scholarship would help in aiding me to shift my focus more on my studies rather than financial stressors. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to me, and to my mother.

Growing up when we were asked "Who's your favorite superhero?" I didn't have the typical answer of Batman, Spiderman or Wonderwoman. My answer was always the same person: my mother. You could say technically that's not the right answer, but my mom played the same role a superhero did for me -- in my darkest hours and lowest times, my mom was always there to come to my rescue and lift me up. From the start, I always had closer bond with my mother -- we had to for survival -- we were all we had to each other. She is my world. As I grew into a woman, I realized not only how much she was a superhero to me, she was also my role model. She had shown me what it was like to be a devoted, hard working woman. We had a rough come up, but she proved to me that anyone is capable of making name for themselves. That in itself had inspired me to further my education, not only as a first generation college student, but as a first generation college student who is a black woman in STEM. The world is constantly changing, and it is my dream to continue to the beneficial change. Thanks to my mother, I had learned the power of hard work, passion, and authenticity. It is my dream to make a name for myself, pave my own path, and give back to my mother who worked so hard to provide for us both. I often think of the quote that Jo March says in the movie Little Women: "Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as just beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I'm so sick of it." I remember hearing that quote for the first time without the realization that it would be instilled in me forever. I am a passionate feminist and believe that women are such excellent creatures capable of so much talent and change. I feel blessed that I am able to pursue a higher education in the field of STEM -- especially being that I am a woman of color. I would like to have not only more representation for the black community, but also more representation for the women who need and deserve it. So because of women like my mother, Jo March, and even Barbie, who made me realize that a woman is capable of doing anything -- I stand here today to make my mark as a woman in the STEM world.

Obstacles can be abstract in some instances. I think for me, my obstacle was more mental than it was physical. I often deal with anxiety and depression, and unfortunately this has affected me since I can remember. Growing up, it often limited me in the way I lived my life, from interacting with others, creating new memories, experiencing new things, and even loving myself. There were some points in my life where I thought I would be better off no longer being here. This was, and still sometimes is one of the largest obstacles of my life, and being that it is not a physical obstacle, I know that it will always linger in the back of my mind. At the time, it felt like tons of heavy baggage that I had to drag everywhere with me. I was convinced this was how I would be the rest of my life, and it was extremely discouraging. I lost motivation and fire for my passions and wants. To me, there wasn't any reason for me to keep trying. I just stayed stagnant, still. I began to fall behind in my education, as I felt burnt out and hopeless. I cannot tell you an exact mark in which I had this revelation. But I can say, there person who helped me overcome that obstacle was me, and that is the beauty of it. I just had one day where I sat and thought about how the only person who could control my future was myself. I was and am my biggest opponent, and realized this is a fight between me and myself only. I had the capability of building my dream future with hard work and determination. Seeing the letters of acceptance from universities I had no faith I'd be accepted in was like a breath of fresh air. I tried remembering the feeling of joy and accomplishment I had whenever reading those letters. I wanted to keep that feeling forever, so I used it as motivation to work harder to maintain my peace and happiness. I think that there are a lot of people who are afraid to speak on their mental health in fear of being judged, but I think it certain ways opening up about it is a beautiful thing because it makes you gain a different perspective on your life. That is what it did for me. At the end of the day, I know my greatest obstacle will always be myself, but I can also be my biggest motivator. As cliche as it might sound, faith in yourself can overpower fear. Looking in the mirror and seeing I had so much potential to shape my own future regardless of the bumps I might have in the road is what made me the person I am today as a person and as a student.

Growing up, I was never not provided for; but being naive as a child, I had no idea the work my family had put in to raise me -- the saying it takes a village is true. Having grandparents that grew up in rough, low-income neighborhoods who made a name for themselves as they progressed throughout their lives showed me the true meaning of hard work and how it can take you places. Growing up as a black person, not only that but a black woman, you are automatically put at a disadvantage -- at first I saw it as an obstacle, because from the start I realized it was never going to be easy for me, and it was difficult watching all of my other friends while their parents gifted them with cars, vacations, and money. Instead I decided to look at the struggles and obstacles life presented me with as the opportunity to grow even stronger, physically and mentally. Life is never going to be easy -- for others some things may come with less difficulty, yes, but everyone at some point has to struggle, and this was a lesson I learned and am continuing to learn. I embraced what I am and all that I came from, and instead decided to love the life I was given instead of wishing it was someone else's. J. Cole says there's 'no such thing as a life that's better than yours' and I've come to learn that throughout the years. This mentality has pushed me through all of my trials. Knowing that my family has sacrificed all they had to raise me, I would like to be able to give back to them all they have to me first. My dream career would be to become a dermatologist; I have been interested in this topic since I was 13 years old and would like to give back to my community by building my own practice to be able to help others with their confidence and mental health through their skin. I had to learn the hard way, but through this I would like to make it so that others would have easy access to medicines and solutions for their skin and proper resources to be taught what they need for their health.

Self care is a very important aspect of life that all humans need. No matter how together a persons life may seem, we all still need self care in order to take step back from the chaos to just take a deep breath in and out. It varies in many ways than just one, which is what makes it so beautiful. It doesn't always have to be bubble baths and face-masks (which is something I still enjoy a lot doing for my own self care). For me, I tend to take on too much at once, so there are times that I can get easily overwhelmed. So, self care for me means putting on my head phones and blasting my favorite music alone in my room. It means lighting my favorite-smelling candle, maybe ordering my favorite meal or dessert to eat, meditating, or scrolling through online clothing stores to catch up on shopping. We all have our flaws, so self care isn't going to be the exact same thing for everyone. Without it, us in a society wouldn't be able to enjoy the finer, simpler things in life that we normally aren't able to stop and appreciate in day to day life. It lets the mind relax, and allows you to rest and enjoy the things you love.

If I had to pick someone that I would say is my role model or my hero, it would be my mother. No one has taught me about work ethic and dedication the way she has. She had a child when she was a child herself -- yet still managed to finish college with a four-year degree, buy a home, and give me all that I needed growing up - all on her own. From that day forward it was and still is my goal to work as hard as I can to give everything she had sacrificed in order to provide to me back to her. I had learned the value of hard work and how it can genuinely take you places, no matter your situation. I spent countless nights staying up studying, coming home late after working long shifts at work, and gave up my off days and weekends to put in more work. I had learned that sometimes sacrifice is needed for improvement and greatness. During my middle school years, I had a rough time learning about my blackness and how it was important knowing about where I came from -- after all I had went to a predominantly white school and had to deal with a fair amount of discrimination and feeling like an outsider, because I wasn't like a lot of the other students -- I was and still now am the only black woman that's in my entire senior class. However, as I grew, I learned the greatness of my culture and it's origins, and not to be ashamed of it. It gave me all the more reason to represent my people in the school that I was in, whether that be educating other students on it, to posting about it, even to wearing my afro out more, regardless of all the 'can I touch your hair?' questions. I had became more confident in myself and was motivated to advocate for black women and men alike. I had later peaked an interest in Dermatology, where I decided that I wanted to go to college for Dermatology so that I could help others with their confidence and their skin. My goal is to inspire others to be great-- and to never doubt themselves or their potential.