I've decided to enter two of my favorite poems because I couldn't choose just one! From a Child to Her Mother The love I have for you is something I always keep It rivals the bright blue sky on a sunny day Or the soft melodies you sing to me as I’m rocked to sleep Not many words can express what I feel, so I’ll just say: That without you, the grass would wither The stars at night would dim into nothing The lakes would be dry, and so would every once-running river Now it would seem that I am bluffing Yet every single word I’ve spoken is true Without your love, I would never have experienced something as beautiful as you Imagination Whenever I see you out my window from afar I always wonder: ‘Do you see the love I have for you in my heart?’ Despite that question, I know the answer, so I wish upon a star A hope that one day the relationship I dream of would start To see another hold your hand and kiss your cheek Makes the pain inside more prominent than before There are times it overwhelms me so much my body grows weak That somedays I want nothing to do but curl up on the floor And as tears cloud, my eyes and my vision goes blur A single vision fills my head: of your love-filled eyes looking at me the same way you do her

My name is Kierra Thrill, and I am thrilled to share my passion for making a positive impact on my community. As a senior at Kingsbury High School, I am currently exploring the possibility of pursuing a career as a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife. The reason why I am so passionate about this career path is due to the countless cases of medical negligence, particularly among women of color. I strongly believe that by becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife, I can make a significant difference in preventing unnecessary deaths and improving the quality of care for all patients. I am inspired by the need to address the alarming racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths that African American and Native American women face. It is unacceptable that these groups are particularly vulnerable to medical negligence during pregnancy and childbirth, and I am determined to help address this issue by becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife. I have been passionate about helping others from a young age, and pursuing a career in medicine is an ideal way for me to make a positive impact. In terms of my diet, I used to have unhealthy eating habits that were partially due to my economic status. I grew up eating preserved or junk foods, and although I had a basic understanding of how important it is to watch what I consume, I never really cared how much I ate as long as it wasn't the main foods that could lead to big diseases such as diabetes. However, my perspective on my diet has shifted recently thanks to taking dual enrollment classes, including Nutrition 101. This class was chosen for its convenience, as it was offered at the college I've applied to, and because it is a course that I will have to take later in my BSN program. Since taking the class, I have become more conscious of what I eat and have made micro-adjustments to my diet. I now have a better understanding of the benefits of certain foods and the impact they can have on my future health. I am committed to continuing to make positive changes to my diet and to advocating for healthy eating habits in my community. In conclusion, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story and passion for making a positive impact in my community. Pursuing a career in medicine will allow me to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, particularly in addressing the alarming racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. I am excited to continue learning and growing as I work towards my goal of becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife, and I am committed to promoting healthy eating habits in my community along the way

I aspire to become a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife because I am passionate about helping others, particularly in addressing the alarming racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. African American and Native American women are particularly vulnerable to medical negligence during pregnancy and childbirth, and I believe that by becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife, I can help address this issue. My passion for becoming a medical doctor stems from my desire to make a difference in my community. I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of medical negligence, particularly among women of color, and I believe that by becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife, I can help prevent unnecessary deaths and improve the quality of care for all patients. I am particularly drawn to the field of obstetrics and gynecology, as I believe that this is an area where I can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of women. In terms of my academic pursuits, I have decided to major in Nursing with the option of minoring in business administration, accounting, or management. I have chosen Nursing as my major because I believe that it is an excellent foundation for pursuing a career in medicine. Upon receiving my BSN from the University of Memphis, I plan to pursue my MSN to eventually become a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). With the skills I've gained as a CNM and the minor(s), I will invest and build alongside my sister to establish a private birthing clinic. Providing a safe environment for expecting mothers, especially black and brown women, is a cause that is close to my heart, and I believe that establishing a private birthing clinic is an excellent way to make a difference in my community. In terms of books that have shaped my perspective, I have read a variety of books on healthcare and social justice, including "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot and "Medical Apartheid" by Harriet A. Washington. These books have given me a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to healthcare disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. Additionally, I have participated in a variety of social activities due to my schools NAF Academy of Health Science, including volunteering for elementary health screenings (that was held in our school's elementary) and participating in healthcare-related advocacy groups such as the Tobacco Prevention Youth Counci, to even meeting and giving advice to younger students who are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. These experiences have helped me develop my skills as a leader and a compassionate caregiver, and I believe that they will serve me well in my future endeavors. In conclusion, I am passionate about becoming a medical doctor or certified nurse midwife because I want to make a difference in my community by addressing the racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. By pursuing a career in healthcare, I believe that I can help prevent unnecessary deaths and improve the quality of care for all patients. My academic pursuits, as well as my experiences in social and charitable activities, have prepared me well for this journey, and I am excited to see where my passion and dedication will take me.

As someone who has grown up with parents who were very caring towards me, I have learned to appreciate the importance of acknowledging and asking for the well-being of others. I believe that showing concern for others is a way of expressing love towards them, and I try to emulate this in my everyday life. I often go out of my way to lend a helping hand or even just offer a smile to those around me, especially if I know they are going through a tough time. One of my most significant strengths is my thirst for knowledge and my ability to think critically. From a young age, I have been recognized as a gifted child, and this has enabled me to retain a lot of information, especially when it comes to topics that interest me. I have always been passionate about nursing and medical anatomy, and I have been placed in special advanced programs, such as C.L.U.E, to further my knowledge in these areas. I am proud of being known as a smart student, and I believe that my passion for learning and improving myself will help me achieve my goals in the future. I am not afraid to take risks, and I believe that sometimes, taking the road less traveled can lead to the greatest rewards. In my 11th and 12th grade years, I started to take more risky plans because I realized that taking the same safe and boring route did not always lead to diverse results. I know that not everything in life will result in the outcome that I want, but I am willing to take big risks, especially when it comes to investments that will benefit women. As someone who has lived in poverty, I understand the importance of taking risks to achieve success. Growing up with a twin sister has helped me to become an excellent communicator. I have had countless debates and reading sessions with her, and this has allowed me to develop my communication skills. I am known as one of the best articulated students at my school, and I take pride in my ability to express my thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. Additionally, I have a keen sense of emotional intelligence, and I can pick up on other people's emotions based on their verbal and bodily language. This helps me to build strong relationships with those around me and to empathize with them on a deeper level. In summary, my caring nature, thirst for knowledge, risk-taking, and communication skills are some of the most prominent traits in my character. I believe that these traits have contributed to my success in various aspects of life, and I strive to embody them in my everyday life. I am proud of who I am and confident that these traits will help me achieve my goals and make a positive impact in the world.

A loss I had in my life was the death of my father in June 2020. Experiencing both a global pandemic and lockdown during my freshman year of high school was, surprisingly, not a hardship that affected me as much as others. My family was all introverted in some ways, so being isolated in our home for months had little effect on our dynamic; in fact, we were happier to spend more time together. That was until my father had a stroke, forcing us to scramble in panic as he lay in the hospital, trying to figure out how to pay for the impending expensive medical bills, especially since he had no insurance. Not wanting to leave my mother to deal with this alone, I mentally planned out how I could assist during his recovery process: graduate early and take a gap year for college in order to get a job to pay bills and keep us from being evicted. Unfortunately, that plan was cut short when he went into heart failure and the medical staff was unable to revive him. My world was turned upside down the moment I found out. Everything seemed surreal as if it were all a bad dream that I would eventually wake up from. I felt numb, barely motivated to do the bare necessities like eat or bathe. It wasn't until I saw my mother crying to herself that I truly began to change my depressed behavior. I decided to channel the hurt and pain I felt as a result of his death into motivation to become the woman he always said I would be. I made an effort to study more and turn in all of my work, I became more social and outgoing like him, and I prioritized my education so that I could care for my family just as he had done for us. As a senior in 2023, I am proof of my hard work and dedication by being ranked second in my graduating class and having the reputation of an excellent student. Once graduating and entering college, I plan to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. This particular career path was inspired by the alarming number of racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths, primarily of African American and Native American women, as a result of medical negligence by those they've trusted with their lives. Researching all of the steps needed, I've decided to major in Nursing with the option of minoring in either business administration, accounting, or management. With the skills I've gained as a CNM and the minor(s), I will invest and build alongside my sister to establish a private birthing clinic. Providing a safe environment for expecting mothers (especially black and brown) to can give birth without fear of their skin color determining the quality of their care.

Ever since I was young, any job that pertained to me having a white lab coat with a stethoscope and clipboard was what I wanted to be. Though, once I realized I could not be everything at the same time, I settled for the profession of a veterinarian until my freshman year of high school, when I began to wonder if it was truly the occupation for me. Especially when I discovered the average number of years it takes to become a veterinarian, as well as the financial difficulties that a person in my family's economic class face on their journey to become one. It is where I began my search for a job that would not only meet my standard of being able to care for the health of others but also where I could obtain a career that would financially keep me afloat with a stable income within at least five years. The summer before my junior year, I decided what I wanted to be: a Certified Nurse Midwife. This particular career path was inspired by the alarming number of racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths, primarily of African American and Native American women, as a result of medical negligence by those they've trusted with their lives. Researching all of the steps needed, I've decided to major in Nursing with the option of minoring in either business administration, accounting, or management. Upon receiving my BSN from the University of Memphis, I plan to pursue my MSN to eventually become a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife). With the skills I've gained as a CNM and the minor(s), I will invest and build alongside my sister to establish a private birthing clinic. Providing a safe environment for expecting mothers (especially black and brown) to can give birth without fear of their skin color determining the quality of their care. Once gaining enough money from my clinic, I will buy plots around neighborhoods and establish community gardens. Not only will it provide fresh and non-processed foods for many, but also help clear some of the air pollution. Volunteering can be optional for neighborhood clean-up, which the trash/usable waste will be used for compost. Also, the produce can be sold at cheap and reasonable prices while those who volunteered get their produce for free. The profits made from the community gardens will be given to local low-funded public schools to help purchase new supplies and fix any broken/damaged property.