When I was in 4th grade, I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. At the time, I didn’t understand what it was, but it sounded long and intimidating. I was sent home from school to rest, which felt like a relief - until I realized how serious it was. For the first time, I could barely walk, breathe, or talk. My body was telling me something was wrong, but I didn’t know how to ask for help. I was always a shy child and rarely went to the nurse’s office unless I had to. But this time was different. That Monday morning, I was coughing up phlegm, and when I saw blood in my tissue, I gained the courage to tell my teacher. Soon after, I was taken to the nurse’s office, where I found myself terrified. The nurse whom I had always been afraid of due to her impatience, quickly took my temperature. It was 103°F - a fever that called for immediate attention. My father was called, and as I struggled to speak, he hurried to pick me up for an early dismissal. We went straight to the emergency room, where I took blood draws, a CT scan, and an MRI. Following the diagnosis, I didn’t fully grasp the severity. I soon learned how serious it could be. With two weeks off school, antibiotics, and a nebulizer, I began to heal. The phlegm cleared, I could breathe easier, and my strength returned. But the experience stayed with me. My journey toward healthcare didn’t begin due to that illness but by my desire to help others who, like me, are hesitant to seek medical attention out of fear. Growing up, I often avoided doctors because I was afraid of the worst. I know this fear is shared by many in underrepresented communities who may not have access to the same quality of care and often feel dismissed by medical professionals. From this, I learned that prevention is always better than a cure. A traumatic example that reinforced this occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when my uncle experienced serious health complications. Despite his symptoms, he avoided going to the doctor, believing his issues weren’t serious because he had been told “there’s nothing wrong” during past visits. Shortly after, he passed away suddenly, and the cause of his death was linked to his untreated complications. This experience, along with my internship at ABO Pharmacy, confirmed my desire to pursue medicine. While my tasks primarily involved restocking and checking expiration dates, my curiosity led me to inquire about the purpose of each medication and how they improve patient health. I continued to understand the powerful impact healthcare professionals have on improving lives. In addition to my medical aspirations, I’m actively engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities that contribute to my personal growth and leadership skills. As a varsity track and field athlete, I’ve learned perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. Being the Head of my high school’s Health Professions Club, I lead initiatives to educate my peers about health and wellness. I also create content as a YouTube creator, which allows me to engage with a wider audience and share ideas about health and lifestyle. Lastly, I’ve been able to explore my creativity and patience as a self-taught hair stylist, constantly learning new skills. With my passion for healthcare and my dedication to community service, I am confident that I can make a meaningful difference in the world. I will continue to learn, grow, and advocate for those who need it most, ensuring that healthcare is a source of support and empowerment for all.

BOOM. That was the sound I heard from downstairs, like a chair or a table falling. As I rushed down to the dining room, I found my dad hugging my brother on the ground in a way that appeared comforting but also restraining. I was only eight and too young to understand what Bipolar Depression Disorder was. It was another one of my brother’s many manic and terrifying episodes. As I got older, I was able to notice and process the difference in my brother’s behaviors. To this day, I remain curious about his motive for certain actions, or specifically, the way he thinks. My curiosity and concern led me to take a psychology course at John Jay College during my first semester of senior year in high school. This course allowed me to understand my brother's depression disorder, health psychology, and the development of humans. Not only was I able to connect with others from this course, but I was able to better understand myself as well. This experience shaped my decision to continue studying how we as humans interact with our natural, social, and built environments. I always knew I wanted to be a medical doctor but this exposure made me aspire to become a Pediatric Psychiatrist. Interning at a local Brooklyn pharmacy the summer after my sophomore year of high school, confirmed my passion for wanting to go into the field of medicine. Being surrounded by health professionals willing to mentor and teach me about modern prescriptions inspired me to dive into health studies, and further learn how to support those with a diagnosis similar to my brother’s. Studying abroad in Florence, Italy, one summer also motivated me to expand my knowledge in the health studies field. Experiencing Food, Health, and Wellness in a European country taught me the importance of the Mediterranean diet. It was intriguing to notice the differences between the Italian food I ate compared to what I regularly consume in the United States. I want to continue building on this knowledge and apply it in other areas of my daily life. My intended major in psychology will continue building my understanding of the idea that “health is wealth”- both physical and mental. With the intent of studying psychology on a pre-medical track, I plan to be involved in applicable student organizations. I am intrigued by the various translational research opportunities and resources offered to students by Howard University’s Pre-medical program. Serving as a Student Equity and Emotions Youth Leader- bringing lower-class men together in my school community- has shaped my desire to be a voice not only for future patients but also for people from underserved communities. Growing up in a Caribbean household, mental health usually goes unnoticed. If one seeks professional help for their mental health, they are referred to as "cowardly or weak-minded". However, there are still some people who struggle to control their emotions and are vulnerable. I want to push towards a future where mental health matters and suicide prevention is taken into greater consideration. As humans, we all have emotions and not everyone can handle them efficiently without the help of others. All in all, receiving an education will allow me to step towards achieving a future where mental health is more acknowledged. Receiving the Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship will ease my finances, leaving me to focus solely on my studies with less money burdens. My personal and familial experiences, combined with my work and academics, have driven my passion for understanding the complexity of human health in modern society. I am confident that I will make a change and promote a future where mental health in society is recognized and put into perspective.