Heritage is not just about the traditions we carry or the culture we represent, it’s about the traits that are passed down through generations, connecting us to the strength and wisdom of those who came before us. My Native American roots, deeply tied to the Blackfoot Tribe, are a constant source of pride and inspiration. One of the most remarkable qualities carried by the women in my family is our incredible intuition, a gift that feels almost sacred, connecting us to something greater than ourselves. For as long as I can remember, my family has told stories about how the women of our lineage have had the ability to sense things before they happen. One story that stands out involves my grandmother, whose intuition saved my brother from harm. When my brother was just a baby, my grandmother awoke in the middle of the night from a vivid dream. In it, she saw my brother falling out of his crib. Disturbed by the dream, she immediately called my mom - her daughter - to tell her what she had seen. My mom, though initially startled by the call, decided to check on my brother. As soon as she entered his room, she watched in disbelief as the front of the crib gave way, and my brother began to tumble out. Thanks to my grandmother’s unshakable intuition, my mom was there to catch him in time. This story has always stayed with me as a powerful reminder of the strength passed down through our family. The intuition of the Blackfoot women is more than just a feeling, but a force that protects and guides us. It’s almost as if we are in tune with an unseen rhythm of the world, picking up on shifts and whispers that others might overlook. I am grateful to say that this trait has been passed down to me. My intuition feels like an extension of who I am, something rooted not only in my mind but deep in my bones. There are moments when I can sense that something significant is about to happen. Sometimes, I can clearly identify what it is, like knowing when someone is going to call with news or when a decision I’m considering will take a certain turn. Other times, the feeling lingers, vague and undefined, until the moment reveals itself. In those instances, it’s like a light bulb goes off in my mind, and I think, Ah, so that’s what the feeling was about. This gift is more than just a skill or instinct, it’s a bond that ties me to the women who came before me in the Blackfoot Tribe. The spirituality of my heritage reminds me of the strength and resilience of my ancestors, who relied on their intuition not only for survival but also for guidance in life. I carry this gift with pride, knowing it is a reflection of the powerful women in my family and the rich cultural legacy of the Blackfoot Tribe. In a world that often values logic over intuition, I’ve learned to trust this innate gift. It has been a source of clarity, protection, and even comfort in my life. My grandmother’s dream that saved my brother is just one example of how this gift works in mysterious and awe-inspiring ways. As a Blackfoot woman, I am honored to be part of this legacy and to carry forward the intuition that has guided our family for generations.

Throughout my life, I have faced challenges that have shaped who I am today and influenced my career aspirations. Struggling with mental health from a young age, I went through years of uncertainty, trying to understand what I was experiencing while also trying to convince others that I needed help. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Major Moderate Depressive Disorder and Chronic Generalized Anxiety that I began to understand my struggles. While the journey to receiving treatment was difficult, it taught me the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and the power of mental health awareness. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others overcome their own struggles—especially in the medical field, where I can make a positive difference in people’s lives. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to gain a wealth of experience that has not only solidified my passion for healthcare but has also allowed me to directly help others. For two and a half years, I was apart of my high school’s athletic training program, helping athletes prevent and recover from injuries. This experience allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the importance of physical health and how it affects people’s daily lives. By providing injury prevention, immediate care, and rehabilitation, with the help of my team, I was able to make a tangible impact on the athletes I worked with. Ensuring that they could continue to participate in their sports and lead healthier, more active lives. In addition to my experience in athletic training, I had the opportunity to observe a variety of medical departments during my time at Memorial Hermann Hospital. I spent time in Labor & Delivery, ICU, Radiology, Wound Care, and many more. These experiences deepened my understanding of the healthcare field and allowed me to witness firsthand the critical roles that medical professionals play in patients’ lives. Whether it was seeing the joy of a new parent in Labor & Delivery or observing the life-saving interventions in the ICU, each experience reinforced my desire to pursue a career where I could provide compassionate care to those in need. One experience that had a profound impact on my future career aspirations was my time observing in an optometrist’s office. It was there that I realized my true passion for the medical field, specifically in optometry. I saw how an optometrist could help patients not only improve their vision but also their quality of life. The ability to restore someone’s sight and enhance their ability to connect with the world around them left a lasting impression on me. It became clear that this was the path I wanted to pursue, where I could blend my love for healthcare with my desire to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Through my experiences, I’ve come to realize that my purpose is to help others improve their quality of life, whether that means providing physical care as an athletic trainer, offering medical support in a hospital setting, or restoring someone’s vision as an optometrist. My struggles with mental health have given me the empathy and resilience to approach my future patients with understanding and compassion. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my career by providing care that not only improves people’s physical health but also helps them find the peace and contentment they deserve. Whether through eye care or general health, I hope to be a source of support and encouragement for others, just as I have needed in my own journey.

Success means different things to different people. Some may view it as financial freedom, while others may equate it with status or popularity. There are those who define success by their ability to come up with groundbreaking solutions to the world’s problems. However, I view success as something that’s not about achieving a specific milestone or accumulating wealth, but about the feeling of contentment. Contentment, as I see it, is a peaceful state where you are grounded, at peace with who you are, and satisfied with where you are in life. It is a state of being where you are neither overwhelmed by the chaos of the world nor stuck in a repetitive routine. Instead, it’s finding balance through everything that life throws your way. While many may disagree, seeing contentment as “boring” or even passive, I find it to be the most profound form of success. It’s not about having constant excitement or a busy calendar. It’s not about frequent vacations or material acquisitions. Instead, it’s about peace of mind—being happy with who you are, where you are, and who you surround yourself with. Whether you are young or old, no matter how far you’ve come in your journey or how others perceive your progress, if you feel at peace with yourself and your environment, that is true success. For me, success is found in the simplicity of feeling at home in your own life, regardless of external pressures. In today’s fast-paced world, where people are often chasing the next big thing, success is often defined as accomplishments. However, this can sometimes lead to burnout or disillusionment. I believe success is not a constant state of action but rather a balance of both ambition and inner peace. It’s about knowing when to push forward, but also recognizing when to pause and appreciate the present moment. In my life, success is less about external markers and more about creating an internal sense of peace and contentment. This perspective of success is what drives my ambition in pursuing a career in optometry. I want to help others achieve a sense of contentment in their own lives by ensuring they have the proper vision care to live their daily lives without worry. Many people take their eyesight for granted, but vision problems can create significant mental and emotional stress. With my experience of observation in an office, I’ve witnessed firsthand how visual impairments can affect one’s confidence, relationships, and overall sense of well-being. It’s my goal to become a part of the solution, offering care and support to those who struggle with their vision, so they can experience the peace of mind that comes with seeing the world clearly. This scholarship opportunity is crucial to helping me achieve that success. The funds would help me further my education in optometry, which will equip me with the knowledge and skills to assist others in overcoming their vision struggles. By gaining the proper education, I will be able to provide high-quality eye care, helping others live more content lives by improving their vision. To me, this is the path to both personal and professional success. By finding fulfillment in helping others reach a state of peace and contentment in their own lives. The scholarship will also allow me to continue my studies without the burden of financial stress, enabling me to stay focused on my goal of becoming an optometrist. The road to becoming a healthcare professional requires dedication and time, and financial assistance would greatly ease the pressures that could otherwise distract me from my purpose. With this opportunity, I can concentrate fully on my education and training, ensuring that I am well-prepared to serve my future patients with empathy and expertise. In the end, success is a deeply personal experience. For me, it’s not about how much I achieve or how others perceive my accomplishments. It’s about the ability to look at my life and feel a deep sense of contentment. If I can help others feel that same peace through the work I will do in optometry, then I will have achieved success in the most meaningful way possible. This scholarship will bring me closer to that vision, allowing me to pursue my education and ultimately help others experience the comfort and contentment that comes from taking care of one’s health—both physical and mental. That is my idea of success, and this opportunity is an essential step toward realizing it.

For much of my adolescence, I struggled with mental health challenges that I couldn’t fully understand or address. My journey toward receiving a diagnosis of Major Moderate Depressive Disorder and Chronic Generalized Anxiety was long, frustrating, and isolating. Between the ages of 11 and 17, I searched desperately for answers, all while navigating a family environment that was uneducated about the realities of mental health struggles. This experience fundamentally shaped who I am today, instilling resilience, self-advocacy, and a deep desire to help others. The path to my diagnosis was marked by trial and error, self-doubt, and countless remedies that failed to provide lasting relief. For years, I juggled between denying that anything was wrong with me and trying to convince others that I needed help. I felt trapped in a cycle of internal turmoil, with no clear way out. Finally accepting that I had a problem was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Even harder was pushing past the stigma and advocating for myself until I received the diagnosis and treatment I needed. Getting to that point required immense hope and perseverance, and it taught me to set small, achievable goals along the way to bigger milestones. Those years of struggle shaped my goals and outlook on life. I learned that progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. I also realized the importance of being a source of support for others who may feel the way I once did. My ultimate goal is to become someone who helps others hold on a little longer, to be the person who reminds them that their struggles can be overcome. For me, pursuing a career in optometry is a way to achieve this. The eyes, often called “the windows to the soul,” reveal so much about a person, not just their physical health, but also their emotions and inner life. As an optometrist, I hope to see people not only in the literal sense but also in a deeper, metaphorical way. Vision problems can significantly impact mental health. Poor vision can isolate people, hinder their confidence, and make everyday tasks feel incapable. I want to address this connection by improving people’s vision, which in turn can enhance their quality of life and mental well-being. Knowing that I can help someone see the world more clearly—both physically and emotionally—drives my passion for this field. My experience with mental health has also reshaped my relationships and understanding of the world. I’ve learned to approach others with greater empathy, knowing that struggles are often hidden beneath the surface. This understanding has strengthened my relationships and deepened my commitment to supporting those around me. It has also given me a broader perspective on the importance of mental health education and advocacy. Through my struggles, I became stronger, more self-aware, and more determined to create a meaningful life. My journey has taught me that challenges are not obstacles but stepping stones toward growth. By turning my pain into purpose, I hope to help others see their struggles in the same light, and understand that their suffering can lead to healing, renewal, and a feeling of empowerment.