The first time I looked through an anatomy textbook and saw the complexity of the human body, I was amazed. Every bone, muscle, and system seemed like part of a perfectly designed map, each playing a vital role in keeping us alive and thriving. I remember tracing the diagrams of the heart, fascinated by how a network of vessels could keep blood flowing to every cell in our body. That moment sparked something in me a curiosity about science and health that has only grown stronger over time. While I’m not yet 100% sure of my future specialty, I know that studying anatomy and biology will be the foundation of my career, whether I choose to become a doctor, researcher, or another type of healthcare professional. I have always loved understanding how things work, especially the human body. I enjoy learning about how our organs, tissues, and systems connect and communicate, and I find it fascinating how even a small imbalance can impact everything. Anatomy and biology are not just subjects I study in school they are fields that fuel my curiosity and make me excited about the future. My goal is to use this passion to help others live healthier lives, especially those who may not always have access to the care or resources they need. My academic journey so far has prepared me to pursue this path. At Cab Calloway School of the Arts, I maintained a 4.6 GPA while balancing a challenging workload, including advanced science courses. Cab Calloway also gave me a strong foundation in discipline and creativity, thanks to my years as a dancer. Dance taught me how to push through difficult moments and pay attention to detail, which mirrors the perseverance required to succeed in science. Those skills have given me the confidence to tackle complex subjects like biology and anatomy with determination and focus. Although I’ve been fortunate to have support from my family, the rising cost of higher education has been one of my biggest challenges. Attending college and pursuing a STEM degree requires not only hard work but also financial resources, which are not always easy to access. Scholarships like the Eric W. Larson Scholarship give students like me the chance to focus on learning, research, and personal growth instead of worrying about how to pay for every step of the journey. I also understand that, as a young Black woman in STEM, I am entering a field where representation is still lacking. There have been times when I looked around my advanced science classes and saw very few faces like mine. Rather than being discouraged, I see this as an opportunity to pave the way for others. Representation matters it shows young girls of color that they can achieve success in fields that may not always feel welcoming. Eric Larson’s belief in gender and racial equality inspires me because I want to be a voice and example for others who have the passion and talent to thrive in STEM but may not always see themselves represented. While I am still exploring exactly which career in health sciences I will pursue, I know I want to work in a field where I can combine science with service. Whether through medicine, research, or another area, I want to apply my love of anatomy and biology to create real solutions for people’s health challenges. I am particularly interested in studying how the body’s systems interact and how diseases or conditions can disrupt those processes. Learning about these connections excites me because it’s like solving a puzzle one that can directly improve lives. Looking ahead, I envision myself not only working in healthcare or research but also helping others enter the field. I believe strongly in mentoring and creating opportunities for young women of color to succeed in STEM. I want to encourage others to embrace their curiosity about science and not let obstacles, whether financial or societal, hold them back. My goal is to make an impact not just through my future career, but also by helping the next generation of STEM leaders find their voice and path. Receiving the Eric W. Larson Scholarship would be a tremendous honor and a turning point in my journey. It would allow me to focus on my studies at Pace University, where I will major in biology, without constantly worrying about financial challenges. More importantly, it would inspire me to live out the values that Eric Larson believed in perseverance, education, and equality. His advocacy for women and people of color in STEM is a reminder that we all have the power to create change when we support one another. I see science as more than a career path, it is a calling. Whether I choose to focus on medicine, research, or another area of health sciences, I know I will dedicate my life to making a positive difference. I will use my education to solve problems, inspire others, and work toward a future where diversity and innovation thrive together. This scholarship would not only make it financially possible for me to take the next steps in my education but would also allow me to carry forward Eric Larson’s legacy of breaking barriers and building opportunities. I am ready to face the challenges ahead with determination, passion, and the belief that the work I do in STEM will create lasting change.

I grew up surrounded by the belief that education is not just a path to personal success but a responsibility, an opportunity to use knowledge to uplift others. As a young Muslim woman, I have learned that my identity is both my foundation and my motivation. It has taught me the importance of faith, perseverance, and the courage to dream beyond limitations. These values have shaped every step of my educational journey and inspired my ultimate goal: to become a doctor of endocrinology who not only heals but also empowers the next generation. From an early age, I have been fascinated by science and the human body. I love how biology answers complex questions about life and health, and I see medicine as a field where I can make a direct impact on people’s lives. At Cab Calloway School of the Arts, I balanced my love for academics with a passion for the arts and graduated with a 4.6 GPA. It was through these experiences that I learned discipline, time management, and how to thrive in challenging environments. My acceptance to Pace University, where I am majoring in Biology, marks the first step toward my lifelong dream of becoming a physician. My journey, however, has not been without challenges. As a Muslim young woman, I have often felt the weight of being underrepresented in certain spaces. Rather than discouraging me, these experiences have motivated me to work harder and set an example for others. My faith has been a source of strength, teaching me patience, compassion, and the belief that every struggle is an opportunity for growth. I want to carry these lessons into my career, where I will advocate for diverse voices in medicine and ensure that every patient is treated with empathy and respect. Looking ahead, my goals are rooted in service and mentorship. I plan to pay it forward by creating pathways for future students, especially Muslim girls and women who aspire to enter science, medicine, and other fields where representation is often lacking. I hope to volunteer my time with youth mentorship programs, create workshops for young women interested in STEM, and serve as a mentor to those navigating the same challenges I have faced. Representation matters, and I want other young women to see that they, too, can pursue careers in healthcare or any field they dream of. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies without the heavy burden of financial stress. More importantly, it would symbolize a community of support, one that I am committed to building for those who come after me. My goal is not just to succeed but to create opportunities for others to succeed alongside me. Becoming a doctor is not just my career aspiration it is my way of making a lasting difference. With hard work, faith, and the support of scholarships like this one, I am determined to turn that vision into reality.

Essay: Wilmington Raised, Purpose Driven My name is Laila Jabbar-Bey, and I am a proud native of Wilmington, Delaware. From a young age, I’ve always felt connected to this city not just because it’s where I grew up, but because it’s where I learned the value of resilience, representation, and service. Wilmington shaped me, and now I want to give back by creating a life and career rooted in purpose and impact. This fall, I will be attending Pace University in New York City, majoring in biology on the pre-med track. My goal is to become a doctor of endocrinology, focusing on hormonal and metabolic health, particularly in underserved communities. I was drawn to endocrinology not only because of my interest in biology and how the body works, but also because I’ve seen firsthand how conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorders disproportionately affect communities of color, including people right here in Wilmington. I want to be part of the solution not just by treating symptoms, but by educating, advocating, and building trust in the medical field. Growing up, I often found myself in spaces where I was the only Black girl in the room whether in a dance studio or an honors science class. That experience wasn’t always easy, but it taught me to speak up, take up space, and help create environments where others could feel seen and valued too. I served as a leader in my high school’s Black Student Union, where I worked to amplify the voices of underrepresented students and advocate for a more inclusive school culture. I’ve also mentored younger students in STEM, helping them build confidence in their academic abilities. These experiences taught me that true leadership is about lifting others while moving forward yourself. The scholarship funds would help cover the cost of tuition, lab fees, and living expenses in New York City where the cost of college is high, especially for students like me who are balancing academic dreams with financial realities. More importantly, this scholarship would represent an investment in someone who is deeply committed to making a difference not just in her career, but in her community. I want to return to Wilmington one day as a physician, mentor, and advocate. Whether it’s through hosting free health clinics, developing science enrichment programs for students, or simply being a visible role model in medicine, I plan to use my education to create change from the inside out. Wilmington raised me, and I’m ready to represent it well in the world.

Essay: From Stage to Science — A Journey Rooted in Purpose “Mommy, why don’t I look like them?” I asked with quivering lips and a heavy heart. I was just a young Black girl in a dance class, searching for someone anyone who looked like me. That question became a quiet echo in many of the spaces I entered: dance studios, classrooms, leadership meetings, and science labs. It took years for me to realize that instead of searching for spaces that accepted me, I could build them myself. I grew up in predominantly white schools and dance environments where I constantly felt I had to prove that I belonged. I loved dance the freedom, the movement, the storytelling but too often, I felt invisible. In dance, the standards were rarely designed for girls with my skin tone, my hair, or my body type. But I didn’t quit. Instead, I pushed forward and used the art form to express my identity and resilience. That perseverance, born from feeling unseen, became the foundation for how I approach every challenge in my life. At my high school, I joined the Black Student Union and later became a leader. I worked to spotlight Black voices, highlight student talent, and create a space where people felt seen and heard. That same drive to uplift others showed up in my tutoring and mentoring, where I helped students struggling in STEM subjects build confidence and curiosity. One student told me she never thought she was “smart enough” for science until our sessions now she’s excited to take biology in high school. That moment stayed with me. I realized that empowering others is not only what I value it's who I am. Science became my second language, the one that helped me understand the world and myself. I fell in love with biology how organisms adapt, how the human body works, how movement and identity connect through biomechanics. My research project on how social comparison affects Black and white dance majors brought everything full circle. I wasn’t just learning; I was asking questions that mattered to me and my community. I was finding my voice in both the arts and sciences. I plan to major in biology at Pace University with the goal of becoming an endocrinologist. I’m especially interested in addressing diabetes and hormone disorders in underserved communities, where access to care is often limited and information is lacking. I’ve seen firsthand how racial disparities in healthcare impact people I love, and I want to change that. I want to create accessible, culturally informed care that empowers patients, not just treats them. Beyond medicine, I want to continue serving others. I hope to develop mentorship programs for Black students in STEM and create community-based health education initiatives focused on prevention and wellness. I want to use my platform as a doctor not only to heal but to teach, advocate, and inspire. Pace’s biology program, combined with its access to research opportunities, city-based internships, and diverse student body, will help me build the academic foundation I need. But even more importantly, I’ll be surrounded by voices, backgrounds, and perspectives that push me to grow. I know I have something to contribute too my story, my passion, and my purpose. Who I am today is the result of every time I didn’t see myself and chose to stay anyway. I’ve learned how to make room for myself and now, I’m making room for others. My journey is rooted in purpose, and I’m just getting started.

If selected, I would use the scholarship funds to help cover tuition, books, and lab fees for my freshman year at Pace University, where I plan to major in biology on the pre-med track. Many of my required science courses have additional costs for lab materials, online access codes, and equipment. This scholarship would directly support those expenses and allow me to focus more on learning and less on how to afford what I need. I would also use a portion of the funds to help with transportation and living costs in New York City. Moving from Wilmington to a much more expensive city will be a big adjustment, and your support would make that transition smoother. It would give me more freedom to take advantage of internships, service projects, or research opportunities that align with my career goals. Long term, I plan to become an endocrinologist working in underserved communities. I want to combine my passion for science with my commitment to health equity, especially in communities of color that face healthcare disparities. Every bit of financial support helps bring that vision closer to reality. Thank you for considering my application. This scholarship would make a meaningful difference in both my education and the impact I hope to make in the future.

My goal is to become an endocrinologist who doesn’t just treat diseases but helps transform lives, especially in communities that look like mine. I’ve always been fascinated by how the human body works, but when I learned how common diseases like diabetes and thyroid disorders are in the Black community, I realized my interest wasn’t just academic, it was personal. I’ve seen family members struggle with conditions that could have been better managed or even prevented with clearer information, earlier diagnosis, or providers who truly listened. That’s the doctor I want to be, someone who brings both knowledge and understanding into the room. In my future medical career, I want to specialize in community-based healthcare. I see myself working in underserved neighborhoods, running free screenings, and offering education sessions about metabolic health, nutrition, and prevention. But my dream doesn’t stop at being a physician. I also want to mentor young students, especially Black girls, who are interested in STEM but don’t see themselves represented in those fields. I want to create programs where medicine isn’t just something that happens to you at a clinic, but something you understand, ask questions about, and feel empowered by. That’s exactly why increasing racial diversity in healthcare is so important. When patients see doctors who look like them, trust improves. Communication improves. Outcomes improve. Cultural understanding matters, because healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all. I believe that when there’s diversity in the exam room, there’s more honesty, more comfort, and ultimately, better care. Representation also matters on the other side of the stethoscope. As a young Black woman entering medicine, I know how isolating it can feel to walk into a science class or a research lab and not see anyone who looks like you. That’s why I talk so openly about my journey, both the challenges and the breakthroughs, because I want the next girl who wonders if she’s “smart enough” or “meant to be here” to hear someone say, “Yes. You are.” One of the most impactful moments I’ve had so far was tutoring a younger student who struggled with biology. She told me she had never considered herself good at science. I could see so much of myself in her. I took time to break things down in a way that made sense to her life, her experiences. By the end of our sessions, she told me she wanted to be a doctor one day. That’s when I knew, my path isn’t just about becoming a doctor. It’s about becoming the kind of doctor who inspires others to believe in what’s possible. Racial diversity in healthcare is not a box to check. It’s a necessity. It means saving more lives, catching more conditions early, and creating systems that truly serve everyone. My goal is to be part of that system, a provider, educator, and advocate, who helps make healthcare not just better, but fairer.

Essay Title: Owning My Space, Onstage and Off “Mommy, why don’t I look like them?” That one question, asked with tears in my eyes and confusion in my heart , has followed me through every studio, every stage, and every space where I felt like I didn’t belong. I’m most proud of the achievement that can’t be listed as a single award or title: learning to embrace my identity in spaces that weren’t designed to see me. As a young Black girl in the world of dance, I often felt like an outsider. My hair didn’t bounce like the other girls’ in ballet buns, and the color of my tights never matched my skin. I never saw girls who looked like me in the posters hung on studio walls, or in the stories we were taught to emulate. But instead of shrinking, I began to take up space. Finding a studio that accepted me for who I am was the first step. But my real growth happened when I walked into my predominantly white high school. Once again, I was one of the only Black girls in the room, but this time, I didn’t wait for someone else to create a space for me. I joined the Black Student Union, and eventually became a leader. We hosted open discussions, talent showcases, and cultural awareness events. I worked hard to make sure Black students at my school didn’t just exist quietly in the background, but were seen, celebrated, and heard. This experience impacted me far beyond the classroom. It helped me realize that I don’t have to fit into anyone else's mold. I can merge my love for dance with my love for science. Biology, specifically human anatomy and endocrinology, captured my attention because it helped me understand movement in a new way. I even created a research project on how social comparison impacts the confidence of Black and white dance majors , combining science, identity, and art in one study. My future plans reflect this journey. At Pace University, I’ll be majoring in biology with the goal of becoming an endocrinologist. I want to make healthcare more accessible, especially for communities of color that are often overlooked. I also want to continue mentoring young Black girls in dance and STEM, helping them see that they don’t have to choose between their passions , and that they’re not alone. The little girl who once asked why she looked different has grown into a young woman who now knows: my difference is my strength. I’m proud of learning to own my story, and prouder still of how I’ve helped others feel seen along the way.