My future career aspiration is to have a career in the medical field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths of science and math. There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. My passion is to improve the lives of others by joining this life-changing field. When I was in middle school, my cousin was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. At that point, I did not fully grasp the importance of education. Over the next several years, I watched him battle cancer while attending college. My freshman year in high school, he lost his battle with cancer. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor University to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication towards my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities in dance, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. As I reflected on his journey, I realized the importance of higher education. Like my cousin, I wanted to be at the top of my high school class and unlike him, be able to complete a college degree. I am currently attending Radiation Therapy program at UT MD Anderson in Houston. This institution offers a fast-track two-year program that awards a bachelor’s degree upon completion. As a Radiation Therapist, I will be administering radiation therapy to cancer patients and will be able to make a difference in a person’s life during a very difficult time. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved-one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

Throughout history, a household with two parents is seen as the “ideal life.” With two parents, there are two incomes, two role models and two support systems. The home life is balanced, and the amount of responsibilities is divided. Society focuses on this ideal lifestyle, but no one ever talks about what it means to be a single parent. This lifestyle entails taking on both parental roles in the house, financially, physically and emotionally, while ensuring that your children are not affected by the struggle. Even though this role is challenging, it taught me so many positive life skills and attributes. I was raised by an amazing single mother who has shown me how to be independent, selfless and hard-working. I would not be the person that I am today without her. My mom never folded under the pressure of being a single parent; rather, she preserved and was always there by my side. While holding a full-time job as a Physical Therapy Assistant, she provided for three children and always managed to attend every softball game, dance practice, choir concert, tumbling practice, etc. After a long day at work, she would spend hours cooking, cleaning and helping her children with homework. She is the rock of the family and has set the example to be a strong, hardworking, dedicated and selfless person. Single parenting created financial hardships for our family. Providing for three children, including extra-curricular activities, is expensive and requires living on a tight budget. I was in three extra-curricular activities, and there came a time when I had to decide between all three and just pick one. Since I did not understand the financial struggle of being a single parent, I naturally was upset about having to make this decision. However, this taught me that sometimes one has to make difficult decisions that are best for the whole, not the individual. My mom had to make sacrifices by putting her children’s wants and needs before her own; therefore, it makes sense that I would have to do the same. Even though things were tight, she always made sure we had everything we needed and were happy. She is the most selfless person I know, which has motivated me to be a healthcare provider, just like her. To achieve my career goals, I would need to attend college, which creates financial hardship for our family. Financial aid alone would not be enough. I knew that I would need to do my part by obtaining a high GPA to qualify for scholarships. As a result, my education became my top priority. I learned from my mom’s example that, in order to achieve my goals, I would have to work hard and dedicate myself to whatever I am undertaking. Her determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication towards my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I achieved a high school GPA of 4.503 and have maintained a college GPA of 4.0. My mom has always done so much for me, and I want to help her with the financial stress of college. She is my ride-or-die, my partner in crime, and the most important person in my life. We have a bond like no other. Despite the hardships of being a single parent, she has always made it look so easy. Some people say the ideal life is having two parents, but I say the ideal life is having a strong, single mother like my mom.

Leadership is the art of motivating and inspiring a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal whether it is personal or professional. A good leader must have integrity, which determines a code of value, dedication to carry out those values and a servant’s heart to help others. I have strived to ascertain these characteristics to become a better leader. Throughout my high school career, I was selected as a lieutenant and captain of my dance team, served as a PAL (peer assist leader), and volunteered in my community. These roles have enriched my life but do not encompass the full meaning of leadership. Leadership goes beyond titles or positions; a true leader should lead by example in everyday life. In high school, I was a student of a Christian dance studio where I expressed my love of Jesus through dance. At the studio, my classmates and I had a common faith in God. Outside of the studio, I enjoyed reading my Bible every night before bed and encouraging my friends to join me. I have a strong desire to share my love for Jesus with my friends and fellow students. I realized that as a Christian leader, I can inspire and motivate others do better and be better. As a member of my high school dance team, I experienced a more traditional role of leadership. A captain organizes practice, teaches, motivates, and takes responsibility for the team. I had to be able to work professionally and communicate with my fellow officers. Being an officer also required me to step up as a role model for my teammates in dance, school, and social settings. As a mentor in the PALs program, I displayed servant leadership. I was an example not only to the kids that I helped but also to my high school peers. Our school peers look to us to set the example. Servant leadership is the act of putting people first before your own needs. When being a PAL, I could never be selfish or thoughtless. I based my actions on the needs of the children that I mentored. Throughout my high school years, I served in my community as a student and dancer. As a Senior Company member at Joy’s School of Dance, we annually volunteered to dance at several events including Junior League’s Deck the Halls, Waco Art Festival, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, and Waco’s Christmas Tree Lighting. As a part of the PALs Program, I also volunteered in local school and community events, such as Kickball Tournament, Emergency Preparedness Simulation, Retirement Center, and the VA Hospital. Each of these activities has taught me the valuable lesson of helping others in need. I can continue my leadership and service in college, a career, and life in general through my faith and desire to lead others. In high school, I had a rigorous academic schedule and participated in many hours of extracurricular activities. I excelled academically despite my busy schedule and my learning disability. My success was a direct result of hard work, dedication and prioritization. I stayed strong in my convictions and did not give into peer pressure. My great communication skills would enable me to reach many individuals and share my work ethic and faith. In conclusion, leadership develops many essentials qualities that are vital to future success in life. I feel privileged that I have had the opportunity to lead my dance team, share my faith, and inspire others. I feel that my unique leadership skills will be an asset to any college, job, or organization.

My biggest adversity is my learning disability, (ADD) Attention Deficit Disorder. ADD is one of the most common childhood disorders and often goes undiagnosed without the hyperactivity component. Since I was not hyperactive and my grades were average, my disorder was not detected until the curriculum accelerated. In my case, my symptoms did not become evident until I was 8 years old. In the third grade, I began to struggle academically, and my grades declined. I failed my first STARR test and was placed in special tutoring sessions for Math and Reading. I was assigned a Peer Assist and Leader from the high school to assist me with my homework. I was in jeopardy of failing for the first time. At that time, my mother recognized the ADD presentation. She shared her concerns with my pediatrician and teacher. After a thorough evaluation, I was diagnosed with ADD and began taking medication. I quickly had an improvement in my performance and grades. Despite the improvement, I still had difficulty with concentration, staying on task, taking tests, reading comprehension and completing tasks in a timely manner. I work slower than most, so I am always the last one to complete assignments. Reading is especially difficult for me, since I often need to reread passages to comprehend the content. Since I am easily distracted, testing and assignment completion are difficult and sometimes require a small group setting or hallway placement. I also have trouble with memorization, which increases my study time to fully retain the information. I have always known that I would have to work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me from succeeding. For a very long time, I was ashamed of my disability and would not ask for accommodations or help. In highschool, my mother again encouraged me to reach out to my counselor to request accommodations. My counselor recommended increased testing time, small group testing and electronic use in the classroom as needed. I was excited to learn that along with these modifications, I would also receive increased time on my AP exam, which subsequently led to a score of 5/5 on my exam. These accommodations have helped immensely in high school and college dual credit classes. My only regret is that I did not seek help sooner. Despite all the challenges I have faced from my learning disability, I became a straight A student with a weighted grade point average of 4.503. During high school, I had a rigorous academic schedule and participated in many hours of extracurricular activities. I excelled academically while dancing every weeknight at the studio and at school functions. Dancing is very time consuming and was difficult to balance with socialization and classwork. My success was a direct result of hard work, dedication and prioritization. My experience with juggling all of these extracurricular activities along with schoolwork facilitated time management and decisions that are more responsible. I stayed strong in my convictions and did not give into peer pressure. On the weekends and holidays, I had to prioritize my activities, school before socialization, and get ahead on my studies to accommodate my busy weekday schedule. ADD imposes challenging disabilities, but it has taught me hard work, discipline and organization. I have learned from this experience to never be ashamed to ask for and accept help. The extra time I received taking my exams was vital to my success. I know that I will always have continued challenges, but now I am better prepared and intend to achieve all my educational and career goals.

My dream is to have a career in the medical field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths of science and math. There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. I want to bring my dream to fruition by joining this life-changing field and improving the lives of others. When I was in middle school, my cousin was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. At that point, I did not fully grasp the importance of education. Over the next several years, I watched him battle cancer while attending college. My freshman year in high school, he lost his battle with cancer. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor University to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication towards my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities in dance, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. As I reflected on his journey, I realized the importance of higher education. Like my cousin, I wanted to be at the top of my high school class and unlike him, be able to complete a college degree. I am currently attending the Radiation Therapy program at UT MD Anderson in Houston. This institution offers a fast-track two-year program that awards a bachelor’s degree upon completion. As a Radiation Therapist, I will be administering radiation therapy to cancer patients and will be able to make a difference in a person’s life during a very difficult time. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

My future career aspiration is to have a career in the medical field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths of science and math. There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. My passion is to improve the lives of others by joining this life-changing field. When I was in middle school, my cousin was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. At that point, I did not fully grasp the importance of education. Over the next several years, I watched him battle cancer while attending college. My freshman year in high school, he lost his battle with cancer. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor University to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication towards my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities in dance, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. As I reflected on his journey, I realized the importance of higher education. Like my cousin, I wanted to be at the top of my high school class and unlike him, be able to complete a college degree. I am currently attending Radiation Therapy program at UT MD Anderson in Houston. This institution offers a fast-track two-year program that awards a bachelor’s degree upon completion. As a Radiation Therapist, I will be administering radiation therapy to cancer patients and will be able to make a difference in a person’s life during a very difficult time. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved-one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. My passion is to improve the lives of others by joining this life-changing field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths of science and math. Watching my cousin fight and lose his battle against such a treacherous disease was heartbreaking. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication toward my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. In addition to my education, community service and leadership are a great priority in my life. Throughout high school, I was a member of the varsity dance team, where I served as lieutenant my sophomore to junior year and Captain my senior year. I was also a member of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program. This program was established to enable young people to use their potential to make a difference in lives, schools and communities. Outside of school, I was a member of a Senior Dance Company at a local dance studio. This advanced group gave me the opportunity to volunteer and perform dances at various community events throughout the year. Although I loved performing, one of my most memorable volunteer experiences was a community project that I completed my senior year. I baked over 200 cookies for an assisted living facility and helped the residents decorate them for Easter. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

My passion for community service has been cultivated through my global perspective views. We live in an increasingly global society that occupies a shared space where we depend on one another. Having a better understanding of this society and my place in it is necessary for not only coexisting but also thriving. One of the benefits of a global perspective is that it has enabled me to reevaluate perceived generalizations and stereotypes that we all have. I can identify the limitations that individuals face and develop empathy for others. This perspective prompts me to become more involved and perform volunteer service in my community. Community service is important because it brings individuals closer to their community and teaches the meaning of charity and giving back. A good servant must have integrity, which determines a code of values, dedication to carry out those values and a servant’s heart to help others. I have strived to ascertain these characteristics to become a better servant in my community. Throughout my high school career, I have volunteered through my high school dance team, as part of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) Program, and as a member of my local dance studio. As a Senior Company member at Joy’s School of Dance, a Christian dance studio, we annually volunteer to dance at several events including Junior League’s Deck the Halls, Waco Art Festival, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, and Waco’s Christmas Tree Lighting. As a part of the PALs and the dance team, I have also volunteered in the local school and community events, such as Kickball Tournament, Emergency Preparedness Simulation, Retirement Centers and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. These roles have enriched my life so much and taught me valuable lessons. Through these different organizations, I have learned the full meaning and importance of volunteering. As a part of my commitment to helping others, I plan to continue my community service at the Veteran’s Hospital. I previously volunteered in the Occupational Therapy Department assisting with projects and providing important socialization as part of their mental health. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population. Being a part of their recovery is so rewarding. The Veterans have given so much to this country, and through this organization, I can give back and hopefully make a difference in their lives. As a Christian, my purpose on this earth is to serve Jesus. Through him, I am called to help others and do my part. I can continue my community service in college, a career and life in general through my faith and desire to help others. Community service develops many essential qualities that are vital to future success in life. I feel privileged that I have had the opportunity to volunteer through my dance team, PALs program and dance studio. I also want to share my faith, and inspire others to give back to their community. I am very passionate about helping others, which is also displayed in my career choice, a Radiation Therapist.

My passion for community service has been cultivated through my global perspective views. We live in an increasingly global society that occupies a shared space where we depend on one another. Having a better understanding of this society and my place in it is necessary for not only coexisting but also thriving. One of the benefits of a global perspective is that it has enabled me to reevaluate perceived generalizations and stereotypes that we all have. I can identify the limitations that individuals face and develop empathy for others. This perspective prompts me to become more involved and perform volunteer service in my community. Community service is important because it brings individuals closer to their community and teaches the meaning of charity and giving back. A good servant must have integrity, which determines a code of value, dedication to carry out those values and a servant’s heart to help others. I have strived to ascertain these characteristics to become a better servant in my community. Throughout my high school career, I have volunteered through my high school dance team, as part of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) Program, and as a member of my local dance studio. As a Senior Company member at Joy’s School of Dance, a Christian dance studio, we annually volunteer to dance at several events including Junior League’s Deck the Halls, Waco Art Festival, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, and Waco’s Christmas Tree Lighting. As a part of the PALs and the dance team, I have also volunteered in local school and community events, such as Kickball Tournament, Emergency Preparedness Simulation, Retirement Centers and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. These roles have enriched my life so much and taught me valuable lessons. Through these different organizations, I have learned the full meaning and importance of volunteering. As a part of my commitment to helping others, I plan to continue my community service at the Veteran’s Hospital. I previously volunteered in the Occupational Therapy Department assisting with projects and providing important socialization as part of their mental health. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population. Being a part of their recovery is so rewarding. The Veterans have given so much to this country, and through this organization, I can give back and hopefully make a difference in their lives. As a Christian, my purpose on this earth is to serve Jesus. Through him, I am called to help others and do my part. I can continue my community service in college, a career and life in general through my faith and desire to help others. Community service develops many essentials qualities that are vital to future success in life. I feel privileged that I have had the opportunity to volunteer through my dance team, PALs program and dance studio. I also want to share my faith, and inspire others to give back to their community. I am very passionate about helping others, which is also displayed in my career choice, a Radiation Therapist.

There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. My passion is to improve the lives of others by joining this life-changing field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths in science and math. Watching my cousin fight and lose his battle against such a treacherous disease was heartbreaking. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication toward my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. In addition to my education, community service and leadership are a great priority in my life. Throughout high school, I was a member of the varsity dance team, where I served as lieutenant my sophomore to junior year and Captain my senior year. I was also a member of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program. This program was established to enable young people to use their potential to make a difference in lives, schools and communities. Outside of school, I was a member of a Senior Dance Company at a local dance studio. This advanced group gave me the opportunity to volunteer and perform dances at various community events throughout the year. Although I loved performing, one of my most memorable volunteer experiences was a community project that I completed my senior year. I baked over 200 cookies for an assisted living facility and helped the residents decorate them for Easter. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

There are about 22 million workers in the healthcare industry and only about 20,000 are radiation therapists. My passion is to improve the lives of others by joining this life-changing field. Growing up, I was raised by my mother, a single parent, whose profession is a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). I always loved going to work with my mother and helping her with her patients. When it was time to choose a career path, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps but was unsure of the area until my cousin passed away due to cancer. After his death, I began researching the different healthcare professions and subsequently discovered the field of Radiation Therapy, which combined my passion with my academic strengths in science and math. Watching my cousin fight and lose his battle against such a treacherous disease was heartbreaking. William was only 22 years old, and he had such a bright future ahead of him. Despite his poor health, he continued his coursework at Baylor to become a lawyer. His determination was extraordinary and inspired me to exert the same dedication toward my education. I set high goals and the steps to achieve them. Consequently, I enrolled in core subjects consisting of all advanced placement, dual credit and honors classes. Combined with my extracurricular activities, I knew this would be an arduous task but a necessary one. Throughout high school, I received the award for most outstanding student in dual credit U.S. History, A.P. English II, A.P Calculus and A.P. Art II. My greatest academic achievements were ranking third in my graduating class with a 4.503 GPA, receiving a five on my AP calculus exam and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college. In addition to my education, community service and leadership are a great priority in my life. Throughout high school, I was a member of the varsity dance team, where I served as lieutenant my sophomore to junior year and Captain my senior year. I was also a member of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program. This program was established to enable young people to use their potential to make a difference in lives, schools and communities. Outside of school, I was a member of a Senior Dance Company at a local dance studio. This advanced group gave me the opportunity to volunteer and perform dances at various community events throughout the year. Although I loved performing, one of my most memorable volunteer experiences was a community project that I completed during my senior year. I baked over 200 cookies for an assisted living facility and helped the residents decorate them for Easter. My personal goals and aspirations for my career are to deliver superior care, continue my education and advance in my field. I want to challenge myself in being a part of groundbreaking research and innovative clinical care. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to continue my education with a Master’s in Radiation Therapy and/or a doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which will allow me to advance my career. While working in the healthcare field, a healthcare worker should be proficient but, most importantly, should be empathetic and passionate. Losing a loved one gave me that passion. As my cousin fought cancer, I felt so helpless. As a Radiation Therapist, I will have the ability to help many people, like William, battle and win the fight against Cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend my career.

When I was in middle school, my cousin was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. At that point, I did not fully grasp the importance of education. Over the next several years, I watched him battle cancer while attending college. My freshman year in high school, he lost his battle with cancer. His determination and dedication to his studies were so inspirational. Even when he was in unbelievable pain and terribly sick, he continued his education. His death was a pivotal moment in my life that had a significant effect on my achievements in school and motivates me on a daily basis. As I reflected on his journey, I realized the importance of higher education and set new goals for myself. Like my cousin, I wanted to be at the top of my high school class and unlike him, be able to complete a college degree. I have reached my first goal, and now that I have graduated high school, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.

Dancing has been a big part of my high school career. I am a member of my high school dance team, where I have been a lieutenant for two years and now Captain my senior year. I also dance at a local dance studio, Joy’s School of Dance. I have been dancing overall for 9 years, and dance is truly a passion of mine. As part of these organizations, I experienced many rewarding benefits including an honorary dance trip to New York, a TATD Dance Jazz scholarship and many team/individual awards. I have learned discipline, teamwork, independence, dedication and leadership that provided me with the necessary tools to be successful. In addition to dance, I have been an active member of Choir, Art and the Peer Assistance and Leadership Program (PAL). As a member of the Varsity Choir, I attended UIL competitions, concerts and performed in the community. Advanced Art students attend the annual Visual Arts and Scholastic Event, where I have received a Division 4 ranking the last two years. As a PAL, I assist and mentor younger students. Throughout my high school career, I have volunteered as a member of my high school dance team, the PAL Program and my local dance studio. As a Senior Company member at Joy’s School of Dance, a Christian dance studio, we annually volunteer to dance at several events including Junior League’s Deck the Halls, Waco Art Festival, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, and Waco’s Christmas Tree Lighting. As a part of the PALs and the dance team, I have also volunteered in local school and community events, such as Kickball Tournament, Emergency Preparedness Simulation, Retirement Centers and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. These roles have enriched my life so much and taught me valuable lessons. Through these different organizations, I have learned the full meaning and importance of volunteering. My professional goal is to have a career in the medical field. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother has a career in the medical field as a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show immense compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She is such a role model in my life, and I want to follow her example. I want to pursue higher education to fulfill my dream and passion of improving the lives of others. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend a Physician Assistant Program to receive my Master’s degree. A career in the medical field as a Physician Assistant will provide me the opportunity to advance the health of people from my community. My learning disability, Attention Deficit Disorder, and its continuous challenges have given me more compassion and empathy for others. It has contributed to my desire to help others and do my part to create a better world. As a Physician Assistant, I will seek employment at a community clinic where I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus.

High School is a pivotal time in the big stage of life. Many opportunities and challenges have shaped who I am today and developed my ambitions, goals, and dreams for the future. How we react and what we learn from these events will lay the groundwork for future focus and drive. One of the hardest challenges that I have ever experienced was the loss my cousin, William, due to cancer. He was so young and unbelievably smart. He was Valedictorian of his high school class and subsequently attended Baylor University. Even when he was in unbelievable pain and sick from the cancer treatment, he was still attending class because his education was incredibly important to him. His determination and dedication were so inspirational. The news of his death was devastating to my family and made me realize that life is too short not to give a hundred percent. Even when my cousin was dying, he participated in a mission trip with Baylor to help others. His perseverance is one of the main reasons I strive to be the best I can be in school and as a person. I always try to give my all in everything I do. My grade point average and rank are very important to me, and my cousin truly is the one that continues to motivate me. His death was a wake-up call that gave me the strength and "fight" to face my challenges head-on. As a result of this experience, I set a goal to be at the top of my class like William. When I began high school, I knew this would be a difficult task due to my learning disability, Attention Deficit Disorder. Despite all the challenges that I have faced from my learning disability, I achieved a grade point average of 4.455 and rank number five in my class. I was able to persevere through compensatory strategies and modifications. I have always known that I would have to "fight" every step of the way, work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me. If anything, these struggles have made me stronger and more determined. I know now that if I work hard enough, I can reach all my goals. My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. My educational goal is to gain the knowledge, skills and training to complete my bachelor’s degree. An additional educational goal is to manage and adapt my learning disability to the college environment. I have spent the majority of my high school career facing and overcoming challenges. College will be a new environment, which will require me to adjust my learning and study habits. Reaching all my educational goals is vital to obtaining a competitive college resume, which will increase my chances of receiving future scholarships and acceptance to an exceptional Master’s program. After graduation, I will seek employment at a community clinic, where I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love my career. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus. My educational and career goals provide me the opportunity to advance the health of people from different cultures, views and beliefs. By advancing the ideals of social justice and improving the health of others, I can do my part to help create a better world. The loss of my cousin to cancer has been very challenging but has given me the necessary perspective to succeed in my college and life goals. It has allowed me to become an independent, responsible, confident, hardworking, and dedicated person. As a result, I will always "fight" in the face of adversity.

My greatest achievement in high school is being ranked fifth in my graduating class. When I began high school, I knew being at the top of my class would be a difficult task due to my learning disability and extensive extra-curricular activities. I have a rigorous academic schedule and participate in many hours of extracurricular activities. I am an officer of the high school dance team and a student at a local dance studio. Dancing is very time-consuming and was difficult to balance with socialization and classwork. My experience with juggling all of these extracurricular activities along with schoolwork required time management and responsible decisions. On the weekends and holidays, I had to prioritize my activities, school before socialization, and get ahead on my studies to accommodate my busy weekday schedule. Despite all the challenges that I have faced from my learning disability, I achieved a grade point average of 4.455 at the end of last semester. I was able to persevere through compensatory strategies and modifications. I learned that I needed to develop specific study, time management and organizational strategies. A quiet work area, to-do lists and short-term goals were most helpful in improving my performance. I discovered and found new strengths, which I did not know I possessed. Pushing myself developed dedication, focus, independence and self-discipline. ADD imposes many challenges, but it has taught me so much about myself. I have always known that I would have to work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me. If anything, these struggles have made me stronger and more determined. I know now that if I work hard enough, I can reach all my goals. The combination of my dance, leadership, academics and community service gives me a unique perspective and essential skills to reach my future goals. My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. My educational goal is to gain the knowledge, skills and training to complete my bachelor’s degree. An additional educational goal is to manage and adapt my learning disability to the college environment. In the third grade, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. As a result, I have spent the majority of my high school career facing and overcoming challenges. College will be a new environment, which will require me to adjust my learning and study habits. Reaching all my educational goals is vital to obtaining a competitive college resume, which will increase my chances of receiving future scholarships and acceptance to an exceptional Master’s program. After graduation, I will seek employment at a community clinic, where I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love my career. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus. My educational and career goals provide me the opportunity to advance the health of people from different cultures, views and beliefs. By advancing the ideals of social justice and improving the health of others, I can do my part to help create a better world This has been a difficult year due to the pandemic, which has affected my whole family. I live in a single-parent household with my mother and two siblings. Since my mother is at high risk for contracting Covid-19, I made the difficult decision to switch to a virtual student my senior year. At the same time, my mother was furloughed from work due to the pandemic. Since then, she has only been able to obtain part-time work, which has created financial difficulties and affected our ability to pay for college. I am applying for WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship to ease the financial burden of college, so I can pursue my hopes and dreams.

My professional goal is to have a career in the medical field. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother and father both originally majored in medicine, but eventually changed to a different major still within the medical field. My parents are such role models in my life, and I want to follow their example. After much research, I have decided to pursue a degree as a Physician Assistant. My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree with a competitive resume and then continue my education in a Physician Assistant Master’s program. This degree is high in demand and continues to grow every year. As a Physician Assistant, I will seek employment at community clinic where I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus. I have taken many steps academically and personally to achieve my goals. I have completed a challenging academic high school career, including all honors science and math courses. Pursuant to a medical degree, I am currently taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology. During my junior and senior year, I also took additional math and science courses. In addition to honors courses, I also completed dual credit and AP courses to earn college credit and prepare me for a college curriculum. At Saint Louis University, I have applied to the Physician Assistant Honors program. This program has a specialized curriculum that ensures enrolled students receive all necessary courses and work experience in preparation for their Master's program. Students in this program are guaranteed acceptance into Saint Louis' PA Master's program. Outside of academics, I have volunteered at many places in my community, including the Veteran's Hospital and Lake Shore Retirement Center, to familiarize myself with patient care. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population; I enjoyed being a part of their recovery. During my academic career, I ascertained many essential skills vital to achieving my career goals. Being an officer of my high school dance team over the last three years developed many of those skills. Dance has taught me leadership, independence, discipline, teamwork, dedication, focus, communication and self-discipline, which all have provided me with the necessary tools to be successful in college, a career and life. Unfortunately, not all learning experiences are through a positive experience, like dance. My learning disability, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), necessitated many other compensatory skills, like hard work and organization. I have always known that I would have to work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me. If anything, these struggles have made me stronger and more determined. I have no doubt that I will succeed in all my future endeavors.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. I was raised by a independent single parent, my mother, who has been the role model in my life. She has set an amazing example for me to follow. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my mother continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. She is a high risk worker due to previous health conditions and her age. However, as an essential health care worker, she is not able to quarantine and must put her life on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my mother is my hero. My mother and I both have a learning disability, Attention Deficit Disorder. Despite this disability, my mother has completed a college degree and has a career. She has shown me that if I work hard, anything is possible. My biggest challenge in school has been my learning disability, which has taught me hard work, discipline and organization. I have always known that I would have to work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me from succeeding. For a very long time, I was ashamed of my disability and would not ask for accommodations or help. My junior year, my mother again encouraged me to reach out to my counselor to request accommodations. My counselor recommended increased testing time, small group testing and electronic use in the classroom as needed. I was excited to learn that along with these modifications, I would also receive increase time on my AP exam, which subsequently led to a score of four on my exam. These accommodations have helped immensely in high school and college dual credit classes. Despite all the challenges I have faced from my learning disability, I have become a straight A student with a weighted grade point average of 4.455. I have learned from this experience to never be ashamed to ask for and accept help. The extra time I received taking my exams was vital to my success. I know that I will always have continued challenges, but now I am better prepared and intend to achieve all my educational and career goals. My goal is to make my mother proud. I also want to be a role model to others and prove that hard work pays off. I can apply what I have learned and pay it forward as a Physician Assistant. I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do.

My professional goal is to have a career in the medical field. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother and father are both have careers in the STEM field. My parents are such role models in my life, and I want to follow their example. After much research, I have decided to pursue a degree as a Physician Assistant, which requires I focus on STEM studies. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. My father is a research scientist at UT Southwestern in Dallas and has his PHD in immunology. He spends his days researching diseases and trying to find a cure or treatment. He has down extensive research on Leukemia, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. Although I cannot go to work with my father and observe his work, I love listening to him talk about his research. His pursuit of greatness is so admirable. Finding a cure or new treatment could change people’s lives. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my parents continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. Both of my parents are high risk due to previous conditions or their age. However, as essential health care workers, they are not able to quarantine and must put their lives on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my parents are my heroes. I recognize to obtain a degree in the medical field that I must complete many courses in STEM studies; therefore, I have taken many steps academically and personally to achieve my goals. I have completed a challenging academic high school career, including all honors science and math courses. Pursuant to a medical degree, I am currently taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology. During my junior and senior year, I also took additional math and science courses. In addition to honors courses, I also completed dual credit and AP courses to earn college credit and prepare me for a college curriculum. At Saint Louis University, I have applied to the Physician Assistant Honors program. This program has a specialized curriculum that ensures enrolled students receive all necessary courses and work experience in preparation for their Master's program. Students in this program are guaranteed acceptance into Saint Louis' PA Master's program. Outside of academics, I have volunteered at many places in my community, including the Veteran's Hospital and Lake Shore Retirement Center, to familiarize myself with patient care. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population; I enjoyed being a part of their recovery. As a STEM major, I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree with a competitive resume and then continue my education in a Physician Assistant Master’s program. This degree is high in demand and continues to grow every year. In this occupation, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus. I look forward to seeing what my future holds.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother and father both originally majored in medicine, but eventually changed to a different major still within the medical field. My sister is half way through her (COTA) Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. My father is a research scientist at UT Southwestern in Dallas and has his PHD in immunology. He spends his days researching diseases and trying to find a cure or treatment. He has down extensive research on Leukemia, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. Although I cannot go to work with my father and observe his work, I love listening to him talk about his research. His pursuit of greatness is so admirable. Finding a cure or new treatment could change people’s lives. My older sister has also decided to follow in my parent’s path in the medical field. She began her degree path straight out of high school to obtain her prerequisites. In January 2020, she began the COTA program. Shortly after, her college was shut down due to COVID -19. She faced the challenge of switching all classes to the virtual setting including her labs and clinical instruction. These are difficult classes to perform virtually since they are meant to be hands on learning. She has persevered and is now about to start her second year. She also motivates me to follow my dreams of joining the medical field. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my parents continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. Both of my parents are high risk due to previous conditions or their age. However, as essential health care workers, they are not able to quarantine and must put their lives on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my parents are my heroes. My parents are such role models in my life, and I want to follow their example by having a career in the medical field. I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree with a competitive resume and then continue my education in a Physician Assistant Master’s program. This degree is high in demand and continues to grow every year. I have volunteered at many places in my community including the Veteran's Hospital and Lake Shore Retirement Center. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population and enjoyed being a part of their recovery. All of my family’s inspiring careers are what motivate me to be a Physician Assistant. In this occupation, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and top pay is just a bonus. I look forward to seeing what my future holds.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. I was raised by a independent single parent, my mother, who has been my inspiration in life. She has set an amazing example for me to follow. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my mother continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. She is a high risk worker due to previous health conditions and her age. However, as an essential health care worker, she is not able to quarantine and must put her life on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my mother is my hero. My mother is such a role model in my life, and I want to follow her example by having a career in the medical field. My goal is to make my mother proud. As a Physician Assistant, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. I was raised by a independent single parent, my mother, who has been the women in my life that I admire most. She has set an amazing example for me to follow. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my mother continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. She is a high risk worker due to previous health conditions and her age. However, as an essential health care worker, she is not able to quarantine and must put her life on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my mother is my hero. My mother is such a role model in my life, and I want to follow her example by having a career in the medical field. My goal is to make my mother proud. As a Physician Assistant, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother and father both originally majored in medicine, and my sister is half way through her (COTA) Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. Subsequently, my family is the biggest influence in my life. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping people. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. She has worked in various healthcare settings including acute care, long-term care, outpatient and home care, which have educated me on the different types of therapy and settings. My father is a research scientist at UT Southwestern in Dallas and has his PHD in immunology. He spends his days researching diseases and trying to find a cure or treatment. He has down extensive research on Leukemia, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. Although I cannot go to work with my father and observe his work, I love listening to him talk about his research. His pursuit of greatness is so admirable. Finding a cure or new treatment could change people’s lives. My older sister has also decided to follow in my parent’s path in the medical field. In January 2020, she began the COTA program. Shortly after, her college was shut down due to COVID -19. She faced the challenge of switching all classes to the virtual setting including her labs and clinical instruction. These are difficult classes to perform virtually since they are meant to be hands on learning. She has persevered and is now about to start her second year. She also motivates me to follow my dreams of joining the medical field. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my parents continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. Both of my parents are high risk due to previous conditions or their age. However, as essential health care workers, they are not able to quarantine and must put their lives on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my parents are my heroes. My parents are such role models in my life, and I want to follow their example by having a career in the medical field. I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree with a competitive resume and then continue my education in a Physician Assistant Master’s program. This degree is high in demand and continues to grow every year. I have volunteered at many places in my community including the Veteran's Hospital and Lake Shore Retirement Center. I felt a real connection to the veterans and the geriatric population and enjoyed being a part of their recovery. All of my family’s inspiring careers are what motivate me to be a Physician Assistant. In this occupation, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. The fact that a PA is in high demand, has good job security and great pay is just a bonus. I look forward to seeing what my future holds.

My college undergraduate major is Pre-Physician Assistant. Ever since I can remember, I have had the desire to be in the medical field and have a profession meant for helping people. My mother and father both originally majored in medicine, but eventually changed to a different major still within the medical field. My sister is half-way through her (OTA) Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. My mother is a Physical Therapy Assistant. When I was a child, I would occasionally go to work with her at the nursing home. I loved interacting with the residents and experienced the joy of helping them. I watched her interact with the residents and show such compassion. Some of these people have no family or visitors, and I could tell how much her care meant to them. Teaching someone to walk again or recover from a stroke restores a person’s independence and quality of life. My father is a research scientist at UT Southwestern in Dallas and has his PHD in immunology. He spends his days researching diseases and trying to find a cure or treatment. He has done extensive research on Leukemia, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. Although I cannot go to work with my father and observe his work, I love listening to him talk about his research. His pursuit of greatness is so admirable. Finding a cure or new treatment could change people’s lives. My older sister has also decided to follow in my parent’s path in the medical field. In January 2020, she began the COTA program. Shortly after, her college was shut down due to COVID -19. She faced the challenge of switching all classes to the virtual setting including her labs and clinical instruction. These are difficult classes to perform virtually since they are meant to be hands on learning. She has persevered and is now in her second year. She also motivates me to follow my dreams of joining the medical field. During this pandemic, I have had the privilege of seeing my parents continue to work and help people despite the clear and present danger. Both of my parents are high risk due to previous conditions or their age. However, as essential health care workers, they are not able to quarantine and must put their lives on the line daily. Healthcare workers are truly heroes and I am proud to say my parents are my heroes. My parents are such role models in my life, and I want to follow their example by having a career in the medical field. I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree with a competitive resume and then continue my education in a Physician Assistant Master’s program. This degree is high in demand and continues to grow every year. In this occupation, I will be able to make a difference in people’s lives and truly love what I do. I look forward to seeing what my future holds.

My biggest challenge and subsequent set back is my learning disability, (ADD) Attention Deficit Disorder. ADD is one of the most common childhood disorders and often goes undiagnosed without the hyperactivity component. Since I was not hyperactive and my grades were average, my disorder was not detected until the curriculum accelerated. In my case, my symptoms did not become evident until I was 8 years old. In the third grade, I began to struggle academically, and my grades declined. I failed my first STARR test and was placed in special tutoring sessions for Math and Reading. I was assigned a PAL (Peer Assist and Leader) from the high school to assist me with my homework. I was in jeopardy of failing for the first time. At that time, my mother recognized the ADD presentation since my sister was diagnosed three years prior. She shared her concerns with my pediatrician and teacher. After a thorough evaluation, I was diagnosed with ADD and began taking medication. I quickly had an improvement in my performance and grades. Despite the improvement, I still had difficulty with concentration, staying on task, taking tests, reading comprehension and completing tasks in a timely manner. I work slower than most, so I am always the last one to complete assignments. Reading is especially difficult for me, since I often need to reread passages to comprehend the content. Since I am easily distracted, testing and assignment completion are difficult and sometimes requires a small group setting or hallway placement. I also have trouble with memorization, which increases my study time to fully retain the information. I have always known that I would have to work harder and study more than most, but I was not going to let that stop me from succeeding. For a very long time, I was ashamed of my disability and would not ask for accommodations or help. My junior year, my mother again encouraged me to reach out to my counselor to request accommodations. My counselor recommended increased testing time, small group testing and electronic use in the classroom as needed. I was excited to learn that along with these modifications, I would also receive increase time on my AP exam, which subsequently led to a score of four on my exam. These accommodations have helped immensely in high school and college dual credit classes. My only regret is that I did not seek help sooner. Despite all the challenges I have faced from my learning disability, I have become a straight A student with a weighted grade point average of 4.397. During high school, I have had a rigorous academic schedule and participated in many hours of extracurricular activities. I excelled academically while dancing every weeknight at the studio and at school functions. Dancing is very time consuming and was difficult to balance with socialization and classwork. My success was a direct result of hard work, dedication and prioritization. My experience with juggling all of these extracurricular activities along with schoolwork facilitated time management and decisions that are more responsible. I stayed strong in my convictions and did not give into peer pressure. On the weekends and holidays, I had to prioritize my activities, school before socialization, and get ahead on my studies to accommodate my busy weekday schedule. I believe that school should always come first, and I always give one hundred percent. ADD imposes challenging disabilities, but it has taught me hard work, discipline and organization. I have learned from this experience to never be ashamed to ask for and accept help. The extra time I received taking my exams was vital to my success. I know that I will always have continued challenges, but now I am better prepared and intend to achieve all my educational and career goals.

Community service is important because it brings individuals closer to their community and teaches the meaning of charity and giving back. A good servant must have integrity, which determines a code of value, dedication to carry out those values and a servant’s heart to help others. I have strived to ascertain these characteristics to become a better servant in my community. Throughout my high school career, I have volunteered through my high school dance team, as a PAL (peer assistance leader), and as a member of my local dance studio. These roles have enriched my life so much and taught me the full meaning and importance of volunteering. A good servant goes beyond good deeds; a true leader should lead by example in everyday life. I am a student of a Christian dance studio where I can express my love of Jesus through dance. At the studio, my classmates and I have a common faith in God. Outside of the studio, I enjoy reading my Bible every night before bed and encouraging my friends to join me. I have a strong desire to share my love for Jesus with my friends and fellow teammates. Recently, at a Friday night football game, two of my fellow dance team officers approached me to tell me about their conversation. One of the girls told the other that she wanted to be closer to God. She replied, “Laney brought me closer to God so you should talk to her.” They both wanted me to know that I had brought them closer to God when spending time with me. This was the best compliment I have ever received because my purpose on earth is to serve Jesus. At that moment, I realized that my role as a leader is very important and can inspire and motivate others do better and be better. As a mentor in the PALs program, I displayed servant leadership. I was an example not only to the kids that I helped but also to my high school peers. Our school peers look to us to set the example. Servant leadership is the act of putting people first before your own needs. When being a PAL, I could never be selfish or thoughtless. I based my actions on the needs of the children assigned to me. Throughout my high school years, I have served in my community as a student and dancer. As a Senior Company member at Joy’s School of Dance, we annually volunteer to dance at several events including Junior League’s Deck the Halls, Waco Art Festival, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo, and Waco’s Christmas Tree Lighting. As a part of the PALs and the dance team, I have also volunteered in local school and community events, such as Kickball Tournament, Emergency Preparedness Simulation, Retirement Centers and the VA Hospital. Each of these activities has taught me the valuable lesson of helping others in need. I can continue my community service in college, a career and life in general through my faith and desire to help others. Community service develops many essentials qualities that are vital to future success in life. I feel privileged that I have had the opportunity to volunteer through my dance team, PALs program and dance studio. I also want to share my faith, and inspire others to give back to their community. I am very passionate about helping others, which is also displayed in my career choice, a Physician Assistant.

Dancing has been a big part of my high school career. I dance on my high school dance team, where I have been a lieutenant for two years and now Captain my senior year. I also dance at a local dance studio, Joy’s School of Dance. I have been dancing overall 9 years, and dance is truly a passion of mine. As part of these organizations, I experienced many rewarding benefits including an honorary dance trip to New York, a TATD Dance Jazz scholarship and many team/individual awards. I have learned discipline, teamwork, independence, dedication and leadership that have provided me with the necessary tools to be a successful student and adult. When I joined the dance team, I never imagined how much the team would help mold me into who I am today. During my first year on the team, I received an opportunity to audition for Dance Academy at our summer dance camp. As one of the select few chosen, I attended a trip to New York with the Academy. Since I was only fourteen and had never traveled without a parental guardian, this trip was a major stepping-stone that allowed me to experience independence for the first time and make responsible decisions on my own. At that moment, I realized I did not need my parents always holding my hand, and that I had the strength, responsibility and courage that would carry me through life. Competition was also an important part of the dance team that expanded my growth. These annual competitions challenged me as a team leader and an individual. As an officer, I choreographed officer and team dance routines, set formations, chose costumes, and lead practices. My freshman year, I developed new skills by choreographing my solo dance, which also provided me with the opportunity to excel and discover my own strengths and weaknesses. I, subsequently, applied this skill to choreographing future dances for the team to perform at football games, pep rallies and competition. During my sophomore year in high school, I attended TATD (Texas Association of Teachers of Dance) dance convention. Out of approximately 400 dancers, a panel of judges awards scholarships to one individual for each genre of dance. I was honored to receive the Jazz scholarship and represent my dance studio. This award improved my confidence and allowed me to go from being a follower to a leader. I knew many young dancers from my studio would now look up to me as a role model. Knowing this pushed me to step up, take charge and be that leader to set the example for others. My dance experience gives me a unique, individual and team perspective. It has taught me leadership, teamwork, dedication, focus, communication and self-discipline. Dance develops many essentials qualities that are vital to future success in life. I feel privileged that I have had the opportunity to lead my dance team, share my passion and inspire others.

During high school, I attended the Texas Association of Teachers of Dance convention. Out of approximately 400 dancers, a panel of judges awards scholarships to one individual for each genre of dance. I was honored to receive the Jazz scholarship and represent my dance studio. This award improved my confidence and allowed me to go from being a follower to a leader. I knew many young dancers from my studio would now look up to me as a role model. Knowing this pushed me to step up, take charge, and be that leader to set the example for others.