When I tell people I’m a cancer survivor, they’re usually surprised because it happened when I was really young. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at four and finished treatment at six. Even though that feels like a lifetime ago, the effects didn’t just disappear once the treatments stopped. They followed me into school and honestly shaped the way I learned and how I saw myself for years. Chemo made me super weak. I had trouble with balance, and I fell a lot. I even got a scar on my forehead from hitting my head while playing with my brother. Stuff that seemed easy for other kids, like running in gym or climbing a few steps, felt hard for me. I never wanted to draw attention to myself, so I stayed quiet. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was different. Because I missed so much school during treatment, I came back feeling behind. Even when I did understand something, I still doubted myself. Timed tests stressed me out, and group projects made me nervous because I didn’t want to slow anyone down. Most of the challenges were mental, but they felt very real. I kept comparing myself to everyone else and wondering if chemo had messed with my abilities. Eventually, I had to learn how to work with what I had instead of being embarrassed by it. I started building habits that made school feel less overwhelming. I go over my notes at night so I don’t fall behind. I ask questions when I’m confused, even though I still get shy about it. I also break assignments into smaller steps so I don’t get stuck staring at a huge task. These little things actually make a big difference for me. A lot of my motivation comes from my mom. She did everything for me when I was sick and stayed strong even when things were scary. Seeing her handle everything the way she did makes me want to push through anything that comes my way. She always believed I could catch up and go far, even when I didn’t believe it myself. Now I’m planning to study business and psychology because I like understanding why people make certain decisions and how they think. Sometimes school still feels challenging, but I don’t panic the way I used to. When something gets hard, I remind myself that I survived something that could have taken my whole future away. A bad test or a stressful week is nothing compared to that. My medical condition definitely made school harder for me, both physically and mentally. It made me doubt myself a lot. But it also taught me how to work hard, how to stay consistent, and how to move forward even when I feel unsure. I had to learn how to adjust to things that were totally out of my control, and I think that’s something I’ll always carry with me. I’m still learning and still growing, but I know I’m stronger than I used to be. Everything I went through helped shape who I am and how I approach my goals. I keep going because I know what it took to get here, and I’m not finished yet.

My name is Lea Chebaklo and I am a senior at Medway High School. When I think about the experiences that shaped me, the first thing that comes to mind is cancer. It entered my life twice, once when I was very young and again years later in a very different way. I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was four years old. I finished treatment when I was six. I do not remember everything from that time, but I remember being tired a lot and spending long hours in the hospital. The thing I remember most clearly is my mom. She stayed with me the entire time. She was not working during those years because taking care of me became her whole world. Now that I am older, I understand how much she carried and how much she gave up so I could get better. When I was in my early teens, cancer came back into our home through my grandmother. She had cholangiocarcinoma and moved in with us. This time I saw everything with clear eyes. My mom became her caregiver just like she had been mine, but now she was also working a full time remote job. I watched her do video meetings with one hand and manage medications or respond to emergencies with the other. Some nights she barely slept. It made me see how much caregivers take on and how often people forget about their needs. At school I focus on business and the social sciences. I am taking AP Economics and AP Psychology because I like understanding how people think and how real world systems work. I also work as a cashier at Supreme Pizza. I take orders in person and on the phone and I help keep everything clean and organized. It has taught me how to deal with all kinds of people and how to stay calm when the restaurant gets busy. I also volunteer at my local food pantry. I help stock shelves, sort donations and assist families who come in. It opened my eyes to how many people are struggling quietly and how much a little help can mean. After high school I plan to study business in college. I want to work in finance or management one day, but I also want to build something that helps families who are dealing with illness or long term stress. I have seen what that looks like. It stays with you. If I could start my own charity, I would call it Second Hour Support. The idea comes from watching my mom. Caregivers rarely get even a single hour to themselves. Some days they get none at all. My charity would focus on giving them help, both practical and emotional. Volunteers would do things like grocery shopping, meal prep, cleaning and organizing. They would also give caregivers a chance to rest or have someone to talk to when everything feels heavy. I have seen illness from both sides. I survived cancer as a child and later watched someone I love go through it. Those experiences taught me how important it is to support the people who are carrying the weight. This scholarship would help me learn the skills I need to build something that does that for others.

My grandmother passed away on my birthday. It happened right before 6 p.m. on February 15. Most people think of birthdays as a time for cake and laughter. For me, that day now holds two feelings at the same time. I remember standing in the quiet of our house and realizing that she was gone. I felt shock first, then a heavy kind of sadness. It took a while before I could understand what that moment meant. Over time I have come to see that life and loss sometimes stand side by side. That day changed the way I see almost everything. My grandmother lived with us for years while she fought cancer. By the end, our home felt like a small hospital. The sounds of machines filled the rooms where we used to eat and talk. I would sit next to her and hold her hand. I wanted her to feel safe. My mom did everything she could. There were nights when she had to call 911 because my grandmother went septic again. I learned words like sepsis and organ failure long before I learned how to drive. Watching my mom during those nights showed me what strength looks like in real life. She was exhausted and still kept going. Her illness brought back memories from my own childhood. When I was four, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I went through years of chemotherapy. I do not remember every detail, but I remember how scared my parents were whenever I had a fever. Doctors warned that a fever could turn into something very serious. When my grandmother got sick, those same warnings returned. It felt like our family had to face the same fear again, only this time I was old enough to understand it. It was painful, but it also connected us. We had to depend on each other. We learned how to keep moving forward even when we were afraid. After she passed away, I started to notice small things that I used to ignore. I noticed the way sunlight hits our kitchen in the afternoon. I noticed the sound of my mom laughing again after weeks of silence. I try to focus on the moments that make life feel full, even if they are simple. I also try to be kinder to people. I know that many of us carry pain that does not show on the outside. This loss changed what I want for my future. I plan to study business in college. I want a career that gives me independence and also lets me help others. My grandmother’s courage taught me that a meaningful life is built one decision at a time. It is built by showing up for the people you love and by doing your best even when things are not perfect. I want to live in a way that would make her proud. Losing her right before 6 p.m. on my birthday will always be part of my story. It taught me that joy and sadness can share the same day. It taught me that love does not end when a person is gone. I miss her every day, but I carry her strength with me. Because of her, I believe I can face hard things and still keep moving. That is the lesson I will take with me to college and into the rest of my life.

When I think about the person I’ve become, I see someone who learned how to stay calm during chaos. My life hasn’t been easy, but it taught me that challenges can turn into strength. I want to use what I have learned to make a difference through business and help others find purpose even when life feels uncertain. When I was four years old, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I don’t remember every detail, but I remember the fear in my parents’ eyes and how hospitals became part of my childhood. During that time, even a small fever meant rushing to the hospital because doctors warned my parents that I could turn septic. After two years of treatment, I recovered, and while I was too young to understand it fully, that experience gave me a kind of quiet strength that stayed with me. Years later, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. This time, I understood everything. I helped take care of her through hospital visits, late-night emergencies, and several 911 calls. We faced the same warnings about fevers and sepsis, and eventually, she passed away in February 2025. Losing her was heartbreaking, but it reminded me of how much courage I had gained as a child and how important it is to be there for the people you love. Those experiences shaped how I see success. To me, success isn’t just about getting good grades or a high-paying job. It’s about how you treat people and what you give back to the world. That belief is why I want to study business. I am currently taking AP Economics, AP Psychology, and Honors Financial Literacy, and I plan to major in business with a focus on finance or marketing. I’m interested in how businesses can influence communities in positive ways, create opportunities, and bring people together. I already see small ways to make an impact in my daily life. I’ve been working part-time as a cashier at a local pizza restaurant since my junior year, and it has taught me responsibility, teamwork, and how to stay kind even on busy nights. I also volunteer at my town’s food pantry, where I use my Arabic and Portuguese to help families who don’t speak English. Seeing their gratitude reminds me how meaningful it is to help others feel seen and understood. In the future, I hope to build a career where I can use business not only to grow but also to give back. I want to help design programs that support families who are struggling and create opportunities for women to step into leadership and believe in their own strength. Everything I’ve been through taught me that strength doesn’t mean never falling. It means standing up again, no matter how hard things get. I plan to carry that lesson with me as I move forward—working hard, learning constantly, and using every opportunity to make life a little brighter for someone else.

When I was four years old, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At that age, I didn’t really understand what was happening, but I knew that something big had changed. My parents looked worried all the time, and the hospital became a second home. I remember the smell of the hallways, the soft voices of nurses, and how the machines made sounds that I tried to count like songs. Most of what I remember has to do with blood. There were so many tests and transfusions that it felt like my body depended on the kindness of people I didn’t even know. Sometimes I would stare at the red bags hanging beside me and wonder whose blood was keeping me alive. I didn’t understand it then, but those strangers were giving me the chance to keep growing up. It taught me something about people and how powerful it is when they give without expecting anything in return. The years of treatment were long and scary. Every fever meant another trip to the hospital. I saw my parents try to stay calm even when I could tell they were terrified. I learned that strength isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about showing up every single day, even when you’re tired or afraid. When I finally finished treatment at six years old, I thought life would go back to normal. In many ways it did, but part of me always remembered how fragile things could be. I knew how much could change in a second and how important it was to appreciate every ordinary day. Years later, my grandmother got sick with cancer. Her illness was different from mine, but being in hospitals again brought back all the memories of my own treatment. She had infections and complications, and there were nights when my family had to call 911 again and again. Watching her go through that showed me something deeper about love and courage. Even when she was weak, she would smile and tell me to keep going. When she passed away from organ failure caused by sepsis, it hurt in ways I can’t explain. But it also reminded me how fragile the body is and how much strength can exist inside it at the same time. My grandmother’s fight reminded me how much resilience flows through generations and how powerful compassion can be. Living through leukemia and later losing my grandmother taught me to see people differently. When I volunteer at the food pantry in my town, I notice the quiet strength in others. I see how much people carry that no one else can see. It made me want to be someone who helps in small but meaningful ways, the same way people once helped me. Having a blood disorder shaped how I look at the world. It made me realize how much life depends on balance and how something invisible inside us can change everything. I’ve learned that hope can exist even in the darkest places and that kindness can change everything. I will always carry my experiences with me, not as something to be sad about, but as proof that even when life feels fragile, it can still be full of purpose.

Growing up, I never really saw life as predictable or simple. My earliest memories include hospital rooms, beeping monitors, and adults whispering words I didn’t understand but could feel. For a long time, illness was the background of my childhood, something my family and I learned to live around. What started as my own health battle taught me how fragile and strong the human body can be at the same time. Later, when my grandmother became sick, those same fears returned, only louder. I had already seen what it meant to fight, but this time I watched from the other side, trying to comfort the person who had always comforted me. There were nights filled with emergency calls and quiet prayers, moments when I could see the exhaustion in everyone’s eyes. When she passed, what hurt most wasn’t just saying goodbye, but realizing how deeply her presence had shaped our family and how different everything felt without her. Then came another kind of illness, one that doesn’t always show on the outside but still changes everything. Some days our home grows quiet and dim, and I’m reminded that strength can mean simply getting through the day. Watching someone I love push through invisible challenges has changed how I see perseverance. It isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet and steady. These experiences have made me more aware, patient, and determined. They taught me to notice people who are struggling silently, not only those in hospitals but also classmates and coworkers who might be fighting battles that no one can see. I’ve learned that kindness and awareness are also forms of strength. What inspires me most is how life continues despite everything. Illness took a lot from my family, but it also gave us perspective. It made me value stability, compassion, and purpose. It’s why I volunteer at the local food pantry, where I meet families who remind me of ours, doing their best in hard times. Helping them gives me the same sense of meaning I used to wish for when things felt hopeless. In college, I plan to study business, maybe finance or marketing. My goal isn’t only to build a successful career but also to create opportunities for people who face barriers like my family did. I hope to make a difference through community programs, nonprofit work, or simply by being someone who understands. Empowering others doesn’t always mean changing the whole world. Sometimes it means helping one person believe they can still build a life even when things fall apart. Living with and around chronic illness has taught me lessons no textbook ever could. It showed me the strength that comes from vulnerability, the power of empathy, and the importance of never taking health or hope for granted. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that surviving is not the same as living. I plan to live fully and with purpose, for those who couldn’t and for those who still fight every day.

My name is Lea Chebaklo, and I am a high school senior who survived leukemia when I was four years old. That experience shaped the way I see life, especially when it comes to illness and strength. During my treatment, I learned the word “sepsis” earlier than most kids ever should. Doctors constantly warned my parents to watch for fevers because even a small one could turn septic and become life-threatening. Every time I sneezed or felt warm, my parents panicked. We kept thermometers in every room, ready to rush to the hospital if my temperature rose. I remember how their faces tightened with fear at the first sign of a fever. That constant worry stayed with me long after I recovered. Years later, when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, we heard those same warnings again. Her doctors reminded us that even a low-grade fever could be dangerous. It felt like reliving the same fear my parents once had for me, except this time it was for her. Then, when she developed sepsis for the first time, I finally understood what those warnings truly meant. Sepsis came suddenly and changed everything for my family. The infections kept returning. There were endless hospital visits, IVs, and long nights waiting for updates that never came fast enough. I remember the sound of the machines in her hospital room and how pale her skin looked under the lights. I remember my mom sitting beside her, holding her hand, trying to stay calm even though we were all scared. Sepsis didn’t just make my grandmother sick. It affected everyone around her. Every time she improved, we felt hope again. Every time she got sick, it felt like we were starting all over. There were several times when we had to call 911. I can still picture the flashing lights outside our house and the paramedics rushing through the door. My mom appeared calm, but I could hear the fear in her voice. Those nights never got easier. Watching my grandmother fight through all of that was painful, but it also showed me what real strength looks like. Her body was weak, but her spirit wasn’t. Even when she couldn’t speak, she would try to smile at us. That quiet courage left a mark on me. Because of my own experience with leukemia, I understood how fragile health can be. I knew what it felt like to live under the constant threat of infection, and now I was watching someone I loved face the same danger. Sepsis is terrifying because it happens so fast, and not enough people talk about it. I’ve learned that early treatment makes a huge difference and that families like mine often live in fear of what can happen in just a few hours. My grandmother passed away on February 15, 2025, after her organs failed from sepsis. Losing her left a hole in our family that will never fully heal, but her strength continues to guide me. I volunteer at our local food pantry, and every time I help someone who’s struggling, I think of her. She taught me what compassion means and how to stay strong while being kind. As I prepare for college, I plan to study business and use it to build a meaningful future. I want to create a life grounded in purpose and resilience—the same qualities my grandmother showed me every day. Even after hardship, it is possible to begin again.

When people talk about business, they usually think about money, success, and competition. But I have learned that business can also be a way to protect our planet. My mom works at Dell Technologies, and through her, I have seen what it looks like when a company truly cares about sustainability. Dell uses recycled materials in their products, lowers carbon emissions, and even turns plastic bottles into laptop cases and backpacks. Watching how a large company can be innovative and environmentally responsible at the same time made me realize that sustainability and business can go hand in hand. I believe sustainability should be a priority in every field, but especially in business. Every decision a company makes has an impact on the environment. Finance determines where money is spent and whether companies invest in eco-friendly solutions. Marketing shapes how people think and what they choose to support. If both areas work together with the goal of protecting the environment, businesses can become powerful forces for change. That idea has stayed with me as I think about my own future in business. When I started working as a cashier at a local pizza restaurant, I began to see how much waste can be created in a single day. There were stacks of pizza boxes, unused napkins, and plastic utensils that went straight into the trash. It made me think about how many restaurants and stores around the world are doing the same thing. That experience opened my eyes to how even small businesses can have an impact on the environment without realizing it. I started to imagine how simple changes, like switching to recyclable packaging or reducing food waste, could make a difference if everyone took small steps. In college, I plan to major in business with a focus on either finance or marketing. I want to learn how to help companies make smart decisions that also help the planet. I can see myself working in finance, supporting projects that use renewable energy or sustainable materials. I can also imagine working in marketing, creating campaigns that highlight eco-friendly products and help people make better choices. I believe that being environmentally responsible can also be good for a company’s reputation and long-term growth. Businesses that care about the planet earn the trust of their customers, and that trust is what keeps them strong. Seeing the work that Dell has done has been one of my biggest inspirations. The company has shown that sustainability is not just a goal or a trend but something that can be built into every part of what they do. Knowing that makes me hopeful about the future and motivates me to follow a similar path. I want to take what I learn in college and use it to help companies grow in ways that protect the environment. To me, caring for the planet is not something extra; it should be part of everyday life and work. I hope to be part of the generation that helps make sustainability a normal part of how businesses operate. Whether it is a global company or a local restaurant, every decision counts. My goal is to build a career that combines business success with environmental responsibility so that future generations can enjoy a cleaner and stronger world.

When I was four years old, I was diagnosed with leukemia. While other kids were learning to ride bikes, I was learning how to climb stairs again after chemotherapy. I remember sitting at the bottom step and crying, not because I wanted to give up, but because my legs were too weak to lift me. That moment stays with me as the first time I truly understood what it means to keep going even when something feels impossible. More than ten years later, I am a high school senior preparing for college and for the next chapter of my life. My hair grew back, my strength returned, and my life moved forward, but the lessons from that time never left me. I learned that progress is not always visible, that strength can be quiet, and that hope is something you hold on to even when it feels small. Those lessons shaped how I see the world and how I approach everything I do. In high school, I have worked hard to do well in my classes while also managing responsibilities outside of school. I have been a cashier at Supreme Pizza for over two years, since September 2023, and that job has taught me so much about responsibility, communication, and patience. I have learned how to handle pressure when the restaurant gets busy, how to stay positive even when I am tired, and how to manage my time so that I can balance work, school, and personal commitments. These experiences have helped me grow into someone who is dependable and self-motivated. Being able to work and contribute has also given me a deeper appreciation for what my parents have done for me. I have seen how hard they work to support our family, and that has motivated me to stay focused on my goals and to make sure their sacrifices were not for nothing. Every paycheck I earn reminds me that success comes from showing up every day and doing your best, no matter what challenges you face. Through all of this, I discovered that I have a strong interest in business. I enjoy problem-solving, organizing tasks, and working with people, and business brings all of that together. I took a dual-enrollment Introduction to Business course through MassBay Community College, and it opened my eyes to how businesses can shape communities and create opportunities for others. I want to study business in college and eventually pursue a career that allows me to help people find their path, especially those who may feel like they are starting over, just like I once did. The financial part of college is difficult for my family. We have faced many challenges over the years, from medical expenses during my treatment to caring for my grandmother when she became ill. Even though those times are behind us now, the financial impact remains. Receiving this scholarship would help reduce that pressure and allow me to focus on my studies and my future. I believe I deserve this scholarship not only because I have worked hard but because I have learned how to keep moving forward even in moments of doubt or fear. My story is not just about surviving cancer; it is about using that experience to become stronger, kinder, and more determined. I want to carry that same mindset into college, where I can continue to grow, learn, and eventually give back to others who are walking their own difficult paths. I want my future to reflect everything I have overcome and everything I am still becoming.

When I was four years old, my life became a hospital room filled with IV poles, beeping machines, and nurses who felt like family. I was diagnosed with leukemia, and while other kids were learning to ride bikes, I was learning how to climb the stairs again after chemotherapy. I could walk, but my legs weren’t strong enough to take me up those steps. I remember sitting at the bottom of the staircase and crying, not because I wanted to give up, but because I was frustrated that my body could not do what my heart wanted it to. That moment taught me something that has stayed with me ever since. Strength is not about being fearless or never falling. It is about continuing to try even when something feels impossible. Cancer changed my childhood, but it also gave me lessons that shaped who I am today. It taught me patience, determination, and gratitude for even the smallest victories. Years later, my grandmother was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. This time, I was not the one receiving care. I was the one helping, comforting, and watching someone I loved go through something I understood too well. I saw how hard she fought and how much strength it took for my family to care for her at home. Being on the other side of that experience showed me what compassion really looks like. Living through cancer twice, once as a patient and once as a family member, changed the way I see people and the world around me. It made me more understanding, more observant, and more focused on finding purpose in everything I do. I learned that leadership is not always about giving directions. Sometimes it means staying calm, listening, and finding small ways to make things better for others. These lessons are what drew me toward studying business. Many people think business is only about numbers or profit, but I see it as something much bigger. I believe good business is built on people, teamwork, and the ability to make an impact. During my grandmother’s illness, I noticed how every detail mattered—how communication, organization, and planning made a difference in her care. I realized that these same principles are what make strong and ethical businesses succeed. In high school, I have worked hard to carry those lessons into my daily life. I manage a part-time job as a cashier while keeping up with my classes, and that balance has taught me responsibility and discipline. Every time I earn a paycheck, I think of how far I have come since those early days when climbing stairs felt impossible. Each new challenge reminds me that progress takes time but is always worth it. My goal is to major in business and one day build or lead an organization that values people as much as performance. I want to create opportunities that help others grow and feel supported, just as I was supported through my hardest times. Cancer has touched my life twice, but it has also taught me what it means to persevere, to lead with empathy, and to find meaning in every step. This scholarship would help me continue moving forward toward a future built on strength, purpose, and impact.