When one transitions from middle school to high school it is not uncommon for there to be a lot of coaching from parents and school staff about the adjustment, expectation, and mindset change necessary to be successful. Whether it’s parents or friends who have traveled that path ahead of you, warnings, tips, and tricks for survival in this teenage work of high school are plentiful. Hence, in my junior year, there were many welcome and unwelcome alerts about how this was the make-or-break season of my academic career. So, I would need to buckle up and brace myself for the roller coaster ride that 11th grade would entail. To add to the alert, I was entering my Junior year right out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Truthfully, I did not expect for it to be the challenge many said it could be. I was optimistic because so many school systems were having so many issues with bringing students back to the classroom and though we were back in some spaces, there was a lingering pandemic. However, in hindsight, I should have probably taken some of that advice because the adjustment was challenging and became overwhelming for many reasons. The workload was extremely overwhelming as students and teachers tried to “catch up” to the curriculum not covered or minimally meeting benchmarks during the “virtual learning period” of the pandemic. Personally, I was more overwhelmed with the work than I could have ever imagined, and realized quickly I didn’t have the tools I needed to effectively tackle my situation. There was a specific time during the year in which all of my work for Honors English 4 class, AP Seminar, and AP U.S History class were all piling up on top of each other at a faster rate than I was equipped to handle. It seemed like no matter where I looked there was a deadline to meet, an assignment to complete, or a quiz or test coming up. The feeling of being overwhelmed began to have a negative effect on my mental health. It was beginning to trigger my, up to this point, managed history of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Initially, I did not address this challenge in a positive way because I didn’t feel comfortable asking anyone for help in fear of looking vulnerable. This strategy was not healthy and allowed the problem to persist. Instead of accessing the resources around me to help support my process, I silenced myself and hid. I couldn’t remain in this state, I needed to do something, speak to someone because I didn’t want to drown under the pressure of deadlines and feelings of being overwhelmed. So, I did! First, I got honest with my parents and we created a plan to tackle the deadlines, in addition to setting up a conference with my teacher. Taking away the mantle of being “strong” and allowing myself to be helped saved me from drowning. Now I know, when faced with feelings of being overwhelmed it isn’t up to me to handle everything on my own. Instead, the power lied in the strength for me to be vulnerable and ask for help. This continues to be a great reminder for me as I’m about to make yet another transition from one academic setting to a more advanced and challenging one. I now make it a point to remind myself that asking for help doesn’t make me weak, it makes me human.

Pursuing a career in STEM will allow me to reach many young kids struggling with mental health like I once was. It all started when I was 10 years old and I told my parents that I want to be a Pediatrician. I could tell by the look on their faces that they were surprised. Although they were completely supportive, they could not conceal the fact that they were curious as to why I answered that way. This was an ambitious statement for a fifth grader and it wowed my parents, little did they know that the inspiration came from one of my pediatric appointments. Walking into the pediatrician was the least bit interesting for me as a child. I was sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor had asked me about my physical aspects, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” I’d never had anyone ask me this before. The shock soon left my body and the anxiety set in. I worked up the courage to answer the question truthfully. “Yes,” I whispered. Then is when I realized that my doctor might have just saved my life. It felt like a part of me had been freed because up until that point, I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do precisely what she did for me but for others. In order to eventually achieve this goal I will need to receive an undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. Afterwards, attending medical school, completing a residency, and finally becoming a licensed Pediatrician. Whether it be recommending the children to a therapist, allowing their parent or guardian to help them, or just allowing them to put a name to what they are feeling, I hope to be a vessel that not only cares about their physical health but their mental health as well. I believe pursuing a STEM career will give me a solid foundation to build on in medical school so that I can then put the youth in my community's all-around health first like my pediatrician once did for me.

Pursuing a career in STEM will allow me to reach many young kids struggling with mental health like I once was. It all started when I was 10 years old and I told my parents that I want to be a Pediatrician. I could tell by the look on their faces that they were surprised. Although they were completely supportive, they could not conceal the fact that they were curious as to why I answered that way. This was an ambitious statement for a fifth grader and it wowed my parents, little did they know that the inspiration came from one of my pediatric appointments. Walking into the pediatrician was the least bit interesting for me as a child. I was sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor had asked me about my physical aspects, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” I’d never had anyone ask me this before. The shock soon left my body and the anxiety set in. I worked up the courage to answer the question truthfully. “Yes,” I whispered. Then is when I realized that my doctor might have just saved my life. It felt like a part of me had been freed because up until that point, I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do precisely what she did for me but for others. In order to eventually achieve this goal I will need to receive an undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. Afterwards, attending medical school, completing a residency, and finally becoming a licensed Pediatrician. Whether it be recommending the children to a therapist, allowing their parent or guardian to help them, or just allowing them to put a name to what they are feeling, I hope to be a vessel that not only cares about their physical health but their mental health as well. I believe pursuing a STEM career will give me a solid foundation to build on in medical school so that I can then put the youth in my community's all-around health first like my pediatrician once did for me.

Pursuing a career in STEM will allow me to reach many young kids who are struggling with their mental health like I once was. It all started when I was 10 years old and I told my parents that I want to be a Pediatrician. I could tell by the look on their faces that they were surprised. Although they were completely supportive, they could not conceal the fact that they were curious as to why I answered that way. This was an ambitious statement for a fifth grader and it wowed my parents, little did they know that the inspiration came from one of my pediatric appointments. Walking into the pediatrician was the least bit interesting for me as a child. I was sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor had asked me about my physical aspects, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” I’d never had anyone ask me this before. The shock soon left my body and the anxiety set in. I worked up the courage to answer the question truthfully. “Yes,” I whispered. Then is when I realized that my doctor might have just saved my life. It felt like a part of me had been freed because up until that point, I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do exactly what she did for me but for others. In order to eventually achieve this goal I will need to receive an undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. Afterwards, attending a medical school, completing a residency, and finally becoming a licensed Pediatrician. Whether it be recommending the children to a therapist, allowing their parent or guardian to help them, or just allowing them to put a name to what they are feeling, I hope to be a vessel that not only cares about their physical health but their mental health as well. I believe pursuing a STEM career will give me a solid foundation to build on in medical school so that I can then put the youth in my community's all-around health first like my pediatrician once did for me.

Pursuing a career in STEM will allow me to reach many young kids who are struggling with their mental health like I once was. It all started when I was 10 years old and I told my parents that I want to be a Pediatrician. I could tell by the look on their faces that they were surprised. Although they were completely supportive, they could not conceal the fact that they were curious as to why I answered that way. This was an ambitious statement for a fifth grader and it wowed my parents, little did they know that the inspiration came from one of my pediatric appointments. Walking into the pediatrician was the least bit interesting for me as a child. I was sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor had asked me about my physical aspects, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” I’d never had anyone ask me this before. The shock soon left my body and the anxiety set in. I worked up the courage to answer the question truthfully. “Yes,” I whispered. Then is when I realized that my doctor might have just saved my life. It felt like a part of me had been freed because up until that point, I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do exactly what she did for me but for others. In order to eventually achieve this goal I will need to receive an undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. Afterwards, attending a medical school, completing a residency, and finally becoming a licensed Pediatrician. Whether it be recommending the children to a therapist, allowing their parent or guardian to help them, or just allowing them to put a name to what they are feeling, I hope to be a vessel that not only cares about their physical health but their mental health as well. I believe pursuing a STEM career will give me a solid foundation to build on in medical school so that I can then put the youth in my community's all-around health first like my pediatrician once did for me.

Loss has never been something foreign to me. It confronted me very often in my childhood and didn't seem to be anything other than normal. Whether it be an old church friend, someone she went to high school with, or a long-lost family member, my mother always deemed it necessary that we both attend every funeral she was invited to. I went to my first funeral at five years old and ever since attending them became a sort of strange routine. I never viewed death as something to be afraid of. It almost felt like a distant cousin that I knew of but never had the intention of meeting, that was until April of 2021. It was finals week and I was taking my Algebra 2 final when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was my mom calling me to tell me that my aunt died. At first, a sense of numbness fell over me and it wasn't until we got to the hospital and I saw her lifeless body that it all sunk in. Death had stood right in my face and taken someone who I always thought would be there. I was aware that she had health issues but I didn't expect them to win. Until then I had only attended the funeral of people I didn't know and so it almost didn't feel real. Almost like a sick dream that I would eventually awake from. Nothing seemed clear to me after that day. I didn't know how to think, feel, or even act. There was a hole in my heart where my aunt once resided that felt unfillable. Eventually, her funeral came and this time was different than all of the previous. It didn't feel like just a routine it felt heavy and suffocating. The realization that hit me harder than intended was that my aunt would never sit in the crowd and watch me grab my diploma. That realization flipped a switch in my brain from grief to determination. It didn;t happen immediately but once it did, I felt it heavier than ever. I felt the need to achieve everything I promised her I would. Ever since I was 10 years old I've wanted to become a Pediatrician. I was sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor had asked me about my physical aspects, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” I’d never had anyone ask me this before. The shock soon left my body and the anxiety set in. I worked up the courage to answer the question truthfully. “Yes,” I whispered. Then is when I realized that my doctor might have just saved my life. It felt like a part of me had been freed because up until that point, I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I knew something was wrong and didn’t know how to fix it. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do exactly what she did for me but for others. The time after my aunt took her last breath was when that motivation hit me harder than ever before. Life is temporary and death is never afraid to look you in the eyes and take you by the hand. It is my responsibility to take that grief I feel and use that to drive me closer and closer to my future. I loved my aunt with every fiber of my being and her no longer being with me brought the opportunity for me to lose sight of myself. However, I know she wouldn't want this to change the course of my life or my future. I will fight to one day become the pediatrician my aunt would be proud of.

Who knew that an annual trip to the Pediatrician would change my life for the better? I was 11 years old sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor asked me questions about my physical health, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” After the shock left my body, the anxiety set in, and after I worked up the courage to answer truthfully, I whispered “yes.” and just like that, it felt like a part of me had been freed. Up until that point I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know how to fix it. Like a switch that had been flicked on, I realized that this woman might have just saved my life. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do precisely what she did for me but for others. I hope to attend an accredited HBCU so that I can achieve my undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. From there I plan to attend medical school, specializing in pediatrics, and become a licensed Pediatrician. The amount of schooling in my future will not be easy and it will take a lot of time and hard work. From the many essays, exams, studying, and transitioning from teenager to adult there will be plenty of circumstances that will challenge me. From a birds-eye view, this may seem discouraging but I know that through the experience I will overcome the obstacles and become what my pediatrician was for me but for some other little girl or boy. Receiving this scholarship will profoundly impact my academic career and life goals. Growing up in a low-income household I’ve learned from an early age not to let my financial circumstances hinder me from living an abundant life. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to achieve my academic goals despite my financial situation. I attended Temple University’s Mini Medical School Program and it reminded me why I still aspire to a career in health care. I want to help little kids who are like me and who need an outlet to discuss their mental and physical well-being.

Who knew that an annual trip to the Pediatrician would change my life for the better? I was 11 years old sitting at what seemed to be a regular check-up when my pediatrician asked me a life-changing question. At that time, I’d been struggling with depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. After my doctor asked me questions about my physical health, she asked me about my mind. She said “I’m looking at your mental health questionnaire and I’m not liking the results. Are you experiencing thoughts of depression and suicide?” After the shock left my body, the anxiety set in, and after I worked up the courage to answer truthfully, I whispered “yes.” and just like that, it felt like a part of me had been freed. Up until that point I had not been able to put what I was feeling into words. I just knew something was wrong and didn’t know how to fix it. Like a switch that had been flicked on, I realized that this woman might have just saved my life. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to become a pediatrician and do exactly what she did for me but for others. I hope to attend an accredited HBCU so that I can achieve my undergraduate degree in Biology, Pre-Med track. From there I will be attending medical school, specializing in pediatrics, and becoming a licensed Pediatrician. The amount of schooling in my future will not be easy and it will take a lot of time and hard work. From the many essays, exams, studying, and transitioning from teenager to adult there will be plenty of circumstances that will challenge me. From a birds-eye view, this may seem discouraging but I know that through the experience I will overcome the obstacles and become what my pediatrician was for me but for some other little girl or boy. Receiving the Etherine Tansimore Scholarship will have a profound impact on my academic career and life goals. Growing up in a low-income household I’ve learned from an early age not to let my financial circumstances hinder me from living an abundant life. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to achieve my academic goals despite my financial situation. I attended Temple University’s Mini Medical School Program and it reminded me why I still aspire to a career in health care. I want to help little kids who are like me and who need an outlet to discuss their mental and physical well-being.