I don’t fit the ‘traditional mold’ of who belongs in STEM, and I’ve stopped trying to. As a Black woman in STEM, I’ve been on the losing end of stereotyping and low expectations many times. Unfortunately, no matter how intelligent you are, someone will still talk down to you, and It’s so bad that it’s been a running joke for decades. Still, I know better than to let casual racism or misogyny discourage me, nor should it discourage anyone else. I’ve had a passion for lab work and microorganisms of all kinds since I was a small child. I knew from the start that I wanted to be a scientist (except I was too young to know that a chemist, engineer, and biologist were not the same thing.) This excitement around the lab grew into a love for microbiology, and it’s why I want to go to medical school to study pathology. All my life, I’ve done the best in science; whether it was general science, chemistry, or biology, I always received higher scores than in other subjects. For me, it’s not just about money or work; I plan to consume as much knowledge as possible from my education and well into my research. I want to learn so I can keep learning. I don’t just want to be someone who loves biology, though. I want to be an example for all the people who think less of their intelligence due to harmful stereotypes among the community. I know that it’s hard. I wish I could skip to when I know everything about anything. It kills me that learning is such a slow process, but there is satisfaction in it, too. It hasn’t been easy, nor do I expect it to be. There were times I felt like I had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously. But I’ve learned perseverance alongside despondency. My message: No matter how many obstacles contort the path, keep moving forward. Being one of the few black women in my field isn’t about me achieving my own goals—it’s about showing others what’s possible. I want to be the person who opens doors and makes it a little easier for the next student who looks like me. I try to achieve this now by scolding my friends when they want to give up. It is hard to see my siblings think lowly of themselves because of the treatment they endure. It doesn’t help that having an absent father and a mother who’s in prison only contributes to how easy it is to be stereotyped. I wish people knew that you can be in a situation like this and still be intelligent. My mother and father are highly educated people despite their mistakes. My mom always told me, “You’re smart enough to do it,” when I doubted myself—and I have many times—but my little sister doesn't have her to tell her that anymore, making it my job to set a good example. I want my future career to leave more than my research; I want it to leave hope, and this scholarship will help me stay in school.

My journey to becoming a clinical psychologist and an advocate for justice reform has been driven by a deep-seated commitment to create positive change, grounded in my own life experiences. From an early age, I saw how untreated mental health challenges and a lack of transparency in legal matters can impact entire families, leaving them struggling without support. I want to change this reality by providing compassionate care as a psychologist and by advancing policies that ensure fairness and transparency for those involved in our justice system. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is my work with the nonprofit Societal Reform Corporation, where I’ve dedicated hundreds of hours as a student ambassador. While working with their Joy App, I developed a mindfulness exercise called “Look Up.” This practice encourages people to pause, breathe, and find a moment of peace amid life’s hardships. It’s a simple exercise rooted in my own faith and belief that resilience is within us all—we just need the right tools to bring it out. Seeing how “Look Up” has helped people has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s fueled my desire to keep finding ways to support others’ mental well-being. Alongside my dedication to mental health, I am actively involved in justice reform. I’m currently working with Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones on “Alana’s Law,” a bill honoring my mother that would require minimum mandatory sentences to be labeled on charging documents. This may sound small, but it’s an important step toward transparency in sentencing, which can prevent families from being blindsided by lengthy prison terms. Thousands of people facing legal challenges would benefit from understanding the stakes up front. For me, this work isn’t just about legislation—it’s about giving people the tools they need to make informed choices, helping them to navigate incredibly challenging situations. Becoming a clinical psychologist is my way of combining these passions. In my career, I hope to not only provide therapy for individuals but also to advocate for sustainable changes in mental health access and justice reform. I envision a future where my work supports both people and communities over the long term, bridging the gap between mental health services and legal empowerment. My faith and commitment to compassion guide me every day, inspiring me to reach for these goals. I know that achieving my dreams will require dedication, hard work, and a commitment to advocating for those who may not have a voice. This scholarship would be an essential step forward in my journey, allowing me to deepen my education and strengthen my mission to support mental health and justice reform. With the Cochener Family’s support, I believe I can become a powerful, positive force in my community and beyond.

Life is a wild ride, on a dark road, with only your heart and mind to steer the way. I’ve faced my share of challenges—both personally and within my family—and each struggle has helped build a gritty mindset in me. After shedding a thousand tears, I learned that I can't let the pain win. I’ve embraced resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of my goals. "Chin up," my mom would tell me, reminding me to lean on my faith. It all began with my father, a retired NFL player, who has struggled with the long-term effects of concussions. Watching him transform from a fearless 6'3", 240 lb. fullback into someone battling panic attacks and severe neurological disorders has been heartbreaking. He often spends weeks in bed, grappling with the toll of his injuries. For years, strong medications left him incoherent, and distress from spinning sensations kept him from talking. Over time, I realized that despair wouldn’t help; I needed to turn my pain into advocacy. Then there’s my brother, a survivor of the Parkland school shooting. His experience has opened my eyes to the urgent need for mental health resources, especially for those who’ve faced unimaginable trauma. It’s one thing to understand the pain; it’s another to see how vital it is to offer hope and help to those who need it most. In high school, I took on a leadership role as a student ambassador and wellness coordinator at Societal Reform Corporation, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health. I dedicated over 400 hours into initiatives like the Joy AI Wellness Platform App, which focuses on bite size mindfulness. These experiences have driven my goal to pursue a degree in psychology. I want to dedicate my life to developing mental health resources for people from all walks of life—athletes, trauma survivors, students—you name it. Through my leadership roles, I’ve encouraged conversations about mental health, breaking down the stigma that often surrounds it. I believe that vulnerability is a strength and that sharing our stories can be incredibly powerful. In 2022, I faced my own mental health challenges when my mother was convicted of a crime and sentenced to ten years in prison. She was my rock, and losing her felt like losing my entire support system. With my dad unwell and living far away, and my grandparents unable to care for me and my siblings, I felt lost and overwhelmed. I often spiraled into hopelessness and considered ending it all, but my love for my mother kept me grounded. I realized I didn’t want to add to her pain; she had already suffered so much yet always showed incredible strength. My love for my mom saved my life. I knew I had to turn things around, starting with myself. Grit isn’t for the faint of heart. These challenges have instilled in me a gritty mindset that refuses to back down. Life can play dirty, but you can’t quit; you have to embrace the mud, even when you hate it. Survival requires us to adapt and grow, even when it’s inconvenient. I strive to be a source of strength for those around me, encouraging them to persevere when it hurts the most. As I move forward in my journey through higher education and beyond, I carry the lessons from my family’s struggles. My grit isn’t just about enduring tough times; it’s about thriving despite them and using my experiences to uplift others. I’m determined to make a meaningful impact in the mental health field, ensuring that no one has to face their battles alone.