Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Indeed, I was the president of my high school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club, aside from being one of only two black robotics team members. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, earned a 4.84 GPA, and became a valedictorian. Absolutely, I have maintained my 4.0 GPA in college. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Would you have ever imagined that I was submissive, questioned my will to live, or shut down countless times? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional way, I looked at my struggles as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and stay true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my value and power. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. On the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders. Should I receive this scholarship, I intend to use the money to pay for my enrollment in UArizona’s SALT Center, which would provide me with essential academic and psychological support. In my family, the burden of financial support lies on the shoulders of my stepdad. My grandparents are in no financial position to contribute and my biological father is not present in my life. My mom’s income pays mainly for my medical expenses.

Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be challenging at times for me; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude, as it would simply reinforce the ill-conceived notions of others and encourage mainstream society to shove the “low-capability” box onto myself. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Indeed, I was the president of my high school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club, aside from being one of only two black robotics team members. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, earned a 4.84 GPA, and became a valedictorian. Absolutely, I have maintained my 4.0 GPA in college. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Would you have ever imagined that I was submissive, questioned my will to live, or shut down countless times? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional way, I looked at my struggles as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and stay true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to ack While the building pressure didn’t immediately work its magic the moment I set foot on my high school campus, it wasn’t long before my voice erupted from within – an almost inaudible, guttural sound giving way to an ardent war cry. It was in high school that my autism diagnosis was formalized. As my parents came to terms with the label, I came to terms with my areas of weakness. However, I looked at these as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to understand and support my peers; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment while staying true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my own value and power. I’ve always longed to solve the mysteries and complexities of the human brain. Over time, my fascination has evolved into a desire to explore neurodiversity and help create an inclusive world for misunderstood outliers. Why should some people be deprived of their voice because the world struggles to understand them? Why let the lack of services or support get in their way to success? Subsequently, my dream to become a neuroscientist and the desire to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations has only intensified. It kills me to watch others fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. So many individuals who receive late diagnosis associate their differences with deviance and disability and have developed maladaptive habits and low self-esteem during their years without proper support. To me, this is an injustice. My passion for neuroscience and servicing others further manifested itself in my internships with camps at Arizona Science Center, where I successfully worked with children that even the lead instructors couldn’t reach. With my neurodiverse perseverance and earnestness, I cracked open even the most reticent, while my intricate understanding of various scientific fields engaged even the most disinterested. I was also able to understand and accommodate neurodiverse campers with my personal understanding of their conditions. As a member of Arizona Science Center’s Teen Advisory Board, I was especially active in organizing a mental health event, which ended up being extremely helpful in teaching teens how to cope with anxiety and depression during quarantine. I am also a volunteer with Silver Lining Riding, which provides equestrian therapy for individuals with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. This experience has been especially rewarding for me, as I not only work with animals and individuals with conditions similar to mine but also help the riders develop essential communicative skills. My unique perspective allows me to connect with the clients and be far more perceptive to their feelings and sensitivities. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I intend to fully utilize the University of Arizona’s valuable resources to serve my community. I hope to diminish the stigma towards mental health and spur the movement that embraces neurodiversity. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported mental health conditions.

Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Whatever it truly may be that fuels my efforts at adaptability, however, is completely insignificant. At the end of the day, all that others see are my accomplishments, which slowly but surely change the narrative on the expectations for black females. Indeed, I was the president of my high school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club, aside from being one of only two black robotics team members. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, earned a 4.84 GPA, and became a valedictorian. Absolutely, I have maintained my 4.0 GPA in college. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Would you have ever imagined that I was submissive, questioned my will to live, or shut down countless times? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional way, I looked at my struggles as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and stay true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my own value and power. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. To the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better a way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Whatever it truly may be that fuels my efforts at adaptability, however, is completely insignificant. At the end of the day, all that others see are my accomplishments, which slowly but surely change the narrative of the expectations for black females. Indeed, I was the president of my high school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club, aside from being one of only two black robotics team members. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, earned a 4.84 GPA, and became a valedictorian. Absolutely, I have maintained my 4.0 GPA in college. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Would you have ever imagined that I was submissive, questioned my will to live, or shut down countless times? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional way, I looked at my struggles as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and stay true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my own value and power. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. On the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience and computer science dual major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

Having autism, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, and anxiety, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. On the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. My passion for neuroscience and servicing others manifested itself in my internships with camps at Arizona Science Center, where I worked with children that even the lead instructors couldn’t reach. With my neurodiverse perseverance and earnestness, I cracked open even the most reticent and engaged even the most disinterested. I am also a volunteer with Silver Lining Riding, which provides equestrian therapy for individuals with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. My role is to help the riders develop essential communicative skills. As a member of the Arizona Science Center Teen Advisory Board, I strived to use my voice to positively influence teens. During the pandemic, I swiftly recognized the need for mental health advocacy. I was especially active in organizing a mental health event, teaching teens how to cope with anxiety and depression during quarantine and set into motion a state-wide virtual webinar focusing on tackling anxiety and stress caused by distance learning. I particularly saw this event as an opportunity to make an impact in my school community, as I sought out students who seemed to be the most susceptible to the changes associated with the pandemic and social distancing. As the president of the Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta, I continued to promote reduced stigma surrounding mental health. In recognition of each person’s unique identity, I collaborated with the Coexist and Art clubs and organized a school-wide mental health event. This event centered on a theme of “more than just a number” and highlighted each individual’s significance while promoting inclusiveness and diversity in my community. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. Once I establish myself in my field, I plan on making an impact in my community by providing pro bono services to children in local school districts. This way, I can guide families that cannot afford to seek formal evaluation. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

The dream version of myself would extend the frontiers of science and incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist so that no human being ever struggles with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental/neurological disorders.

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” — Albert Einstein The quote is a testament to the barriers of societal expectations that I strive to shatter. Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging at times for me; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. I’ve always longed to solve mysteries and complexities of the human brain. Over time, my fascination has evolved into a desire to explore neurodiversity and help create an inclusive world for misunderstood outliers. Why should some people be deprived of their voice because the world struggles to understand them? Why let the lack of services or support get in their way to success? Subsequently, my dream to become a neuroscientist and the desire to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations has only intensified. It kills me to watch others fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. So many individuals who receive late diagnosis associate their differences with deviance and disability. As a result, they develop maladaptive habits and low self-esteem during their years without proper support. To me, this is an injustice. There’s much to be desired when it comes to locating neuropsychologists who are familiar with higher-functioning or twice-exceptional students with neurodevelopmental disorders. Oftentimes, unfortunately, professionals — who are less versed in the disorders — overlook a hefty portion of the neurodiverse learners in their schools and propagate the misconceptions of such conditions among teachers, who, consequently, may perceive unidentified students as merely “lazy” or “difficult”. Twice-exceptional students’ ability to fly under society’s radar makes it all the more imperative that they receive identification. Being without intellectual impairment does not render signs of a child’s neurodiversity invisible or support unnecessary; au contraire, it makes their lack of diagnosis a greater detriment. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience and cognitive sciences major at the University of Arizona’s W.A Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. Once I establish myself in my field, I plan on making an impact in my community by providing pro bono services to children in local school districts. This way, I can guide families that cannot afford to seek formal evaluation or are unsure how to proceed. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. Getting evaluated will open doors to appropriate support for students and give them the wings to soar. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders. We should not be satisfied until our society approaches the subject of neurodiversity with an open mind and everyone has the opportunity to utilize their cognitive strengths to the fullest. May we spur the movement toward deeper societal acceptance!

Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette's syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. On the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. My passion for neuroscience and servicing others manifested itself in my internships with camps at Arizona Science Center, where I worked with children that even the lead instructors couldn’t reach. With my neurodiverse perseverance and earnestness, I cracked open even the most reticent and engaged even the most disinterested. I am also a volunteer with Silver Lining Riding, which provides equestrian therapy for individuals with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. My role is to help the riders develop essential communicative skills. As a member of the Arizona Science Center Teen Advisory Board, I strived to use my voice to positively influence teens. During the pandemic, I swiftly recognized the need for mental health advocacy. I was especially active in organizing a mental health event, teaching teens how to cope with anxiety and depression during quarantine and setting into motion a state-wide virtual webinar focusing on tackling anxiety and stress caused by distance learning. I particularly saw this event as an opportunity to make an impact in my school community, as I sought out students who seemed to be the most susceptible to the changes associated with the pandemic and social distancing. As the president of the Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta, I continued to promote reduced stigma surrounding mental health. In recognition of each person’s unique identity, I collaborated with the Coexist and Art clubs and organized a school-wide mental health event. This event centered on a theme of “more than just a number” and highlighted each individual’s significance while promoting inclusiveness and diversity in my community. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. Once I establish myself in my field, I plan on making an impact in my community by providing pro bono services to children in local school districts. This way, I can guide families that cannot afford to seek formal evaluation. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Whatever it truly may be that fuels my efforts at adaptability, however, is completely insignificant. At the end of the day, all that others see are my accomplishments, which slowly but surely change the narrative on the expectations for black females. Indeed, I was the president of my high school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club, aside from being one of only two black robotics team members. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, earned a 4.84 GPA, and became a valedictorian. Absolutely, I have maintained my 4.0 GPA in college. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Would you have ever imagined that I was submissive, questioned my will to live, or shut down countless times? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional way, I looked at my struggles as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others; paralytic responses to minor deviations from rehearsed scripts taught me how to confidently improvise and deliver powerful public messages, winning me the Pythagorean Society presidential election; and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and stay true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my own value and power. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. To the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better a way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to dual major in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. To the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. Having autism, ADHD, anxiety, and Tourette’s syndrome, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. My passion for neuroscience and servicing others manifested itself in my internships with camps at Arizona Science Center, where I worked with children that even the lead instructors couldn’t reach. With my neurodiverse perseverance and earnestness, I cracked open even the most reticent and had engaged even the most disinterested. I am also a volunteer with Silver Lining Riding, which provides equestrian therapy for individuals with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. My role is to help the riders develop essential communicative skills. As a member of the Arizona Science Center Teen Advisory Board, I strived to use my voice to positively influence teens. During the pandemic, I swiftly recognized the need for mental health advocacy. I was especially active in organizing a mental health event, teaching teens how to cope with anxiety and depression during quarantine and set into motion a state-wide virtual webinar focusing on tackling anxiety and stress caused by distance learning. I particularly saw this event as an opportunity to make an impact in my school community, as I sought out students who seemed to be the most susceptible to the changes associated with the pandemic and social distancing. As the president of the Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta, I continued to promote reduced stigma surrounding mental health. In recognition of each person’s unique identity, I collaborated with the Coexist and Art clubs and organized a school-wide mental health event. This event centered on a theme of “more than just a number” and highlighted each individual’s significance, while promoting inclusiveness and diversity in my community. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better a way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a neuroscience and computer science dual major at the University of Arizona’s W. A. Franke Honors College, I intend to use my education to extend the frontiers of science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. There’s much to be desired when it comes to locating neuropsychologists who are familiar with students with neurodevelopmental disorders. Once I establish myself in my field, I plan on making an impact in my community by providing pro bono services to children in local school districts. This way, I can guide families that cannot afford to seek formal evaluation or are unsure how to proceed. With an accurate diagnosis, one’s life trajectory could be completely altered. Getting evaluated will open doors to appropriate support for students and give them the wings to soar. I never want to see others struggle with undiagnosed or unsupported neurodevelopmental disorders.

Throughout my life, I have confidently advocated for mental health and neurodiversity in my community. I’ve always been fascinated by the brain’s functionality. For several years, I volunteered at Camp Biomed, a program partnering with the St. Joseph Hospital’s Barrow Neurological Institute, leaving me with aspirations to one day work with Barrow, again. Very quickly, I made it my life mission to support others and guide them in their road to self-discovery. Over time, my dream to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations as a neuroscientist has only intensified. It kills me to watch people fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once even considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. Furthermore, girls are consistently underdiagnosed with neurological conditions, leaving a considerable portion of the population without the support they need. To the contrary, minority students, unfortunately, experience a steep overdiagnosis of mental health conditions. To me, this is an injustice. My passion for neuroscience and servicing others further manifested itself in my internships with camps at Arizona Science Center, where I worked with children that even the lead instructors couldn’t reach. With my neurodiverse perseverance and earnestness, I cracked open even the most reticent, while my intricate understanding of various scientific fields had engaged even the most disinterested. I was also able to understand and accommodate neurodiverse campers with my personal understanding of their conditions. I am also a volunteer with Silver Lining Riding, which provides equestrian therapy for individuals with ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. This experience has been especially rewarding for me, as I not only work with animals and individuals with conditions similar to mine, but also help the riders develop essential communicative skills. My unique perspective allows me to connect with the clients and be far more perceptive to their feelings and sensitivities. As a member of the Arizona Science Center Teen Advisory Board, I strived to use my voice to positively influence teens in our state and help plan events that keep adolescents engaged in science. During the pandemic, I swiftly recognized the need for mental health advocacy. I was especially active in organizing a mental health event, which ended up being extremely helpful for teaching teens how to cope with anxiety and depression during quarantine. With my team, I set into motion a state-wide virtual webinar focusing on tackling anxiety and stress caused by distance learning. I particularly saw this event as an opportunity to make an impact in my school community, as I sought out students who seemed to be the most susceptible to the changes associated with the pandemic and social distancing. After participating in the webinar, numerous peers shared with me the beneficial outcomes of the event’s coping, organizational, and mindfulness strategies. As the president of the Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta, I continued to promote reduced stigma surrounding mental health. In recognition of each person’s unique identity, I collaborated with the Coexist and Art clubs, and organized a school-wide mental health event. This event centered on a theme of “more than just a number” and highlighted each individual’s significance, while promoting inclusiveness and diversity in my community. My community involvement taught me an important lesson - we should not be satisfied until our society approaches the subject of mental health with an open mind and everyone has the opportunity to utilize their unique talents to the fullest. May we spur the movement towards deeper societal acceptance!

A true leader, in my eyes, doesn’t have to be widely known. They needn’t be on the covers of People magazine nor a household name. With no tangible criteria, leadership varies widely from person to person. Ultimately, the universal commonality between all leaders is the embodiment of attributes that leaves a lasting impression on another, whether it be traits they aspire to see in themselves or simply have yet to recognize that they already possess. What sets a leader apart from simply being a subject of admiration is the changes they bring about in others, be it strides towards bettering themselves or simply becoming proud of who they are. Slam Poetry champion Harry Baker accomplishes this with his wit, charisma, command of language, open-mindedness, and willingness to take risks. Behind his eloquence and humor, Baker delivers messages of embracing individuality to the audiences of countless stages. His words weave tales of not just his misadventures and intriguing experiences, but also his perseverance, courage, and self-acceptance. Yet, above all, the most inspiring characteristic of all displayed by Harry Baker is his painful honesty, which reveals just how human he is. His ability to be just as open about his flaws and mistakes as he is about his accomplishments enables him to reach the hearts of crowds and open their eyes to their own capabilities. Similarly, his ability to laugh at his own awkwardness and less-than-desirable situations he’s gotten himself into encourages others to relish every moment without hindrance from the fear of being judged or stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. As the first couple of seconds of Harry Baker’s TedTalk flash across my screen, I feel deep kinship. My mirror image cracks his cheesy puns and chuckles about his lack of suavity. He stutters and falters; however, as he envelopes himself in the rhythm of his “Sunshine Kid”, I witness all his unease fall away like a veil. Brimming with emotion, I understand all too well the hardship we all face from standing out but opt to remain true to ourselves, not masquerading behind the façade of pretentious conformity. From Harry Baker, I learned not to succumb to the fear of potential regret, see even the most uncomfortable of positions as learning experiences, and come to terms with my personal greatness. Many look up to me for my originality, forthcomingness, humility, and perseverance. I do not permit the criticism of others to distract me from pursuing meaningful change. Their opinions of me are insignificant when looking at things in the context of matters that could potentially affect generations of individuals. At the same time, I am respected by others for my ability to admit my shortcomings and preserve my authenticity at all times. I never really considered myself as “strong”, “inspiring”, “memorable”, or “courageous”. Frankly, whenever I find myself achieving anything noteworthy, I’m more surprised than proud. I had always considered the way I conducted myself to be “normal”, not out of arrogance, but out of the inability to see how my existence could ever be tied to anything of significance. However, it’s those same aspects of myself that I don’t think much of that others seem to admire. Blessed with the opportunity to be of influence, I hold my head high in hopes of kindling the flames of strength in others.

Having Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD, society labels me “rigid” and “cognitively deficient”, which is a far cry from the truth. Furthermore, being black, many expect low intellect from me, using their association between my lack of common sense and low cognition to perpetuate ignorance. Indeed, responding adeptly to change may be somewhat challenging; however, it is absolutely possible. As I’ve grown, life has forcibly kneaded my mental bone structures into a more malleable state — a manner akin to Chinese foot-binding practices, if you will. However, I refuse to approach change with a defeatist attitude. Perhaps it’s my own sense of pride or a hero complex. Maybe it’s my resolve or rebellious streak. Indeed, in high school, I was the president of my school’s Pythagorean Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapter. True, I was the lead programmer for my robotics team and the only female in the club. Yes, I competed on the national stage of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Sure, I did score a 35 on my ACT, was the high school valedictorian with a 4.84 GPA , and earned a 4.0 GPA at the University of Arizona. Would you believe that, for a considerable portion of my life, I would have never seen myself in any of those positions? Would you ever guess that, hitherto, I deemed myself deficient and my voice unworthy of being heard? Yet, with every swing, I proceeded to rise up again, a growing fervor boiling beneath the surface. While the building pressure didn’t immediately work its magic the moment I set foot on my high school campus, it wasn’t long before my voice erupted from within – an almost inaudible, guttural sound giving way to an ardent war cry. It was in high school that my Asperger’s diagnosis was formalized. Accepting the diagnosis was a bit difficult for my parents to swallow, at first, but they supported me all the way. My mom has actually become an avid advocate for neurodiversity, as she gained a deeper understanding of my neurological condition. As my parents came to terms with the label, I came to terms with my areas of weakness. Living to pursue my goals in my own unconventional ways like I do, I looked at these as opportunities, not setbacks, and worked them into strategies to better myself and others. My struggles allowed me to better understand and support others and social naïveté kept me from bending under the discouragement or judgment of others and staying true to my beliefs. Ultimately, I learned to acknowledge my own value and power. I’ve always longed to solve mysteries and complexities of the human brain. Over time, my fascination has evolved into a desire to explore neurodiversity and help create an inclusive world for the misunderstood outliers. Why should some people be deprived of their voice because the world struggles to understand them? Why let the lack of services or support get in their way to success? Subsequently, my dream to become a neuroscientist and the desire to change the lives of the most misunderstood populations has only intensified. It kills me to watch others fight invisible battles and berate themselves for being ‘inadequate’ or ‘deficient’, never once considering the possibility of their apparent neurodiversity and unique talents. So many individuals who receive late diagnosis associate their differences with deviance and disability. As a result, they develop maladaptive habits and low self-esteem during their years without proper support. To me, this is an injustice. The first step in eliminating stigma and changing society’s perception of neurodiversity is by educating the public. There’s much to be desired when it comes to locating neuropsychologists who are familiar with twice-exceptional students (gifted with neurodevelopmental disorders). Twice-exceptional students’ ability to fly under society’s radar makes it all the more imperative that they receive identification. Being without intellectual impairment does not render signs of a child’s neurodiversity invisible or support unnecessary; au contraire, it makes their lack of diagnosis a greater detriment. Current knowledge available on neurodevelopmental disorders is severely lacking. What better a way to deepen our understanding than to have individuals like me, who most intimately know such conditions, doing research? As a W. A. Franke Honors College neuroscience and cognitive sciences major, I intend to minor in computer science, as I wish to incorporate artificial intelligence into my research as a neuropsychologist. We should not be satisfied until our society approaches the subject of neurodiversity with an open mind and everyone has the opportunity to utilize their cognitive strengths to the fullest. May we spur the movement towards deeper societal acceptance!