My love for STEM began at KidsSTREAM Inc.’s summer camp, where I attended from ages six to thirteen. The camp offered hands-on learning in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other areas, with each week focused on a new discipline. These experiences sparked my interest and prepared me for the graphic communications CTE program in high school, where I now intern as a senior. Building on my experience as a camper, at fourteen I returned to KidsSTREAM as a junior counselor to pour back into the program that inspired me. Helping other students have an engaging encounter with STEM concepts showed me how powerful science and technology can be. I can remember one camper who was amazed by a field trip we took to iFly, the indoor skydiving facility. To see his eyes light up with excitement as he watched the other campers participate moved me, you could see the wheels turning in his head, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be part of significant moments special to children. These experiences helped me realize that STEM is not only about technology, but additionally about empowerment and opportunity. Additionally, over the past four years, I explored the creative side of technology in the graphic communications program; however, through opportunities in my church's kids’ ministry, including Easter egg hunts and trunk-or-treat events, I found my true passion is serving others, particularly children. When I started my college search during my junior year, I looked for programs that would prepare me for my intended career in pediatric healthcare as a radiologist or cardiovascular technician. I will be pursuing a degree in chemistry with a biomedical focus at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I have prepared for this next phase by taking classes aligned with healthcare, such as Physiology and Anatomy, and I am excited about the rigorous coursework and the different challenges ahead. I plan to be involved in research and collaborate with others on important projects. I also hope to study abroad and learn more about the global impact of healthcare and STEM. Looking ahead to college, I plan to continue fostering STEM education by mentoring and supporting programs that introduce children to science and technology. My goal is to return to KidsStream Inc. to volunteer and help with their new project, BWright Academy, a micro school that now allows kids to enjoy STEM year-round. Just as STEM opportunities molded my interests and goals, I hope to help create pathways that allow others to discover their own passion for science and service and being a recipient of the Dr. Michal Lomask Memorial Scholarship will help me continue my educational path in STEM and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

One of the greatest challenges I had to overcome was growing up without a father. His presence came in brief, inconsistent moments, often around holidays, followed by long periods of silence. As a child, I did not know how to communicate what that absence meant, but I felt it in everyday milestones. I often waited for someone who didn't show up. I questioned whether I was worthy of being chosen. Over time, that absence became something I was required to confront and grow beyond, rather than allow it to define me. For a long time, I blamed myself. I wondered why I wasn’t enough. I believed that if I were an amazing person, he would want to get to know me. Eventually, I realized that wasn’t the case and that his heart wouldn’t change. So, instead of allowing disappointment to shape me, I chose to build strength, independence, and self-worth on my own terms. As I grew, I recognized that I was not by myself. My friends Michaela and Erykah and I shared similar experiences, though they differed in their own ways—each of us managing life without our fathers in different forms. That common understanding created a closer bond between us. But instead of allowing that shared absence to define us, I wanted us to find something more. In the summer of 2022, I invited Michaela and Erykah to RISE, the youth group at my church. What emerged as a simple invitation turned into something life-changing. We came together every Friday night, and through that experience, we earned a sense of acceptance and fulfillment that we had been missing. That moment did not stop there—my invitation to RISE inspired them to take a bigger step and attend Never the Same (NTS) Camp for an entire week. That week was a monumental moment in all of our lives. They deepened their faith and strengthened their confidence, and I got to be a part of it all. Now we no longer sit in the absence of our earthly fathers. Instead, we found light through our spiritual Father. That shift changed everything. It allowed us to move from emptiness to fulfillment, from questioning our worth to understanding it. Through this, we built a bond firmly rooted in faith, trust, and support—leaning on each other, encouraging one another, and growing together. This challenge taught me grit and self-awareness. I became intentional about being someone who is present, dependable, and compassionate. I decided I would not repeat patterns of absence but instead lead with consistency and purpose. It also formed my future goals. I want to pursue a career in healthcare, where presence matters. I want to work with children and be a safe place for them when they feel scared or alone. My father’s absence, although painful, became a font of strength—not just for me, but for others. By choosing growth, I was able to inspire Michaela and Erykah to enter a new environment, strengthen their faith, and grow into more confident versions of themselves. Just like Hester, we share a love for community and service, and together, we turned a shared challenge into a foundation for resilience, connection, and purpose. We are all going off to college this fall. Strong, loved, and knowing we are enough.

My name is Londen Braswell, and I come from a single-parent household where resilience, responsibility, and perseverance have always been a part of my daily life. Growing up, I learned the value of hard work by watching my mother do everything she could to support our family. Those experiences formed my character and helped me understand the importance of remaining committed to my goals. My family has played an essential part in shaping who I am today, especially my older brother, who lives with a mental health diagnosis. His story has affected my perspective and purpose in life. From an early age, I learned that mental health struggles, especially in the black community, are real, lived experiences that affect black families every day. I grew up with crisis, being a normal part of our daily routine. I witnessed firsthand how society placed conditions on my brother and how his dignity and humanity were often overlooked. Watching him be misunderstood and judged and having our mother be his spokesperson deeply influenced who I am and who I hope to become. So, in high school, I joined the Mental Health Awareness Club. It wasn’t to add another activity to my resume, but to be a part of something beyond myself. For me, being in the Mental Health Awareness Club represented being a mission partner. It helped me discover the power of my voice, the relevance of community, and the impact of small actions. But most of all, I learned that advocacy doesn’t always have to be standing in front of a crowd. Sometimes it means being a listener, offering support, or quietly checking in. That lesson helped me grow not only as a student but as a sister and someone committed to a career of service. Being a member of the Mental Health Awareness Club was a major moment that influenced my professional aspirations. It unlocked my passion for serving and working with children. In the fall, I will be attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and majoring in chemistry with a biomedical focus. I want to work in healthcare either as a radiologist or a cardiovascular technician. I want to work in pediatrics to align with my passion. I want to conduct research, volunteer at hospitals, work with community health programs, and possibly study abroad. I know that pursuing a career in healthcare requires commitment, resilience, and a very long educational investment. I am prepared to meet these challenges in and outside of the classroom. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated dedication, leadership, and determination as a student, and I have learned to balance responsibility, manage stress, and remain strong even in difficult circumstances. My goal is to be a healthcare provider that children deserve. One who not only treats their conditions but also cares for their psychological well-being. I want to create a safe space, a place where they can just be themselves. At the same time, I want to support their families, who often shoulder a heavy emotional burden as they try to be strong for their kids. I want to be part of their village, not just another provider. If I am awarded the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship, it would be a huge weight off my shoulders. It would allow me to focus fully on my studies, clinical training, and service opportunities without the constant burden of financial stress. More importantly, it would represent an investment in my commitment to service and advocacy. For me, getting an education is not purely about earning a degree; it's about making a true contribution to the world.

STEM careers solve real problems and enhance lives. My interest in STEM originates from wanting to make healthcare more accessible to children and families in my community. I hope to use science and innovation to improve health outcomes and inspire young people to enter STEM fields. My passion for STEM began at KidsSTREAM Inc. summer camp, where I attended from ages six to thirteen. The camp offered hands-on learning in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other areas, with each week focused on a new discipline. These experiences sparked my interest and prepared me for the graphic communications CTE program in high school, where I now intern as a senior. At fourteen, I returned to the camp as a junior counselor to pour back into the program that inspired me. Helping other students have an engaging encounter with STEM concepts showed me how powerful science and technology can be. These experiences helped me realize that STEM is not only about technology, but additionally about empowerment and opportunity. Over the past four years, I explored the creative side of technology in the graphic communications program; however, through opportunities in my church's kids’ ministry, I found my true passion is serving others. So, during my Junior year, I started exploring career options for my future. I will be pursuing a degree in chemistry with a biomedical focus at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I want to work in healthcare either as a radiologist or a cardiovascular technician. I want to work in pediatrics, contributing to patient care while improving processes for children in my community. I have prepared for the next phase of my journey by taking classes aligned with healthcare. I am excited for the rigorous coursework and looking forward to the different challenges that will arise. I plan to be involved in research and, hopefully, collaborate with a professor or a peer to work on something great. I also want to take the opportunity to study abroad and see the impact STEM work has globally. Throughout college, I still plan to continue fostering STEM education by serving as a mentor and supporting programs that introduce children to science and technology. I hope to inspire the upcoming generation of innovators. Just as STEM opportunities molded my interests and goals. . I want to help create pathways that allow others to discover their own passion for science and service. In addition, my goal is to return to KidsStream Inc. to volunteer and help with their new project BWright Academy which is a micro school now allowing kids to enjoy STEM all year round.