My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. In 2019 I had to switch school districts, as I moved to my father's household full time. My mother was unable to care for me and it was the best option for me at that time. It was a very difficult time for me to switch school, as I was just entering high school. Then, in 2020, the Coronavirus forced our school to begin online learning for over a year. I also have a learning disability that makes it very difficult to learn in an online environment. This caused me to have a great deal of anxiety and depression. It was a very difficult life change and I felt isolated because I did not have a real opportunity to make new friends at my new school prior to the pandemic. I started attending counseling to help me learn healthy ways to cope with my mental health challenges. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. Those months of pregnancy are so vital to a child's health and future. To be a part of a careering that can have a great impact on our future generation is rewarding and drives me to want to keep going! I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I want to show my parents and my siblings, that despite challenges and hard times, you can achieve your dreams. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. In 2019 I had to switch school districts, as I moved to my father's household full time. My mother was unable to care for me and it was the best option for me at that time. It was a very difficult time for me to switch school, as I was just entering high school. Then, in 2020, the Coronavirus forced our school to begin online learning for over a year. I also have a learning disability that makes it very difficult to learn in an online environment. This caused me to have a great deal of anxiety and depression. It was a very difficult life change and I felt isolated because I did not have a real opportunity to make new friends at my new school prior to the pandemic. I started attending counseling to help me learn healthy ways to cope with my mental health challenges. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. Those months of pregnancy are so vital to a child's health and future. To be a part of a careering that can have a great impact on our future generation is rewarding and drives me to want to keep going! I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I want to show my parents and my siblings, that despite challenges and hard times, you can achieve your dreams. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie Burgess and I am currently a Junior in high school. I have a total of eight younger siblings from both my Mom and Dad's side of the family. As such, I have spent a large amount of time with babies. Both my mother and step mother experienced high risk pregnancies that required additional medical intervention to ensure the safety of my siblings at birth. Through attending a few ultrasound appointments with them, I found myself really interested in the field. Last year, I was presented with the opportunity to apply and attend our local high school trade school. They offered a diagnostics program and I decided to apply. Luckily, I was accepted and I am currently a part of the Diagnostics program. In this program we learn about phlebotomy, radiology and sonography. At the end of the program, I will have the opportunity to gain some college credit as well! I am most interested in the Sonography. I plan to attend college after high school to pursue a career as a Sonography Technician. I want to attend our local community college and pursue a degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon completion of my degree I plan to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam or ARRT. After receiving my degree and certification I hope to work at at local hospital in Obstetrics and Genecology as a Sonography technician. I want to be able to help my local communities, especially mothers, as they progress through pregnancy. I come from a low income family and will be a first generation college graduate in my family. My family does not have the means to assist me with college costs, so I will be responsible for finding resources to assist me with funding my college education. I appreciate you taking the time to read my essay and hope that you will consider me for this opportunity!

My name is Mackenzie and I suffer with several mental health illnesses. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADD and ODD. In addition to these, I also have a math learning disability and a reading comprehension disability. I have been struggling the past few years with my mental illness, which has made it extremely hard for me to cope with life and be successful in school. I moved in with my Dad a couple years ago, right around the time Covid started. It was a very hard transition because I felt isolated. I couldn't go to school to make friends because everything was online. My learning disabilities made it feel nearly impossible to learn in an online environment, which triggered my anxiety. When I finally did go to in person school, I didn't feel like I fit in well. As if that wasn't enough, I was also suffering with PTSD from events that took place at my Mom's house, along with crippling Depression. I have six siblings at my Mom's and two more at my Dad's. I missed my other siblings a lot. My Mom was gone a lot and I was the one who primarily took care of my siblings. I wasn't used to not having them around. I missed them every day. While I know my Dad, Step Mom and siblings on their side love me, there were times that I didn't feel like I fit in at home. My Dad's house had more rules and structure than I was used to and I didn't like it. I started acting out in anger because I didn't know how to handle all of these emotions running through me. I started getting into trouble. I got arrested for stealing my Grandma's car and had to do community service. I was also suffering with suicidal thoughts, that ultimately led to me being hospitalized. My Step Mom and Dad tried their best to advocate for me, but I was still struggling. Mental health and addiction run heavily in both sides of my family. This past year alone, I have lost both of my Grandfathers to addiction, as well as an uncle, which only made my depression worse. Additionally, both of my parent's suffer from mental health as well, so I have seen their struggles from a young age. I have been working hard at getting my life back. I have been attending weekly counseling. I got a job and I completed my community service. My parents had me tested for ADD and learning disabilities, which is how we learned that I do in fact have those. Since my diagnosis we were able to get me on an IEP plan at school, which has really helped me with my learning. The IEP plan makes accommodations around my mental health diagnosis and my learning disabilities to help me be successful. I still struggle with the anxiety and depression every day. I don't think that is something that will every fully go away, but I am learning healthier ways to cope with them. It took a couple tries to find the right counselor, but I really like the one I have now. I had the same issue when trying to find the right medication as well. Each one affects people differently and it may take a couple different tries to find the right balance. I would encourage anyone who feels this way to seek help. You can not bare this alone and there are people around you who love you and care. Please just ask.

My name is Mackenzie and I suffer with several mental health illnesses. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADD and ODD. In addition to these, I also have a math learning disability and a reading comprehension disability. I have been struggling the past few years with my mental illness, which has made it extremely hard for me to cope with life and be successful in school. I moved in with my Dad a couple years ago, right around the time Covid started. It was a very hard transition because I felt isolated. I couldn't go to school to make friends because everything was online. My learning disabilities made it feel nearly impossible to learn in an online environment, which triggered my anxiety. When I finally did go to in person school, I didn't feel like I fit in well. As if that wasn't enough, I was also suffering with PTSD from events that took place at my Mom's house, along with crippling Depression. I have six siblings at my Mom's and two more at my Dad's. I missed my other siblings a lot. My Mom was gone a lot and I was the one who primarily took care of my siblings. I wasn't used to not having them around. I missed them every day. While I know my Dad, Step Mom and siblings on their side love me, there were times that I didn't feel like I fit in at home. My Dad's house had more rules and structure than I was used to and I didn't like it. I started acting out in anger because I didn't know how to handle all of these emotions running through me. I started getting into trouble. I got arrested for stealing my Grandma's car and had to do community service. I was also suffering with suicidal thoughts, that ultimately led to me being hospitalized. My Step Mom and Dad tried their best to advocate for me, but I was still struggling. Mental health and addiction run heavily in both sides of my family. This past year alone, I have lost both of my Grandfathers to addiction, as well as an uncle, which only made my depression worse. Additionally, both of my parent's suffer from mental health as well, so I have seen their struggles from a young age. I have been working hard at getting my life back. I have been attending weekly counseling. I got a job and I completed my community service. My parents had me tested for ADD and learning disabilities, which is how we learned that I do in fact have those. Since my diagnosis we were able to get me on an IEP plan at school, which has really helped me with my learning. The IEP plan makes accommodations around my mental health diagnosis and my learning disabilities to help me be successful. I still struggle with the anxiety and depression every day. I don't think that is something that will every fully go away, but I am learning healthier ways to cope with them. It took a couple tries to find the right counselor, but I really like the one I have now. I had the same issue when trying to find the right medication as well. Each one affects people differently and it may take a couple different tries to find the right balance. I would encourage anyone who feels this way to seek help. You can not bare this alone and there are people around you who love you and care. Please just ask.

My name is Mackenzie and I suffer with several mental health illnesses. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADD and ODD. In addition to these, I also have a math learning disability and a reading comprehension disability. I have been struggling the past few years with my mental illness, which has made it extremely hard for me to cope with life and be successful in school. I moved in with my Dad a couple years ago, right around the time Covid started. It was a very hard transition because I felt isolated. I couldn't go to school to make friends because everything was online. My learning disabilities made it feel nearly impossible to learn in an online environment, which triggered my anxiety. When I finally did go to in person school, I didn't feel like I fit in well. As if that wasn't enough, I was also suffering with PTSD from events that took place at my Mom's house, along with crippling Depression. I have six siblings at my Mom's and two more at my Dad's. I missed my other siblings a lot. My Mom was gone a lot and I was the one who primarily took care of my siblings. I wasn't used to not having them around. I missed them every day. While I know my Dad, Step Mom and siblings on their side love me, there were times that I didn't feel like I fit in at home. My Dad's house had more rules and structure than I was used to and I didn't like it. I started acting out in anger because I didn't know how to handle all of these emotions running through me. I started getting into trouble. I got arrested for stealing my Grandma's car and had to do community service. I was also suffering with suicidal thoughts, that ultimately led to me being hospitalized. My Step Mom and Dad tried their best to advocate for me, but I was still struggling. Mental health and addiction run heavily in both sides of my family. This past year alone, I have lost both of my Grandfathers to addiction, as well as an uncle, which only made my depression worse. Additionally, both of my parent's suffer from mental health as well, so I have seen their struggles from a young age. I have been working hard at getting my life back. I have been attending weekly counseling. I got a job and I completed my community service. My parents had me tested for ADD and learning disabilities, which is how we learned that I do in fact have those. Since my diagnosis we were able to get me on an IEP plan at school, which has really helped me with my learning. The IEP plan makes accommodations around my mental health diagnosis and my learning disabilities to help me be successful. I still struggle with the anxiety and depression every day. I don't think that is something that will every fully go away, but I am learning healthier ways to cope with them. It took a couple tries to find the right counselor, but I really like the one I have now. I had the same issue when trying to find the right medication as well. Each one affects people differently and it may take a couple different tries to find the right balance. I would encourage anyone who feels this way to seek help. You can not bare this alone and there are people around you who love you and care. Please just ask.

My name is Mackenzie and I suffer with several mental health illnesses. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, ADD and ODD. In addition to these, I also have a math learning disability and a reading comprehension disability. I have been struggling the past few years with my mental illness, which has made it extremely hard for me to cope with life and be successful in school. I moved in with my Dad a couple years ago, right around the time Covid started. It was a very hard transition because I felt isolated. I couldn't go to school to make friends because everything was online. My learning disabilities made it feel nearly impossible to learn in an online environment, which triggered my anxiety. When I finally did go to in person school, I didn't feel like I fit in well. As if that wasn't enough, I was also suffering with PTSD from events that took place at my Mom's house, along with crippling Depression. I have six siblings at my Mom's and two more at my Dad's. I missed my other siblings a lot. My Mom was gone a lot and I was the one who primarily took care of my siblings. I wasn't used to not having them around. I missed them every day. While I know my Dad, Step Mom and siblings on their side love me, there were times that I didn't feel like I fit in at home. My Dad's house had more rules and structure than I was used to and I didn't like it. I started acting out in anger because I didn't know how to handle all of these emotions running through me. I started getting into trouble. I got arrested for stealing my Grandma's car and had to do community service. I was also suffering with suicidal thoughts, that ultimately led to me being hospitalized. My Step Mom and Dad tried their best to advocate for me, but I was still struggling. Mental health and addiction run heavily in both sides of my family. This past year alone, I have lost both of my Grandfathers to addiction, as well as an uncle, which only made my depression worse. Additionally, both of my parent's suffer from mental health as well, so I have seen their struggles from a young age. I have been working hard at getting my life back. I have been attending weekly counseling. I got a job and I completed my community service. My parents had me tested for ADD and learning disabilities, which is how we learned that I do in fact have those. Since my diagnosis we were able to get me on an IEP plan at school, which has really helped me with my learning. The IEP plan makes accommodations around my mental health diagnosis and my learning disabilities to help me be successful. I still struggle with the anxiety and depression every day. I don't think that is something that will every fully go away, but I am learning healthier ways to cope with them. It took a couple tries to find the right counselor, but I really like the one I have now. I had the same issue when trying to find the right medication as well. Each one affects people differently and it may take a couple different tries to find the right balance. I would encourage anyone who feels this way to seek help. You can not bare this alone and there are people around you who love you and care. Please just ask.

My name is Mackenzie and I want pursue a career in sonography. I have eight siblings and have always been fascinated about how far technology has come with ultrasounds! I have seen my parent's baby ultra sounds and they look nothing like the 3D babies you see today. It amazes me how in such a short amount of time, one generation, we are able to make such great strides in the medical world. Both my step mother and my mother suffered high risk pregnancies. This resulted in them having to go in for weekly appointments to ensure the baby was growing appropriately and was healthy. My step mother had my sister two months early, so when she was pregnant with my brother she was required to be on bed rest with constant monitoring. In addition to this, they found that my step mother had three large cysts that ran the risk of rupturing and possibly endangering my brother. In addition to my brother on my Dad's side, my baby brother on my Mom's side also had complications. My Mother went to the doctor because she noticed that she hadn't felt my baby brother moving around much like he regularly did in the womb. The doctor's performed an ultrasound on my Mother and quickly realized that this was because the ambilocal cord was wrapped around my brothers head and essentially choking him! They had to act fast if they wanted to save him, so they sent my Mother in for an emergency C section. They were luckily able to save my brother and he is now a very happy 11 year old boy! My Mom always said had they not had the ability to see my brother so clearly with the 3D ultrasound and acted so quickly, he probably wouldn't have made it. It was a very hard few months for my family. I couldn't imagine my life without my siblings and my big family. If we did not have the technological advances in sonography that we do today, they wouldn't have been able to detect those complications in my Mother and Step Mother or monitor mom and baby like they do today. I want to join the sonography field so that I can help more Mothers and babies to ensure they receive the best care possible!