My name is Madison Huckleberry , and I am a second-year college student majoring in biomedical engineering. From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by how the human body works and how science can be used to heal and improve lives. As I’ve grown and explored more of the world, especially through hands-on service experiences, I’ve realized that my deepest passion lies in helping others through medicine. Specifically, I plan to pursue a career in anesthesiology; a field that challenges me intellectually, aligns with my skills, and gives me the opportunity to care for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Anesthesiology appeals to me because it requires a blend of scientific precision, problem-solving, and human connection. Anesthesiologists are responsible for ensuring a patient’s safety and comfort during surgery, which involves close monitoring of vital signs, accurate dosing of medications, and rapid decision-making in high-stress situations. It’s a specialty where every second counts, and I’m drawn to the responsibility and attention to detail it demands. The role may often be behind the scenes, but its impact is undeniable and that’s what excites me most. My interest in healthcare isn’t purely academic, it’s deeply personal and emotional. One of the most life-changing experiences I’ve had was a service trip to Belize, where I worked with the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) and the nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet. During this trip, I helped paint a church, build a computer lab, distribute food to the homeless, and even helped construct a house for a family in need. But the most powerful experience came when I participated in a foot-washing outreach event. There, I met a woman named Maria who initially declined the service, asking only for a pair of shoes for herself and her sick daughter. After some encouragement, she sat down and began to open up to me. She shared that her daughter had been sick for weeks, but they had been unable to get a doctor’s appointment due to limited healthcare access. That moment changed me. After returning to our hotel, I researched Belize’s healthcare system and discovered the many delays and barriers people face just to receive basic care. I learned that even though healthcare is technically free, underfunding and limited infrastructure make access extremely difficult especially for people living outside the capital. I began to look into similar issues in other underdeveloped regions and realized how widespread this problem is. That experience solidified my desire not only to become a doctor, but to use my career to make a meaningful difference in underserved communities. Now, I’m more motivated than ever. My studies in biomedical engineering are preparing me with a strong foundation in both the biological sciences and innovative medical technologies. I plan to attend medical school after earning my undergraduate degree, and ultimately become a board-certified anesthesiologist. But more than a title or profession, I want this career to be a pathway for service. Whether through volunteer missions, mobile clinics, or community outreach, I intend to provide quality care to those who need it most. I believe that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. Through anesthesiology, I hope to deliver not only relief from pain, but also dignity, compassion, and access to a better quality of life.

Passion: a strong and intractable or barely controllable emotion or inclination with respect to a particular person or thing. For years, I struggled to answer the question, “What am I passionate about?” I had dreams, goals, and interests, but I had never experienced something so profound that it lit a fire within me, until this past summer. Through the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Samaritan’s Feet. During this experience, I served in many capacities: painting a church, building a computer lab, distributing food to the homeless, and helping build a house in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Each task was meaningful, but nothing compared to the experience of washing feet. At first, I was nervous, not about the physical act, but about the conversations I would have with the Belizean people during such an intimate and vulnerable moment. On our first day, I was assigned to a school with young children, and the conversations came easily. But the next day, we visited a tight-knit, underserved community called Majestic Alley. I didn’t know what to expect, but it became one of the most impactful days of my life. That day, I met a woman named Maria. She initially declined to participate and said all she needed was a pair of shoes for herself and her sick daughter. Eventually, we convinced her to sit down. As I gently washed her feet, we talked about her daughter’s illness and how they had been waiting weeks just to see a doctor. Maria said they hadn’t been able to access care due to delays and lack of resources. I offered my support, and then I prayed for her and her daughter. That night, back at the hotel, I couldn’t stop thinking about Maria’s story. I researched Belize’s healthcare system and learned that while healthcare is technically free, the majority of funding goes to hospitals in major cities. People living in rural or poorer communities often wait weeks or months for appointments, test results, and treatment. This sparked something in me. I began researching healthcare systems in other underdeveloped countries and was shocked by the consistent lack of access to basic medical care. I also discovered global volunteer programs for doctors who dedicate their time to serve these communities. In that moment, I found my passion: service. I want to dedicate my life to becoming a physician who does more than treat symptoms. I want to provide healing through compassion, advocacy, and action. I want to help bridge the gap between underserved communities and essential healthcare. As a second-year college student majoring in biomedical engineering and planning to attend medical school, I am now more driven than ever to use my education for good. I want to build a career centered on serving others, both in my local community and abroad. My experience in Belize showed me that even small acts of kindness; washing feet, listening to stories, or simply being present can have a lasting impact. I now know that my purpose is rooted in giving, and I intend to carry that spirit of service with me as I become a physician who brings care and hope to those who need it most.

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and what specifically motivates you. If you could do anything with your life, what do you imagine you’d do? I am a second-year college student with dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist. I recently transferred from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. While the decision to transfer was difficult, it was necessary for both academic and financial reasons. My passion for medicine and helping others has always been a guiding force in my life, but what motivates me most is the opportunity to make my family proud and uplift my community. My mom, in particular, has made many sacrifices to support my education. She has taken out loans to help cover the cost of school, and I know the burden that places on her. I want to relieve that stress and prove that her sacrifices,and those of my entire family, were not in vain. If I could do anything with my life, I would become a doctor who not only provides excellent care but also serves as a role model and advocate for underserved communities. I dream of opening free or low-cost health clinics and starting programs that make healthcare more accessible. I also want to expand my volunteer work, inspired by a service trip I took to Belize. Seeing the positive impact we had in that short time made me realize how powerful it is to serve others with compassion and care. That’s the kind of life I want to lead, one driven by purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to others. 2. What excites you about STEM? How do you feel you could make a positive impact on the world through a job in information technology? What excites me about STEM is its ability to transform lives. Science, technology, engineering, and math give us tools to solve real-world problems, improve quality of life, and create a better future. I’m especially drawn to the intersection of medicine and technology, which is why I’m majoring in biomedical engineering. I want to understand both the human body and the innovations that can enhance healthcare. Although my career goal is to become an anesthesiologist, I’m also interested in how information technology can revolutionize the medical field. From improving patient record systems to developing AI-assisted diagnostics, IT is essential in making healthcare more efficient, accessible, and equitable. I want to be part of that movement, combining my clinical knowledge with technological solutions to improve patient outcomes. Through a career in STEM, I believe I can make a meaningful impact by bringing advanced care to communities that are often overlooked. I come from a background where access to healthcare wasn't always guaranteed, so I know how much of a difference it makes. I hope to use my education and experiences to help bridge those gaps, whether through telemedicine, mobile clinics, or medical software tailored to underserved populations. STEM excites me because it’s dynamic and full of possibility. It’s not just about solving equations or building machines, it’s about using those skills to touch lives, inspire change, and create a healthier, more just world. 3. Please describe the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome and how you managed to get past it. One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced was deciding whether or not to transfer universities. I was attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where I initially majored in biology. However, I developed a deep interest in biomedical engineering and wanted to switch majors. Unfortunately, doing so would have meant losing the scholarship that made it possible for me to attend school as an out-of-state student. Despite several visits to the scholarship office and many discussions, I was told it wasn’t possible to change my major without losing my financial support. This forced me to make a tough decision: stay at FAMU and keep my scholarship or transfer to a more affordable in-state school and pursue the academic path I truly wanted. After a lot of emotional reflection and conversations with my family, I made the difficult choice to transfer to the University of Georgia. It was heartbreaking to leave a school and community I had grown to love, but I knew it was the right decision for my future. What got me through was the support of my family and the belief that following my passion would pay off in the long run. Now, as a biomedical engineering major, I feel more aligned with my career goals and excited about what’s ahead. That experience taught me the importance of advocating for myself, making hard choices for long-term gain, and staying focused on the bigger picture,even when the road gets tough.

For as long as I can remember, I have aspired to become a doctor, with a particular focus on either anesthesiology or OB-GYN. My passion for helping others drives my ambition to pursue a career in medicine. As I entered high school and began contemplating college, I was acutely aware of the high cost of higher education. Realizing I would need loans or scholarships, I decided not to impose a significant financial burden on my family. Consequently, I set a goal to graduate college debt-free. Understanding the dedication required to become a physician, I have worked hard to build a strong foundation. Throughout middle and high school, I have challenged myself with rigorous academics, taking nine AP classes in addition to honors courses. I have also engaged in extracurricular activities that support my career aspirations. My school offers many opportunities that align with my goals. I am an active member of the HOSA club, where I have participated in special projects, community service, and health-related competitions. A particularly significant accomplishment was being selected for the Honor’s Mentorship program, which allowed me to shadow physicians and nurses in clinical and hospital settings. Over the past two years, I have gained hands-on experience in the Emergency Department and an OB-GYN office, observed surgeries, and developed a deeper understanding of patient care. This experience has been invaluable, helping me build a network of mentors and gaining real-world insights into healthcare. As I prepare to enter college, I am eager to apply my knowledge and continue gaining practical experience. I plan to immerse myself in both academic and extracurricular activities, joining healthcare-related organizations and pursuing internships that will enhance my studies. I am also excited about participating in study and service abroad programs. Exposure to different cultures and healthcare systems will broaden my perspective on global health challenges and improve my adaptability and empathy. By combining academic learning with practical experience and diverse cultural insights, I aim to become a well-rounded healthcare professional capable of making a meaningful impact. Once I become a doctor, I aspire to work with organizations like Doctors Without Borders to advocate for underserved communities. My commitment to community service aligns closely with my career goals. Programs such as Doctors Without Borders offer an ideal platform to merge my passion for helping others with my professional aspirations. Serving in underserved areas will allow me to provide essential medical care where it is most needed, and both OB-GYNs and anesthesiologists play crucial roles in these settings. I am eager to use my skills to positively impact global health and improve access to quality care in under-resourced communities. Being part of such organizations would fulfill my professional ambitions and allow me to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare access and quality. This scholarship is vital to my journey as it represents a significant step toward realizing my dreams. I have invested countless hours balancing rigorous academics, extracurricular activities, and hands-on experiences. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of college expenses, allowing me to focus on my studies and professional development without the constant worry of accumulating debt. It would enable me to fully engage in my college experience, seize valuable opportunities, and pursue my goal of becoming a physician dedicated to serving others. By easing financial constraints, this scholarship would empower me to remain committed to my educational and professional aspirations and ultimately contribute meaningfully to the field of medicine.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a doctor, and when people would ask me why, I would always say because I want to help people. While this answer is the truth, it always felt very surface level; I felt like I was missing a deeper, more personal reason for why I wanted to help people. I finally found my deeper reason, the summer going into my senior year. This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. During our trip, I was able to serve in a multitude of different ways. I painted a church, built a computer lab, and provided food to the homeless; in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, we were able to help build a house for a needy family. Of all the things we did, the most impactful was being able to wash feet. I was nervous about washing the people’s feet. I was not anxious about the act itself, but mainly because I had to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and it was not so hard to talk to them. I asked about their favorite colors and subjects at school. The next day, we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I did not know what to expect, but this ended up being one of the best days of the trip. There was one story in particular that helped me find my deeper meaning Her name was Maria, and she was initially reluctant to wash her feet. She said l she only needed a pair of shoes for her and her daughter. We soon convinced her to sit down and participate in the feet washing. As I washed Maria’s feet, I asked her about her daughter. She told me that she was sick and could not make it. I went on to ask her what was wrong, and with tears in her eyes, she shared that she did not know. They had been waiting to get a doctor’s appointment for weeks but, unfortunately, could not get access. At that moment, I felt useless; there was nothing I could do to help, and I felt horrible. All I could do was tell her how sorry I was and how I hoped her daughter would get the care she needed and pray for her and her daughter. When we returned to the hotel, I decided to research the healthcare systems in places like Belize and how I could help. I found that there was a massive need for doctors in these underdeveloped countries and that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to serve those in need who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. With this new knowledge and experience, I finally found my deeper reasoning. I want to be a doctor to help people, not because that is what doctors do but because I am genuinely passionate about it. I want to do everything I can to ensure there are fewer Maria’s out there in the world. That feeling of helplessness was life-changing and solidified my plans to pursue a pre-med track in college. I know I can make a difference through giving and volunteering my time.

Colleen Hoover once said, “I’ve noticed when I fear something, if I just end up doing it, I’m grateful in the end.”My biggest fear is talking to new people. This past July I realized how wonderful it can be to meet and talk to people and how important it is to overcome your fears. This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. One of our service projects was washing feet. I was so nervous about this ; not about the act itself, but because I was gonna have to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and there was so much laughter from the kids around us and us tickling them that there wasn’t much room for conversation. The next day we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages and to say I was nervous was an understatement. This ended up being one of the best days of the trip. There was one person in particular I spoke to who really showed me the beauty of overcoming my fears and meeting new people. I just finished washing a young girl's feet and looked up to see who my next person would be. Her name was Maria, and at first, she was reluctant to get her feet washed. She said, all she needed was shoes for her and her daughter. They soon convinced her to sit down. I looked around and saw that I was the only one available. Panic began to set in, my heart beating so rapidly, I swear those around me could hear it. As she made her way it felt like everything was going in slow motion. When she finally reached me and sat down I said hello, introduced myself and she did the same. I asked for her foot and began washing. Silence filled the air, I began to feel suffocated. As I finished her first foot I knew this silence could not continue. I put her foot down and she gave me the other, I took deep breaths to keep my voice from shaking and told her that I heard her talking about her daughter and wanted to know where she was. She told me that she was sick and couldn’t make it. I asked her what was wrong and she shared, she doesn’t know. They had been waiting for a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately hadn’t been able to get access. She told me about how unsure she was about everything and as she spoke tears began to form in her eyes which caused the same to happen to me. All I could say was I was sorry and hope her daughter gets the care she needs. When I got back to the hotel I decided to research Belize’s healthcare system and what I found was heartbreaking. I also found that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to help people in these places get the lifesaving care they need. With this new knowledge and experience, I felt a spark light up in me. I wanted to do more to help people like Maria’s daughter get the care they need. Had I just sat there and not spoken to Maria, I would not have learned about these programs to help thousands of people. The advice I would give is to overcome your fears because there is so much you can from talking to new people.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor and when people would ask me why I would always say because I want to help people. While this answer is the truth it always felt very surface level, I felt like I was missing a deeper more personal reason for why I wanted to help people. I finally found my deeper reason, the summer going into my senior year. This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. The trip was sponsored by the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) in partnership with the non-profit organization, Samaritan’s Feet. During our trip to Belize, I was able to serve in a multitude of different ways. I painted a church, built a computer lab, provided food to the homeless, and in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, we were able to help build a house for a family in need. Of all the things we did, the most impactful was being able to wash feet in a small community called Majestic Alley. There I got to hear so many different stories about people’s lives, including their struggles and triumphs. There was one story in particular that helped me find my deeper meaning Her name was Maria, and she was initially reluctant to wash her feet. She said l she only needed a pair of shoes for her and her daughter. We soon convinced her to sit down and participate in the feet washing. As I washed Maria’s feet, I asked her about her daughter. She told me that she was sick and could not make it. I went on to ask her what was wrong and with tears in her eyes, she shared that she does not know. They had been waiting to get a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately had not been able to get access. At that moment I felt useless; there was nothing I could do to help and I felt horrible. All I could do was tell her how sorry I was and how I hoped her daughter would get the care she needed, and pray for her and her daughter. When we got back to the hotel I decided to research the healthcare system in Belize. I learned that healthcare in Belize was free but most of the funding went to hospitals in the main city. It could take weeks, if not months, to get a doctor's appointment. Even when they finally see a doctor, it can take another few weeks to get test results and a proper plan of treatment. Learning all of this sparked something in me. I went on to do more research about the healthcare systems in different underdeveloped countries. I found that there was a huge need for doctors and that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to serve those in need, who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. With this new knowledge and experience, I finally found my deeper reasoning. I want to be a doctor to help people not because that is what doctors do but because I am truly passionate about it. I want to do everything I can to make sure there are a lot less Maria’s out there in the world. That feeling of helplessness was life-changing and solidified my plans to pursue a pre-med track in college. I know I can make a difference through giving and volunteering my time.

Passion; is a strong and intractable or barely controllable emotion or inclination with respect to a particular person or thing. What am I passionate about? A question that I have asked myself many times over the years, and until this summer I have never really had a true answer. This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. The trip was sponsored by the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) in partnership with the non-profit organization, Samaritan’s Feet. During our trip to Belize, I was able to serve in a multitude of different ways. I painted a church, built a computer lab, provided food to the homeless, and in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, we were able to help build a house for a family in need. Of all the things we did, the most impactful was being able to wash our feet. To be honest, I was actually nervous about washing my feet. I was not anxious about the act itself, but mainly because I had to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and it was not so hard to talk to them. I asked about their favorite colors and subjects at school. The next day we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I did not know what to expect, but this ended up being one of the best days of the trip. I got to hear so many different stories about people’s lives, including their struggles and triumphs. There was one story in particular that gave me the answer to my question regarding passion. Her name was Maria, and at first, she was reluctant to get her feet washed. She said that all she needed was a pair of shoes for her and her daughter. We soon convinced her to come sit down and participate in the feet washing. As I washed Maria’s feet, I asked her about her daughter. She told me that she was sick and could not make it. I went on to ask her what was wrong and she shared that she does not know. They had been waiting to get a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately had not been able to get access. I told her how sorry I was and how I hoped her daughter would get the care she needed, and then I prayed for her. When we got back to the hotel I decided to research the healthcare system in Belize. I learned that healthcare in Belize was free but most of the funding went to hospitals in the main city. It could take weeks, if not months, to get a doctor's appointment. Even when they finally see a doctor, it can take another few weeks to get test results and a proper plan of treatment. Learning all of this sparked something in me. I went on to do more research about the healthcare systems in different underdeveloped countries. I found that there was a huge need for doctors and that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to serve those in need, who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. With this new knowledge and experience I finally had the answer to my question, what am I passionate about? I am passionate about service. It was so fulfilling to serve and support the communities in Belize. I wanted to do more, figuring out a way to get Maria’s daughter, and those like her, the care they needed. Combining my newfound passion and dreams of becoming a physician to serve those in need, has solidified my plans to pursue a pre-med track in college. I know can make a difference through giving, and volunteering my time.

Colleen Hoover once said, “I’ve noticed when I fear something, if I just end up doing it, I’m grateful in the end.” My biggest fear is talking to new people. I am not sure what I’m so afraid of; maybe I’ll embarrass myself or say the wrong thing. This past July, I realized how wonderful it can be to meet and talk to people and how important it is to overcome your fears. This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. One of our service projects was washing feet. I was so nervous about this; not about the act itself, but because I was going to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and there was so much laughter from the kids around us and us tickling them that there wasn’t much room for conversation. The next day, we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. This ended up being one of the best days of the trip. There was one person in particular I spoke to who really showed me the beauty of overcoming my fears and meeting new people. I had just finished washing a young girl's feet and looked up to see who my next person would be. Her name was Maria, and at first, she was reluctant to get her feet washed. She said all she needed was shoes for her and her daughter. They soon convinced her to sit down. I looked around and saw that I was the only one available, so they sent her my way. Panic began to set in, my heart beating so rapidly; I swear those around me could hear it. As she made her way, it felt like everything was going in slow motion. When she finally reached me and sat down, I said hello, introduced myself, and she did the same. I asked for her foot and began washing. Silence filled the air; I began to feel suffocated. As I finished her first foot, I knew this silence could not continue. I put her foot down, and she gave me the other. I took deep breaths to keep my voice from shaking and told her that I heard her talking about her daughter and wanted to know where she was. She told me that she was sick and couldn’t make it. I asked her what was wrong, and she shared she didn’t know. They had been waiting for a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately hadn’t been able to get access. She told me about how unsure she was about everything, and as she spoke, tears began to form in her eyes, which caused the same to happen to me. All I could say was I was sorry and hoped her daughter gets the care she needs. When I got back to the hotel, I decided to research Belize’s healthcare system, and what I found was heartbreaking. I also found that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to help people in these places get the lifesaving care they need. With this new knowledge and experience, I felt a spark light up in me. I wanted to do more to help people like Maria’s daughter get the care they need. Had I just sat there and not spoken to Maria, I would not have learned about these programs to help thousands of people.

I am a hardworking and highly self-motivated student who hopes to major in Biology or Biomedical Engineering. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. I want to be a doctor someday because I have a true passion for helping others and would love to do so through medicine. For a while, I was not exactly sure what field I wanted to go into, until my healthcare teacher brought an Anesthesiologist in to speak with us. Hearing all that they do and how they get to see and help with a variety of different cases piqued my interest. This year, I have also had the opportunity to learn more about OBGYN and am interested in this field as well. I understand the amount of time and commitment it takes to become a physician, and I have already begun to set a good foundation for achieving my goal. Throughout middle school and high school, I have challenged myself by taking rigorous classes, including nine AP classes in addition to my honors classes. I am also involved in many extracurricular activities that support my career goal. I am an active member of my school's HOSA club, which is an organization for students that plan to pursue a career in medicine. Another activity is the Honor’s Mentorship program, which has provided the amazing opportunity for me to shadow physicians and nurses in both the clinic and hospital settings. Over the past two years, I have gained real-life hands-on experience in the Emergency Department and within an OBGYN office. I have also had the opportunity to observe physicians in the operating room and gain a better understanding of the work that goes into providing high-quality health care to patients. I plan to continue gaining as much real-world experience as I can in college to help further prepare me for my career. I also plan to be involved in extracurricular activities during college to help build up my network and help my community. Once I become a doctor, I want to participate in organizations like Doctors Without Borders and become a healthcare advocate for underserved communities. I have a true passion for service, and when I learned about programs like Doctors Without Borders, I saw a way to combine my career aspirations and my passion. I want to be able to help those in need by using my talents and expertise. Both OBGYNs and Anesthesiologists are needed around the world in underserved communities, and I would love to help wherever and whenever I am needed.

This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. The trip was sponsored by the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) in partnership with the non-profit organization, Samaritan’s Feet. During our trip to Belize, I was able to serve in a multitude of different ways. I painted a church, built a computer lab, provided food to the homeless, and in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, we were able to help build a house for a family in need. Of all the things we did, the most impactful was being able to wash our feet. To be honest, I was actually nervous about washing my feet. I was not anxious about the act itself, but mainly because I had to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and it was not so hard to talk to them. I asked about their favorite colors and subjects at school. The next day we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I did not know what to expect, but this ended up being one of the best days of the trip. I got to hear so many different stories about people’s lives, including their struggles and triumphs. There was one story in particular that showed me how rewarding serving others is. Her name was Maria, at first, she was reluctant to get her feet washed. She said that all she needed was a pair of shoes for her and her daughter. We soon convinced her to come sit down and participate in the feet washing. As I washed Maria’s feet, I asked her about her daughter. She told me that she was sick and could not make it. I went on to ask her what was wrong and she shared that she does not know. They had been waiting to get a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately had not been able to get access. I told her how sorry I was and how I hoped her daughter would get the care she needed, and then I prayed for her. When we got back to the hotel I decided to research the healthcare system in Belize. I learned that healthcare in Belize was free but most of the funding went to hospitals in the main city. It could take weeks, if not months, to get a doctor's appointment. Even when they finally see a doctor, it can take another few weeks to get test results and a proper plan of treatment. Learning all of this sparked something in me. I went on to do more research about the healthcare systems in different underdeveloped countries. I found that there was a huge need for doctors and that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to serve those in need, who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. With this new knowledge and experience I finally had the answer to my question, what am I passionate about? I am passionate about service. It was so fulfilling to serve and support the communities in Belize. I wanted to do more, figuring out a way to get Maria’s daughter, and those like her, the care they needed. Combining my newfound passion and dreams of becoming a physician to serve those in need, has solidified my plans to pursue a pre-med track in college. I know can make a difference through giving, and volunteering my time.

I am a hardworking and highly self-motivated student who hopes to major in Biology or Biomedical Engineering. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. I want to be a doctor someday because I have a true passion for helping others and would love to do so through medicine. For a while, I was not exactly sure what field I wanted to go into, until my healthcare teacher brought an Anesthesiologist in to speak with us. Hearing all that they do and how they get to see and help with a variety of different cases piqued my interest. This year, I have also had the opportunity to learn more about OBGYN and am interested in this field as well. I understand the amount of time and commitment it takes to become a physician, and I have already begun to set a good foundation for achieving my goal. Throughout middle school and high school, I have challenged myself by taking rigorous classes, including nine AP classes in addition to my honors classes. I am also involved in many extracurricular activities that support my career goal. I am an active member of my school's HOSA club, which is an organization for students that plan to pursue a career in medicine. Another activity is the Honor’s Mentorship program, which has provided the amazing opportunity for me to shadow physicians and nurses in both the clinic and hospital settings. Over the past two years, I have gained real-life hands-on experience in the Emergency Department and within an OBGYN office. I have also had the opportunity to observe physicians in the operating room and gain a better understanding of the work that goes into providing high-quality health care to patients. I plan to continue gaining as much real-world experience as I can in college to help further prepare me for my career. I also plan to be involved in extracurricular activities during college to help build up my network and help my community. Once I become a doctor, I want to participate in organizations like Doctors Without Borders and become a healthcare advocate for underserved communities. I have a true passion for service, and when I learned about programs like Doctors Without Borders, I saw a way to combine my career aspirations and my passion. I want to be able to help those in need by using my talents and expertise. Both OBGYNs and Anesthesiologists are needed around the world in underserved communities, and I would love to help wherever and whenever I am needed.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor and when people would ask me why I would always say because I want to help people. While this answer is the truth it always felt very surface level, I felt like I was missing a deeper more personal reason for why I wanted to help people. I finally found my deeper reason, the summer going into my senior year. This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. The trip was sponsored by the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA) in partnership with the non-profit organization, Samaritan’s Feet. During our trip to Belize, I was able to serve in a multitude of different ways. I painted a church, built a computer lab, provided food to the homeless, and in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, we were able to help build a house for a family in need. Of all the things we did, the most impactful was being able to wash feet in a small community called Majestic Alley. There I got to hear so many different stories about people’s lives, including their struggles and triumphs. There was one story in particular that helped me find my deeper meaning Her name was Maria, and she was initially reluctant to wash her feet. She said l she only needed a pair of shoes for her and her daughter. We soon convinced her to sit down and participate in the feet washing. As I washed Maria’s feet, I asked her about her daughter. She told me that she was sick and could not make it. I went on to ask her what was wrong and with tears in her eyes, she shared that she does not know. They had been waiting to get a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately had not been able to get access. At that moment I felt useless; there was nothing I could do to help and I felt horrible. All I could do was tell her how sorry I was and how I hoped her daughter would get the care she needed, and pray for her and her daughter. When we got back to the hotel I decided to research the healthcare system in Belize. I learned that healthcare in Belize was free but most of the funding went to hospitals in the main city. It could take weeks, if not months, to get a doctor's appointment. Even when they finally see a doctor, it can take another few weeks to get test results and a proper plan of treatment. Learning all of this sparked something in me. I went on to do more research about the healthcare systems in different underdeveloped countries. I found that there was a huge need for doctors and that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to serve those in need, who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. With this new knowledge and experience, I finally found my deeper reasoning. I want to be a doctor to help people not because that is what doctors do but because I am truly passionate about it. I want to do everything I can to make sure there are a lot less Maria’s out there in the world. That feeling of helplessness was life-changing and solidified my plans to pursue a pre-med track in college. I know I can make a difference through giving and volunteering my time.

Colleen Hoover once said, “I’ve noticed when I fear something, if I just end up doing it, I’m grateful in the end.” My biggest fear is talking to new people. I am not sure what I’m so afraid of; maybe I’ll embarrass myself or say the wrong thing. This past July, I realized how wonderful it can be to meet and talk to people and how important it is to overcome your fears. This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a service abroad trip to Belize. One of our service projects was washing feet. I was so nervous about this; not about the act itself, but because I was going to have personal conversations with the Belizean people. On the first day, I got lucky. We went to wash feet at a school with young children, and there was so much laughter from the kids around us and us tickling them that there wasn’t much room for conversation. The next day, we went to a small community called Majestic Alley. In this community, there were people of all different ages, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. This ended up being one of the best days of the trip. There was one person in particular I spoke to who really showed me the beauty of overcoming my fears and meeting new people. I had just finished washing a young girl's feet and looked up to see who my next person would be. Her name was Maria, and at first, she was reluctant to get her feet washed. She said all she needed was shoes for her and her daughter. They soon convinced her to sit down. I looked around and saw that I was the only one available, so they sent her my way. Panic began to set in, my heart beating so rapidly; I swear those around me could hear it. As she made her way, it felt like everything was going in slow motion. When she finally reached me and sat down, I said hello, introduced myself, and she did the same. I asked for her foot and began washing. Silence filled the air; I began to feel suffocated. As I finished her first foot, I knew this silence could not continue. I put her foot down, and she gave me the other. I took deep breaths to keep my voice from shaking and told her that I heard her talking about her daughter and wanted to know where she was. She told me that she was sick and couldn’t make it. I asked her what was wrong, and she shared she didn’t know. They had been waiting for a doctor's appointment for weeks, but unfortunately hadn’t been able to get access. She told me about how unsure she was about everything, and as she spoke, tears began to form in her eyes, which caused the same to happen to me. All I could say was I was sorry and hoped her daughter gets the care she needs. When I got back to the hotel, I decided to research Belize’s healthcare system, and what I found was heartbreaking. I also found that there were programs where doctors could volunteer to help people in these places get the lifesaving care they need. With this new knowledge and experience, I felt a spark light up in me. I wanted to do more to help people like Maria’s daughter get the care they need. Had I just sat there and not spoken to Maria, I would not have learned about these programs to help thousands of people.

I am an Ambassador for the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), a youth leadership organization that empowers young black teens to become the next great leaders of the world by providing college and career guidance, public speaking training, international community service activities and national opportunities for networking. This summer, YBLA in partnership with the nonprofit organization Samaritans Feet ,provided me the opportunity to go on a service abroad trip to Belize. On this trip we distributed shoes to the homeless, painted a church, and gave bags of food to families in need. We also worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a family displaced by a hurricane. Many of the people that I served were around my age and being able to listen to their stories, their hopes and dreams and see how happy they were no matter their circumstances was truly meaningful and impactful. One girl I met during my time there, while I was distributing shoes and washing feet, was a 19 year old named Yuri. During my time with Yuri I learned that she was in school and had dreams of becoming a doctor just like me. I also learned that while working to pay for school, she is the oldest of 5 and helps her mom to take care of her younger siblings. Hearing her story really caused me to shift my values and views on life. I far too often take the opportunities that I have so easily available to me for granted. There are so many people out there like Yuri who don’t have as much as I do and have to work three times harder to achieve their hopes and dreams. She helped me see that you don’t need to have all these resources and opportunities available to you to accomplish your goals and that you shouldn’t take it all for granted. I now try not to use all that I have access to as an excuse to not work as hard, but as something that is an addition to my own hard work. I want my hard work and drive and passion to be what gets me to where I want to go. When people meet me I want them to know that I got to where I am not because I had these things available to me, but because I worked hard for it and everything else just helped add to my hard work.

I am an Ambassador for the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), a youth leadership organization that empowers young black teens to become the next great leaders of the world by providing college and career guidance, public speaking training, international community service activities and national opportunities for networking. This summer, YBLA in partnership with the nonprofit organization Samaritans Feet ,provided me the opportunity to go on a service abroad trip to Belize. On this trip we distributed shoes to the homeless, painted a church, and gave bags of food to families in need. We also worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a family displaced by a hurricane. Many of the people that I served were around my age and being able to listen to their stories, their hopes and dreams and see how happy they were no matter their circumstances was truly meaningful and impactful. One girl I met during my time there, while I was distributing shoes and washing feet, was a 19 year old named Yuri. During my time with Yuri I learned that she was in school and had dreams of becoming a doctor just like me. I also learned that while working to pay for school, she is the oldest of 5 and helps her mom to take care of her younger siblings. Hearing her story really caused me to shift my values and views on life. I far too often take the opportunities that I have so easily available to me for granted. There are so many people out there like Yuri who don’t have as much as I do and have to work three times harder to achieve their hopes and dreams. She helped me see that you don’t need to have all these resources and opportunities available to you to accomplish your goals and that you shouldn’t take it all for granted. I now try not to use all that I have access to as an excuse to not work as hard, but as something that is an addition to my own hard work. I want my hard work and drive and passion to be what gets me to where I want to go. When people meet me I want them to know that I got to where I am not because I had these things available to me, but because I worked hard for it and everything else just helped add to my hard work.