I always want to be involved in making a change or having a say in something big, but I never understood how to get involved. I always thought that, because of where I come from and my only notable achievement being an honor roll student, there wasn't much that would get me into any room and be heard. What makes me so unique and set apart from other students is my ability to make strong connections with people who are always willing to support and vouch for me. I believe that because of these relationships, I have been allowed many opportunities to be involved, because when I didn't see it, teachers encouraged me to be in programs that they knew would be a great fit for me. From those programs, I have built strong connections with my mentors who personally felt like I was a good candidate to speak on the funding needed for public transit in a room full of council members. It was times like these that made me see the importance of standing and speaking when I knew what I had to say was of importance. My mindset of not being any different has changed and has been rebuilt into me knowing I always have a way of coming across the right people to be involved with and the exact rooms to speak in. As I consider myself very reserved, I still manage to be an example for kids in my generation who may think the same, look the same, or come from the same background. It will always be important for me to stay involved in more big topics besides public transit like fighting for better care of our parks and recreation, while also requesting a youth board to be instated, because when I sit in those live conference rooms, or when I stand at that podium to speak at city hall, and I take those pictures with my citation and the councilmember who awarded it, I do it with the mindset of knowing some other kid is watching and see's something in me that is similar. Whether that's skin color, gender, or style, I know what makes me unique is my willingness to meet these people and make those connections so someone else can see this can be them in the same spot that I am in. Moving forward in life, I will always have the mindset of wanting to show someone there is more to you that other people can see, and sometimes stepping out of your box to meet them will take you to a place that shows your greatness.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful.

Earning this scholarship would be beneficial to my education now and to getting a supporting job later. Firstly, it would provide a much-needed financial support for me as I track through my upcoming college years. Unfortunately, my mom can not afford to pay my tuition alone with the little money she makes, which has barely been getting her, my sister, and me through the years. I know this would relieve a big financial burden off our shoulders if I could possibly win this scholarship, which could be the first of many I have applied to. In the long term, this scholarship would be a testament to my hard work and perseverance, boosting my confidence and inspiring me to continue years of hard work because of how much it has paid off in my past. I can pursue my career as a Respiratory Therapist who has been inspired by family members who are currently struggling because of the lack of healthcare accessible to them. I know I can pour back into my communities and advocate for equitable health policies, but I know to get that far, it starts here, and hopefully with this scholarship. In short, this money would not just be used for my tuition, but also for a girl's future that can be used to give back to multiple communities in her own way.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, more specifically Philadelphia, has made me believe many neglects are happening within minority communities that are ignored because they don't get the attention needed to begin with, to create a cover up that people are healing, included, and doing better than previous years, but this is very false. When I see the same struggles that I learn about in class, but in a different form as times have changed, I started to genuinely wonder if I could bring about change at any point in time. This mindset conflicted with my environment because spending years in Philadelphia, in a minority setting, surrounded by people who were constantly put down and had accepted never truly being included in certain rooms or conversations has made me wonder if my hopes were too wishful and if I would get stuck in the same cycle that seems never-ending. I felt like I could only stick to my studies and try to set up my future now, and not fall into that pit later. Under the same light, at some point, I was reminded that this is called "The City of Brotherly Love." It wasn't until I was introduced to the civil activist side of helping and being involved that I realized we are called that because we include ourselves as if we are a family, building upon one another. Keeping that mindset of staying involved, helping those around me, and standing up for those who can't, I wanted to carry that into the relationships I have built, the dreams I have, and the future career I want as a Respiratory Therapist. This career path was specific for me because I have a lot of family who struggle with a lot of health conditions, as far as breathing goes. Whether this was from personal choices, their environment, or genetics. I also wanted my people to feel welcomed in these spaces and not wait until the last second to get help. I want to be the face they see that will help them feel comfortable expressing their needs and knowing they will get help, or to walk out of my hospital feeling medically literate and informed on their condition. If I can be that same saving grace towards other communities in an environment that has the same values and mindset as mine, then I know not only completed an important long-term goal, but that I also poured back into my community to hopefully help them grow.

Even if I didn't say it explicitly, I was always grateful I didn't have to take public transportation, specifically. I didn't necessarily look down on anyone who took it because I know it is how many get to work, school, or any other place without a car, but hearing the issues that came with taking transit as far as funding to keep it running, safety, and pay for the workers still made me grateful for what I did have access to. My sister and I mostly used Uber or Lyft, since my mom was off only two days a week. With her having to work part-time so she could still pick us up from school, financially, this was costing her over a hundred dollars per paycheck, so we had to find alternative solutions to help our situation. This is how I found my younger sister and I taking public transit more often to help lessen the cost of Uber throughout the week. But because of this, I have started to believe that being in a situation makes you want to fix it because of that firsthand experience. Experiencing that anxious walk to and from the bus stop, having to deal with it being delayed and making me late to picking up my sister or dropping her off, or wondering what the future will hold as there is constant talk about fudning issues to keep septa running, has made every bus ride a new question. Every time, the final thought in my head as I'm sitting in my seat is "Can I get in the rooms to express my concerns and opinions for bettering SEPTA and keeping it funded?" This is how I started to become invested in what was actually being done about anything with budget, cleanliness, the safety of these riders, and the pay for the workers. Thankfully, my opportunity arose through a program called Philly Bolt. I was almost immediately put into the exact room I was looking for with the help of mentors who pushed me to voice my thoughts and those of my peers who needed help being heard. Having the opportunity to sit in front of many council members and not only share how taking public transit has helped me and my family, but also express the need for more budgeting to be considered towards SEPTA and having that moment shared with others live was something I knew I wanted to keep doing for myself and for the people around me. Knowing I had that support and further initiative to feel confident to share a part of me that many have but don't be heard, felt like an accomplishment that could go further beyond the issue I had addressed. This newfound ambition and side goal of mine to be more involved in current issues has made me open to finding opportunities that I can collaborate in and speak about to many of our council members.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger, but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that, but in short, when the doctors saw them, it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said that a good majority of them were supposed to close up, but not many of them did later on, so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me, and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me, but every time I get sick, I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully, I hate it. I don't want to be the odd one out, having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around on eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things: I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues, and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and, unfortunately, want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a bright and meaningful future, and I know this scholarship will be a big step forward to achieving these goals. among all of my no's this being a yes would make my dream an undoubtable reality, plus much more I could contribute to.

When it comes to mental health I never noticed it, in other words, I was the type to ignore things and act like they were ok until I was ugly crying in front of my mom. This would make me feel ten times worse because she also struggles with her own depression and other issues so I would then try to go back to being happy a day or two later so she wouldn't feel like she had to be sad and cry for me. This broken response to issues overspilling in my life and trying to hide it came from me feeling like I needed to be independent and do it young so I could load off more stress when it came to my mom. I had the idea she was already stressed about one kid enough, and that alone looked like she was raising more than two so I tried picking up on things fast so it felt like a load off, even if it was a little. It didn't take long for me to realize the struggle I created for myself, and being silent at the expense of others caused more headaches if nothing else. My belief that my mom was ok and "could do it all, so I could too" faltered, and as I grew up and she was able to open up more I noticed how flawed our relationship was. This did not necessarily mean we didn't know how to communicate or laugh and joke but we both were only intuned with the other's emotions and felt no problem ignoring our own. First, this inspired me to create a club with a group of students at my school. We are all participating in a program called Philly BOLT. This program is training us to be mentors who can organize and advocate for change in our communities. I along with my counterparts chose to make a club focused on creating a safe space for students to confined in each other if they don't feel comfortable talking to a counselor. There are many things to work out for this club to make it run as it was intended and not as a space for gossip or ridiculing others. When I dream about my future it's me using these same planning and organizing skills for my successful career as a Respiratory Therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients. I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them and it definitely shouldn't cause them to spiral or worsen any mental issues that are already present. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. I don't want another person willing to struggle in silence to have to do exactly that. Support systems need to be expanded on more and not just for the time that person is consider sick or a danger to others.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a Respiratory Therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients. I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I visited the hospital a lot when I was younger but only one conversation changed my life, holes in my heart. In short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I kept living life forgetting something was wrong with me but every time I got sick I kept getting that reminder it was because of my condition and that I needed to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more, and making others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory Therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. Now my condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. I have taken this dream seriously and have made sure I got involved with groups that teach me organizing skills, how to make a change, and how to be more active when it comes to public speaking, especially on topics that many kids aren't expected to care about. Along with this, I have touched base with the director of Respiratory Therapy at my current top-choice college so I can get a better idea of my field and how the process of school will be. Overall, I know the path to becoming a Respiratory Therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles because my dreams are about helping others do the same. Whether through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a bright and meaningful future for myself.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful.

“I just need to remember this now because I won’t need most of this in the future.” Those were the words of a kid who didn’t understand why her peers put so much pressure on her when it came to excelling in school. What she also didn’t know was that same mindset is what made a lot of her family struggle in life and that was later the answer to her curiosity on why so many black people found themselves in the same sinking boat. While growing up I became more in tune with my school work and finally found a subject I wanted to learn more on. It was and still is history, I learned later on in my high school years that my mindset of what I was learning wasn’t going to be used that much in the future was not something I came up with on my own, instead it has been embedded in us throughout history. I was shocked to find education was not common amongst black people at one point. Instead, we were always put into rigorous working environments that still didn’t supply half of our needs and wants. The constant exposure to these environments has been passed down through generations and made many of us believe we need to work harder to get better jobs to supply for ourselves, but it left out the part that mentions getting that better job requires the proper education. It was then I saw I couldn’t skate by in life and expect to not fall if I didn’t take the proper steps to learn how to stand up before I rushed into moving. I went from saying I wasn’t going to use this information later to understanding and believing when the time comes to put forth what I learned I will be able to do so because you never know when your skills may get tested even if it’s not in that moment. This new mindset encouraged me to further my education to see what things I could learn once I got to college. In preparation for this, I have made it my main goal to crack down on finding the path I want to explore in college early on and decided the legacy I want to leave behind should bring back to my community and be within the medical field, more specifically Respiratory Therapy. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger, how I see myself still being referred to as one in my present, and what it affects in my life. I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals and, as I plan my future I want a successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues and trying to actively make a better change in our healthcare system.

It is truly important for me to receive this scholarship because of my dreams I want to make a reality for myself and those I meet in the future. When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger and how I see I'm still referred to as one in my present and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the one that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful, and I know that this scholarship will be my first step to doing so.

When I dream about my future it's me planning and organizing for my successful career as a respiratory therapist who makes a real difference in the lives of people I meet because they are not just patients, I want them to be seen as people in and out of their interactions with me because their conditions do not define them. I imagine doing this in a healthcare facility where I am part of a dedicated team with hopefully the same mindset, providing compassionate care to those struggling with respiratory issues. This has become a big passion for me because of my last years being a patient when I was younger and how I see I am still referred to as one in my present and what it affects in my life. I used to go to the hospital a lot when I was younger but the visit that stuck with me most was the holes in my heart. I genuinely don't believe to this day I have that but in short, when the doctors saw them it made me more prone to getting sick than my counterparts. It was also said a good majority of them were supposed to close up but not many of them did later on so I still can get sick just as quickly. Of course, surgery was an option but an expensive one and something that was not in my mom's means. I never let this affect me and I have been living life so good I forget that there is something wrong with me but every time I get sick I keep getting reminded it is because of my condition and how I need to be careful or start wearing a mask. Truthfully I hate it, I don't want to be the odd one out having to shield myself from something every second of the day and therefore making my condition define me even more and make others think they should walk around eggshells with me. So I sympathize with people whose condition, no matter what it is, makes them be seen as patients in and outside of hospitals. The reason my dream involves Respiratory therapy is because of two things, I have been exposed to many family members whose health isn't the best because of past decisions or habits that cause respiratory issues, and I didn't want to be connected to my condition any longer. I am surrounded by many family members who are suffering because of poor health decisions and ones who are making those same choices and ignoring any precautions. The path they are on cannot be hidden for long, and I know I can stop others in the same spot before it's too late. My condition is more of a genetic thing or something that occurs on its own and can be helped in many ways, but I want to do something else and unfortunately want to discontinue any more strings attaching me to my condition so I can stop being seen as fragile. Overall, I see the importance of resilience, determination, and empathy for people in these dreams. I know that the path to becoming a respiratory therapist will be challenging at times but I am committed to overcoming any obstacles that come my way because my dreams are about making a positive impact on the world. Whether it's through my work or personal endeavors, I aspire to create a future that is bright and meaningful.

One of many aspirations I have when I think about the career I'm going into and what I will be doing is how I can give back to my community. My way of giving back would be through Respiratory Therapy as my future career. Getting involved in this field isn't just about the money for me. I want to share what I have learned and what I will continue to do as my field keeps growing and advancing. I want to treat and teach my patients about their conditions and how to better support themselves no matter where they are. I have family who struggle with respiratory conditions and a lot of it comes from an intake of things that later cause damage even after they stop, I want to help people quit a get better ahead of time as much as I can. I have already got involved with a program that networks well and has open arms for returning members to mentor over the summer so I want to use outlets like this to share my skills and tools with all generations. Additionally, I know how hard it is for most people to receive proper healthcare and access to any at all, so when someone does get that chance I want to be the person to help them minimize the problem as much as possible. With the expectations many generations have from the ones before it is not fair to label children as the new change if they can't properly access the tools that will exploit what they can do to make the world better and a lot of times that starts with furthering their education. Receiving this scholarship is not only about the money but the push I get from it. No matter how big or small the award amount being able to win one for the first time will give me that boost I need to keep pursuing my education to become a Respiratory Therapist. I would be guaranteed a future with less financial pressures that allow me to pour back into my community and help out more young striving kids instead of pouring into concerning amounts of debt I will be trying to dig myself out of. In a world that isn't getting any cheaper, I want to create a cushion for my mom and sister so they don’t get stuck trying to stay above water every day. Even so, not obtaining this scholarship won't discourage me from applying to the rest, I will only improve and hopefully win a different one.

My name is Mahogany Johnson, I am currently a senior at the Academy at Palumbo. Academically I have managed to keep honors since kindergarten and have thankfully carried that same stamina in my high school years. I started to challenge myself in my freshmen and sophomore years by taking Chinese 1 and 2, African American History Honors, and English 2 Honors. Passing all of my classes with nothing less than an eighty-five I have also taken AP Lang and African American History in my Junior year. Taking these classes along with keeping my grades up has allowed me to accumulate a current GPA of 3.9 and only have to take five classes my senior year with only three being a requirement. Having an open schedule has allowed me to indulge in some clubs and programs I have taken an interest in like News Team, Mock Trial, Youth Court, Griffin Ambassadors, and Philly BOLT. Many of these clubs and programs require me to make a better community in my school for the staff, students, and myself. I also get involved with my Grandparent's church during the summer time as a youth leader to help formulate yearly conferences and conduct parts of the church. I currently hold an interest in the medical field, more specifically Respiratory Therapy. I want to pursue a BS in Respiratory Therapy but for now, I am going to go in for associates since financially going for all four years is not within my means. Even so, I have continued to make an effort to reach this goal by having meetings with the head Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at the school of my choice and indulging in shadowing programs at that same school to ensure I get the full extent of the career path I am choosing and the time that has to go into it. As far as starting my own charity I would make my mission to help minority families who have children that struggle with any hindering conditions. Being a little more specific I would aim for children with any sort of heart condition. This specific request is based on my own past being in the hospital because of a condition that had holes in my heart. Though surgery was an option the doctors did say they should close up on their own. Unfortunately, only some of them closed fully and because of this, it has caused me to face issues with having a weak immune system. Now it's not that surgery was not wanted but in the same context It was a costly option that was going to leave a dent financially and unfortunately this is the case for many other minority families. With the expectations many generations have from the ones before it is not fair to label children as the new change if they can't properly function to start or be a part of the change our world desperately needs to see and because of this roadblock it has driven me to believe in the change starting when families can afford better healthcare financially.

“I just need to remember this now because I won’t need most of this in the future.” Those were the words of a kid who didn’t understand why her peers put so much pressure on her when it came to excelling in school. What she also didn’t know was that same mindset is what made a lot of her family struggle in life and that was later the answer to her curiosity on why so many black people found themselves in the same sinking boat. While growing up I became more in tune with my school work and finally found a subject I wanted to learn more on. It was and still is history, I learned later on in my high school years that my mindset of what I was learning wasn’t going to be used that much in the future was not something I came up with on my own, instead it has been embedded in us throughout history. I was shocked to find education was not common amongst black people at one point. Instead, we were always put into rigorous working environments that still didn’t supply half of our needs and wants. The constant exposure to these environments has been passed down through generations and made many of us believe we need to work harder to get better jobs to supply for ourselves, but it left out the part that mentions getting that better job requires the proper education. It was then I saw I couldn’t skate by in life and expect to not fall if I didn’t take the proper steps to learn how to stand up before I rushed into moving. I went from saying I wasn’t going to use this information later to understanding and believing when the time comes to put forth what I learned I will be able to do so because you never know when your skills may get tested even if it’s not in that moment. This new mindset encouraged me to further my education to see what things I could learn once I got to college. In preparation for this, I have made it my main goal to crack down on finding the path I want to explore in college early on. I have already been interested in the medical field so having family that knows this I was able to first be introduced to a psychologist and therapist who works in the army and could answer some questions I had. I then got another opportunity during my college process to find a school whose director of their respiratory therapy department was interested in having a meeting with me regarding their school and what they could offer me depending on the field I choose. Being able to stand out through my academic achievements and get help from family to be exposed to these fields has put me in a better spot as far as what I want to major in and how I can now envision my future which is hopefully free of any student loans and holding a license as a Respiratory Therapist who wants to bring change to the communities and work spaces I enter. Seeing and experiencing how much can be achieved by taking that extra step is now motivating me to keep pursuing a further education to make those around me proud and myself.

When I become a respiratory therapist, my goal isn't to just get into the field and work but to give back through this career. I would take any chance I could to talk about how these subjects aren't just numbers and formulas because I know growing up with the same mindset was hard for me to see the value in science and math. Not having someone to show me how they are needed for everything instead of just telling me that made it less interesting, but I believe there is a way to reverse these effects, and I'm willing to try and do so. Starting off everybody learns differently but one thing we all have in common is being visual learners. Whether it's a video, pictures, or watching someone explain it and giving formulas and equations to reference, we all have some form of visual learning that helps us retain the value in that information. I believe I can first tailor my teaching methods towards visual learning and then hands-on activities. I want each student to feel confident and capable, and I'm going to do that with math and science through the medical field. Putting simple but complex subjects together in important life roles makes a difference in how we approach it and their value to us or not. With my drive, I am positive my impact on bringing a new light of interest into these settings as I still learn more as my field advances will persevere undoubtedly. Still, I know that getting on that track starts with education, and hopefully, this scholarship to help pay towards it. In the long term, this scholarship would be a testament to my hard work and perseverance, boosting my confidence and inspiring me to continue years of hard work because of how much it has paid off in my past. I can pursue my career as a Respiratory Therapist knowing I can pour back into my communities and share my teachings and passion because of this first step and hopefully achievement. Through my dedication to education, I hope to make a lasting, positive impact on my students, even if it's not in a classroom setting. Receiving this scholarship is not only about the money but the push I get from it. No matter how big or small the award amount being able to win one for the first time will give me that boost I need to keep pursuing my education to become a Respiratory Therapist. I would be guaranteed a future with less financial pressures that allow me to pour back into my community and help out more young striving kids instead of pouring into concerning amounts of debt I will be trying to dig myself out of. In a world that isn't getting any cheaper, I want to create a cushion for my mom and sister so they get stuck trying to stay above water every day. Even so, not obtaining this scholarship won't discourage me from applying to the rest, I will only improve and hopefully win a different one.

My love for science and math has been geared by my academic and career choices, particularly my decision to pursue respiratory therapy. I am passionate about sharing this love with future students and inspiring them to see the moving importance of these fields. When I become a respiratory therapist, my goal isn't to just get into the field and work but to give back through this career. I would take any chance I could to talk about how these subjects aren't just numbers and formulas because I know growing up with the same mindset was hard for me to see the value in science and math. Not having someone to show me how they are needed for everything instead of just telling me that made it less interesting, but I believe there is a way to reverse these effects, and I'm willing to try and do so. Starting off everybody learns differently but one thing we all have in common is being visual learners. Whether it's a video, pictures, or watching someone explain it and giving formulas and equations to reference, we all have some form of visual learning that helps us retain the value in that information. I believe I can first tailor my teaching methods towards visual learning and then hands-on activities. I want each student to feel confident and capable, and I'm going to do that with math and science through the medical field. Putting simple but complex subjects together in important life roles makes a difference in how we approach it and their value to us or not. With my drive, I am positive my impact on bringing a new light of interest into these settings as I still learn more as my field advances will persevere undoubtedly. Still, I know that getting on that track starts with education, and hopefully, this scholarship to help pay towards it. In the long term, this scholarship would be a testament to my hard work and perseverance, boosting my confidence and inspiring me to continue years of hard work because of how much it has paid off in my past. I can pursue my career as a Respiratory Therapist knowing I can pour back into my communities and share my teachings and passion because of this first step and hopefully achievement. Through my dedication to education, I hope to make a lasting, positive impact on my students, even if it's not in a classroom setting.

Growing up I have been surrounded by family who stress the idea of school and how important it is to get an education. This has poured into me a lot and made me create a bubble to sheild any distractions from the outside. I realized this path was lonely and didn't serve me the purpose I thought it would. When I be gan to learn it's ok to make mistakes and not shy away from everything I started finding a great deal of peace in being the odd one out. Having this midnest has made me fortunate enough to grow in how I handle myself, others, and any situation. I have become more strong on being community oriented, helpign in all areas of my school that I can, and reachign out to different positions and clubs at my school to have experience in a multitude of fields. I feel as though my attitude and willingness to change has sculpted me into someone ready for more in life, and going from scared to face the next step of every challenge to looking for a new one that helps me grow makes me feel suffiecient enough in how I plan to give back to my community, even if it starts off small. My way of giving back would be through Respiratory Therapy as my future career. I was prompted with the help of my mom to look into some careers and we stumbled across Respiratory Therapy. I knew this was an area I would be willing to succeed in as it has become a new passion of mine for the past few months. With my drive and the never-ending support of my family, I am positive my impact to bring light into a community, teach and treat my patients, and still learn more as my field advances will persevere undoubtedly, but I know to get on that track it starts with an education and hopefully, this scholarship to help pay towards it. In the long term, this scholarship would be a testament to my hard work and perseverance, boosting my confidence and inspiring me to continue years of hard work because of how much it has paid off in my past. I can pursue my career as a Respiratory Therapist who has been inspired by family members who are currently struggling because of the lack of healthcare accessible to them. I know I can pour back into my communities and advocate for equitable health policies and teachings, but I know to get that far It starts here, and hopefully with this scholarship.

It took the slightest bit of doubt to knock me down, and I felt nothing but guilt from it. Being young but still growing old and now in my senior year of high school I have time and time again tried to convince myself I have it all figured out. Whether that stood for school, my social life, or personally, especially since I have found my new faith in Christ. I couldn't fathom not having some sort of plan because I would feel like I'm falling behind while everyone one else was caught up and fine. Just like every other student I was applying for Quest bridge. This is going to pay for all four years of college depending on the school that accepts me from the list I created. I can go tell my mom the future is looking debt free and finally take another worry off of my plate. Thats the reality I wanted but didn't get, and this false reality I built for myself got shattered in a single email. Of course, they said "I regret to inform you," but still told me the one thing that could save me was not mine. It hurt for a second and then it didn't, and it started to hurt every time I thought about not trying to think about it. I failed and wasn't coping well with that, because in my head I have fallen behind in the very thing I couldn't afford to, and it was only then did I question the faith I had in God. I kept trying to convince myself he wouldn't do this to hurt me, yet I still couldn't understand why I had to keep struggling when he already knew I needed help. At the same time, I felt guilty. If I already know he doesn't intend to hurt me, why do I insist on believing the opposite, and why did I feel so comfortable questioning the plans he has for me. It wasn't until weeks later that I realized there was more for me than what I was willing to settle for. This revelation came from my mom after we picked up my sister from school, and I knew in that moment in my silence towards God he still decided to talk to me. At these day's events we were going to the store and treating ourselves to get some quality time outside. When we got back in the car the conversation went to a variety of topics and some gearing towards what we expect in the future, especially with me going to college. I worried I was starting to sound worried and insecure in my future plans but almost immediately my mom said "God already told me my kids would be ok in this dream I had." That wasn't any common statement to hear from my mom. Even though my mother grew up in a Christian household she was never forced to fully indulge in anything she didn't want to related to the faith, she simply was exposed and given free rein to experience life and did the same for us growing up. In that moment is when I knew it had to be God talking to me when I didn't want to talk back. Later that night I folded my hands together and gave him nothing but multiple heartfelt Thank You's. I believe because of that day I will still continue to pursue a higher education based on faith and not luck.

Coming from a bubble I built to protect only me I think it is a huge accomplishment to see how my mindset has changed. I would now consider myself someone interested in making a good impact on the lives of people who have interacted with me. This changed mindset has fueled me to look into the healthcare community as a place I could continue spreading my help where it is needed. I have been specifically taking an interest in Respiratory therapy as my future career. This partially stems from my curiosity of the body, how it works, and how it can get treated. The other half is when I reflect more on my childhood and the people I grew up with. I know a good majority of people from my childhood have their habits with smoking, and I also knew letting that go in hopes of a healthier life has left them with severe drawbacks and in two cases I know called for breathing treatments to help calm down severe coughing. Thinking back to this and these people who are still in my life today I wish to only help minimize the wait for that healthier life for other people. Mixing this with the values I hold in leadership, community building, and helping out, I believe I will be able to fit in with this career in the future. My plans for the future consist of education and advocacy, patient care, community involvement, and continued learning and innovation. Patient care and education advocacy are two things that coincide with each other for my plans. I am firstly intending to give the best high-quality care to my patients and along with that I would also be educating them on their issue and how to counter it. I believe a lot of people within healthcare do their job to treat the patients properly but that's where the interaction stops. In order to solve and decrease reoccurring issues we must take the initiative to pass along the word. With this I would also need to stay updated on any changes and advancements in my field which leads me to continued learning and innovation. By continuously learning and embracing new methods, technology, and treatments, I can provide the best care and information to my patients. Lastly is my community involvement. I believe in consistent contributions to all communities because these groups are built to give a home to more people who want to be involved in a cause or want to be seen and understood. Having this attitude in my field would bring more attention to Respiratory Therapy and what the field does. I wasn't aware of this type of work and had to do a deeper dive into this and many others. There are a lot of careers that play big parts like doctors and nurses in our society but the people have to be willing to put it out there. Overall, I look at this field as a way for patients and the people taking care of them, no matter what position, to learn and grow together as a community. My journey to putting my plans in action begins now. The time and effort I put into reaching each point of my life that will ultimately get me to the spot I know I can reach is the same time and effort I want to be able to put into my studies under this major and the job itself. I am determined to contribute to the well-being of individuals and hopefully make a good, healthy, and lasting impact within their lives.

High school was definitely a transformative period for me and allowed me many times to show leadership and dedication to community service. I take the most pride in the position I assumed myself in during my Junior year. After applying and competing against hundreds of other kids in my school, I was picked to become a Griffin Ambassador member. I didn’t realize the significance this title would have to me and how much I would grow personally. I was able to first connect with adults and kids who were interested in my school via a tour and talk about many things my school has done, their accolades, and other gems I know about. Seeing younger kids ask me questions and be attentive to the answers I gave made me take a certain pride in being a Griffin ambassador. This was ironic for me because one of our many slogans we say is Griffin Pride. and this opportunity I indulged in made me finally understand its meaning in finding some joy and pleasure in being a part of this community. I learned to feel exactly that when stepping into my leadership role and sharing my delight with new curious faces. We then got the opportunity to help with other school opportunities like graduation for the seniors and freshman orientation. This was a moment I had with myself realizing I’m not that small new freshman but now an ongoing senior in her Junior year who didn’t think she would make it this far. This leads me to why this scholarship would ease financial challenges as I pursue a higher education. The most common answer would be getting a couple of worries off my plate with having no money to cover some of my tuition or having the possibility of being debt-free if I win this and many other scholarships. Although these are very true this speaks to me on a personal level past finances. Making it this far and putting myself out there constantly to succeed and do things I haven’t before Is something I want to keep doing. I don’t want to go back to that small scared girl who didn’t know what the future held. This scholarship would stop that from happening and instead would let me see an inkling of what my future holds, the challenges I will face and overcome in my studies, and how this will change me into someone who continues giving back to my community. This scholarship will make my mom less stressed financially as a single parent, guarantee me a push of encouragement as I fill out more scholarships, and allow family members around my age to see they can also do the same and fight to continue their education. Most importantly this scholarship will show a part of me that’s stressed and worried things work out as needed and even better when you put yourself out there and try. This scholarship will allow me to re-experience my Griffin Pride and forever have it with me in my new chapter.

I am still overcoming mental health challenges just like many other people but what makes the process smoother is not dimming my light to work on it because someone else may think their challenges are more important or severe than mines. This mindset is unfortunately common for many people and can be among many factors as to why they are not getting better or they are getting worse with their mental health. to make sure I don't fall victim to the same thing I take a chance to first find what category my mental health challenges is under. From their I looked at how many I have and which have the most impact on my character. Only once I have been able to evaluate myself I then make myself knowledgeable of as many other mental challenges that I can. This step is important not to evaluate how important I think they are compared to mine but to simply acknowledge them. When you are in a community you are there because many other people share certain characteristics similar to you and to know that everyone in that community does there has to be a light shed on whatever it is and on their counterparts. This builds stronger connections, understanding, and an aid to each person. So taking note of other existing mental health challenges makes everyone feel seen and understanding to one another's situation. Once I acquired this thought process I started to look for how I can implant this into other people who are in the same boat as me. I seen the opportunity when I signed up among many other students to become a Griffin Ambassador at my school. The main things we help with is open house tours, high school expos, graduation, and anything else school wise. Many times when I am giving a tour to a group of kids and adults we walk down the music hallway and approach a door that has the words STEP Team written. I would normally introduce the room as a place to go if you are facing any mental health challenges. Unfortunately that was all the info I would give besides some other commentary about that topic. I never thought of going more in-depth on the topic of mental health and not just about what we offer for people with these challenges but also how our community handles it and ways they could too. Once I picked up on this I decided to start taking time to help educate on the importance of mental health challenges and what I do to overcome it. I make sure my tips are short but understandable and applicable to people who are and are not going through these trials.

When I think about obstacles I had to overcome in pursuit of higher education, I think of how I had to battle myself and narratives that I have grown accustomed to that don't always apply to me even if I thought they did. An example of this is my fear of taking more advanced classes. Once I finished my freshman year of high school I didn't know too much about honors and AP classes. The only true idea I had of them was how fast-paced they were said to be. This slightly scared me because I didn't want to ruin passing my classes and getting all A's just to see what any of those classes were like. In this situation, I had the narrative that I wouldn't excel as much even if I had prior knowledge on the subject simply because everyone explained these classes to be fast. My biggest fear was falling behind and being too scared to ask for help because I felt like the odd one out when everyone seemed to understand what was being taught. It wasn't until my World History teacher from freshman year saw me and expressed how she was surprised I wasn't in African American Honors. I was also shocked at why she thought I should be in there but then she asked if I wanted to switch classes and not having much time to think about it I accepted. This moment has truly stuck with me because this was the first person who inspired me to go against other people's narratives that aren't my own and to push back on self-doubt. From that interaction alone I knew it was something I could share with others In a similar fashion depending on their situation. This mindset was more important to be spread within my community and I hope it is something I am able to give back to people of all ages. I want to go into the field of nursing or psychology but I know no matter which one I choose the environment I get placed in will allow me to implement that same courage into others. Many people may face an obstacle regarding their mental or physical health. This stems from being told one thing by professionals and not getting the help that is needed at that moment until it is too late. I know that I can take my knowledge and past experience to enlighten people on how things should truly be done and what they should expect when entering these spaces because a lot of times we feel like the doctor knows best and don't fight when we have serious issues going on. This doesn't stop at the people but it also begins with those in different fields of healthcare. It's not called that just because it makes sense but it has a moral behind it that shows the people whos care you are in for your health actually care about the problem and not just treating it.

An act of kindness is something I do naturally but this one time made me realize doing it more often is meaningful to other's situations and mine. Around the time of this happening my school was doing tours for the middle schools who were interested in our school. The kids who showed the families and kids around are called Griffin Ambassadors. These are kids who help with many school events like graduation, welcome week, or anything else school-related. So seeing them tour was just another thing that I had grown used to, but that was the issue I didn't see any significance in the tours. This was until I was in my AP lang class my Junior year and I asked to use the bathroom during independent time. I took the hall pass once I was ok to go and walked to the bathroom getting a view of some of the tours happening before I walked into the bathroom. Once I entered and did what was needed I noticed a girl crying in a stall and her mom holding the door closed for her trying also to comfort her. I knew they were probably also a part of a tour group and normally I wouldn't interject on people's business but I felt the urge and genuine concern for their wellbeing, so I walked over and asked if everything was ok and her mom responded saying yes. I figured it wasn't something I could help with so I was getting ready to leave the bathroom when the mom suddenly asked if I had some personal care items her daughter could use because it was that time of the month. I told her I did and quickly went back to class grabbing a small bag with these items and letting my teacher know of the situation to which he allowed me to go back to the bathroom. Once I gave the mom what she needed she told me thank you and I said you are welcome getting ready to head back to class. The mom stopped me again and asked me how do I like the school. Thinking nothing of the question and putting her curiosity to the fact that they can't ask their guide or anyone else at the moment I gave a pretty generic answer and summed up the experience her daughter could possibly have at this school. She listened attentively and then told me that was good but her question was what did I think about the school personally and not what she would want to hear. This resonated within me more than I thought because I never actually thought about my personal thoughts on the school or shared them with anyone. I also considered this could make or break this girl and her mother's decision on whether this is a good pick for her. I gave an honest and still respectful response regarding my feelings about my school and she seemed more pleased with that response. I told them bye and hoped her daughter felt better and went back to class. Throughout the day I thought about the interaction and truly congratulated myself for not just helping with a serious need and answering questions but also showing the mom and daughter that coming across good people and interactions in this school is something her daughter is guaranteed if she decides to join our school.

The story of my life is quiet at first. I purposely wanted to be as unseen as possible and if I ever did get too loud or expressive I would almost immediately go back to being quiet. This behavior shocked my family because they expected another loud and outgoing kid. They worried I would miss out on fun activities to build my character or get along with anyone I could relate to. Unfortunately, this did happen and I didn’t realize it until my ninth-grade year in high school. In my eyes, keeping to myself protected me from trouble, bad people, and situations I shouldn't be in. Even if it did the opposite, changing myself suddenly was a more hectic path I didn’t want to experience. I worried about how I would survive the upcoming high school years. I’m sure my mom noticed at the time those were big waters for me but she couldn’t wipe my slate of nerves for me. My mom eventually suggested joining a club to connect more. I decided to take a random pick and join my school's run club. There were a lot of students and some were already friends. I didn’t see anyone I knew so I just paced myself with the group. We made it to our first checkpoint and were left with the option to continue or go back to the school. I chose to go back because I was tired and ready to go home. My mom did offer a ride so I didn’t have to run back but I declined thinking I could get to the school fine. Unfortunately, my phone was dying before I could. This alerted my mom's phone and left her racing to find me. I saw that I lost the other kids who were going back to school too so I was alone. I decided to patiently wait on a bench looking around the area known as South Philly. Assessing my surroundings I took note of the busy people and cars. I liked how everyone was in their own world, some of them walking into the small shops that lined up the sidewalks and others continuing their walk to wherever. The breeze I felt wasn’t causing me to shiver and the sudden beep of horns didn’t startle me, I felt oddly tranquil at that moment. I realized my mom was pulling up in front of me looking worried. She took the initiative and talked to the teacher about safety measures but I didn’t tune in for the conversation. The first thought I had was I found peace in the chaos I would normally be scared of. At a moment when I should have been scared, I felt peace and found solace in the loud traffic and busy people around me. I unknowingly took a risk and realized how this would shift my whole perspective on living life. It wasn’t an immediate realization at first but I eventually knew I couldn’t stay in a box that didn’t let me see the world for its good and not just bad. After the fact, I sought beauty and peace in what I always thought of as chaos and trouble. I didn’t want to be scared of my big situations because of how small I was. I wanted to keep hold of the confidence I had to get back to school by myself and the calmness I kept in an unfamiliar situation. I kept this in mind with everything new I conquered and no longer strived to be a wallflower when that’s not where I belonged to begin with.

The profound respect and personal significance I hold for the military stem from a deep-seated recognition of the immense sacrifices and unwavering commitment demonstrated by those who serve. The military, a sign of discipline and resilience, not only safeguards our nation's sovereignty but also embodies the principles of honor and duty. This resonates deeply with my own values and fuels my passion for psychology, where the pursuit of mental fortitude and the understanding of human behavior are paramount. As a psychologist, I am continually inspired by the mental strength and adaptability displayed by military personnel. Their ability to confront adversity, manage stress, and maintain composure under pressure aligns with the core objectives of psychological resilience training. This connection between the military's ethos and psychological practice motivates me to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of those who protect us. The intersection of military service and psychology is a personal calling, where I can apply my expertise to support the mental health of service members. The unique challenges faced by the military community, including the management of post-traumatic stress and the transition to civilian life, present opportunities for psychologists to make a significant impact. My dedication to this cause is driven by a desire to give back to those who have given so much for our country. In essence, the military's role in protecting our nation and the principles it upholds are a source of profound personal inspiration. It instills in me a sense of purpose and direction, guiding my professional journey as a psychologist. The courage, discipline, and selflessness I witness in the military are qualities I strive to foster within myself and others through my work. This dual commitment to serving both my country and the field of psychology is not just a career—it's a heartfelt mission that defines my life's motivation. My respect for the military is not just rooted in admiration for their courage and sacrifice, but also in the shared values of integrity, service, and commitment to a cause greater than oneself. These values resonate with my personal and professional ethos as a psychologist, where the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to serve are central. My education is not merely an academic journey; it is a pathway to giving back to those who have dedicated their lives to our nation's security. The military's unwavering dedication to protecting our country inspires me to harness my education in psychology to support their mental resilience. I am committed to using my skills to enhance the psychological well-being of service members, helping them navigate the complexities of military life and the transition back into civilian society. By focusing on areas such as trauma recovery and stress management, I aim to provide the tools and support necessary for our service members to thrive both during and after their service. My plan to give back through my education is a testament to the profound respect I hold for the military. It is a commitment to use my growing expertise to contribute to a support system that upholds the psychological health of our service members. This is my way of honoring their service—by ensuring that the defenders of our nation have access to the best psychological care and by advocating for their mental health needs. In this way, my educational pursuits in psychology are intrinsically linked to my respect for the military. They are the driving force behind my motivation to excel academically and professionally. As I advance in my studies, I am continually seeking opportunities to apply my knowledge in ways that will benefit the community.

From the vibrant heart of Nashville, TN, to the historic streets of Germany and the romantic avenues of Paris, my grandfather's military service has been a journey of courage, dedication, and exploration. Enlisting at the tender age of 18, he embarked on a path that not only defended the values of our nation but also opened a gateway to the world. His stories, filled with diverse cultures and experiences, have taught me the profound impact of the armed services on both a personal and global scale. It's a testament to the fact that the uniform does not just represent a duty to one's country but also a commitment to personal growth and education. My respect for him deepens with every tale of valor and every lesson learned. His service is a narrative of honor, shaping not just his destiny, but also the fabric of our family's history. Through his eyes, I've seen the world, and through his service, I've understood the true essence of patriotism and sacrifice. The armed services, to me, is not just a military force; it's a lineage of heroes who, like my grandfather, serve with unyielding spirit and inspire generations to come. His dual pursuit of service and education while in uniform is a powerful reminder that we are never bound by a single path; we can always forge our own way, even under the most challenging circumstances. His life is a beacon that guides my own aspirations and instills in me a profound sense of pride and respect for all those who wear the uniform. Indeed, my grandfather's legacy is a narrative of unwavering commitment and boundless exploration, a story that will continue to resonate and inspire. His footsteps across the globe have not only marked history but have also paved the way for a future where service and education go hand in hand, creating a legacy as enduring as the values he stood for. Receiving this grant is a stepping stone towards fulfilling my aspiration to become a psychologist, a profession dedicated to healing minds and nurturing resilience. Inspired by my grandfather's selfless service in the army, I am driven to extend that legacy of service by aiding those grappling with psychological challenges. This grant will empower me to pursue advanced education and training, equipping me with the expertise to provide compassionate care and effective therapy. As a psychologist, I will strive to touch lives positively, offering support and hope to individuals and communities, just as my grandfather did through his honorable commitment to our country.

When asked who has profoundly impacted my life, the answer is unequivocal: my mother. I could recount countless stories that would have you laughing, crying, and eager to hear more about this remarkable woman. Instead, I'll share her mantra: "Have a great day and make good choices." My mother, raised in the rural outskirts of Philadelphia, understood from an early age the critical importance of knowledge for survival. Juggling two jobs and additional side work to support my sister and me, she somehow always managed to fit in learning something new. Her resilience is what makes her extraordinary; despite life's challenges, she never surrendered. Every morning, she would wake us, hurry us into the car, and ensure our day started wonderfully—with music blaring, her singing and teasing us. Even when I resisted, her persistence would prevail until we were energized and ready to face the day. She accomplished this on little to no sleep, but it never deterred her. Upon our arrival at school, she would affirm her love and remind us, "Have a great day and make good choices." This simple phrase resonated with me, influencing my daily decisions. As tests approached, I remembered she wasn't asking for much—just for us to make good choices. So, I studied diligently and strived to excel. When peers opted to hang out or skip class, I attended. The thought of someone who consistently supported us motivated me to reciprocate through my actions. It became second nature to strive for excellence. Her words were more than a saying; they were a call to action. They made me more conscious of my surroundings, prompting me to offer assistance or kind words, just in case someone hadn't received any that morning. I supported my teachers, ensuring they knew their efforts were appreciated, hoping they too would have a great day. I aimed to extend the love and encouragement I received daily. At day's end, I would step into the car or send a text... Telling her about my day, aware that it brightened her day to hear I was seizing my opportunity to learn and grow, was fulfilling. The persistent thought was that my classes were challenging, and yes, I might have been tired, but I had a good day and made choices. How wonderful it is that I received something from her that wasn't just for me but also something I could pass on to others. To the person reading this, I hope you have many splendid days and make excellent choices!