Before I started high school, my mom sat me down and told me that if I wanted to go to college, I would have to figure out how to pay for it myself. She worked two jobs, and I watched her stretch herself thin to make sure we had enough. From her I learned financial literacy: how to budget, how to plan, and how to stay disciplined. My dad was in and out of my life, but I saw him go back to school at thirty. He relied on scholarships and side jobs to get by, and I saw the mentality it took to push yourself towards goals. From both of them I learned that higher education is not easy, but it is worth it. When I started at Notre Dame, I understood the financial weight of tuition, housing, and books would always hang over me. What I did not expect were the hidden costs. Study abroad fees, research materials, conference travel, and professional clothing have all added up. Now, as I look toward graduate school, there are even more expenses ahead. The graduate tests are expensive, and so are the study materials and application fees. It feels like every opportunity comes with another bill, and sometimes that is enough to make you hesitate before applying. Even so, I have built a path that I am proud of. I studied abroad in Ireland and grew through independence and cultural exchange. I joined a lab studying sickle cell disease, where I worked on research that deepened my passion for biomedical science. I helped design an assistive writing device for a boy named Wen, seeing firsthand how engineering can change someone’s daily life. These experiences keep me motivated to pursue advanced research and to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. The Victoria Johnson Minority Women in STEM Scholarship would relieve the financial strain and allow me to focus on what matters. I want to prepare for the GRE, apply broadly to graduate programs, and commit myself fully to research; My goal is to create biomedical devices and treatments that expand access to care for underserved communities. I also want to give back by mentoring students like me, who were told early on they would have to pay their own way. I want to help them find scholarships, prepare strong applications, and believe that their goals are possible. This scholarship would not only support me as I continue my journey in STEM. It would also multiply its impact through the students I will support in the future.