Once I learned about the college courses I could take in high school, I always strived to take them to achieve more than just the basic courses, especially if it would allow me to take some burden off the shoulders of my family and loved ones by getting just a bit more ahead for college. I originally had trouble getting a footing. I was scared to try the harder AP classes out of fear of failing or getting a bad score on the final test, but as soon as I hit senior year, I knew I had to try before it was too late. I chose to do not only dual enrollment French, but also both AP calculus and AP chemistry at the same time that year, and in all honesty, I was so glad I did. Although I was disappointed I couldn't get an A overall for AP calculus, I still was able to thrive in both chemistry and dual-enrollment French. I learned a lot from all three classes. From AP calculus, I learned the importance of not expecting to be perfect in all my classes, learning that I can still get a five regardless of thinking that I "only" got a B. I learned that as long as I studied just a bit harder, I could pass the final challenges despite the troubles I had along the way. For AP chemistry and dual enrollment French, I learned how to take more opportunities before shutting them down. Even if something "seems" hard, often it may be one of the most rewarding experiences you could have, and I certainly learned that as I made so many new friends and passed both classes with relative ease, especially when I knew to study still, since the AP chemistry exam I especially needed a 5. In the end I not only achieved 5's and an A for my two AP courses and my dual enrollment course, but I also learned how important being kind and working together as a group is, I wouldn't have made it through without my friends to help and cheer me on in AP calculus, and I learned how fulfilling it was to help others who may be struggling in AP chemistry as I was in AP calculus. Tutoring and being almost a "role model" brought me immense joy, and I certainly brought that forward as I went into my first year of college, even being able to help and study with a newly acquainted friend in our same psychology class. Although I've been able to succeed academically, I wouldn't be lying when I talked about how hard it has been to endure the stress of both my academic and economic life, I constantly worry about my payments, and getting to medical school especially seems like a dream that I've lost out on due to not having enough money to make it through. Ever since my parents had died and I had been left with my step-mother, I've always wanted to be someone she wouldn't have to worry about, especially when my step-brother is struggling even more than I had to gather scholarships and support for college. What I wish most is to be able to one day help others as they've helped me; the crushing guilt I feel when I spend even a little money has always been a burden over the years, and despite this, I hope that I can continue to shine despite my struggles.

My passion mostly started during my childhood after seeing my father go in and out of the hospital so often due to a lot of issues he had with his health before, unfortunately, passing a month before my move into college. I always told my parents I would eventually become a doctor, and medicine was such a fascinating field with so many focus varieties that I could explore. This dream hasn't changed in the slightest, and I still continue to love creative arts, writing, and science, which I would love to use to my advantage when interacting with the people I meet. I hope to make others feel comforted and help them heal like my father's doctors and nurses tried their best to do during the majority of my life. I was also further driven to pursue this goal after my mother passed from cancer, and I feel that my first-hand experiences with so much tragedy in my life have allowed me to be much more understanding and sympathetic to other friends and family who have faced similar troubles to my own. My overall goal is to recommend to future family and friends ways to live in more comfort and peace and hopefully achieve my career goal as a pediatrician or family doctor, as in my own opinion, family doctors and pediatricians can truly be an influential part of people's lives for years, and I'd be able to connect with patients on a deeper level rather than the fast-paced and often times stressful energy of hospital settings. I also believe earning this scholarship would be a huge help, as losing my father has been a huge blow in many ways, and the lack of financial support has only hit harder as I have started my first year at college. I've tried my best to work hard at my part-time jobs while still staying on track with my education, but more often than not, I've been more stressed out than not and still lack funds to continue my education since I don't have much family left to rely on. Relieving this pressure would hopefully aid in allowing me to not only be more relaxed but also focus even further on my studies as the MCAT and other volunteer work I'll have to do start to approach. This scholarship would be game-changing in many ways, and I'll be grateful for any support I receive. So, I thank you for reading, even if I do not receive it.

All my life, I have strived to try my best to help the people around me and push through discomfort. I've constantly felt a sense of worry in the back of my mind, feeling as if what I'm doing is not enough to achieve my long-term goals. However, I've realized that my friend's words, "You're someone I strive to be someday," were all the confirmation I needed that I have worked as hard as possible in just this first Fall semester of my first year of college. I got employee of the month during my first month at Starbucks, which I had sought out at the beginning of this year. I wanted to try harder and learn as much as possible to make my life's tuition and long-standing dreams possible. I will admit that the true nature of my perseverance has always been some sense of desperation, longing to make the people around me proud, but I feel I've gotten much more potent and learned much more from each struggle I've encountered. Shortly after my father's death before college, I vowed to work harder than I had before and take more chances than standing idly by as the clock kept moving forward. I always try to stay positive around others and look at things from their perspective whenever I feel confused or angry at them for their actions. It helps me stay grounded and get to know others instead of just surface-level feelings I may have. I feel this allows me to make others feel comfortable around me and put myself out there instead of trying to pretend to be someone I am not. I've helped many coworkers and friends with their academic or personal issues. I often take extra shifts at work or tutor/check over essays with my friends whenever they contact me for help. I feel a sense of pride whenever they come back to me to talk about how helpful our studying was or when my coworkers express their gratitude for extra help at work, as it gives me so much more joy to see the people I know feel better when I'm around to support them than any other gift or activity I could do. You may think I would claim to be the most exemplary example of an employee or person, but honestly, our goals are achieved with the support of all those around us. I give back to my community all I have so that they may pass it forward as well; each extra shift I've taken, each hour-long tutoring session I've had with friends struggling in chemistry and biology, allowed me to gather a group of friends I can trust and lean on when I need it most. I only hope to bring this ideology with me through college. Then, hopefully, at the end of all this suffering I had to endure, I can come out of it knowing that I have made someone else's life better and tried my best through it all.