My perspective on blood disorders is shaped by the high-stakes environment in the back of an ambulance. As an EMT trainee, I have witnessed firsthand how a seemingly "minor" injury—a small laceration or a bruised joint—can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening crisis for a patient living with a bleeding disorder like Hemophilia. In the field, every second counts, and the complexity of managing a patient whose blood cannot clot properly requires a level of precision and empathy that many people outside of the medical field do not fully grasp. ​These moments of crisis are often compounded by a profound lack of public understanding. I have seen the fear in a patient’s eyes when they realize that the people around them do not understand their condition or how to help. This silence around blood disorders creates a barrier to safety. It is not just about the physical illness; it is about the isolation that comes when your community doesn't understand your daily reality. Watching these struggles has fueled my drive to become a healthcare provider who does more than just treat symptoms—I want to be an advocate who changes how these disorders are perceived. ​My ultimate career goal is to become a Dentist, a field where the management of blood disorders is absolutely critical for safe and effective care. Many people do not realize that routine dental procedures, such as extractions or deep cleanings, carry significant risks for patients with bleeding disorders or severe iron deficiencies. Without a knowledgeable and prepared dentist, these patients often avoid necessary care out of fear of complications. I am committed to filling this gap in our healthcare system. I want my future clinic to be a sanctuary where patients with blood disorders feel safe, understood, and prioritized. ​Beyond the dental chair, I hope to use my practice as a platform for broad-scale community education. My goal is to partner with organizations like the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation to provide specialized care and to lead workshops for families. I want to teach parents and caregivers how to recognize the early, often invisible signs of internal bleeding and how to navigate the expensive, complex healthcare landscape. ​Awareness shouldn't just happen within the sterile walls of a hospital; it must start in the community, in schools, and in local clinics. As a future dentist and a current first responder, I plan to be a lifelong voice for those living with these invisible challenges. By raising awareness, I hope to ensure that no patient ever feels that their diagnosis is a shadow they must walk through alone.

Growing up in a low-income household in my home country taught me that health is a luxury many cannot afford. When I was a little girl, I fell and injured my mouth. Because we didn't have insurance or money for a dentist, the injury was ignored. A year later, it caused a smell that led to me being bullied and teased at school. I felt so lonely, but that pain became my motivation. ​Eventually, a relative helped me find an affordable clinic. The kindness of the dentist who fixed my smile changed my life. That experience taught me perseverance; I learned that your current situation doesn't have to define your future. Now, I plan to use that experience to make a positive impact by becoming a Dentist (DDS). My goal is to open a clinic that provides discounts for low-income families so that no child has to feel the shame or pain that I did. ​I am actively working toward this goal every day. I am currently an honors student and enrolled in my high school’s EMT program. I’ve already completed my first "ride-along," where I learned the courage it takes to be a first responder. By training as an EMT now, I am building the "service-first" foundation I need for the eight years of dental study ahead. This scholarship will help me cover the books and tools I need to turn my childhood struggle into a career of helping others smile.

Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." The underlying meaning of the Book of Job is that true loyalty is not a transaction based on rewards, but a profound spiritual endurance that remains steady even when life feels unfair and the reasons for suffering are hidden from us. The Book of Job, found in the Hebrew Bible, has always been my favorite piece of ancient literature because it explores a level of loyalty that is hard to imagine in our modern world. It is a study of how a human being reacts when they lose everything. In the beginning, Job had a life that everyone would envy. He was rich, respected, and successful. But the story suggests that faith is easy when things are going well. The real test begins when the "sinner angel," Satan, challenges God, claiming that Job only follows Him because he is wealthy and protected. ​When Job loses his ten children and all his wealth in a single day, and is then struck with a painful disease that makes him suffer mentally and physically, he reaches a point of total isolation. He ends up sitting on the cold ground, almost naked and forgotten by those he once helped. His friends, like Eliphaz and Zophar, try to convince him that he must have done something wrong to deserve this punishment. They tell him his words are "nonsense" and that he should just admit his guilt. ​However, the underlying meaning of Job’s response is found in his refusal to blame God. Even when he wishes he had never been born or had never seen the light of day, he maintains his integrity. When he says, "Naked I came... and naked shall I return," he is acknowledging a deep philosophical truth: we do not truly "own" anything in this life. Everything—our family, our health, our money—is a gift that can be taken back. This shows a high level of maturity; Job understands that he is just a guest on this earth and that everything comes from the sand and goes back to the sand. ​I feel a personal connection to this story because of my own upbringing. Growing up, my parents moved almost every year due to financial struggles. I was constantly the "new kid" who was behind in class, losing friends and starting over. I used to feel a sense of detachment, like I couldn't get close to people because I knew I would just have to say goodbye again. Like Job, I felt like I was losing things I valued through no fault of my own. However, I learned to find peace in small things, like helping my biology teacher with her school garden. Planting fruits and painting rocks to protect the plants taught me that even when you feel "naked" or empty, you can still produce something beautiful. Working in that garden until 5 p.m. gave me the same sense of quiet accomplishment that I see in Job’s endurance. ​As a teenager reflecting on this ancient writing, I find myself wondering if I could ever have Job's full strength. If I were in his position, I think I would immediately start blaming the world or God for the hardship. It is human nature to want to know "why" we are suffering. But Job teaches us that sometimes there is no immediate answer that we can see or touch. His endurance proves that his faith was not a "deal" he made for riches; it was a part of who he was. He was like a tree that stays standing even when the storm takes its leaves. ​In the end, Job is rewarded not just with more children and wealth, but with a deeper relationship with the Supreme. The story is extraordinary because it invites us to look at our own problems differently. It suggests that even in the middle of a "circle of sadness," there is a way to remain humble and faithful. Job’s story is a reminder that while we cannot control the tragedies that happen to us, we can control our loyalty to our principles. It shows that even in total darkness, a person can still choose to be a "servant of light."

My biggest dream is to be a first responder—an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)—and I am currently enrolled as a high school senior in the dual enrollment EMT program held by Barry University at Hallandale Magnet High School. ​My commitment began when Barry University visited my campus to present the new program. Not many students were interested; most seemed focused on becoming entrepreneurs or influencers, and I felt bad that this vital, human-centered work was overlooked. My values of service and perseverance were instantly engaged. I signed up, but the course was incredibly difficult. We started with 16 students, and quickly three gave up. I wanted to quit too, especially when facing confusing compliance paperwork and setbacks. ​But reflecting on our common goal—helping people—gave me the determination to push through. Now we are 13, and I hope we all succeed. This experience taught me that true health work requires patience and dedication, even when the path is hard. I am passionate about health because I want to dedicate my life to bringing relief, dignity, and calm to others, showing up when others look away. My first experience with true health-related bureaucracy—the endless paperwork, the repeated trips for compliance accounts, and the feeling of fighting the system just to start my EMT training—taught me exactly what empathy must look like in practice. To me, empathy is the relentless commitment to seeing a person as more than a problem, and recognizing their struggle, whether that struggle is an injury or a feeling of hopelessness. ​This quality is non-negotiable for my specific health career: Paramedicine. A first responder is often the first face a patient sees in a moment of extreme trauma. If I react only technically, I miss the chance to heal their fear. The patient must feel safe, respected, and seen before the life-saving work can begin. ​ I will ensure my efforts are done through a human-centered lens by prioritizing communication and dignity over speed and procedure:When I arrive, my first action won't be grabbing the advanced monitor, but making immediate eye contact and introducing myself. I will communicate calmly and clearly, explaining every step. The human-centered lens in paramedicine means treating the patient as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. If they are elderly, I will explain every procedure clearly and simply. My goal is to use my patience to create a small pocket of security amidst chaos. My initial frustration with the administrative requirements to start my EMT program was a defining experience. It instilled in me a deep understanding of what it feels like to be completely overwhelmed by a system. This experience fuels my perseverance not only for complex medical training, but for advocating for patients. I will always remember that the person I am treating may also be fighting battles that I cannot see—battles of fear, confusion, or lack of resources. I will ensure my compassion never runs out. While my job relies on technology, such as using digital tablets to chart patient info or GPS systems to coordinate transport, I will ensure the human-centered lens remains primary. For example, I know Paramedics in Broward County rely on specialized tools, but instead of rushing to input data, I will focus on the patient's immediate comfort and emotional state. The technology should be a tool that helps me treat the patient more effectively, not a barrier that separates me from them. ​In short, empathy will be the foundation for my decisions, allowing me to lead with my heart and deliver true human support when it is needed most.

Hi, my name is Melissa. I am from an impoverished country. My challenging step of hardships started when I was in kindergarten to have a good education back in my original country. I didn't have access to go to school frequently and access to the internet it was a big deal to have light in your home we could go months without electricity as a student I had to study and do my homework before the sunset rigth, its unbelievable here in America, so that kept me behind from other students that's in the same grade as me. That aggravated me about my education here because in this country, everybody has to speak English; in the United States, everything is in English. For immigrants like me, it is not easy. It was like listening to Chinese for me. I did not understand anything on my very first day of school because, compared to some children whose parents have the financial means to put them in an English course. I was kinda falling behind. But I reach out for aid from teachers by asking a lot of questions, trying to speak. I have always volunteered for my school activities. Eventually, here I am now writing in English. I can't believe it. I couldn't even introduce myself on the very first day. But I am an ambitious person, and I always take opportunities when they cross my path. This scholarship is worth a life change for me that will help me realize my childhood dream, because, since I was little, I have had this goal of becoming a future college student. As a person from a low background, I want to have the possibility to study the career of my dream and help my parents and my family, who are a part of my heart. And to give back something to the community that helped me along the way, I can't lie, I did meet a lot of nice people along my high school journey. That's what made me who I am today, a confident person with a goal and a dream, and I want to give back to society by becoming someone.