Inspired by my mother's efforts being the first in her family to attend higher education, I decided to be the first in my family to pursue higher education immediately proceeding High School. Attending a predominately white high school made it difficult to set myself apart from other applicants in the university application process through various prestigious institutions. Additionally, with the lack of Women of Color in Science, I had to push myself further to separate myself from the others. To do so, I ensured that my extra curriculars, for example, my charitable act of assisting an art teacher with artistic activities for students with disabilities, helped show my enjoyment to give back. After developing an interest in Science with a focus in Biology through continuous laboratory studies in rat protein cells and cell development within aseptic environments, I decided to pursue my higher education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, on a Pre-Medical Biology tract. After securing a high GPA, earning myself a position on the Dean's List, I was welcomed into two honors societies, one named Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honors Society as an Associate, and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society. Outside of my scientific pursuits, I am a 2025-2026 Mentor within a Non-Profit organization named Sisterly Essentials. As a first year, I was chosen by the Executive Board of the organization as the Mentorship Chair Intern. As a Mentorship Chair Intern, I was the liaison between the mentors and mentees, ensuring engagement in the organization on both parts, while hosting mentor/mentee workshops. One of the community service initiatives we did this past school year was to collect sanitary care products for a local women's shelter. For my efforts, the organization awarded me with the Sisterly Essentials Elevation Award to showcase my growth in the organization and what I did to help grow the organization. In another organization named Ribbons of Bliss, I was chosen by the Executive Board to be a General Intern, assisting with the execution of each community service event, while welcoming new volunteers into the organization. Ribbons of Bliss combined my passion to find a cure of cancer, the organization's focus being pediatric cancer, and my enjoyment for community service. One of the service opportunities that we did this past school year was to prepare miniature aquariums for a nearby pediatric oncology unit. My amiable efforts within my studies, and research on a common disease for a possible NIH Proposal, influenced me to look into summer internship opportunities related to my future goal of being an oncologist, with an interest in dermatology. Despite my research opportunity being resending due to lack of funding, I decided to take advantage of any possible opportunity provided, and took on a four week volunteer position at Fredericksburg Endoscopy Center. While volunteering, I was able to observe the responsibilities of nurses and doctors within the field. Although gastroenterology is a different field from my interest, I was able to observe some similarities such as treatments and diagnostics for cancers within the colon and esophageal area. For example, a 36 year old female patient exhibited contained the Lynched Syndrome, causing colon polyps and colon cancer. To monitor this, the patient, much like other cancers, will need regular screenings. Within the procedure room, I observed a Hem-Well procedure, the process of burning the hemorrhoid tissue to suppress the tissue over time, patients that exhibited Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and colon cancer. Additionally, I was able to see the effects of poor lifestyle habits/genetic factors that have led to the development of colon polyps. I observed and studied the effects of localized anesthesia, and its administration rate to ensure the patient remains asleep and unscathed. An important part of the process is the documentation. From the information of the patients’ allergies to the information on the endoscope, everything is carefully documented between each phase of the process. I had the opportunity to prepare patients within the Pre/Post Anesthesia Care Unit, practicing my medical office communication experience. Patients who had a lot of health issues exhibited during their procedures, more prominently Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis during Colonoscopies and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) were put on high fiber diets and Proton Pump Inhibitors respectively. This experience helped me explore possible career options for my future, fueling curiosity in me for becoming a Registered Nurse or possibly an Anesthesiologist. My persistence despite the lack of opportunity within the field of research has influenced me to explore the opportunities given rather than wait for the lack thereof. In the future, I hope to become either an Oncologist, Dermatologist, or Anesthesiologist. These experiences have influenced me to venture through my path, and explore my interest. Whatever path I choose for myself, I want to be the first in my family to gain their Doctorate, inspiring the generations after me within and outside of my family.