I plan to attend Boston university starting in the fall of 2023. There I will attend the school of Arts and Science where I will pursue genetics and chemistry to become a genetic researcher. I plan on taking advantage of the research opportunities at Boston University where I will gain valuable research experience and skills for all four years of my college career. While I am not certain of my future career path yet, I am open to exploring many different types of Stem as it is my passion, and am hoping to find a career that I love and of course, positively impacts the world! My love for stem started superficially as when looking at the grade book it was clear that stem was something I excelled at. However it was during my 9th grade Ap Biology class that I found the perfect STEM subject for me- Genetics The study of DNA and how those genes interact to create the multitude of people on the earth fascinated me. The genetic disorders and how new technology could potentially be fixed or prevented simply amazed me. What furthered this new thirst to learn and study genetics was the fact that I too had my genetic disorder called lymphedema, which is swelling of the legs and hands due to small lymph vessels. Which is passed down by an autosomal dominant gene that my mother has and is currently dealing with. While my family and I caught it early, it pushed me into doing research which I found very little of. The lack of research was not surprising as it mostly affects Black and Hispanic females. However, this gave me great motivation as I can change this with my potential future research. I can research ways to lessen the symptoms of this disease with gene therapy, etc Many genetic diseases affect minorities such as sickle cell, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and vitamin D deficiency, which could use more research and cures but also advocacy due to the fact that social economic status of minorities and environment play a huge role in genetics. New access to fresh and healthy foods, access to adequate medical supplies, and Medical resources could greatly decrease the number of minorities affected by such diseases. Many of these genes are brought out due to stress, diet, and other things in the environment where minorities live. I think it's important as a black woman myself, to advocate the high-risk disease and the education that comes with avoiding these diseases and managing the symptoms that come with them. However, one obstacle in my way is financial aid. Earning any funds to push my education along is a crucial step in my future. However, I refuse to let this obstacle stop my pursuit of education, but I know this fight to lessen the financial burden will be hard. I'm willing to write a thousand essays and fill out thousands more applications to make my own story come true.

On Christmas eve, My father suffered from a massive heart attack and passed away in 2021. A year later, while the reality of the situation is still hard to comprehend, its true impact was during my junior year of high school. As tough as junior year is for students juggling the work of college preparation and taking difficult classes, this tragedy fell on my entire family. I had separated myself from all things I was feeling, the shock mixed with denial, worry, and fear of how my life would reach normality again. At first, the differences were small, My father was not much of a talker so the silence and his abstinence could go unnoticed at first, but the preparation for the funeral, barely gives room for those types of feelings, from contacting my family upstate, from gathering photos for the funeral proved, to be one of the hardest challenges I had faced. My mom called the school and told them all the customary things for times such as these. Missing two weeks of class while an average student was a blessing for some, and filled me with anxiety I had never experienced before. The thoughts of what my friends would think, and how my teachers would react. The pressure of having to act like the normal Ap student I was, to study, to learn. It was simply overwhelming But as I went back to school, I saw I lost the motivation that once defined my character. The avid learner I had once been, was gone without a trace. The feeling of success and the feeling of being around friends that could share your common concerns of you about homework seems like such a futile thing. While I did not fail any of the classes I was taking. I felt I had not done my very best. Which for me is something that is ingrained into my personality and work ethic. While not a perfectionist, just knowing that I had done my best on something no matter the grade was all I needed. However, during this time I had constant brain fog which bogged me down no matter how easy the task was. It was hard to study and keep up with the rest of my peers, who were ignorant of the situation. Grief is not something you can overcome, it's not an obstacle in your way to success or a thing to rush through. It's a cycle that is never-ending and while you have periods of sadness and depression there is also acceptance. Accept the fact that I can be proud of myself for completing my Ap classes, proud for supporting my family during that time, and I'm proud of the person this has made me. There are no steps or a set journey. It's what I make it and allowing grace and acceptance of myself are most important. Allowing my family to go on that journey too is most important. There is no ending of self-growth and flourishing but realizing that there is also a cycle of growth. One continues to shape the person I am today

When I was little I always wanted to go back in time, while not such a good idea to my present self at the time I had a child-like innocence. From a young age, it is taught and understood that humanity has only improved in its morals and that the past was less than favorable across the board. However, I wanted to go back in time to share the little knowledge I had to somehow improve the lives of all those people in the past to better their world as it was vastly different from mine. However as I matured into my current mindset today, I started to notice that every second that ticks by is an opportunity to change something, to make a difference in someone's life, to help a stray cat on the street. As a child with an ambitious mind, I had missed the fact that helping people is not truly based on the gratitude received from the action nor the feeling of self-importance in doing such a thing. However, it was a necessary development for the humanity of society. As people, our next step in improving and flourishing the lives of others is a necessary must. It's a kindness that is more accessible in today's time, with today's knowledge, with today's determination. I plan to attend Boston university starting in the fall of 2023. There I will attend the school of Arts and Science where I will pursue a genetics degree with a minor in chemistry to become a genetic researcher. I plan on taking advantage of the research opportunities at Boston University where I will gain valuable research experience and skills for all four years of my college career. I am open to exploring many different types of STEM as it is my passion and am hoping to find a career that I love and of course, positively impacts the world! My love for stem started superficially as when looking at the grade book it was clear that stem was something I excelled at. However it was during my 9th grade Ap Biology class that I found the perfect STEM subject for me- Genetics The study of DNA and how those genes interact to create the multitude of people on the earth fascinated me. The genetic disorders and how new technology could potentially be fixed or prevented simply amazed me. What furthered this new thirst to learn and study genetics was the fact that I too had my genetic disorder called lymphedema, which is swelling of the legs and hands due to small lymph vessels. Which is passed down by an autosomal dominant gene that my mother has and is currently dealing with. However, this gave me great motivation as I can change this with my potential future research. I can research ways to lessen the symptoms of this disease with gene therapy and other forms of cures not yet studied. I can help not only those who are impacted by the disease but their families and friends. As helping someone is like a ripple in the pond, one drop spreads across the whole lake, little by little, creating new waves. However, one obstacle in my way is financial aid. Earning any funds to push my education along is a crucial step in my future. However, I refuse to let this obstacle stop my pursuit of education, but I know this fight to lessen the financial burden will be hard. I'm willing to write a thousand essays and fill out thousands more applications to make my own story come true.

Black women in stem are an underrepresented minority due to discrimination, and lack of funds and opportunities given to others. We are put into an environment where we do not see people such as ourselves succeeding. Black women have to work harder to gain access to the same opportunities as their peers. As an aspiring researcher and an avid student, I want to break through the lessened opportunities and obstacles for black women in stem, with my own story. A story that depicts a young black girl, who worked hard and studied to perfect her GPA and resume to gain access to a school that can provide her a fighting chance. A story where she can enjoy her success with the help of people just like her. To grab her dreams through her own hands, discover new medicines, and invent new medical processes. which may be impossible without help from her community. I plan to attend Boston university starting in the fall of 2023. There I will attend the school of Arts and Science where I will pursue a genetics degree with a minor in chemistry to become a genetic researcher. I plan on taking advantage of the research opportunities at Boston University where I will gain valuable research experience and skills for all four years of my college career. While I am not certain of my future career path yet, I am open to exploring many different types of Stem as it is my passion and am hoping to find a career that I love and of course, positively impacts the world! My love for stem started superficially as when looking at the grade book it was clear that stem was something I excelled at. However, it was during my 9th grade Ap Biology class that I found the perfect STEM subject for me- Genetics. The study of DNA and how those genes interact to create the multitude of people on the earth fascinated me. The genetic disorders and how new technology could potentially be fixed or prevented simply amazed me. What furthered this new thirst to learn and study genetics was the fact that I too had my genetic disorder called lymphedema, which is swelling of the legs and hands due to small lymph vessels. Which is passed down by an autosomal dominant gene that my mother has and is currently dealing with. While my family and I caught it early, it pushed me into doing research which I found very little of. The lack of research was not surprising as it mostly affects Black and Hispanic females. However, this gave me great motivation as I can change this with my potential future research. I can research ways to lessen the symptoms of this disease with gene therapy, etc. However, one obstacle in my way is financial aid. Earning any funds to push my education along is a crucial step in my future. Research institutions that provide the best education are often expensive which discourages women of color from even applying to schools that could provide them the opportunity to do something great. Losing out on the valuable networking, and brand power that state schools can not always provide on a large scale. However, I refuse to let this obstacle stop my pursuit of education, but I know this fight to lessen the financial burden will be hard. I'm willing to write a thousand essays and fill out thousands more applications to make my own story come true.

In this world that is rapidly changing from new technology popping up to new cities expanding their reach. A new age of human history reaches a new peak. while with new technology comes saving lives with new biomedical advances, safer transportation, and new jobs to support the ever-growing economy. It also comes with a darker side that is often swept under the rug. The loss of trees in the evergreen forest, the loss of butterflies having fun, the loss of fish in the sea, you know what I mean don't you know. The song “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble but originally composed by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Encompasses a feeling often underappreciated in today's world. The assimilation with nature and enjoying mother nature orchestrated artwork that we call the earth. This song gathers the feeling of freedom in the world, as the river runs and blossoms on the trees grow. Everyday is a new day as the sun kisses the horizon and the moon says goodbye to the tides. This one song, this one man, he feels it talking to him and it feels good. He can do what so many struggles to do - appreciate nature. This song's message at first went unnoticed by me, the melody often addicts its listener distracted from hearing the true meaning of the song. However the more I listened to the lyrics it made me think about the world around me. It made me look out the car on a road-trip and appreciate the oak trees native to my community, the chipmunk who had dug up my garden previously beforehand. Whom I had once cursed had now become an animal that held my empathy. It made me do what so many don't and take a second to take-in the world, our world

Whenever someone asks me, “Who is your role model?'' I humbly answer “my future self.” My future self carries all my hopes, dreams, and aspirations. This person, unknown to me, yet an extension of me, holds endless possibilities. As I grow older, I realize I have control over that future being: what will she do, what she will wear, and how she will speak. I am the gateway, the bridge between my present life and my future opportunities. Last year I started working at a female-owned New Orleans-themed cafe. When I first walked in, the cafe had an authentic feel with a glow of purple and green: a portal to the great city of New Orleans. Two months later, I became Assistant Manager. Being my first job, it introduced me to a period of self-improvement I had not yet experienced. Before then, I was quite bashful and lacked confidence. However, I dove head-first into this unknown territory. I soaked in all my training – I learned the best method to make snow cones and the New Orleans famous Poboys. As time elapsed, I felt my back straighten, my shoulders square up, and a new confidence could be found in my eyes. I could tell when customers came in if they were a businessman, from their speech, or a soccer mom getting snow cones for her kids after practice. As I grew more assertive, I thrived in my position. I communicated clearly, explained menus, and solved problems with more fluidity. I collaborated with coworkers to improve teamwork. Yet, after a year, I was exhausted. The purple and green hues were now unsaturated, and a dull ache lay behind my eyes. Suddenly, I could no longer tell a businessman from a construction worker. Or perhaps, the interest in finding the difference between the two had faded. My position elevated my ego, and I became complacent. I lost value in what was important to me. I thought the sacrifice for leadership and perceived importance would hoist me further into the future as opposed to doing things I loved. I always had a devotion for creating new flavors in the kitchen with my enthusiasm for this hobby, any jobs that involved baking were for ages 18 and older, delaying my hope of becoming a baker. Nonetheless, I continued to search for a fulfilling opportunity. One afternoon, I found a job at a bakery that was opening soon. The little girl in me, who loved to bake, was ecstatic. In contrast, the “present me” knew that I was still working at my first job, which provided many opportunities. Taking this baking job would introduce uncertainty – would it be a demotion? Would I enjoy it? I had worked meticulously to gain, to improve, and to lead. It seemed a risk to give it all up. But, in that moment of introspection. I gained control. The awareness that no matter my title, or how comfortable I was in my position, it was worth sacrificing a chance to do something that I loved. My “future self” gained a new skill that day: risk-taking. I learned that sacrificing is not a bad thing; not a loss, or giving up, but instead the closing of a door that would lead to the opening of another. I learned that each day I improve my skills, my “future self’s toolbox” grows. I am the catalyst and teacher that my future self needed to be my past self's role model. My “future me” is the completed form of my past selves: the assistant manager, the baker, the risk taker, and much more