1. I want to work in the medical field because of my health issues growing up and the loss of a parent to illness; these events inspired me to pursue my dream of working in medicine. On my 16th birthday, I watched my father die. I could not do anything but sit there and cry since I'm a cancer survivor. My father could not survive cancer, which broke my heart and gave me the confidence to work in medicine. Besides the fact that the medical field is captivating, I also desire to work in this field because you can do so much with a medical degree. Working in the medical field will help me in the long run, communicating with people 2. Currently, I'm pursuing a career in medicine as a young black woman. My goal is to influence the black community and to inspire little girls like me to chase after what they want in life and not let anyone hold them back, no matter what. My commitment is to work hard and put in the work. Working in healthcare will help me save lives over the long run, and I will do my best. 3. Ideally, I would like this scholarship to support my future endeavors by helping to cover any financial burdens or difficulties I might have to face as a student. My financial needs include grants, loans, tuition, and other fees I need to pay to pursue my degree. 4. As I look forward to the next ten years, I intend to complete my Bachelor's degree in Health Science, earn my Master's degree to become a Physician Assistant and obtain any other certifications I need. Also, I would like to start my own business, flipping houses and turning them into homeless shelters, giving back to my hometown, and giving back to communities worldwide. Another company I was thinking about buying homes out and flipping them into Airbnb for people to rent them or live in yearly.

At the age of two, my parents rushed me to the hospital, and because I had a fever. Later, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Over the next few years, I went to doctors’ appointments; I took pills, endured chemotherapy treatments and received blood transfusions. I underwent these treatments for two years. When I was four years old, I overcame my cancer. In August of 2017, one week before I started my first year of high school, I was at my father's house when he told me he needed to tell me something. I was a bit concerned because he held my hand firmly and gave me a serious look. When I sat down next to him and held his hand, I could see in his eyes that he was about to cry. I could tell something was wrong; I begged him to tell me. He said, “I should have told you sooner, but I have cancer.” I cried and questioned, “why are you just telling me?”. He said he did not want me stress out or worry prior to school starting so he kept it to himself. I began to cry and lay on his shoulder because I was so worried and scared to lose him. I asked him how long he had it, and he said since June of 2017. For this reason, he was unable to attend my promotion ceremony. From that day on, I had a hard freshman year because I was so concerned about my father's health. The news of hearing that my father had cancer was the worst news I ever heard, but I managed to go to school and stay on top of my grades. After hearing the devastating news, I spent more time with my dad; facetiming, calling, and texting him to make sure he was okay. I went to his house to check on him to make sure he ate, rested, and took his medicine. From August to November, my father was in and out of the hospital because the cancer was spreading over his body. He was getting tired of treatment, and I could see that he was tired. I noticed my father's health was deteriorating and the cancer was getting worse. The day before my birthday I went to see my father in the hospital. The cancer was so bad to he did not have the strength to stand up or pick up his phone to show me the pictures of us. He told me that he loved me and that everything was going to be alright; I cried after that. On my 16th birthday I was called for early dismissal I gathered all my stuff and went to the office. I saw my mother in the office; she told me everything that had happened. We got to the hospital and I saw my father laying in the bed. He was awake but unresponsive. The chaplain came in the room and wrapped a prayer blanket over him and prayed. While everyone’s heads were bowed, my dad looked around at everyone and took his last breath. Losing my father on my birthday was the worse experience I ever had. I did not expect to lose my him; I thought I had more time with him. The cancer took him too soon. I dealt with the passing of my father by going to school and not thinking about it. I forced myself to go to school so I would not think about him passing. It was hard dealing with the passing of my father because we were just alike, and he was my best friend. He was one of my main supporters and supported me in anything that I wanted to accomplish. Losing him was hard, but I overcame it and became a better person. This helped me cherish my friends and family and hold them close to me.