I have lived life with God and I have lived life without God, and in my 19 few years of life, I have found out that God is what makes all the difference. Although born and raised a Seventh Day Adventist, I never really knew God. I simply knew of Him. I attended church every Sabbath, paid tithe, and listened to the sermons. I even went for the afternoon programs. I was continually in places where God's name was called but I lacked communion with Him. I participated in the church services but I lacked a relationship with Him. I was living in God's house but living without Him. It wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic hit that I realized something was not quite right. My life was empty and I had no purpose. I was doing well in school but not as well as I could. There was no depth to me. I realized that things needed to change....but for that to happen, I had to wrestle with God. I had to ask Him some tough questions. Why did He allow me to be raped by my cousin at the tender age of nine? I wrestled with that question the whole year. I knew people had freedom of choice but wasn't God still the Almighty? I didn't get an answer, I got something better. I got healing. I allowed God to comfort me and help me forgive. Although I still don't have an answer to the "why", I am making the most of this experience by joining a global organization in my church called "EnditNow" which aims to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence, especially sexual violence. My second question was why did He allow my mom to survive breast cancer and yet allow my uncle to die of it? I had prayed and fasted for both of them so why couldn't both of them survive? However, looking back, I now realize that I would never have decided to pursue oncology if the situation hadn't unfolded as it did. It was hard and it was painful watching my mother suffer and losing my uncle, but through that pain, a dream was born in me to develop more effective drugs for cancer treatment. No one should ever lose a loved one to cancer and that's why I'm pursuing a career in oncology. My faith is the greatest asset I have. It inspires me to serve and put others' needs ahead of my own. I want people to experience the joy of living life with God through my career as an oncologist, not just knowing of Him. Like Jim Maxwell, I want to model the selfless service first modeled by Jesus. I did that in high school as the Spiritual president. I do that now through numerous volunteer opportunities with my church and actively participating in youth outreach through various organizations. I will continue to do that as an oncologist through holistic healing. Receiving the Jim Maxwell scholarship will help me pay my outstanding tuition, which is currently keeping me from registering for classes next semester. It will be an investment towards my future of service as a Christian doctor, thus honoring Mr. Maxwell's legacy of service. It will also allow me to work one instead of three jobs next semester and spend more time researching and volunteering at a nearby clinic. Most importantly, it will mean a lot to me because it will help my father worry less about my financial situation for next semester and focus on helping my younger siblings with their education.

They say success lies on the other side of the risks you are willing to take and for me one of those risks was coming to the United States as an international student. My family values quality education but they did not have the money to fund my education abroad. Knowing this, I worked hard in school to secure scholarships to fund my education. My dream is to become an oncologist and I was determined to let nothing deter me from it. So after graduating as salutatorian of my high school class, I packed my bags and moved to the United states but not without significant challenges to obtain my F-1 visa. After all, my country doesn't have the highest passport index. Like Maggie, I had no support system in America. However, I had enough determination to excel and enough resilience to get back up when I failed. It didn't take long for me to realize that college was not going to be like high school and if I wanted to be the best, I had to work even harder. I could not settle for the bare minimum. So like Maggie, I set my mind to become the best. At the end of my freshman year of college, I was awarded the top achiever award from the chemistry department for my devotion to knowledge and education. Moving to America has allowed me to explore some of my previous hobbies. Like Maggie, I am an avid mountain climber and runner. I have summited Mount Kenya, the 2nd tallest mountain in Africa, and the Smoky Mountains. I have also run a lot of 5Ks and 10Ks during my time here. As for traveling, I hope to visit all the states in America before going back to my country. I'm at 6/50. Like Maggie, I also enjoy a good debate. To satisfy my intellectual curiosity I decided to join the Student Association Senate. This is a branch of the student association in my school that debates issues facing the student body. I represent 120 students in these debates. It's so satisfying to see positive changes happen in my school because other student senators and I are not afraid to challenge the status quo. After graduating, I plan to go to medical school and become an oncologist. This dream was inspired by my mother who is a breast cancer survivor and my uncle who died from prostate cancer. Cancer is one of the fastest-growing diseases in the world, especially in my country Kenya where there are less than 100 oncologists for a population of around 54 million. I want to help change that through my education. Being an international student is not easy. Working on-campus 20hrs/week to pay my tuition or missing important holidays, birthday celebrations, or worse family funerals because of expensive plane tickets is sometimes depressing. Adapting to a totally different culture with no prior friends, family, or guidance has been hard. But these are things that I'm willing to endure if it means that I'm one step closer to helping my country and the world beat cancer, a disease that cut short Maggie's life and robbed the world of such an inspirational woman. Through this scholarship, I want to carry forward the legacy of Malgorzata “Maggie” Kwiecien. Many people, including me, have never met her but the legacy she left behind as a brave, determined, intellectually bold, and resilient woman is evident and inspires me as an international student and a future expert in the field of oncology. Thank you Mr Gaskill for starting this scholarship in her honor.

I have lived life with God and I have lived life without God, and in my 18 few years of life, I have found out that God is what makes all the difference. Although born and raised a Seventh Day Adventist, I never really knew God. I simply knew of Him. I attended church every Sabbath, paid tithe, and listened to the sermons. I even went for the afternoon programs. I was continually in places where God's name was called but I lacked communion with Him. I participated in the church services but I lacked a relationship with Him. I was living in God's house but living without Him. It wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic hit when I realized that something was not quite right. My life was empty and I had no purpose. I was doing well in school but not as well as I could. There was no depth to me. It was as if I was running from something. I realized that things needed to change...but for that to happen, I had to wrestle with God. I had to stop running from my hurt. I had to ask Him some tough questions. Why did He allow me to be raped by my cousin at the tender age of nine? I wrestled with that question the whole year. Quarantined with my family, I had all the time to think, grieve, and process what had happened to me five years ago. I had not told a single soul about the ordeal and I didn't plan to because I felt too embarrassed and scared...even dirty. I also thought no one would believe me after all, I was five years late. But I decided to do it anyway. I had to break the silence for the sake of everyone who couldn't. So after seven long months of wrestling with shame, guilt, fear, and finally forgiving, I approached my parents and broke down. This was the beginning of my healing and of my commitment to giving back to those taken advantage of because of age, race, gender, or anything else. I joined a global organization in my church called "EnditNow" which aims to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence, especially sexual violence. The organization organizes events for victims of any form of violence and also trains them on how to speak up. We just want to show them that they are loved, worthy, and not dirty. We do this best by being there for them, providing for their needs, and most importantly, being their friend. It still amazes me that the worst moments of our lives can usher in our best inspirations and accomplishments. When we sit down with ourselves and pour our hearts to God, we realize that He works all things out for our good. We learn to love others as He loves us and work for their good as well. I realized that in high school as I organized various community service events to marginalized communities. I'm realizing it in college as an RA and as a volunteer for different outreaches to the elderly homes. I will continue to realize it as an oncologist in the future. All people really want is to know that someone loves and respects them, and if I can be that person then I would have accomplished something in life.

"We live in a world of endless possibilities". That's what my grandfather always said. Growing up in the beautiful country of Kenya, that was hard to believe. Although my country abounded in precious natural resources, only the rich and cunning benefited from the exploits. My family was neither. Moreover, some people in my culture still believed the only professions a woman could pursue successfully and 'ethically' were teaching, tailoring, preferably homemaking, and if very ambitious, nursing. I knew all these careers were essential, after all, they catered to some fundamental human needs; education, clothing, nurture, and health. However, my mind was set elsewhere. Ever since my high school years, I loved and excelled at Chemistry. I was head over heels for the subject. There was something that made me content balancing chemical equations, drawing Lewis structures, and dealing with stoichiometry problems. Although many people frowned upon my "obsession" with the subject, my grandfather's encouraging words and boldness to defy the status quo kept me going. He reminded me often that success does not come on a silver platter and that I had a passion for chemistry for a certain reason. He was not wrong. A few months later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, due to an underdeveloped oncology unit in Kenya, she had to travel to India for treatment. This was a hard time for my family. As the firstborn, the care of my siblings was left upon me. At the age of 14, I rose up at the crack of dawn to prepare my siblings for school. I budgeted for every need of the week and ensured that we had enough meals to last as long as possible. I did not want to burden my parents, after all, the medical bills for my mother's treatment were my family's priority. From this experience, I learned a lesson that would be the driving force of my life from that point onward: take initiative. More clearer than ever, it dawned on me that if I wanted something to happen, I had to be the one to start it. As small as my sphere of influence was, I could actually make a difference. So I started in my school as the vice president of the student body, and then in my community by organizing several community service events, and one day as one of the few 100 oncologists in Kenya. After graduating high school as the salutatorian of my class, I got a visa to the United States after a long waiting time, and to be honest, God's miraculous leading and intervention. I am passionate about my field because I have experienced firsthand the endless possibilities it presents in research, especially in the field of oncology. Most importantly. I am passionate about my major because it will help change many people's lives in my country. I am studying to one day contribute to the oncology department in my country so that patients don't have to travel to other countries to seek treatment or slowly die at home due to lack of funds. After college, I plan to attend medical school and specialize in oncology research to help improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. In the meantime, I am making a difference where I am as the first African Women in STEM club officer, an RA to amazing girls, and a senator in the student body. My grandfather was right. We live in a world of endless possibilities and I am only beginning to realize my endless possibilities even in the obstacles I face.

"We live in a world of endless possibilities". That's what my grandfather always said. Growing up in the beautiful country of Kenya, that was hard to believe. Although my country abounded in precious natural resources, only the rich and cunning benefitted from the exploits. My family was neither. Moreover, some people in my culture still believed the only professions a woman could pursue successfully and 'ethically' were teaching, tailoring, preferably homemaking, and if very ambitious, nursing. I knew all these careers were essential, after all, they catered to some fundamental human needs; education, clothing, nurture, and health. However, my mind was set elsewhere. Ever since my high school years, I loved and excelled at Chemistry. I was head over heels for the subject. There was something that just made me content balancing chemical equations, drawing Lewis structures, and dealing with stoichiometry problems. Although many people frowned upon my "obsession" with the subject, my grandfather's encouraging words and boldness to defy the status quo kept me going. He reminded me often that success does not come on a silver platter and that I had a passion for chemistry for a certain reason. He was not wrong. A few months later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, due to an underdeveloped oncology unit in Kenya, she had to travel to India for treatment. This was a hard time for my family. However, from it, a dream was born in me to become an oncology pharmacist and help my country in this battle against cancer. There are less than 100 oncologists in Kenya, thus, my mother was extremely privileged to get treatment in India. But what about thousands of other cancer patients in Kenya who cannot access proper and effective oncology care? I had to do something. So after graduating high school as the salutatorian of my class, I got a visa to the United States to study biochemistry as a prepharmacy. As a biochemistry major, I am passionate about my field because I have experienced firsthand its power and the endless possibilities that it presents. For example, I was excited when I learned about CRISPR-cas9 in general biology. Scientists have successfully used cas9 to alter defective genes that cause sickle cell disease. They have also tried using cas9 to treat some cancers. New findings such as proton therapy have also widened the field of research in oncology. Besides opening doors to endless possibilities, I am passionate about my STEAM major because through it, I have acquired skills pertinent to life: Critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and persistence. These skills will undoubtedly be essential to my career. I am part of various science clubs including the chemistry club. I especially enjoy the community service opportunities the club offers and the openness to various cultures showcased during various events. I came to the United States not to start a new life but to build a new life for my people back home. I want to be better for them. I am studying to one day contribute to the oncology department in my country so that patients don't have to travel to other countries to seek treatment or slowly die at home due to lack of funds. I hope to go back and serve my country faithfully. In the meantime, I am making a difference where I am as the first African Women in STEM club officer, an RA to amazing girls, and a senator in the student body. After all, we live in a world of endless possibilities and I am only beginning to realize my endless possibilities despite various obstacles.

From my father, Tom Eli Arunga Ogal, I have learned the value of little things and the importance of taking one day at a time. From my mother, I have learned resilience, hard work, and the joy of delaying instant gratification. From my brother, I have learned the importance of unapologetically being one's authentic self. From my sister, I have learned the value of committing to one's values and not worrying about things beyond our control. From my Indigenous African family, I have gained values that are indispensable to my success and my growth as an individual. One of these values is service. Growing up, my family traveled around the beautiful country of Kenya helping others. My mother worked for a non-governmental organization that worked towards providing education to orphans all over the country. Meanwhile, my father led many awareness campaigns around the country on HIV/AIDS. My parents' generosity transcended their work areas. Even at home, they would often welcome everyone who needed help and attend to their needs. I felt privileged for their influence in my life and I wanted to give back to society as they did. So last year, I decided to organize three large community service events in my school. Community service used to be a norm in my school. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, no outreach had ever been held. Troubled by this, I decided to run for the Spiritual Vice president of the student body. With the help of a committee, we organized three major community service events. One outreach to the Maasai community in Kenya became the greatest achievement in my life thus far. This is because it taught me a lesson that has become my life motto. The Maasai live in an arid area of Kenya and thus face water shortages. We transported over 2000 gallons of water to them, as well as a variety of foods and whole grains. Moreover, we started a project that's underway to drill a borehole in that area. They joy on their faces was unrivaled. Interacting with them and learning about their culture helped me realize that contentment is a choice. Living a very simple life, far from the convenience of urbanization, I wondered how they seemed so much happier than many people I had met, including myself. Talking to them, I realized that something was missing in my life; contentment. It seemed like I was always striving and achieving but never feeling truly fulfilled. Spending a day with them evoked a paradigm shift in me. From that day on, I started appreciating my efforts and striving not just to achieve a goal but to become a better person and to better help others. I stopped being a human doing and became a human being. Now, I measure success not necessarily in what I gain, but in who I end up becoming in the process. Looking at the future, I want to carry on my family's legacy of service as an oncology pharmacist. Arguably, everyone on earth has been affected by cancer directly or indirectly. I am not an exception. I have lost many family members and friends to cancer, including my uncle. My mother, however, is a cancer survivor and her survival story is what inspired me to pursue a degree in biochemistry and to become an oncology pharmacist. Although curing cancer seems like an impossible feat because the disease has been around since 3000 BC, I am convinced by the developments in the field of oncology that nothing is impossible. Through my career as an oncology pharmacist, I hope, together with other professionals, to develop more effective treatments for cancer, specifically for breast cancer. Moreover, I want to give as many students as possible an opportunity to pursue higher education by starting a need-based scholarship organization. The price of higher education continues to rise each year, barring many students with great potential from accessing it. Many people are forced to forfeit their dreams due to a lack of funds to pursue further education. Many students work multiple part-time jobs to be able to afford their tuition and miss out on many crucial college experiences, sometimes barely having time to invest in themselves and others. I understand them because I am one of them. Like the WCEJ Thornton Foundation, I want to give back selflessly to the community and help make someone's dream come true in the field of education and in oncology. That will be the greatest achievement of my life.

"I already told you it is a mistake, why are you insisting on this?" I heard my father's deep voice booming over our phone call. Assertively yet confidently I tried my best to convince him that it wasn't, but it was as successful as talking to a brick wall. Once again, my dad's "realism", or so he claimed, and my stubborn optimism clashed. "Just go to the finance office and tell them to fix it," he said with finality. I went about my day wondering where the $1,465 deposited to my tuition account came from but very confident that it was from someone I knew. Doubt and hope, two seemingly opposite feelings, engulfed me as I strolled to the finance office. However, talking to the finance director and asking him if he was sure, perhaps too repeatedly, confirmed my hopes. My outstanding tuition had been paid! Words cannot describe the joy that swelled in my heart. Walking out of that office on that beautiful December day, I knew what impact I wanted to make on the world. I want to pass on the joy I felt that day when someone cleared my outstanding tuition. The price of higher education continues to rise each year, barring many students with great potential from accessing it. Many families, already struggling to make ends meet are disheartened as they watch their children unable to go to school. Many people my age are forced to forfeit their dreams due to a lack of funds to pursue further education. Many students work multiple part-time jobs to be able to afford their tuition and miss out on many crucial college experiences, sometimes barely having time to invest in themselves and others. I understand them because I am one of them. My goal is to give as many students as possible an opportunity to pursue higher education. I plan to start a need-based scholarship organization to support these groups. It will be my way of paying forward the great favor I was shown almost one year ago. As a biochemistry major pursuing a career in oncology pharmacy, I also want to positively impact the world by developing more effective cancer treatments and improving on the already present treatments, specifically for breast cancer. My mother survived cancer and I want to help other people experience the same. With the help of other professionals in various fields, I hope to move the world closer to declaring victory over cancer. As an oncology pharmacist, my career will benefit underrepresented minorities and low-income families around the globe. In addition to developing cancer drugs, I plan to passionately advocate for their affordability. I brought nothing into this world, and I'll leave with nothing when I die. However, my service can be my voice when I am gone. Thus, service regardless of reward has been my motto since high school. After all, the reward for helping others is the service itself. I have lived this out in various ways, organizing community service events for abandoned children, volunteering as a teacher for my culture at a surrounding school, volunteering for various events in the community such as the Chinese New Year, and regularly volunteering at elderly nursing homes. These experiences have brought me great joy and helped me form meaningful relationships in college. Like Miss McClain, I want to make other people's lives meaningful through giving selflessly and serving wholeheartedly. I want to do that in education and in the field of oncology. That is my goal. It will certainly not be easy, but has anything worthwhile ever been easy?

"We live in a world of endless possibilities". That is what my grandfather always said. Despite our great achievements in science, technology, art, and music, we have yet to find a cure for cancer. Everyone on earth has been affected by cancer directly or indirectly. I am not an exception. I still remember that day vividly. My parents gathered my siblings and me on their bedroom floor. "We are leaving for India..." my father started. I looked at my mother expectantly waiting for her to tell me everything was okay and they were going to India for vacation. But that's not what I heard. Starting from the beginning, my father explained the situation meticulously. My mother was going to India because her oncologist recommended it as she was only growing worse everyday. So one fateful Sunday, we hugged each other goodbye and the care of my siblings was left upon me as the firstborn. This was no time to wallow in pity and doubt. It was a time to rise to the occasion and support my family. At the age of 14, I rose up at the crack of dawn to prepare my siblings for school. I budgeted for every need of the week and ensured that we would have enough meals to last as long as possible. I did not want to burden my parents, after all, the medical bills for my mother's treatment were my family's priority. One particular time stands out to me. My father sent me pictures of my mother after her first surgery. As I zoomed into the picture, I saw....tears. I had never seen my mother cry. She was the rock that held us together. To see my rock broken and struggling invoked feelings in me that words cannot adequately depict. We were one and her suffering was my suffering. I tried to protect my siblings from the situation by keeping them occupied with art and exercise. In the face of hardship and uncertainty, we created a bond that nothing can break. Reflecting on these moments, I realized that hardship is the common lot of all mankind. It's the thing that unites us despite our races, backgrounds, or even financial status. Hardships can cause the greatest separation or, as I experienced with my siblings, it can be the glue that reinforces the ties between friends, lovers, organizations, and even society. Hardships show us that we need each other. My parents returned home after one month. My mother still had various radiation treatments. Moreover, my uncle, who had been battling prostrate cancer, died. This affected my mother significantly, but as a family, we were there for her. I was there for her. Although fighting my own doubts, wondering if she would make it to the next day after watching her vomit profusely and fight killer migraines, I was still there. This was my struggle too and I wanted her to know that she was not alone. Looking back, I realize that I would never have decided to pursue oncology pharmacy if the situation hadn't unfolded as it did. It was painful watching my mother suffer and losing my uncle, but through that pain, a dream was borne in me to develop more effective treatments for breast cancer. Moreover, I plan to passionately advocate for their affordability, thus ensuring endless possibilities in medicine for everyone. In loving memory of everyone who has ever died of cancer, and in celebration of those who have survived the disease, I am committed to making my dreams come true, not just for my family, but for the benefit of society.

"We live in a world of endless possibilities". Those were the last words my grandfather said to me. Despite all odds, we have walked on the moon. We have created a global community through the internet. We have sequenced the entire human genome. We have completely eradicated smallpox and rinderpest. Yet there are many feats we still need to achieve. Among these is the cure for cancer. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the whole world. Arguably, everyone on earth has been affected by cancer directly or indirectly. I am not an exception. I have lost many family members and friends to cancer, including my uncle. My mother, however, is a cancer survivor and her survival story is what inspired me to pursue a degree in biochemistry and to become an oncology pharmacist. Although curing cancer seems like an impossible feat because the disease has been around since 3000 BC, I am convinced by the developments in the field of oncology that nothing is impossible, perhaps difficult, but not impossible. As a biochemistry major, I am passionate about my field because I have experienced firsthand its power and the endless possibilities that it presents. For example, I was excited when I learned about CRISPR-cas9 in general biology. Scientists have successfully used cas9 to alter defective genes that cause sickle cell disease. They have also tried using cas9 to treat some cancers. However, attempts to treat cancer using Cas9 have proved unsuccessful due to the limitations of CRISPR Cas9. Nonetheless, further research into it could be the key to unlocking some cancer treatments. Besides opening doors to endless possibilities, I am passionate about my major because through it, I have acquired skills pertinent to life. Critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and persistence, are some of the skills that I have gained from my major and will undoubtedly be essential to my career. I am part of various science clubs including the chemistry club and have contributed a lot to the department through regular community service. I am also a senator in the student association, a resident assistant, and an officer in the Women in STEM club. The skills acquired from my major have greatly aided me in these service positions. Through my career as an oncology pharmacist, I hope to develop more effective treatments for cancer, specifically for breast cancer. No one should ever lose a loved one to this disease. With the help of other professionals in various fields, I hope to move the world closer to declaring victory over cancer. In loving memory of everyone who has ever died of cancer, and in celebration of those who have survived the disease, I am committed to my studies and to making my dreams come true, not just for the benefit of myself and my family, but for the benefit of society. As an oncology pharmacist, I plan for my career to benefit underrepresented minorities and low-income families around the globe. In addition to developing cancer drugs, I plan to passionately advocate for their affordability, thus ensuring endless possibilities in medicine for everyone. Receiving the Reginald Kelley scholarship will help me pay my outstanding tuition thus paving a way for me to continue my education as a sophomore next year. It will also allow me to work one job instead of two next semester allowing me to spend more time joining various research conferences at my school. I want to express my sincere gratitude to "Changing the Lyrics Mentorship" for creating this scholarship opportunity thus enabling students to explore their endless possibilities.

In my 18 short years of life, I have experienced firsthand the importance of racial diversity in healthcare. It was the first day of orientation in college. Words cannot adequately explain how I felt that day. My parents, despite their low income and commitment to my siblings, had worked very hard to raise funds for my first semester of college. I had also worked very hard in high school to ensure that I had excellent grades to be admitted into the pharmacy program. This day felt like the culmination of all our efforts, although I later realized that it was just the beginning. I decided to major in biochemistry because it would adequately prepare me for pharmacy school and for my career as an oncology pharmacist. Moreover, I had excelled at chemistry all throughout high school and had even won the overall best science student award in my senior year. I felt equipped to take on this hard major. Although, many people told me that biochemistry was not a "black major", I was determined to prove to them that majors do not have races and that success in school is not ethnic-centric. At the orientation, I realized that my critics were not wrong about biochemistry not being saturated with black people. I was the only black person from my freshman class in that major. At first, I felt very intimidated and thought about switching my major to something more diverse. However, after a deep conversation with my mother, I remembered why I had chosen this path. I want to help invent more effective treatments for cancer, specifically breast cancer. My mother survived breast cancer and I want other women to be able to say that. Additionally, I want to set an example for my siblings, showing them that nothing is outside of their reach just because of their race. So with a new perspective and renewed determination, I embarked on my college journey as a biochemistry major. At the end of my first year of college, I received the top achiever chemistry award from the chemistry department, just another proof that there is no such thing as a black major. According to research by Howard University, black people only make up about 4% of the pharmacy careers in America. I believe that one of the reasons the healthcare system is not as advanced as it could be is because of low racial diversity in healthcare. This has limited the growth of the medical field since racial diversity brings multiple different perspectives, an essential tool in problem-solving. Thus, increasing racial diversity in healthcare could greatly increase technological advances in the healthcare system. Moreover, increasing racial diversity in healthcare could also help reduce the mortality rate from certain diseases. For example, research has shown that black women are more likely to die from breast cancer, and black youth are more likely to die from diabetes, among many other statistics. The cause for these high mortality rates apart from lack of finances to seek medical help, is simply lack of seeking medical attention due to fear of judgement. Increasing racial diversity in healthcare would allow people of color to seek treatment from healthcare professionals who share the same culture and are thus better able to provide holistic treatment. Thus, as an oncology pharmacist, I plan for my career to benefit underrepresented minorities and low-income families around the country. In addition to making cancer drugs, I plan to passionately advocate for their affordability. My primary goal is service and the advancement of humanity. Thank you Medluxe for creating this scholarship opportunity.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul” were the famous words penned down by Emily Dickinson in her popular verse “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”. I vividly remember reciting the poem to a friend when she was in a crisis, “Hope is the Thing With Feathers” I started, softly but assertively. To which she confidently replied, “A chicken!” I laughed at her answer because it made sense, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Nonetheless, time after time when I’m going through a crisis, that conversation comes back to my mind like fresh dew watering the grass of hopelessness and despair and turning it into hope–unwavering hope. Hope is actually how I ended up in college. Time was ticking. College applications were almost due and I had barely started applying. My friends were already receiving their acceptance letters, completing financial aid applications, and getting recommendation letters. I knew that I wanted to go to Southern Adventist University; It had always been my dream since I was in eighth grade. Now, I had the opportunity to make my dream come true and I was determined to seize it. I quickly finished the application process and got accepted. Everything was finally falling into place–well, almost everything. As every international student knows, there are many obstacles to overcome to study in a foreign country. While some are in our control, obtaining a visa is not. That is where my dream almost ended. Although I had been accepted to Southern Adventist University, I still had to be accepted into the country. I applied for a visa interview in April 2023 and paid the application fee only to find out that the earliest available date was in February 2024, a semester after college began. I felt crushed but convinced myself that there had to be another way. Like a lover in denial over a break-up, I told myself that everything was fine and maybe it was just a glitch in the embassy’s website. Maybe they had forgotten to update it. However, as days passed, I realized nothing was changing; it dawned on me that this was my reality. “Maybe, this is God’s will”, I reasoned. “Maybe He wants me to teach me how to stop being a workaholic”. I could not imagine a whole year of waiting to go to college. How would my life look like? I refused to wallow in self-pity. Although I knew I had no control over the situation, I refused to believe I was completely hopeless. So, I did what I should have done in the first place; I prayed. I might have had no control but God did. I might have been helpless and defeated but not God. He was my support system because He had never failed. In the meantime, I doubled my efforts in school to ensure that I would graduate with an exceptional GPA. I also decided to cater to the needs of others. As the spiritual vice president of the Student Association, I organized and led many community service events for marginalized communities. Doing this helped me realize that everyone, despite how happy they look, is going through something. Helping the community, being there for them, listening to their problems, and meeting their needs showed me that my problems are not impossible to solve. Surprisingly, they became more bearable as I helped others solve their problems because it helped me realize that I was not alone. I thought I was making a difference in the marginalized community's life, but looking back they were the ones who made a difference in my life. They invoked a paradigm shift in me. So now when I go through a crisis, I ensure that I'm looking at it from the right lens. During this time, I had a call with a friend from Southern about sharing experiences with him when I arrived. To which he replied, “If you arrive.” His statement reminded me of the conversation with my friend about Dickinson’s poem. It saddened me that many had reduced hope to wishful thinking, mere optimism. Although I did not fully understand what hope truly meant then, it was the reason I had not given up. Then one day it happened. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It was the evening of June 13, 2023. I was about to go for a walk with my friend, the same friend who was concerned if I’d make it to Southern. I was reading my messages when I received an email from the embassy informing me that I must appear for my visa interview on June 28, 2023. I could not believe my eyes. I was aware that a visa interview date did not mean I would get the visa, but I was grateful because I knew that I had used my waiting season faithfully; serving others and working hard. I had stayed hopeful and had not quit. I am currently sitting at Southern Adventist University writing this. I am an RA, a senator in the Student Association, and the chaplain of the Women in STEM club. I still get anxious about how things will work out. I still struggle with letting go of control. Sometimes I worry about my biochemistry classes. Often I worry about finances and I’m tempted to give up. But then I remember I am here because hope is not a chicken. I am here because hope is not wishful thinking. Hope doesn't mean waiting for success to be served to you in a silver platter. To me, hope means doing your honest part faithfully and waiting to see God do what you can't do. Receiving the Brotherhood Bows scholarship will help me pay my outstanding tuition thus renewing my hope to continue my education as a sophomore next year. It will also allow me to work one job instead of two and spend more time joining various research conferences at my school. Thank you for creating this scholarship opportunity.

In the long run, when everything is stripped away, there are only two choices—light or darkness, truth or lies, love or hate, the narrow or the broad way, Jesus or Satan. That is the shortest way to summarize what I've learned from the books I have read. Reading is one of my favorite ways to spend my time. I read widely from different genres and for various reasons. I have read a lot of books over the short course of my life. Apart from the Bible, no book has left me so determined and motivated to choose Christ as the book "Judah's Wife" by Angela Hunt. The book is a historical fiction about the 400 years between Malachi and Matthew usually called the Silent Years. It follows the story of Judah Maccabeus and his family as they try to fight for their religious freedom against a cruel Syrian King who declares death for all who serve the one true God. At first, they resolve to hide and avoid interaction with those trying to destroy their faith. However, as time passes, they realize that they have two options; they can hide and watch as God's enemies wipe His people off the face of the earth, or they can stand up and fight for their faith. They choose the latter and they are not disappointed. Though each of them dies a martyr, the Maccabean revolt helps preserve Judaism, the religion from which Christianity would later spring from. By the time I finished the book, I was crying from conviction. I realized that although I do not face the same kind of persecution the Maccabean faced, I still face the same choices every day—the choice to love others or to ignore them, to serve others or to live for myself, to use illegal shortcuts to achieve my dreams or to take the long and difficult way, to stay safe and silent or to speak out for what's right, to stay in my comfort zone or to venture out in faith. These are hard choices, yet they tell a lot about who we are choosing to serve. Through my education, I want to serve others. As an oncology pharmacist, I want to create better and more effective drugs for treating cancer, specifically breast cancer. My mother survived breast cancer. It upsets me that many people cannot say that today. I want to change that with the help of other professionals in my field. I am willing to invest my life in this endeavor. Moreover, I plan to start a need-based scholarship fund in the future because I believe in education. Like Paul in Philippians 4, I know what it feels like to be in need. Coming from a low-income family with three siblings, my parents struggle to keep me in college. I work two part-time jobs to help pay for my tuition. Though it can be hard, God has been faithful and I know He will continue to be faithful. Winning this scholarship will help clear my outstanding tuition from last semester, allowing me to enroll for the fall semester. I plan to make the most of my education. I want those around me to know which of the two choices I have made. I choose truth because the truth sets us free even when it hurts. I choose the narrow path because it leads to life. I choose light because I am called to be the light of the world. I choose love because God is love and His love endures forever. Thank you Paul Schilling for creating this scholarship opportunity.

I have read many great books over the course of my 18 short years of life, but no book has changed my life as much as the Bible has. Although the Bible was a constant in our house, I never really took the time to read it until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and we were forced to quarantine ourselves. School had been closed, and believe it or not, I love school, so I felt very depressed. Never in my life had I imagined that the whole world would be locked down. Starting with the Gospels, I read the Bible daily, often, and enthusiastically. I had never read such a book in my life. It left me feeling convicted yet not condemned, imperfect yet worthy and loved, fully known yet unafraid and content. It was a paradox to me. The Bible got me thinking about what kind of legacy I want to leave behind when I die. Previously, all I wanted was to make enough money to be happy. However, after reading the Bible, I realized that there was so much more to life than living for myself. A life lived for oneself would never leave a worthwhile legacy. So I decided that whatever I was going to do with my life was going to be for the benefit of others. That's the example Jesus Himself gave us. He gave Himself for us, for me, for those of us who didn't deserve it. This realization made me want to pursue my dream even further. I decided that in addition to becoming an oncology pharmacist, I would start a need-based scholarship organization. It's been four years, and I still read the Bible. Believe it or not, every time I read it again, it still seems like a brand new book that I have never read before. This book has profoundly shaped my opinions, decisions, actions, and relationships. It's helped me find new meaning and purpose in life. I have never been disappointed by following the wise counsel found in the book. After all, when I put others first and love them as I am loved, how can I be disappointed? I may not see the results immediately, but I am sure that the seeds of love are never sown in vain.

1. My name is Nema Lillian Ogal and I am a future oncology pharmacist in the making. I am studying Biochemistry at Southern Adventist University which combines two of the best subjects in the world (according to my biased opinion), Biology and Chemistry. When people ask me why I chose this major, I usually tell them it's because biochemistry combines two of my favorite things together; living beings, specifically people, and biochemical reactions. So far, I really enjoy my classes, especially the research aspects. I am also a member of the Chemistry club and an officer of the Women in STEM club. My favorite thing to do during my free time is volunteer at nursing homes and hang out with elderly people. Being with them and listening to their stories keeps me motivated and humble. I also like reading, camping, and observing things. My main motivation in life and in the pursuit of my dream is God and His love for humanity. He helps me see the beauty in every circumstance in life. He gives me a sense of self-worth and peace. He is a constant in an ever-changing world. He is a very present help in times of trouble. Most importantly He is my friend and He helps me see the beauty and potential in others. His love for me motivates me to pursue a career in STEM that gives more than just money, prestige, or fame, but rather a career that helps me do the most important thing: love and serve others. I have received many awards from the Science department, including a top achiever award from the chemistry department, but my greatest treasure is God's presence in my life. If I could do anything with my life, I would be a midwife. I know it sounds weird but I really find pregnancy and giving birth so fascinating and I actually would love doing that every day. 2. What excites me most about STEM is the endless possibilities in the field. There is so much we still don't know that's just waiting to be discovered. in my specific field of oncology, there have been recent advances in different forms of treatment, one of them being the CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR-Cas9 is an immune defense for bacteria against viruses. Ever since I learned about it in general biology, I've been intrigued by this technology. It works by cutting out specific sequences of DNA in a target gene. It's been used in genetic engineering and in the treatment of sickle cell disease but more research is still needed on its implications for cancer treatment. That is where I hope to step in with my career in oncology. I want to do more research on CRISPR as well as other forms of cancer treatments that have not yet been discovered. My mother survived breast cancer. It upsets me that many people cannot say that today. I want to change that with the help of other professionals in the STEM field. An essential key to making this dream come true is a good knowledge of computers. In addition to my course requirements, I plan to take a few computer science classes to aid in my future research. Although my career will not be in Information technology, I will be relying heavily on the field for my research. I will rely on IT professionals to help me and to supply areas where I lack the skill. Thus, the positive impact I will be making on the world by creating more effective cancer treatments will not just be my effort, but a corporate effort from most, if not all STEM fields. We all need each other. After all, no man is an island. 3. The greatest challenge I have overcome is actually getting to college. Coming from a low-income family with three siblings, my parents did not have sufficient funds to send me to college. Moreover, my mother had breast cancer and that put a financial strain on the family. Knowing this from a young age, I worked very hard in school to earn a fullride tuition for my college education. I got excellent grades, was a vice president in the student association, was admitted to the National Honor Society, and graduated as salutatorian of my class. Unfortunately, I didn't get the fullride tuition. I missed it by 2 ACT points. Those two points have been the pain of my life for some time now. Despite this, my parents were able to raise some money from well-wishers and other family members and I came to college. Every day that I get to stay in college is a blessing I do not take for granted. That's why I'm very active in the clubs and in student life. I am a member of the Senate, a branch of the student body that represents the needs of the students. Moreover, I applied to be an RA for the next academic year. I work two part-time jobs to help pay for my tuition and it can get really hard sometimes but I'm doing my best to be a great student and a reliable employee. I'm also applying for scholarships to help me pay for my tuition. I haven't won any yet but I'm not giving up. It can be really discouraging sometimes but I remind myself that those people who win the scholarships also need and deserve it. So I'm happy for them. As for those 2 ACT points, I'm trying to remind myself everyday that I did my best and that I should focus on what I can do now, not what already happened. I know it may take a long time to achieve my dream but I'm in it for the long run if it means that eventually, more people will be able to one day say "I beat cancer". Winning this scholarship will help clear my outstanding tuition from last semester and allow me to enroll for the fall semester. Thank you for creating this scholarship opportunity.

As a woman in STEM, I find the rapidly developing world of technology very fascinating. The past ten years have undoubtedly ushered in an era booming with new inventions, some tested, tried, and implemented while others are still in the works. This is truly the golden age of technology. Personally, my favorite invention from the last 10 years is CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR-Cas9 is an immune defense for bacteria against viruses. Ever since I learned about it in general biology, I've been intrigued by this technology and the implications it could have in my future career field of oncology. CRISPR stands for "Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats." The acronym describes what's happening in CRISPR. In a specific segment of DNA, there are repeats. Repeats are short segments of DNA that are identical to each other. Palindromic means that the letters in these repeats read the same from left to right, or vice versa. The repeats, however, are interspaced meaning that there is DNA between the repeats that separates them. This "spacer DNA" is non-identical and is actually DNA from bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria. They basically keep track of all the bacteriophages that have infected the bacteria. Cas are genes associated with CRISPR that make proteins. These proteins are uncreatively called cas proteins, and they help unwind and cut DNA. The cas9 protein will cut any sequence of DNA that it is sent to. In bacteria, they cut viral DNA sequences that threaten to take over the cell. Scientists have used cas9 to alter defective genes that cause sickle cell diseases, a genetic disease that causes the red blood cells to be shaped as sickles. They have also tried the technology on some cancers by attempting to correct mutations and disable rogue genes. These attempts have been mostly unsuccessful due to the limitations of CRISPR Cas9. The most prominent limitation is that Cas9 does not always cut the target gene that it is sent to cut. Despite these limitations, I think that further study of the CRISPR system can unlock the key to some cancer treatments. As a biochemistry major, I am working toward earning my bachelor's degree and going to pharmacy school. I plan to specialize in oncology pharmacy, specifically the research component. I want to help create more effective treatments for cancer, specifically breast cancer. My mother survived breast cancer. It upsets me that many people cannot say that today. I want to change that with the help of other professionals in the STEM field. An essential key to making this dream come true is a good knowledge of computers. In addition to my course requirements, I plan to take a few computer science classes to aid in my future research. In the meantime, I am not idle. I am an officer of the "Women in STEM Club" at my university, a club that aims to inspire women in STEM by giving them a platform to make their dreams come true. Community service is also a big part of my life. I volunteer at a nursing home, and it's one of the best experiences of my life as a college student. I want to know my community better so that I can meet their needs. If I can help somebody, then my life will not be in vain. Winning this scholarship will help clear my outstanding tuition from last semester and allow me to enroll for the fall semester. Nonetheless, I do recognize that all the amazing women who have applied for this scholarship are equally worthy of receiving it. Thank you Dynamic Edge for creating this scholarship opportunity.

Trying to figure out what your skills and talents are can be hard. Personally, my main struggle wasn't really trying to figure out what skills I had, but rather learning to accept that other people's skills did not in any way diminish my own skills, even if we were both good at the same skills. It took me a long time to learn and accept that fact, but when I eventually did, it changed my perspective on service and helping others because it made me realize that I couldn't do it alone. The first skill I sought to develop was my singing. I knew I could sing even though I was very insecure about my voice. I joined two choirs and was a dedicated member for two years. Singing with others didn't just help me develop my voice coordination and increase my range, it helped me connect with the other choir members and form long-lasting friendships. More importantly, it made me realize the power of music to touch people and to speak to them in such a way that mere words cannot. As a result, I began to volunteer in a community service group that went to elderly homes to sing to them and interact with them. I am still part of the group and it's been a huge blessing to me to lighten up the days of the elderly people with my voice as part of a group. Secondly, I decided to join the student body in my senior year as the Spiritual Vice President. This was in an attempt to enhance my leadership and public speaking skills. Though it was not without challenges, as I had to represent the contradicting opinions of students in the meetings, it was a worthwhile pursuit because it helped me learn how to put myself in other people's shoes. As the Spiritual Vice President, I organized, led, and fundraised four large community service events to disadvantaged communities, orphanages, and rescue homes. I did not stop this pursuit in high school. In college, I am an active participant in clubs that are service oriented and thus organize a lot of community service events. One such organization that I serve in is the Senate which is a branch of the Student Association. It organizes community service events locally to help those in need. Moreover, we also fundraise money to give scholarships to students who need financial aid. These experiences have helped me develop my leadership abilities, public speaking, and empathy skills and for that I am truly grateful. As a way to give back to my community, especially here in school, I decided to apply for a Residents Assistant position in the dorm for the upcoming fall semester. I am going to be an RA for the incoming freshman. I want to help them adapt to college life and realize their potential by inspiring them to get involved and to serve their community. My past experiences have equipped me with skills necessary to help them; leadership, empathy, and courage. Maybe I can start a singing community service group with them. My future plan to give back to the community is to start a need-based scholarship fund. I believe in the power and necessity of education and I do not want financial barriers to be the reason someone fails to get one. I know the struggle and the anxiety of having a large outstanding tuition in your account and I don't want anyone to have that financial uncertainty. Thank you Team Rox for making a difference in our lives and for this opportunity.

My Pathfinder club teacher often says whatever you are looking for is also looking for you. I’ve never fully grasped the true meaning of that quote until recently. My name is Nema Lillian Ogal and I am a freshman Biochemistry major and Psychology minor at Southern Adventist University. I am an international student. My future career plan is to be an oncology pharmacist. I want to help develop safer, and more effective drugs and methods to treat cancer, specifically breast cancer. This dream was inspired by my mother’s survival of the disease. Growing up in the beautiful developing country of Kenya, there were not very many options for cancer treatment. So despite limited resources, we sought treatment for her in India. It was a rough two years for my family but my mom’s faith as well as support from her oncologist and other healthcare specialists made the journey more bearable. In August of this year, she will be completely cancer-free because it would mark the five-year survival rate for breast cancer. My goal is to work with other healthcare professionals to help more people survive cancer. The path to this goal has not been easy mainly due to financial challenges. I currently work two jobs to pay for my tuition. This means that my time is really limited and I cannot participate in many activities that I would like to participate in such as research conferences or volunteer projects which are very important to my major. I was unable to register for the fall semester classes due to my outstanding tuition. I had to plead with the finance office to extend my grace period so that I could register for my classes. Moreover, I cannot afford to take summer school for classes that I really need due to financial challenges. My father also took a loan to help pay for part of my tuition but he's having a hard time repaying it. I have contemplated taking a gap year due to the financial uncertainty of the upcoming fall semester. However, I am doing my best to seek financial help and work as much as I can to fund my education. Receiving this scholarship would mean a lot to me. First, it would go towards clearing my outstanding tuition helping me to register for the fall semester. Second, it would help me start next semester on a good financial note since I'll use my work money over the summer to pay next semester's tuition. This will ensure that I stay in college and meet the necessary educational requirements needed to move on to pharmacy school. By helping to pay my tuition, this scholarship will decrease the chance of me getting into debt thus helping me save money for pharmacy school. Lastly, receiving this scholarship will form a lifelong association between me and the Friends of Ohms Lab. I will be forever indebted to the donor for my future success. I promise to pay it back by becoming a donor myself one day. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in all the world. Nearly everyone has felt its effects on a small or big scale. Through my education and my career, I hope to contribute to making a cancer diagnosis less scarier than it is now. Just like measles and polio, I hope that cancer will one day become a non life threatening disease. That's the future I'm studying for. It will take time and the journey will be hard but as my pathfinder teacher often says "Whatever you are looking for is also looking for you".

Behind every successful person is story of overcome adversity. I don't know why often adversity precedes success. Perhaps it's because in the toughest moments of life we realize who we truly are, what we really want, and what truly matters for us . My name is Nema Lillian Ogal and I can confidently say that most of my goals and dreams have been born in times of adversity or because of adversity. Growing up, I was raped by my cousin at the tender age of nine. It took me five years to realize that I was not okay and I should do something. I still remember the day it dawned on me that my cousin had stolen one of my most valuable assets--my virginity. I felt very ashamed, unclean, and helpless since the authorities couldn't care less. I also felt very guilty because I did nothing about it 5 years ago when it happened. I had two choices; to be bitter about it or to turn the situation into something that will benefit others. I chose the latter and I was not disappointed. I made it a goal to make sure that victims of sexual harassment get the help they need and that their voices are heard. One step I'm taking right now to achieve this goal is joining a global organization in my church called "Enditnow" which aims to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence, especially sexual violence. I plan to write articles for them and interact with many victims of sexual abuse, encouraging them through my story, helping them heal, and showing them how valuable they still are. Another goal I have is to develop more effective, safer drugs for treating cancer, specifically breast cancer. My mother had breast cancer. Living in Kenya, a beautiful country in East Africa, she had to seek treatment in India due to an underdeveloped oncology unit in Kenya. It was so hard to see her suffer from the disease and from the side effects of radiation therapy. This was the first time I saw her cry. The battle was tough and my family had limited resources. It was a period of great uncertainty. It was at this time that my interest in oncology began. I read scholarly articles on the disease and took notes. It wasn't just my mother suffering from cancer. Millions of people globally were losing loved ones to cancer, and in my country, many couldn't even afford to get treatment. Something had to be done. I decided to pursue a degree in oncology pharmacy. To do this, I applied for college abroad since my country didn't have a well developed oncology program. It was a challenge applying for the visa and raising finances for tuition. It's been a challenge being an international student far from home and what's familiar. But that's the prize I'm willing to pay to achieve my dreams and help others. To overcome adversity, you have to make the most of where you are in life right now. So I'm getting involved by applying for leadership positions in the student body and serving as an RA. I'm also volunteering and meeting people from different cultures. I believe God will help me be a blessing wherever He puts me. My mom survived cancer and I was spared the pain of being an orphan. I want to spare other people the pain. In the toughest moments of life, I realized that I am on overcomer, that what I really want is to serve selflessly, and that in the end it's who I helped that matters.

I have lived life with God and I have lived life without God, and in my 18 few years of life, I have found out that God is what makes all the difference. Although born and raised a Seventh Day Adventist, I never really knew God. I simply knew of Him. I attended church every Sabbath, paid tithe, and listened to the sermons. I even went for the afternoon programs. I was continually in places where God's name was called but I lacked communion with Him. I participated in the church services but I lacked a relationship with Him. I was living in God's house but living without Him. It wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic hit when I realized that something was not quite right. My life was empty and I had no purpose. I was doing well in school but not as well as I could. There was no depth to me. I realized that things needed to change...but for that to happen. I had to wrestle with God. I had to ask Him some tough questions. Why did He allow me to be raped by my cousin at the tender age of nine? I wrestled with that question the whole year. I knew people had freedom of choice but wasn't God still the Almighty? I didn't get an answer, I got something better. I got healing. I allowed God to comfort me and help me forgive. Although I still don't have an answer to the "why", I am making the most of this experience by joining a global organization in my church called "EnditNow" which aims to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence, especially sexual violence. My second question was why did He allow my mom to survive breast cancer and yet allow my uncle to die of it? I had prayed and fasted for both of them so why couldn't both of them survive. However looking back , I now realize that I would never have decided to pursue oncology pharmacy if the situation hadn't unfolded as it did. It was hard and it was painful watching my mother suffer and losing my uncle, but through that pain, a dream was borne in me to develop more effective safer drugs for cancer treatment. No one should ever lose a loved one to cancer and that's why I'm pursuing a career in oncology. My faith is the greatest asset I have. It inspires me to serve and put other's needs ahead of my own. I want people to experience the joy of living life with God through my career as an oncology pharmacist, not just knowing of Him. Like Jim Maxwell, I want to model the selfless service first modeled by Jesus. I did that in high school as the Spiritual president. I do that in college through numerous volunteer opportunities organized by the church and actively participating in youth outreach through lesson discussion. I will continue to do that as an oncology pharmacist through wholistic healing. Receiving the Jim Maxwell scholarship will help me pay my outstanding tuition of $11,359 thus paving a way for me to continue my education as a sophomore next year. It will also give me the opportunity to work one job instead of two next semester and spend the time I usually spend on the second job joining various research conferences on my school. Most importantly, It will mean a lot to me because it will help my father worry less about my financial situation for next semester and focus on helping my younger siblings with their education.

For most of my life, I have grown up surrounded by people who look like me. People who speak the same language I do, dress the way I do and, in general, share the same beliefs and values. It was easy to get acceptance and love. Yet somehow I never felt like I fit in. I am originally from Kenya, a small, beautiful country in East Africa. Stereotypically, Kenyans are loud, energetic, very forthright, and carefree. Although I would consider myself extroverted, I do not fit the typical "Kenyan" personality and everybody always seemed to point that out. When I moved to the United States for college at 17 years old, things changed radically. The first week of college was orientation week. I am a Biochemistry major so I made my way to the Biochemistry department where my fellow freshman were waiting. It didn't take me long to realize that I was the only black person in the whole class. To be honest, I felt really small and I felt like I really stood out. For most of my eighteen short years of life, I had lived in a place where I was the majority, now everything was flipped and I was more than a minority. I was the only person. Everything I did seemed to make me stand out. Sharing my very uncommon name, asking questions in class, and raising my hand to answer questions drew so much attention and suddenly everything I did mattered and garnered recognition...because I was different. Some people were shocked that I could speak English or that I had a phone. I felt very uncomfortable but instead of letting this get me down, I used it as motivation to do even better. "Yes I am black and African and yes I am a Biochemistry major", I told myself, "And there is nothing wrong with that". My long-term career goal is to be an Oncology Pharmacist. I want to work in research and with patients to help develop more effective, safer drugs for treating breast cancer. I am passionate about this because my mom had breast cancer. She had to seek treatment in India due to more advanced cancer treatment methods in India. It was a long and hard battle for her. I remember seeing her lie in bed in excruciating pain trying to nap the pain away. I remember the headaches and the side effects from radiation therapy, but I also remember her faith in God, and her determination. Despite limited resources, she survived cancer. By the end of August this year, she will be completely cancer free because she would have reached the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer. I want to help other women, and even men, suffering from breast cancer to survive cancer just like my mom did. No one should ever have to lose a child, a friend, a parent, a grandparent or a teacher to breast cancer. Additionally, I want to help my country develop a proper, advanced oncology healthcare unit through the skills and knowledge I will gain from my education. This will greatly benefit the citizens, especially those who can't travel abroad to seek treatment. Receiving this scholarship will help me pay my outstanding tuition of $9,158. Currently, I work two on-campus jobs to pay my tuition. Receiving this scholarship will also help my parents worry less about my financial situation and focus on helping my siblings with their education. Thank you for your generosity in creating this scholarship opportunity.

My name is Nema Ogal and I am a freshman at Southern Adventist University. I am a Biochemistry-Pre Pharmacy major. I am a Christian and I do my best to love and serve like Jesus. I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, sharing funny memes, and meeting new people. I also love volunteering and have led a lot of volunteer projects. My goals include starting a scholarship foundation based on need and not merit and being a missionary science teacher. However, my long term career goal is to be an Oncology Pharmacist and invent more effective, safer drugs for treating cancer, specifically breast cancer. This goal was inspired by the fact that my mother had breast cancer. Although it was a hard and long battle, she survived breast cancer and I want to help other women say the same thing. This goal was also inspired by my uncle. He had stage four prostrate cancer and had been in and out of hospitals, and in and out of different countries for treatment. I remember writing him a letter telling him that I loved him, that he was fighting so well, and that I would do something about cancer by God's grace. On the day I was going to deliver the letter, he died. I felt crushed and very disappointed, but I chose to view the situation as a motivation to do something. This led me to major in Biochemistry so that I could learn how the body works on a molecular level. I believe that this is the first step to figuring out the solution to this disease. Millions of people are suffering from different types of cancer all around the world. Statistically, 1 in 8 women and 1 in 833 men will develop breast cancer. This is absolutely shocking, and to me, it's unacceptable. Humanity has been battling this disease for long and I want to use my career in Oncology Pharmacy to join this battle and make a difference in people's lives. I want to give children the same opportunity that I had to say "My mom survived cancer, she's still alive". I want to spare a husband the pain of losing a wife. No, I'm not saying I'll invent a drug that will cure cancer and make everything okay. Every breast cancer case is unique and as an oncology pharmacist I will take that into account as I do research, make drugs, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to give personalized treatment to the patients. I will make a difference one patient at a time. Like Robert F Lawson, I want to be remembered for benefitting the world by helping those in need. His selflessness, expressed in his attitude of sacrificial giving back to his country as a veteran and giving to those in need after retiring from the military, is what I also try to embody. I believe that is what the world starves for--people who see needs and are passionate about stepping in and doing something not for their own benefit but for the benefit of others, and that's exactly how I intend to make a positive impact in the world. Thank you for taking your time to read my essay.

My parents had just left for India. I wish they had gone there for vacation, or for a business trip, or for something more exciting. However, they had gone to seek treatment for my mom's cancer. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of the year and it had been a long, and hard battle. Despite the hardship and uncertainty, my mom had hope that she would beat cancer. I remember seeing her lie in bed in excruciating pain trying to nap the pain away. I remember the headaches, the fever, and the side effects from radiation therapy, but I also remember her faith in God, and her determination. I hated to see her suffer her fortitude was inspiring. Despite limited resources, she survived cancer. By the end of August this year, she will be completely cancer free because she would have reached the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer. This experience is what inspired me to pursue a career in STEM, specifically in biochemistry. I want to be an Oncology Pharmacist. To be more specific, I want to focus on breast cancer treatment. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. That is a scary statistic and I want to do something about it because I'm passionate about women's health. Every breast cancer case is unique and I aspire to use my STEM background to develop drugs, along with preventive care to help in this war against cancer. My mom survived cancer and its my desire to help other women say the same. Another goal that I have is to start a scholarship foundation that is based on need and not just merit. I plan to do this because I have experienced the joy that comes from receiving a gift that you didn't necessarily earn but that you needed at the moment and it has changed my life. I guess that's why I'm grateful for initiatives like beyond The C.L.O.U.D that give women like me an opportunity to pursue their education by alleviating financial needs. To be honest, I still don't have a clear strategy on how to do start the foundation, in the meantime though, I donate a part of my income from my student jobs to a church organization that helps "worthy-needy" students. I believe that this is a step forward in the right direction. Receiving this scholarship will help me further my education by giving me more time to focus on my studies and to participate in other activities that contribute to my major such as interning in an Oncology unit. Currently, I work two on-campus jobs to pay my tuition and they are both very time consuming. If I receive this scholarship, I could have the opportunity to reduce my hours in one of the jobs and spend those hours studying or collaborating with my professors on the multiple research opportunities in my college that will help in my future goals and career. Receiving this scholarship will also help my parents worry less about my financial situation and focus on helping my siblings with their education and my mom with getting the medication she needs. Thank you for taking time to read my essay.