What Cancer Took—and What It Gave Me Cancer didn’t just take my mother; it took pieces of me too. It stole quiet mornings, joy-filled holidays, and the comfort of knowing my mom would always be there. But even in the wreckage of it all, it gave me something I never expected: clarity, strength, and a mission. My mother was everything to me—my home, my soft place to land, and my biggest encourager. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, our world turned upside down. I was still navigating school and early adulthood, but I became her caregiver, her advocate, and her emotional support during every appointment and chemo session. Watching her endure pain with grace while still being a mother to my brother and me was both inspiring and heartbreaking. My older brother, who has autism, needed structure and extra attention; and when my mom became too sick to provide that, I stepped fully into that role. There were no instructions. Just love and urgency. I juggled school, work, and caretaking, torn between being a daughter, a student, and a sister. I had to grow up quickly. And when she passed away, I lost more than my mother—I lost my anchor. Grief doesn’t leave you; it reshapes you. Slowly, it gave me purpose. I saw how the healthcare system fails families like mine—Black, low-income, immigrant, and first-generation. I saw the lack of resources, the overwhelming paperwork, and the emotional toll it takes on caregivers. My experience, while painful, gave me a perspective I now use to create change. In Fall 2025, I’ll begin my Master of Healthcare Administration at UNC Chapel Hill while working full-time and caring for my brother. My dream is to become a healthcare executive and launch a nonprofit that provides support for families facing chronic illness. I want to offer what we never had: wraparound services, logistical support for caregivers, and access to culturally competent care. I also want to advocate for mental health resources for caregivers and young people who take on adult roles far too early. People like me, quietly holding their families together while chasing dreams that feel out of reach. My goal is to create spaces where they feel seen, supported, and empowered. Cancer devastated my family, but it also refined me. It taught me to lead with compassion, be resourceful under pressure, and believe in the strength of service. It taught me how to keep going when everything hurts and how to turn pain into purpose. Receiving the Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship would be more than financial relief—it would be a recognition of what I’ve endured, who I’ve become, and the legacy I am determined to carry forward. It would allow me to focus on my education and remind me that my story, though heavy, still holds power and hope. Cancer took my mother, but it gave me my calling. I carry her strength in every classroom, every conversation, and every plan I make. And with your support, I will turn that strength into lasting change.

The Life of My Dreams: Purpose, Peace, and Impact The life of my dreams isn’t defined by wealth or status; it’s defined by purpose, peace, and the ability to make a lasting impact. As a Black woman pursuing a graduate degree while working full-time and serving as the primary caregiver for my older brother with autism, I’ve learned to dream boldly, even in the midst of challenge. My journey has been anything but easy, but it has been rich in meaning, shaped by resilience, sacrifice, and a deep desire to serve others. In the life of my dreams, I am leading in the healthcare space—as an executive who advocates for equity and designs systems that serve everyone, especially those who are often overlooked. I’ve seen the gaps in our healthcare system firsthand. I became my mother’s advocate when she was battling ovarian cancer, helping her navigate confusing medical systems and advocating for the quality of care she deserved. After she passed away, I stepped fully into the role of caregiver for my brother. Every call I make to a doctor’s office, every IEP meeting I attend, and every form I fill out is a quiet act of love and leadership. These moments shaped not only my passion, but my purpose: to build a world where healthcare is accessible, compassionate, and centered around human dignity. This is why I chose to pursue my Master of Healthcare Administration. I will begin this next chapter at UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2025, while continuing to work full-time. It’s a difficult balancing act, but one I embrace with pride. Education, for me, has always been more than a goal; it has been a form of freedom. In the life of my dreams, I use what I’ve learned—both in classrooms and through lived experience—to open doors for others. I want to start a nonprofit that offers support to caregivers, mental health resources to Black women, and healthcare access to underserved families. I want to walk into boardrooms and policy spaces and make sure that people like my mother and brother are never forgotten. But the life of my dreams also includes something quieter; peace. It includes the ability to slow down and breathe, to experience joy without guilt, to have the time and space to care for myself as deeply as I’ve cared for others. It looks like building a home filled with warmth and laughter, surrounded by people I love. It means healing not just for myself, but for the generations before and after me. It means creating generational change through education, empathy, and action. This scholarship would be more than just financial help; it would be fuel for my vision. It would lighten the load of someone who has carried a lot, and it would be a reminder that I am seen and supported on this journey. It would affirm that the life of my dreams is not out of reach—it’s being built right now, brick by brick, class by class, and moment by moment. The life of my dreams is not perfect, but it is deeply meaningful. It is rooted in healing, growth, and the belief that with faith, love, and learning, anything is possible. And I am proud to be walking toward it every single day.

Leading with Heart: Turning Experience into Impact Leadership is not about titles or recognition; it’s about showing up, making hard decisions, and being a source of stability in the middle of chaos. I’ve learned this not from a leadership course or a textbook, but from lived experience; navigating complex challenges at home, in my academic work, and within my community. One of the most defining leadership moments of my life came when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At the time, I was a full-time student, balancing coursework, a part-time job, and caregiving responsibilities for my older brother, who has autism. With my father absent from my life since his deportation when I was four, I became the one everyone leaned on. My mother needed an advocate during hospital visits. My brother needed consistency, understanding, and care. And I needed to somehow hold it all together while continuing to pursue my education. It wasn’t easy. I faced time constraints, burnout, and financial stress. There were moments when I doubted if I could keep going. But I led with what I had—empathy, problem-solving, and resilience. I created a schedule to manage my responsibilities and brought structure to our household. I coordinated with doctors, teachers, and social workers, learning to communicate clearly and advocate for my family’s needs. At the same time, I maintained strong academic performance and stayed committed to my goal of working in healthcare administration. That experience didn’t just test my ability to lead; it transformed it. It taught me that leadership is about service and adaptability. It’s about knowing when to take charge and when to listen. It’s about staying grounded even when life feels uncertain. Since then, I’ve led student projects, mentored first-generation peers, and volunteered with organizations focused on autism advocacy, women’s health, and community outreach. In each of these roles, I’ve carried with me the same values I developed at home: empathy, responsibility, and a drive to uplift others. As I pursue my Master of Healthcare Administration at UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2025, I plan to use my leadership skills to address disparities in healthcare access and delivery. I want to build programs that center the needs of marginalized communities similar to families like mine who often feel invisible in the system. My long-term vision includes launching a nonprofit that offers support services to caregivers and expands healthcare education and resources in underserved areas. I believe that real leadership is not about commanding attention; it’s about making space for others to rise. I want to be the kind of leader who opens doors, listens deeply, and builds systems that are rooted in compassion and equity. Receiving the Future Leaders Scholarship would not only relieve financial stress but would also be a vote of confidence in the kind of leader I strive to be—one who leads with heart, lives with purpose, and never forgets where she came from.

A Different Kind of Parenthood: Carrying the Weight with Love and Purpose I am not a parent in the traditional sense, but in every other way that matters, I have carried the responsibilities of one. From a young age, I stepped into the role of caretaker for both my mother and my older brother, who has autism. My journey hasn’t followed the typical path, but it has shaped me with the same resilience, selflessness, and determination that many single parents know all too well. My family is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My father was deported when I was just four years old, and I have not seen him since. That absence forced me to grow up quickly. My mother became both mother and father, and eventually, I joined her as a second set of hands, a second set of eyes, and a second heart to hold our family together. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, everything changed. I became her advocate, helping manage her medical care, working, attending school, and caring for my brother all at once. After she passed away, I officially stepped into the role of guardian, and I’ve been doing my best to honor her strength every day since. Balancing the demands of education and caregiving has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There are nights I stay up late, not to study, but to soothe my brother during a sensory overload. There are days I’ve had to miss classes or reschedule work to handle doctor’s appointments, IEP meetings, or just to be present for him in the way only I can. And yet, despite it all, I’ve never lost sight of my dreams. I’m pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration at UNC Chapel Hill, starting Fall 2025. My passion for healthcare comes from lived experience; navigating the system on behalf of my family, seeing where it fails people like us, and feeling called to be part of the solution. I want to become a healthcare executive who brings compassion and cultural understanding to the forefront. My ultimate goal is to create a nonprofit that supports low-income families and caregivers, offering them the resources, education, and support my family needed but often struggled to find. Being in this position has taught me that family is not just who we’re born to—it’s who we show up for. And I’ve shown up every day. I know what it means to carry weight that wasn’t meant for my shoulders, and I also know the kind of love that gives you strength to keep carrying it anyway. Receiving the Law Family Single Parent Scholarship would be an incredible support in my journey, not just financially, but emotionally; it would mean being seen. It would mean someone understands that single parenthood takes many forms, and that the love, labor, and responsibility I’ve poured into my family matters just as deeply. I am committed to continuing my education and to building a career that uplifts families like mine. I may not have chosen this path, but I walk it with pride and purpose, determined to turn my struggles into support for others. That, to me, is the heart of this scholarship and the life I’m working to build.

First-Gen Futures: A Legacy of Strength and Purpose Choosing to pursue higher education as a first-generation student has never just been about earning a degree; it’s about healing, honoring, and rewriting my family’s story. My family is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I was raised by my mother, a remarkable woman who carried the weight of two parents on her shoulders. When I was four years old, my father was deported. I have not seen him since. His absence shaped much of my early life—but so did my mother’s strength. She was the heart of our home, working tirelessly to provide for my brother and me. As a single parent navigating a new country, she did her best to guide me, but most of my academic journey involved walking into the unknown. College applications, FAFSA forms, and preparing for the demands of university life often felt overwhelming, but I refused to let fear stop me. I asked questions. I showed up. I leaned into teachers, mentors, and community programs, slowly building the confidence I needed to move forward. When my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, our world shifted. I became her advocate, learning to fight for her care while also caring for my older brother, who has autism. After she passed away, I stepped into a role I never imagined; becoming his full-time support system while trying to hold on to my own dreams. There were moments I felt lost and moments I felt like giving up. But the memory of her love and the bond I share with my brother reminded me why I keep going. I chose healthcare because I know what it feels like to be overlooked. I know what it means to need answers, help, and hope. Through volunteering with women’s health initiatives, supporting homeless communities, and working with children on the autism spectrum, I’ve seen the kind of healing that happens when people feel seen and supported. These experiences, alongside my personal journey, have inspired me to pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration. In Fall 2025, I will begin this next chapter at UNC Chapel Hill. My dream is to become a healthcare executive who doesn’t just manage systems—but rebuilds them. I want to lead with empathy. I want to create a nonprofit that connects underserved families with the care and education they deserve. And I want young girls like me—first-gen, firstborn, and full of hope; to see that their dreams are possible too. Being a first-generation student has meant learning how to do more with less, how to keep going even when everything says stop. It has meant learning how to build my own table when I didn’t feel I had a seat. It’s not easy, but it’s meaningful. And it’s mine. Winning the First-Gen Futures Scholarship would not just ease a financial burden; it would be a symbol of everything my family and I have overcome. It would remind me, and others like me, that we belong here, and that our stories are worth telling. To me, being first-gen isn’t just about going to college. It’s about becoming the person your younger self needed. And I’m proud to be her now.

Building Bridges: A Future of Healthcare and Hope Some people build skyscrapers. Others build businesses. I want to build something less tangible but just as transformative; a bridge. A bridge between healthcare and the communities that have long been overlooked. A bridge between resources and the people who need them most. A bridge between my own experiences and the change I want to create. My passion for healthcare is not just academic, it’s deeply personal. Growing up, I watched my mother navigate a complex healthcare system as an immigrant and single parent, tirelessly advocating for my older brother, who has autism. Later, I found myself in the same position, standing in hospital hallways, deciphering medical jargon, and ensuring my mother received the care she deserved during her battle with ovarian cancer. When she passed, my role shifted once again, I became my brother’s primary caregiver. These experiences didn’t just shape me; they ignited my mission. I envision a world where no one has to fight for the healthcare they need. To build that reality, I plan to pursue a career in healthcare administration, ensuring that healthcare systems prioritize accessibility, efficiency, and dignity. This scholarship will help me take the next step; attending UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2025 to obtain my Master of Healthcare Administration. But education is just one piece of what I want to build. Beyond my degree, I want to create a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing healthcare resources for underserved communities. Whether it’s supporting women’s health initiatives, assisting homeless populations, or offering specialized care for individuals with autism, my goal is to make healthcare a right, not a privilege. My volunteer work; mentoring autistic children, supporting women’s health programs, and serving in homeless outreach initiatives—has reinforced that even small efforts can build something much larger: trust, empowerment, and lasting change. Brick by brick, experience by experience, I am laying the foundation for something greater than myself. With the help of this scholarship, I will continue building; not just for my future, but for a future where healthcare is truly for everyone.

Redefining Victory: A Journey of Resilience and Purpose Success is often measured by traditional milestones; graduations, promotions, financial achievements. But to me, success is about impact. It is about perseverance in the face of adversity, using challenges as fuel for growth, and leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of others. My journey has been anything but linear, yet every hardship I have encountered has shaped my unwavering commitment to creating meaningful change in healthcare and my community. Growing up, I witnessed my mother’s sacrifices as a single parent and immigrant striving to provide a better life for my brother and me. She embodied resilience, working tirelessly while also caring for my older brother, who has autism. Watching her navigate these responsibilities instilled in me a deep appreciation for service and the importance of equitable healthcare access. However, my true understanding of resilience came when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to put us first, fighting with unwavering strength until the very end. Her passing was the most profound loss I have ever experienced, but it also became the driving force behind my purpose. At 23, I have stepped into a role I never imagined becoming the primary caregiver for my brother while simultaneously pursuing my own dreams. Balancing work, school, and caregiving has not been easy, but it has reinforced my belief that success is not about the absence of struggle but about the ability to keep pushing forward despite it. My aspirations in healthcare administration stem from a desire to bridge the gap for families like mine, ensuring that no one has to choose between financial stability and proper care for their loved ones. My commitment to service extends beyond my personal experiences. I have volunteered with organizations dedicated to providing healthcare and education to underserved communities, from supporting women’s health initiatives to working with homeless populations. One of the most meaningful experiences I have had was volunteering with autistic children, a cause deeply personal to me due to my brother. Seeing these children thrive with the right resources and support reaffirmed my dedication to advocating for those who are often overlooked. This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of my education but also serve as an investment in my ability to effect real change. I will be attending UNC Chapel Hill in the Fall 2025 semester to pursue my Master of Healthcare Administration, with the ultimate goal of becoming a healthcare executive. Beyond that, I aspire to establish a nonprofit organization focused on expanding healthcare access for underserved communities, ensuring that high-quality care is a right rather than a privilege. Success, to me, is not solely about personal achievement but about using my experiences to uplift others. It is about taking the pain of loss and transforming it into purpose, about turning struggles into stepping stones for a greater mission. My journey has been filled with obstacles, but it has also been defined by perseverance, love, and an unyielding commitment to making a difference. Winning this scholarship would bring me one step closer to fulfilling my vision, allowing me to continue my education and work toward a future where healthcare is equitable for all. I am redefining victory not as the absence of hardship, but as the ability to rise above it, to turn adversity into action, and to ensure that my mother’s legacy of strength and service lives on through the work I do. With this opportunity, I will continue pushing forward, not just for myself, but for every family who deserves access to the care and support they need to thrive.

Empowering Change: My Commitment to Healthcare and Women’s Empowerment As a first-generation student from a single immigrant mother household, I’ve learned that leadership in healthcare begins with empathy and understanding the challenges marginalized communities face. Growing up, I saw firsthand how my mother, a Congolese immigrant, balanced caregiving, work, and her own health struggles. She was a tireless provider, sacrificing her well-being for the sake of my brother and me, often neglecting her health in the process. Her resilience sparked my drive to pursue a career in healthcare administration, where I aim to create programs that empower women and families facing similar struggles. My journey into healthcare was not just about academics; it was shaped by personal experiences. My older brother, who has autism, requires consistent care, and when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the responsibility of caring for him fell on me. After my mother passed away, at 23, I became the primary caregiver for my brother. Balancing my education, work, and caregiving duties has been challenging but has deepened my commitment to pursuing my Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). I want to ensure other women and families facing similar caregiving challenges have the support they need. My mother’s struggles were compounded by the lack of resources and healthcare support. She juggled caring for my brother and managing her own health decline, often having to choose between working to cover medical bills and taking time to care for herself. Her passing left a void, and I was left with the weight of responsibility. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the gaps in healthcare, especially for women and families in low-income or immigrant communities. They’ve also fueled my desire to advocate for policies that support caregivers, particularly women who often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. In my role as a Patient Service Specialist in a gynecology office, I’ve seen how difficult it is for many women, particularly those from underserved communities, to access the care they need. Financial limitations, inflexible work schedules, and the burden of caregiving make healthcare seem like a distant reality for many. These observations have driven my passion for healthcare administration, specifically to create policies that support women and caregivers. The Women in Healthcare Scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden of my graduate education, allowing me to focus on developing the skills needed to achieve my career goals. As a first-generation student, I’ve navigated higher education without a clear blueprint, relying on my determination and my mother’s sacrifices to get me this far. This scholarship would not only provide financial support, but it would also affirm that my mission to advocate for women in caregiving roles is worth pursuing. With my MHA, I plan to work in healthcare administration, focusing on creating initiatives that provide financial assistance for caregiving families, expand workplace policies to accommodate caregivers, and increase access to healthcare for women in underserved communities. I aspire to develop systems where women no longer have to choose between their financial stability and the well-being of their families. I want to ensure that women in caregiving roles have access to resources that empower them to take control of their health and well-being. This scholarship will allow me to continue my journey toward making a difference in the lives of women and families who need it most, and it would be an invaluable step toward achieving my goal of empowering women in healthcare.

The Power of Healthcare: A First-Generation Student’s Journey to Advocacy and Change As a first-generation American and the daughter of a single immigrant mother, my journey has been shaped by resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering desire to improve the lives of those who, like my mother, faced immense challenges. I am pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) because I believe in the power of equitable healthcare systems, particularly for marginalized communities. My ambition is to succeed in the field and pave the way for others, ensuring that no family endures the same hardships mine has faced. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how socioeconomic struggles impact health outcomes. My mother, a Congolese immigrant, worked tirelessly to provide for my brother and me, often neglecting her health due to financial constraints and lack of access to care. The immense stress of raising two children alone, one of whom; my brother—was diagnosed with autism, took a significant toll on her well-being. Eventually, she was diagnosed with cancer, a battle that shook our family. The intersection of financial hardship, limited healthcare access, and the emotional burden of caregiving made it clear to me that systemic changes are needed in the healthcare industry. These experiences ignited my passion for healthcare administration. I realized that healthcare is not just about treatment but about advocacy, accessibility, and reform. I chose to pursue an MHA because I want to be in a position where I can influence policies, implement programs, and create initiatives that prioritize underserved populations. My goal is to become a healthcare executive who champions equitable healthcare solutions, ensuring that low-income families, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities receive the care they deserve. Ambition and drive have always guided my academic and professional journey. I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science, a field that taught me the importance of policy-making and advocacy. However, my experience as a Patient Service Specialist in a gynecology office solidified my commitment to healthcare administration. I saw firsthand how medical systems can either support or fail patients based on socioeconomic status, language barriers, and institutional inefficiencies. I knew I had to be part of the solution. My vision is to develop programs that cater to low-income, immigrant, and special-needs families. I want to establish community outreach initiatives that provide preventive care education, financial assistance for medical treatments, and specialized services for families like mine who struggle to navigate healthcare. I aim to work within hospital administration or healthcare consulting, ensuring that policies are designed with inclusivity in mind rather than as afterthoughts. Receiving the Dr. Michael Paglia Scholarship would provide financial relief and affirm that my goals are worth pursuing. As a first-generation student, I have navigated every academic and professional milestone without a blueprint, relying on determination and the lessons learned from my mother’s sacrifices. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies rather than financial burdens, enabling me to fully commit to my mission of creating meaningful change in healthcare. Healthcare should not be a privilege afforded only to those with means. It should be a fundamental right, accessible to all, regardless of background or income level. My mother’s struggles, my brother’s diagnosis, and my experiences navigating the healthcare system have instilled in me a lifelong commitment to advocacy and reform. I am determined to ensure that no family endures the same obstacles mine did. As a healthcare executive, I will dedicate my career to creating programs that uplift those who need it most, providing opportunities and care to families who, like mine, simply needed a chance. This is my purpose, my passion, and my promise.