There are many people who have faced challenges on their path to higher education, and in some ways, my story may echo theirs. But for me, what sets my journey apart is not just what I have overcome, but how I’ve had to design my own blueprint for a life and future that no one in my family had ever imagined before. I was raised by my grandmother after being removed from my parents’ custody at a young age. While my grandmother provided me with unconditional love, guidance, and stability, I still grew up aware that I was stepping into unknown territory. Higher education, much less a career in medicine, was not something my family had navigated before. There were no examples for me to follow in my immediate family, no stories of college experiences, or relatives who could guide me through applications, financial aid forms, or career decisions. In many ways, I was teaching myself how to move forward, while carrying both the weight of uncertainty and the responsibility of making sure my grandmother’s sacrifices were not in vain. As I progressed through school, I realized that my path wasn’t just about pushing through difficult circumstances. It was about choosing to intentionally break patterns that had shaped my family for generations. Becoming a physician is not simply a career aspiration for me; it represents the transformation of personal struggle into professional purpose. My journey has given me a deeply personal understanding of how instability, limited access, and systemic barriers affect real people, especially in communities like mine. I want to carry this lived perspective into my future as a physician, where I can serve not only with knowledge, but with empathy and understanding that comes from experience. Even though I don’t always know who is watching me, I know my presence in these spaces matters. Perhaps there is another student, raised by a grandparent, who quietly wonders if it is possible to build a different future. Perhaps someone who feels unseen, who needs to know that they are not alone in stepping into spaces they were never expected to occupy. I may never meet them, but I hope my journey shows that it is possible to create something new, even when starting with nothing. What makes me different is not just the hardship itself, but the self-awareness with which I approach my path. I know how easily stories like mine can become statistics. I know how easy it would have been to let fear or exhaustion limit my future. But every time I continue forward, every test, every class, every new challenge, I am not only working toward my own goals, but I am redefining what is possible for my family and others who share similar stories. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden that my grandmother and I continue to carry, but it would also serve as recognition of the work I have done to step into this new identity. It would allow me to focus even more on my studies, move closer to my dream of becoming a physician, and continue building a life that rewrites the narrative I inherited.

The dream version of my future self is happy, eager to take care of patients, and still reaching for her new dreams and goals no matter how successful she has become.

A few years ago, I heard a quote from a young girl on Tik Tok demonstrating the many books she has read. “Be the change you want to see in this world,” she said. Since then, that quote has resonated with me as I scramble to find the purpose and impact, I want to have on the world around me. As graduation draws near and I gather my final plans for college, I am determined to become a medical doctor, the first in my family. First, I must create a solid foundation throughout my college career. The first thing I am committed to changing is the high school drop-out trend in my family. My father never finished high school and expresses his pride and joy in me not only graduating high school soon but also going to college in the fall. As his eldest daughter, I have taken on many roles. The third parent, the babysitter, the protector, and the provider while dad is at work. Now that my six younger siblings are older, my newest and perhaps most enjoyable role is “the course-changer,”. As I take on a new journey, I plan to make a positive impact on the world by setting an example for my siblings. While in high school, I have been involved in many volunteer projects accumulating over 100 hours of community service. As I transition from high school senior to college freshman, I plan to continue volunteerism throughout my college career. Volunteerism has proven to be one of the most impactful manners of positive change in our society. Not only does it impact our communities, but it also impacts the volunteer. I have found the effects community service has on me to be the most life-changing. I have created lifelong bonds, learned lessons, rejoiced with the triumphant, and cried with the heart-broken through community-based projects. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through the way of community service and volunteerism. In a nutshell, throughout my college career, I plan to continue community service to create positive change in the world. As graduation approaches and I enter college life, I am determined to lead by example for the generation behind me and create an impact for the future. As I take on a new role as a college freshman and “course-changer” for my family, I am committed to using post-secondary education as a means of demonstrating that one can be what one wants to be and the only thing stopping them is oneself. A few years ago, I heard a quote from a young girl on Tik Tok demonstrating the many books she has read. “Be the change you want to see in this world,” she said. “Be the change you want to see in this world,” I repeated.

You may have heard the quote “Be the change you want to see in the world,”. I live by this mantra and strive to be the best version of myself every day. My unique qualities include determination, self-awareness, and involvement in various community projects. Today’s youth are easily distracted by worldly events. As a young woman with unlimited goals, I am determined to keep my eye on the prize and give back to the community. One of my many unique qualities includes determination. My determination is what sets my grades and involvement in community service apart from others. As a straight-A student, I prioritize school and aim for the best grades possible. My biggest competitor is myself. Every day is another day to outdo what I had done yesterday. Determination also motivates me to give back to the community. I have participated in district clean-ups, food drives, donations and more. I recognize the challenges citizens of my area face, and I use every ounce of my determination for the betterment of my community. Self-awareness enables me to detect what I can improve, what areas I excel in, and where I should focus my attention. Because of this, I can recognize my success and failures. I am never too proud to admit wrong-doings, instead, I embrace my mistakes which makes room for growth. This quality is unique because many people struggle with acknowledging their character and feelings. I think one’s biggest critic as well as one’s biggest cheerleader should be oneself. Self-awareness gives me the unique ability to appreciate my character and allows space for development. I plan to use these characteristics to give back to my community. In the past, I have used all three qualities to involve myself in different projects. As graduation approaches and I look toward the future, I will always remember the effects community service has had on me. The greatest lessons I learned from volunteer projects are now my greatest qualities. Now that I have mastered these aspects, I plan to involve myself in projects and service at my select institution and dedicate my life to service by pursuing a career in the medical field. In a nutshell, many attributes make me unique. Determination, self-awareness, and volunteerism are one of the many one-of-a-kind qualities I possess. Moving forward, I plan to use these qualities in my university by involving myself in the many projects, clubs, and organizations available. You may have heard the quote, and my mantra, “Be the change you want to see in the world,”. Now I have a saying of my own: Set the standard, be the standard, outdo the standards.

Community service and education are very important components of my life. Growing up in rural South Carolina, I have witnessed the needs of my community and thought of ways to get involved. Not only have I earned over one hundred hours of community service from various volunteer projects in my area, but I have also maintained my grades in school while doing so. I take pride in getting involved for the betterment of the community through the selfless service of volunteering while maintaining good grades in school. The effects of community service and education on my community and family are transformative. Volunteering has been a source of pride and ambition in my family. Together, my family and I have cleaned parks and communities, served food to residents of residential homes, donated clothes, shoes, and glasses, as well as hosted movie nights for youths in our area. I have learned the importance of coming together for the common good and teamwork from my family. I am astonished by what we can accomplish by working together to reach a common goal and how it benefits the community. Rather than thinking about the effects community service and education have on my family and community, they have shown me the lasting effects they have on me. I am eternally grateful for the lessons, knowledge, and relationships I have gained by volunteering. My family has always emphasized the importance of education. Growing up in the era of sharecropping, my grandparents did not go to a formal school unless it rained. After leaving the countryside and integrating into a more industrial society, my great-grandparents and grandparents prioritized education in our family. This allowed them to access better careers and an even better lifestyle. Education is important to me because not only has it changed the course of my family’s history but, it has allowed the youngest generations to be more prepared for higher education thus creating better careers. The effects of education will once again change the course of history from agriculture to industrial careers, and eventually entrepreneurship, medicine, engineering and more. Ultimately, the effects and importance of community service and education on my family and community are simple yet metamorphic. Community service and education contribute to the betterment of families and communities. I am proud to say both aspects are deeply rooted in my family. I have learned the value of community service and education through the selflessness and determination of my family. I have witnessed the improvements that can be made when communities come together to reach a common goal.

My Gullah- Geechee roots have influenced every aspect of my life. From the food I eat to my career aspirations. I trace my roots to West Africa. My ancestor came to South Carolina enslaved over two-hundred years ago. Like many other African- Americans, my family has overcome the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow but, they still face challenges. Unfortunately, some of those challenges lie in the healthcare profession. Upon my research, I found that African- Americans are among the most ignored and under-represented groups in healthcare. My identity as an African- American descendant of the Gullah has influenced my career choice and interactions in the healthcare setting. I understand the pivotal role of the African- American doctor in the healthcare system. Our pain, comments, and concerns are often shunned. This, however, is not the fault of every healthcare professional but, I do believe it is the responsibility of every healthcare professional to care for every patient equally. As an African- American female, it would be my honor to speak for the patient who feels mistreated, under-represented, and ignored. I am passionate about becoming a physician assistant because I recognize the immense need for representation and sincerity in healthcare. I admire the countless professionals who make it their mission to care for all patients. The need is greater than my interest. I feel that this interest, my research, and my volunteer experience shaped who I am today by showing me the need of African- American healthcare professionals and helping me carve a path to reach my goal. These facts encouraged me to see for myself. I began to talk to medical students and was introduced to a panel of black female doctors. They recounted their experiences seeing the unjust treatment of black patients and what they did to help them. I decided, in the summer of 2022, to volunteer at the local hospital to do what I can to comfort patients and learn from doctors, nurses, technicians, and other volunteers. My Gullah- Geechee heritage influenced my interactions in the healthcare setting by reminding me of the struggles my ancestors faced. They were often ignored and under-represented as African- Americans are today. No matter the background, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs of the patient, I vowed that summer to do what I can to make them feel heard. I think it is safe to say my identity is already influencing my interactions and goals as a future physician assistant.

As a child, I was always interested in all things medicine. I admired healthcare professionals and looked forward to dental appointments and well-child visits. I think it is safe to say, I was not your average kid. I believe this interest shaped who I am today. As a high school senior, I spent my four years volunteering in the community and composing a plan to become a physician. My aspiration to become a medical doctor proceeded with my research and increased interest during my high school career. I have been interested in the field of medicine since I was a child. I am constantly reminded of the vital work and importance of medical doctors by my research on accredited websites such as Medical News Today and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. In the summer of 2022, I volunteered forty hours of service at my local Mcleod Hospital. I witnessed and worked alongside nurses, technicians, medical doctors, and volunteers to comfort patients and aid healthcare professionals. My healthcare physician provided and continues to provide excellent service and is eager to answer any concerns I had with my health and my interest in medicine. His willingness to feed my hunger for knowledge is the purest example of our physicians today. This experience along with my research shaped who I am by rekindling my ever-growing interest in medicine and equipping me with the experience to gain insight into what it means to be of service to others. I want to become a medical doctor for many reasons. I understand the pivotal role of the African- American doctor in the healthcare system. Upon my research, I found that African- American patients are one of the most under-represented and most ignored groups in healthcare. Our pain, comments, and concerns are often shunned. This, however, is not the fault of every physician in the field but, I do believe it is the responsibility of every physician to care for every patient equally. As an African- American female, it would be my honor to speak for the patient who feels mistreated, under-represented, and ignored. I am passionate about becoming a medical doctor because I recognize the immense need for representation and sincerity in the profession. I admire the countless physicians who make it their mission to care for all patients. The need is greater than my interest. I feel that this interest, my research, and my volunteer experience shaped who I am today by showing me the need of African- American doctors and helping me carve a path to reach my goal.