My confidence in middle school was at its peak when I was playing for my junior high school's basketball team. I loved how I could create lasting memories with my friends as well as meet new people from across the district while I played my favorite sport. One day, my teammates and I were running through one of our usual drills in practice when my teammate passed the ball to me as my attention was elsewhere. In what felt like half a second, my focus was quickly drawn to my hand because of the speeding basketball that had rammed into my finger. The injury that I suffered in my right index finger was thought to be just a jam because of the short duration of the pain, and the frequency of finger jams that come with playing basketball. However, the inflammation began to intensify as time went on and I found myself with a very swollen finger. Eventually, I told my father and showed him my new foam finger on the way to the doctor's office. Unfortunately, the visit to the doctor's office resulted in the diagnosis of a broken finger. When I first heard the news, I was devastated. I was never much of a talker growing up, so playing basketball was my way of making friends and building confidence. However, my anguish disappeared as soon as it came upon me because of the nurse who assisted me during the visit. For the entirety of my appointment, my nurse was very kind and assuring. She encouraged me to look at the bright side of my situation before I even knew that the pain I had been feeling in my finger for about two weeks was indicative of a broken bone. This nurse really softened the blow of the bad news, and played a big role in the attitude that I displayed during my recovery process. Instead of staying home on game days to mope in my room, I made an effort to attend the games so that I could support my teammates. Furthermore, I am able to appreciate the nurse who helped me see that my injury did not have to be a weakness now that I am further along the path to working as a nurse. I have just been accepted to the nursing program at my university and am on track to begin in the fall. Moreover, I spent most of my day celebrating my older sister's graduation as she received the recognition she deserves for obtaining her BSN. Therefore, I have had motivating factors throughout my life that have exemplified the nurse that I aspire to be. In conclusion, I have had more than enough inspiration to pursue a career in nursing over the years. The nurse who I interacted with in middle school whose impact is still felt today, as well as the role model that my sister has been for me have both allowed me to strengthen my resolve to become a nurse. I intend to become an ICU nurse, and will work to leave the same impact on every patient who comes my way.

Ever since my mind began to wander towards the goal of obtaining a successful career, I had always landed on the prospect of becoming a man who who would play a prominent role in ensuring the wellbeing of others in the medical field. However, I was unsure as to what position that I would be playing that role in. My peers who shared similar goals to me would express their desires to achieve the esteemed status of a "doctor," but mainly for monetary purposes. Of course, choosing a career that pays the bills is essential but I wanted to practice a profession that allows me to develop a deep and invested relationship with whom I am serving. The day I received my first x-ray examination as a junior in high school gave me the answer that I needed. After I had been nursing what I thought was merely a finger jam that had been obtained during my varsity basketball practice for a week, I finally informed my father of the injury. Together, we visited the Medical City Arlington to determine the extent of the trauma. When we arrived, I was very nervous. Basketball had always been a passion of mine, and I was afraid that I would not be able to play for much longer if my finger had been broken. Throughout the entire time that I was at the hospital, I was able to talk to a large number of healthcare professionals about my injury and their careers considering I was still on the lookout for what I wanted to do in the medical field. However, the time that I spent with my nurse approved to be invaluable. She easily soothed my worries by asking me questions that took my mind away from my injury and towards my future. I was also able to pick her mind about her life, and how she wanted to further her career by becoming a nurse anesthetist. Before I knew it, the x-ray examination was over and my time there was done. Although I did find out that my finger was broken, I was not as devastated as I thought I would be. I spent the entire three months that I was forced away from basketball conducting research on nursing. The way that the nurse treated me and made me feel at ease really stuck with me. It did not feel as if she was merely doing her job, she was genuinely interested in how I got there and gave me words of encouragement that softened the blow when I heard the bad news. I intend to become a registered nurse, so I can make others feel the same compassion during one of the lowest times of their lives in the same way that she did for me. To achieve my goal, I have enrolled in the University of Texas at Arlington as a pre-nursing major. At the time that this essay is being written, I am waiting to hear back from the upper division nursing program to see if my application was accepted, I believe that my involvement on campus, high GPA, and love for guiding others towards a healthier life will allow me to become the medical professional who I have always dreamed of being.

Ever since my mind began to wander towards the goal of obtaining a successful career, I had always landed on the prospect of becoming a man who would play a prominent role in ensuring the well being of others in the medical field. However, I was unsure as to what position I would be playing that role in. My peers who shared similar goals to me would express their desires to achieve the esteemed status of a "doctor," but mainly for monetary purposes. Of course, choosing a career that pays the bills is essential but I wanted to practice a profession that allows me to develop a deep and invested relationship with whom I am serving. The day I received my first x-ray examination as a junior in high school gave me the answer that I needed. After I had been nursing what I thought was merely a finger jam that had been obtained during my junior high basketball practice for a week, I finally informed my father of the injury. Together, we visited the Medical City of Arlington to determine the extent of the trauma. When we arrived, I was very nervous. Basketball had always been a passion of mine, and I was afraid that I would not be able to play for much longer if my finger had been broken. Throughout the entire time that I was at the hospital, I was able to talk to a large number of healthcare professionals about my injury and their careers considering I was still on the lookout for what I wanted to do in the medical field. However, the time that I spent with my nurse approved to be invaluable. She easily soothed my worries by asking me questions that took my mind away from my injury and toward my future. I was also able to pick her mind about her life, and how she wanted to further her career by becoming a nurse anesthetist. Before I knew it, the x-ray examination was over and my time there was done. Although I did find out that my finger was broken, I was not as devastated as I thought I would be. I spent the entire three months that I was forced away from basketball researching nursing. The way that the nurse treated me and made me feel at ease really stuck with me. I felt as if she was genuinely interested in how I got there and gave me words of encouragement that softened the blow when I heard the bad news. I intend to become a registered nurse, so I can make others feel the same compassion during one of the lowest times of their lives in the same way that she did for me. To achieve my goal, I have enrolled in the University of Texas at Arlington as a pre-nursing major. At the time that this essay is being written, I am waiting to hear back from the upper division nursing program to see if my application was accepted, I believe that my involvement on campus, high GPA, and love for guiding others towards a healthier life will allow me to become the medical professional who I have always dreamed of being.

My confidence in middle school was at its peak when I was playing for my junior high school's basketball team. I loved how I could create lasting memories with my friends as well as meet new people from across the district while I played my favorite sport. One day, my teammates and I were running through one of our usual drills in practice when my teammate passed the ball to me as my attention was elsewhere. In what felt like half a second, my focus was quickly drawn to my hand because of the speeding basketball that had rammed into my finger. The injury that I suffered in my right index finger was thought to be just a jam because of the short duration of the pain, and the frequency of finger jams that come with playing basketball. However, the inflammation began to intensify as time went on and I found myself with a very swollen finger. Eventually, I told my father and showed him my new foam finger on the way to the doctor's office. Unfortunately, the visit to the doctor's office resulted in the diagnosis of a broken finger. When I first heard the news, I was devastated. I was never much of a talker growing up, so playing basketball was my way of making friends and building confidence. However, my anguish disappeared as soon as it came upon me because of the nurse who assisted me during the visit. For the entirety of my appointment, my nurse was very kind and assuring. She encouraged me to look at the bright side of my situation before I even knew that the pain I had been feeling in my finger for about two weeks was indicative of a broken bone. This nurse really softened the blow of the bad news, and played a big role in the attitude that I displayed during my recovery process. Instead of staying home on game days to mope in my room, I made an effort to attend the games so that I could support my teammates. Furthermore, I am able to appreciate the nurse who helped me see that my injury did not have to be a weakness now that I am further along the path to working as a nurse. I have just been accepted to the nursing program at my university and am on track to begin in the fall. Moreover, I spent most of my day celebrating my older sister's graduation as she received the recognition she deserves for obtaining her BSN. Therefore, I have had motivating factors throughout my life that have exemplified the nurse that I aspire to be. In conclusion, I have had more than enough inspiration to pursue a career in nursing over the years. The nurse who I interacted with in middle school whose impact is still felt today, as well as the role model that my sister has been for me have both allowed me to strengthen my resolve to become a nurse. I intend to become an ICU nurse, and will work to leave the same impact on every patient who comes my way.

I have three core values that I abide by every day: honesty, service, and growth. I place a great emphasis on honesty because I believe that no true relationship can be formed or maintained without it. Honesty is also extremely important to me because this core value keeps me from straying from my path. When I make any type of mistake, I remember to be honest not only with myself, but also with those around me. It is adamant that I am an honest man, because I want to be able to bestow knowledge unto others without having to worry about whether they will trust my words or not. I also firmly believe that if I am honest with others, then they are more likely to be honest with me. I make sure to maintain my composure, but I tend to get frustrated when I am lied to. Therefore, honesty is a very important part of my life and is one of my core values. Another core value that I keep close to my heart is service. I have been involved in my church ever since I was a child. It was there where I learned the true value in helping others and working collectively towards a common good that is higher than myself. I would participate, and still do, in several community service projects, outreaches, musical ensembles, and weekend activities. I believe that serving my community not only helps me maintain a sense of humility, but also allows me to improve the lives of those around me. The final core value that I practice daily is growth. I embark on a mission to improve myself in every way (physically, mentally, and spiritually) as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning. I believe that remaining stagnant only invites complacency and creates a false sense of security in one's life. I have a surplus of long-term goals so it is adamant that I keep moving forward in every aspect of my life. My duty as a Christian drives my every action. I know that I am not perfect, but forcefully advancing the kingdom of God is my main goal in this life. I run every decision over with my God, so maintaining a healthy relationship with Him is very important to me. My Christian lifestyle also ties in nicely with what excellence means to me. I consider myself to be pursuing excellence when I consistently make the decision to conduct my life in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. When I begin to backslide and slip, I quickly make an effort to get myself back on the right track. When I achieve my dream, I will be sure to thank God first and foremost. Without the path that He paved for me even before I was born, I would be lost today. The only reason that I have seen the success that I have thus far is because of His will and the purpose that I believe He has placed on my life. I will continue to thank Him for every success that I see on the way to my dream, so that when I finally achieve what I have been set out to attain, thanking the Lord will be ingrained into my mind.

I faced multiple adversities over the duration of my first semester of university. I found myself overwhelmed with my: course assignments, job commitment, and responsibilities at home. I began taking my prerequisites for nursing school this fall semester. Although I knew that my classes would be taking up most of my time, I severely underestimated the time that I needed to study. In high school, I would take an extensive amount of notes for each class and still found time to go over them, study, and participate in extracurricular activities. Even though I was taking AP classes, the assignments that I completed and tests that I needed to study for pale in comparison to my courses at university. Not only is the material much more complex in university, but the time that one must study in order to get an excellent grade is tedious to say the least. A solution that I practiced that allowed me to earn a 4.0 GPA is to simply take better notes. Instead of jotting down the entire chapter into my textbook during the lecture, I separated the content and framed the material into questions. When it was time to study for an approaching exam, I would answer the questions that I created and check my answers. This way, I could not only remember the material, but also analyze the important concepts in ways that I never would have before. This method, along with improved time management, allowed me to earn all A's in my six courses. In addition to my course workload, my commitment to working at a fast-food restaurant was starting cut into the time that I would spend preparing for my classes. Over the summer, I worked full-time in order to amass the most money I could. I wanted to prepare for any expenses that may surprise me throughout the academic year. When the semester started, I decided to work for only one day of the week. Compared to the hours that I had been putting in over the summer, a measly eight did not seem like much. However, I began to need every recreational hour that I could find for class. I was especially struggling before I started to utilize the new studying method that I discovered. I overcame this adversity by creating a deadline for myself. Instead of creating my schedule around the actual due date of my assignments, I would force myself to complete all of my weekly assignments before I would go into work at the end of the week. This new deadline would always fall a few days before the actual due date, so I would end up finishing my work a couple of days early rather than scrambling to meet the deadline. Next, I had to address my responsibilities at home. I commute to university in order to save money, so I still have to manage my life at home. My little brother often needs help with his homework and turns to me for help. There are also various chores throughout the house that will not get done if I do not tend to them. Although these tasks may not seem to be as threatening as the other issues, they proved to be quite tedious if I did not find a right balance between them and my other duties. I overcame this obstacle by helping my brother with any assignments as soon as I would get home from my classes, and quickly took care of the chores shortly after. Overcoming my adversities throughout the semester was difficult and scary at times, but it was not impossible.

My name is Promise Egbu and I am the eldest son among my three siblings. I was raised to be a strong and persevering Christian by my two parents who migrated from their home country of Nigeria. Ever since I was a young child, I have always worked to become the best version of myself physically, mentally, and spiritually so that I can not only serve as a proper role model for my younger brother, but also to achieve a level of success that will remind my parents why they sacrificed so much to come to this country. My older sisters have been my inspiration for as long as I can remember. They have always been brilliant in academics, and encouraged me to follow in their footsteps to become a nurse. In high school, they both earned the title of valedictorian and went on to see even more success in their undergraduate careers. Needless to say, the names of my parents and older siblings hold a great weight in my mind and that of others. Because I grew up competing in sports, mainly basketball and track and field, I have always been very competitive. Therefore, I am motivated every day to surpass my older family members and give my younger brother a reason to strive for more. I have wanted to play a leading role in the medical field for as long as I can remember. While the other children in my preschool days proudly announced their dreams of becoming astronauts, firefighters, and even fictional characters when they grew up, I can vividly remember raising my hand to passionately proclaim my dream of becoming a doctor. As I continued my education and received advice from many others, I eventually decided to devote my postsecondary education towards excelling in nursing school in order to become a CRNA. My father is a pharmacist and my mother works as a registered nurse, so I was exposed to the highs and lows of the medical field since I was young. I remember seeing my mother's exhausted face as she came home from a busy twelve-hour shift, and helping my father study for the next exam that he would have to take in order to advance in his career. Nevertheless, I was captivated with the fact that they dedicated their lives to saving others and improving the wellbeing of the people in their community. Although firefighters and astronauts are both very interesting and impressive occupations, I have always been proud to tell others what my parents do for a living. I am interested in a STEM degree because I know that it will lead me to my dream of helping others as a nurse in the state of Texas. I intend to help others in the same way that my parents have been doing for years. I want to leave a lasting impact on this world, and I believe that becoming a nurse will provide me with the opportunity to do just that. When I become a nurse, specifically a CRNA, I plan on working in impoverished communities and cities around me so that I can not only improve the lives of those who are often overlooked, but also to encourage the next generation to strive for a goal that will benefit those around them and not just themselves.

My goal is to become a nurse, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a nurse to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper nurse, and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. Once I have earned my degree and received certification as a registered nurse (RN), I plan on taking my skills to impoverished African-American communities. Here, I will use what I have learned in nursing school to improve the lives of those who may not receive a consistent source of medical support. During my time in these communities, I hope to learn more about how I can refine my communication skills. Because I will have the opportunity to speak to people who come from different walks of life in my career, I wish to be able to interact with them in the best way possible. When I feel that I have received an adequate amount of information, lessons, and experience, I intend to move to a larger environment. I wish to operate in an area where I may not only refine the views that African Americans have toward healthcare workers, but also help as many people that I can. In the larger environment, I will especially work to help the elderly. Because they were forced to live through times that consisted of greater amounts of racial tension, I believe that they will be the most adamant about their views of physicians. I hope to be able to spend an extensive amount of time speaking with them about their experiences, and showing them how I am making a difference in the lives of those who look up to me. When I retire, I want to be able to say that I truly made an impact on the country as a whole. I will work to become a role model for the next generation, and change the false narrative that has been placed on healthcare professionals. In conclusion, I want to pursue a career in STEM and obtain my BSN so that I can play a prominent role in the improvement of my community. In order to prepare myself for the work that I will be conducting as a nurse, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal of becoming a nurse.

My goal is to become a nurse, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a nurse to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper nurse, and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. Once I have earned my degree and received certification as a registered nurse (RN), I plan on taking my skills to impoverished African-American communities. Here, I will use what I have learned in nursing school to improve the lives of those who may not receive a consistent source of medical support. During my time in these communities, I hope to learn more about how I can refine my communication skills. Because I will have the opportunity to speak to people who come from different walks of life in my career, I wish to be able to interact with them in the best way possible. When I feel that I have received an adequate amount of information, lessons, and experience, I intend to move to a larger environment. I wish to operate in an area where I may not only refine the views that African Americans have toward healthcare workers, but also help as many people that I can. In the larger environment, I will especially work to help the elderly. Because they were forced to live through times that consisted of greater amounts of racial tension, I believe that they will be the most adamant about their views of physicians. I hope to be able to spend an extensive amount of time speaking with them about their experiences, and showing them how I am making a difference in the lives of those who look up to me. When I retire, I want to be able to say that I truly made an impact on the country as a whole. I will work to become a role model for the next generation, and change the false narrative that has been placed on healthcare professionals. In conclusion, I want to pursue a career in STEM and obtain my BSN so that I can play a prominent role in the improvement of my community. In order to prepare myself for the work that I will be conducting as a nurse, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal of becoming a nurse.

Ever since I was a young child, I have always loved comic books. I was initially drawn to the extraordinary and jaw-dropping characters that would seemingly pop out of the pages because they looked “cool,” but I began to appreciate the messages and notions that heroes like Spider-Man, Superman, and most importantly, Captain America would represent as I grew older and more attached to the medium. Captain America has always been the person who inspires others, and offers instruction to those who feel lost and overwhelmed. However, one quote of his really stuck with me. In “Amazing Spider-Man #537,” Captain America gave a very convincing pep-talk to Spider-Man. When I first read Cap’s advice to Peter, I got goosebumps. Cap’s words reminded me of the advice that my mother gives me on what seems like a daily basis. Captain America’s words in this comic inspired me to embrace my uniqueness.

My goal is to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To prepare myself for the work that I will conduct as an anesthesiologist, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improvement. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In addition to serving as an assistant teacher in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “The Potter’s House MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that not only cares about the lives of others, but also makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. Serving as a group leader for the community service project filled me with both satisfaction and an undying love for others. I intend to continue to serve my friends, family, and beloved members of the community for as long as I am on this Earth. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that my African American community has for healthcare professionals. Although their hesitance is understandable, it is important that we all learn to forgive each other, so that we can all work towards a better future. In order to achieve this goal, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal.

My goal is to become a nurse, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a nurse to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper nurse, and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. Once I have earned my degree and received certification as a registered nurse (RN), I plan on taking my skills to impoverished African-American communities. Here, I will use what I have learned in nursing school to improve the lives of those who may not receive a consistent source of medical support. During my time in these communities, I hope to learn more about how I can refine my communication skills. Because I will have the opportunity to speak to people who come from different walks of life in my career, I wish to be able to interact with them in the best way possible. When I feel that I have received an adequate amount of information, lessons, and experience, I intend to move to a larger environment. I wish to operate in an area where I may not only refine the views that African Americans have toward healthcare workers, but also help as many people that I can. In the larger environment, I will especially work to help the elderly. Because they were forced to live through times that consisted of greater amounts of racial tension, I believe that they will be the most adamant about their views of physicians. I hope to be able to spend an extensive amount of time speaking with them about their experiences, and showing them how I am making a difference in the lives of those who will come after us. When I retire, I want to be able to say that I truly made an impact on the country as a whole. I will work to become a role model for the next generation, and change the false narrative that has been placed on healthcare professionals. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that the African American community has for healthcare professionals. Although their hesitance is understandable, it is important that we all learn to forgive each other, so that we can all work towards a better future. In order to achieve this goal, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal of becoming a nurse.

I believe that a strong relationship between African Americans and healthcare professionals is essential in the fight to improve the mental health of black Americans across the country. Developing a strong connection between these citizens and the physicians who have sworn to protect them will surely contribute to an improvement in the wellbeing of African-Americans. My goal is to become a psychologist, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a physician to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. I wholeheartedly believe that strengthening the relationship between African-Americans and physicians will lead to a larger number of African-American who receive the mental care that they need. Furthermore, as more physicians begin to develop stronger connections to African-Americans, they will be able to focus more on their internal as well as external issues. They will be able to link the mental disorders of depression, anxiety, etc. to the injustices that many African-Americans face on a daily basis. This increased focus on the plight of African-Americans will cause more supporters to advocate for the improved behavior of authority figures toward African-Americans across the nation. In conclusion, my utopian vision for optimal mental health for the African-American community involves a strong and positive relationship between healthcare professionals and black Americans. I believe that this will bring the nation closer to a reality where the fight for social justice is a mere memory.

Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor because of my father. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a valuable member of the medical field by becoming an anesthesiologist. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such a goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a physician so that I can see the same success that my father has seen in his life. My parents planted the idea of pursuing a medical career in my mind during grade school. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by those who are willing to work in the field. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. Although I do love the Lord with all of my heart and then some, my private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a post secondary education. If I am granted the “Art of Giving Scholarship,” I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. In conjunction with my eventual BSN degree, this scholarship will support my goal of becoming a physician in the state of Texas.

My goal is to become a nurse, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a nurse to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper nurse, and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. Once I have earned my degree and received certification as a registered nurse (RN), I plan on taking my skills to impoverished African-American communities. Here, I will use what I have learned in nursing school to improve the lives of those who may not receive a consistent source of medical support. During my time in these communities, I hope to learn more about how I can refine my communication skills. Because I will have the opportunity to speak to people who come from different walks of life in my career, I wish to be able to interact with them in the best way possible. When I feel that I have received an adequate amount of information, lessons, and experience, I intend to move to a larger environment. I wish to operate in an area where I may not only refine the views that African Americans have toward healthcare workers, but also help as many people that I can. In the larger environment, I will especially work to help the elderly. Because they were forced to live through times that consisted of greater amounts of racial tension, I believe that they will be the most adamant about their views of physicians. I hope to be able to spend an extensive amount of time speaking with them about their experiences, and showing them how I am making a difference in the lives of those who look up to me. When I retire, I want to be able to say that I truly made an impact on the country as a whole. I will work to become a role model for the next generation, and change the false narrative that has been placed on healthcare professionals. In conclusion, I want to pursue a career in STEM and obtain my BSN so that I can play a prominent role in the improvement of my community. In order to prepare myself for the work that I will be conducting as a nurse, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal of becoming a nurse.

Because I was raised in a Nigerian household that values perseverance and dedication, I have always been motivated to achieve my goal of becoming a physician despite all of the obstacles that have forced their way into my life. I fell in love with the medical field at a very young age, and believe that my parents played a huge role in my decision to pursue a career in such a rigorous and unpredictable field. My father is a pharmacist, and my mother is a nurse. Although they faced a great amount of challenges and shortcomings, they also achieved a great amount of success. Seeing my parents enjoy the fruit of their labor inspired me to walk in their footsteps and endure the hardships that I am facing now, so that I can experience the same success that my parents did. Both of my parents emigrated from Nigeria and worked to start a life in America that would benefit my three siblings and me. Growing up as a first generation student, I was heavily encouraged to focus on my academics instead of athletics or other forms of extracurricular activities. When I was younger, this was very discouraging, However, as I grew older, I discovered that the mathematical, science, and engineering skills that I refined in the house while other children were playing sports outside gave me a great advantage in my studies. I excelled in my classes and rose to the top ten percent of my high school graduating class. I am extremely grateful that I inherited a sense of mental endurance from two parents who accomplished many goals that most are never able to see. As a first generation student, I have also had the opportunity to view the negatives of the healthcare system in Nigeria. When I visited my parents’ home country, Nigeria, in the summer of 2008, I was both appalled and intrigued by how little those in the area knew of the benefits that come with an environment that is filled with medical excellence. Although there were a few who practiced modern health methods, the general consensus seemed to be that necessary components of proper hygiene and medical safety are unnecessary and irrelevant. As I ate a meal in the residence where my family and I were staying for the summer, I noticed a large number of flies, cockroaches, and other insects that should not have been anywhere near a kitchen. I even saw some insects help themselves to a scoop of ice cream! When I notified the caretakers of the residence, they informed me that the insects meant no harm and made an attempt to take my attention away from them and back onto my plate. However, I found it very hard to eat when I just saw a beetle take a swan dive into the soup. At first, I concluded that this residence was the only place that did not know the importance of keeping organisms that are susceptible to carrying diseases away from food; however, I began to notice an increasing amount of people disregard sanitary practices during my time in Nigeria. Some people would not wash their hands after they used the bathroom, while others would not wash the fruit before incorporating them into meals. When I saw all of this, I decided that I would devote my life to working as a nurse who can inspire others to abolish bad sanitation practices both in America and in countries around the world. Growing up as a first generation student has played a prominent role in my decision to become a nurse.

Because I was raised in a Nigerian household that values perseverance and dedication, I have always been motivated to achieve my goal of becoming a physician despite all of the obstacles that have forced their way into my life. I fell in love with the medical field at a very young age, and believe that my parents played a huge role in my decision to pursue a career in such a rigorous and unpredictable field. My father is a pharmacist, and my mother is a nurse. Although they faced a great amount of challenges and shortcomings, they also achieved a great amount of success. Seeing my parents enjoy the fruit of their labor inspired me to walk in their footsteps and endure the hardships that I am facing now, so that I can experience the same success that my parents did. Both of my parents migrated from Nigeria and worked to start a life in America that would benefit my three siblings and me. Growing up as a first generation student, I was heavily encouraged to focus on my academics instead of athletics or other forms of extracurricular activities. When I was younger, this was very discouraging, However, as I grew older, I discovered that the mathematical, science, and engineering skills that I refined in the house while other children were playing sports outside gave me a great advantage in my studies. I excelled in my classes and rose to the top ten percent of my high school graduating class. I am extremely grateful that I inherited a sense of mental endurance from two parents who accomplished many goals that most are never able to see. As a first generation student, I have also had the opportunity to view the negatives of the healthcare system in Nigeria. When I visited my parents home country, Nigeria, in the summer of 2008, I was both appalled and intrigued by how little those in the area knew of the benefits that come with an environment that is filled with medical excellence. Although there were a few who practiced modern health methods, the general consensus seemed to be that necessary components of proper hygiene and medical safety are unnecessary and irrelevant. As I ate a meal in the residence where my family and I were staying for the summer, I noticed a large number of flies, cockroaches, and other insects that should not have been anywhere near a kitchen. I even saw some insects help themselves to a scoop of ice cream! When I notified the caretakers of the residence, they informed me that the insects meant no harm and made an attempt to take my attention away from them and back onto my plate. However, I found it very hard to eat when I just saw a beetle take a swan dive into the soup. At first, I concluded that this residence was the only place that did not know the importance of keeping organisms that are susceptible to carrying diseases away from food; however, I began to notice an increasing amount of people disregard sanitary practices during my time in Nigeria. Some people would not wash their hands after they used the bathroom, others would not wash the fruit they used before incorporating them into meals, etc. When I saw all of this, I decided that I would devote my life to working as a physician that can inspire others to abolish bad sanitation practices both in America and in countries around the world.Growing up as a first generation student played a prominent role in my decision to become a physician.

Although I am fortunate to have so many people that care about me in my life, one person always held a great amount of confidence in me. My grandmother showed more support for me, and my goals than I could have ever asked for. Even when I felt unsure and anxious about my aspirations, she would always ensure that I stayed on the right track. She refused to let me doubt myself, and would always make sure that I had a shoulder to lean on. When I decided to become an anesthesiologist, she was enlightened that I chose to pursue such a respected career. I want nothing more than to make her proud in every way possible. When my grandmother passed away in the spring of 2018, I was very shaken. I have a very supportive family, but my grandmother was my strongest source of support. Before I developed a relationship with her, I had little to no self-confidence. She was the one who taught me how to stand tall, and be proud of the person that God made me to be. Because she played such an important role in my development as a young man, I intend to pay her back in full by becoming the successful man that she always saw when she looked at me. My career goal is to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my grandmother introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To prepare myself for the interactions that I will have in my profession, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. Although I have made it my mission to serve those in my community, I have faced a great deal of backlash from a large number of people. When I share the reason as to why I want to become an anesthesiologist, most are adamant that the current relationship between African Americans and healthcare workers have never been better. Because of this viewpoint, I have been: denied internships at local hospitals, ridiculed by licensed physicians, and labeled as an outlier in numerous social groups. However, I refuse to give up on the dream that I am so passionate about. I have chosen to pursue a career where I believe I can play a critical role in the improvement of lives across the country. In times of opposition, I maintained my strong resolve by meditating on my grandmother’s words of encouragement. In the same way that a boxer’s corner man tells him exactly what he needs to hear in order for him to win, my grandmother always knew exactly what to say to me so that I could see the success that I was fighting for. Therefore, I will not let others sway me from accomplishing a major goal such as one that I have set in place for myself. In conclusion, my grandmother has lit a fire in me that will never be snuffed out. Her loving words of encouragement, tough love, and helpful advice will always be the power behind my punches as I fight against every obstacle that comes my way.

My dream goal is to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. My parents have played a critical role in my decision to pursue a career in the medical field. Being two immigrants from Nigeria, my parents have always forced themselves to endure countless obstacles in order to reach their goals. Their efforts have been fulfilled in the sense that they are both very successful physicians. My father is a pharmacist, and my mother is a nurse anesthetist. Looking on as my parents reap the fruits of their efforts, I have been inspired to surpass them so that I can show them just how much they really mean to me. My parents’ dedication has also allowed me to see unaddressed issues that still plague this world after hundreds of years. Because my father has secured an authoritative position in his career, he has earned the privilege of engaging in conversations with esteemed professors, managers, and other respected individuals. He is aware that I intend to become a physician as well, so he relays all types of information that he believes will be helpful to me. I have learned a great deal of information from my father’s retellings. Specifically, I have been made aware of the dynamic relationship between African Americans, and healthcare professionals. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In conclusion, my father has played a prominent role in my decision to become an anesthesiologist. Because of the information that he has been fortunate enough to relay to me, I have gained a purpose to serve my community, and resolve the hidden tension between African Americans and healthcare professionals.

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher at some point in my life. I gained my inspiration for becoming a teacher from one of the history teachers who taught at my school. He was one of the most qualified teachers at the school, and made every lesson an engaging and interesting experience. The moment when I realized that I wanted to be a teacher was after I had finished a project for this same history teacher’s class. The project required students to organize a group of at least four people to present a summary of one of the chapters that had been completed in class. Because I was used to being the group leader and my peers respected me as such, I chose my group members and directed the activities of the group as well as conducted a way to decide on what should be included in the presentation. The entire process went very smoothly. When the time came for my group to showcase the presentation, I took the leading role and executed the game plan that my group had created. As I was presenting, I worked as if my goal was to make sure that the students actually understood the events that occurred in the chapter. I began to notice that my classmates were listening intently to the presentation. Being able to control a classroom full of teenagers who would rather be in any place but a school is not a simple feat. It was at this moment that I started to realize that I may have the ability to effectively command a classroom, and teach students a lesson in a timely manner. However, what confirmed this suspicion were the events that occurred once the presentation had finished. My teacher informed me that he wanted to speak to me after class. As soon as the bell rang, a large number of my classmates congratulated me as they had already assumed that my group had earned a perfect score on the project. When I met with my teacher, he informed me of how good of a job that I did, and told me that I should consider pursuing a career in education. In a failed attempt to conceal my excitement, I thanked him profusely. The conversation ended, and I had a new sense of purpose as I walked out of the classroom. This was the moment when I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. In conclusion, I realized that education is the right path for my career during my history project and confirmed the idea during the conversation with my history teacher. Every day, I meet new students who have fallen out of love with school and education in general. Although I can not choose the path that they choose to set upon in life, I believe that it is my responsibility as a prospective teacher to help them realize the importance that education has in the community.

My goal is to become a nurse, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a nurse to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper nurse, and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. Once I have earned my degree and received certification as a registered nurse (RN), I plan on taking my skills to impoverished African-American communities. Here, I will use what I have learned in nursing school to improve the lives of those who may not receive a consistent source of medical support. During my time in these communities, I hope to learn more about how I can refine my communication skills. Because I will have the opportunity to speak to people who come from different walks of life in my career, I wish to be able to interact with them in the best way possible. When I feel that I have received an adequate amount of information, lessons, and experience, I intend to move to a larger environment. I wish to operate in an area where I may not only refine the views that African Americans have toward healthcare workers, but also help as many people that I can. In the larger environment, I will especially work to help the elderly. Because they were forced to live through times that consisted of greater amounts of racial tension, I believe that they will be the most adamant about their views of physicians. I hope to be able to spend an extensive amount of time speaking with them about their experiences, and showing them how I am making a difference in the lives of those who will come after us. When I retire, I want to be able to say that I truly made an impact on the country as a whole. I will work to become a role model for the next generation, and change the false narrative that has been placed on healthcare professionals. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that the African American community has for healthcare professionals. Although their hesitance is understandable, it is important that we all learn to forgive each other, so that we can all work towards a better future. In order to achieve this goal, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal of becoming a nurse.

My favorite scientist is Ernest Everett Just. Just was an African American biologist who is best known for his pioneering work in the physiology of development. Although he dipped his fingers into the many areas of the medical field, he specialized in fertilization. He was described by notable Black scientist Charles Drew as "a biologist of unusual skill and the greatest of our original thinkers in the field."

Although the year 2020 was a very depressing year for a large number of people, I personally saw a great amount of success and will continue to count my victories. I always dreamed of earning my driver’s license at the end of my junior year of high school, so that I could drive myself to school for the entirety of my senior year. Fortunately, I managed to do just that. In the spring of 2020, I studied the “Texas Driver Handbook” from front to back, and passed my driving test with flying colors. However, this was not an easy feat for me. I was extremely nervous for the entire week leading up to the test. However I knew that I was prepared. I had the biggest smile on my face when I was told that I had earned a perfect score on the driving test. I have been driving myself to school every day since my driver’s license was issued to me. Earning my driver’s license was a very big step in my life that will definitely support me in my future endeavors. I intend to become an anesthesiologist, so being able to drive myself to and from my destination will definitely prove to be a useful skill. Obtaining my driver’s license was the first step into the real world for me. Instead of pestering my parents by asking them to drive me around and risk arriving at important events in a late fashion, I can spare both myself and others from that headache and just drive myself. All of the responsibility lies on my shoulders now. In addition to earning a driver’s license in 2020, I also finished a year of high school at an institution that was completely different from where I had previously earned my education. For about fifteen years of my life, I attended the exact same school. I interacted, learned, and ate with the same students in a school of about five hundred students in total for most of my life. This school teaches every student from the age of five to eighteen, so there was no need to attend different schools for middle school or high school. One could say that this school was the whole package. Because I had practically grown up with my peers, they were all like siblings to me. However, my family made the decision to transfer me to a different school so that I could get a better education. Courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes, International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, and the like were nowhere to be found at my old school. Like I stated earlier, I intend to become an anesthesiologist once I graduate from medical school. Because of the competitive nature of my future career, it is adamant that I challenge myself academically now so that I will not fall behind my peers and coworkers in the future. In conclusion, 2020 was a very stressful but ultimately successful year for me. I earned my driver’s license, and completed my junior year of high school at a new school. Although I did face my own share of obstacles, I thank God every day for guiding me through them and showing me why I should be grateful. A large number of people experienced one negative event after the other in 2020, and hearing those testimonies really puts everything into perspective for me. I know that the perception of 2021 will be the complete opposite of the year that came before it, and hope that everyone can see the same success that I plan on achieving in the coming years.

I want to continue my education and attend a prominent medical school in Texas, so that I can become an anesthesiologist. My dream is to enter the medical field, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. I currently participate in extracurricular activities that help me grow as a person in ways that are physical, mental, and social. I have watched sports for as long as I can remember, so it was only a matter of time before I fell in love with physical activities. In my freshman year of high school, I participated in both the junior varsity basketball and track and field teams. I played a prominent role in the victory that my basketball team witnessed in the 2017 TCAF Regional Championships, and earned first place recognition in the 1600 meter race at the 2018 TCAF State Track Meet for track and field. In the following years, I also secured my position on the varsity basketball and track and field teams. During the time that I have spent as an athlete, I have learned a great deal about patience, self control, and dedication. The other talented athletes who I competed against motivated me to reach greater heights not only in sports, but also in leadership roles. In 2018, I became a member of the National Honor Society: St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy Chapter. Here, I refined my communication skills and learned how to work with others in ways that I never would have seen on the basketball court or on the track. Not long after I transferred to Mansfield Summit High School, I continued my work as a leader in this school’s chapter of the National Honor Society as well. In both schools, I made it my mission to make the high school a better place for the students, teachers, coach, and staff. I am glad to say that I have achieved this goal. In conjunction with improving myself in academics and athletics, I am very passionate about serving others. In conclusion, I want to pursue a postsecondary education and beyond so that I can become an anesthesiologist. I have always loved serving people and being involved in the community, so I want to see the lives of those in my area prosper in unimaginable ways.

In what I consider to be my greatest accomplishment, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. This project, “The Potter’s House of Dallas MegaCare Outreach,” involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. The organization as a whole visited over one hundred apartment complexes, and delivered one hundred and seventy four bags of food to the elderly widows in the community. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. This experience helped me realize that I want to dedicate my life to serving others in any way that I can. Making a difference in the lives of other people fulfills, and motivates me to become the best possible version of myself. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. My main goal is to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can play a prominent role in mending the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. In conclusion, I consider the success that I contributed to in The Potter’s House of Dallas MegaCare Outreach to be my greatest accomplishment. This experience reinforced my love for others and helped me confirm my mission to serve others in any way possible. I want to see a change in the beliefs that my African American community has for healthcare professionals. I believe that the interpersonal skills that I sharpened during the community service project have prepared me for the obstacles that I will face on the way to my goal.

I am very interested in studying computer science because I believe that I can play a leading role in the fight against cybercrime. As one of the four children of two immigrant parents, I have always loved seeing people who resembled me in areas that I love. Therefore, one can only imagine the disappointment that I felt when I was informed that the technology field has a miniscule number of minorities and people of color. Technology has played a huge role in the development of my character, and I want to be able to give others the chance to experience the positive instances that I went through in regards to the joy that comes with technology. Growing up, I have always been surrounded by technology. It was only a matter of time before I fell in love with the field. I grew accustomed to spending my time inside to troubleshoot the issues that would appear in the devices of my family and me. This habit has benefited me in my mission to improve my community. In the summer of 2019, I participated in The Potter’s House MegaCare Outreach. This project involved several leaders of the youth ministry traveling to the apartment complexes of elderly widows, and offering meals, articles of clothing, and prayer. In this project, my role was to serve as the technological expert who would: navigate the GPS system, resolve any problems that would occur in any device, and show the widows new ways to utilize their technology. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. This community service project made me realize that I love using my technological awareness to help others, and bring joy to their lives. Once I concluded that I wanted to pursue a career in the technology field, I decided to study computer science. The challenging and rewarding experiences that are associated with coding have excited me for a while now. I hope to conquer the difficulties of this field, and use the knowledge that I gain to put an end to the corrupt practice of cybercrime. I believe that I can use the skills that I learn from computer science to play a leading role in the fight against identity theft, fraud, and the violation of privacy. In conclusion, I believe that obtaining a degree in computer science is essential to fighting against cybercrime in the United States. In a developed country such as this one, technological advances are a given. However, there will always be those who will try to take advantage of the technologically inexperienced, and jump on any opportunity to hurt their lives. As an aspiring computer science major, I believe that it is my responsibility to do everything that I can to reduce the instances of cybercrime, and help make this country a better place to live in both physically and virtually.

In what I consider one of my greatest accomplishments, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In conclusion, I overcame the many obstacles that I faced on my most memorable community service project. I used the happiness of those whom I served to relinquish the feelings of anxiety and fear that I experienced. Because I had been recommended as a group leader of several adults, I was very hesitant. Fortunately, the results of the project were better than I had ever hoped for them to be.

I intend to work an entrepreneur, so that I can serve as the CEO of a business that focuses on the improvement of others. I have only labeled myself as an entrepreneur for a few years now, but I believe that all of the examples, experiences, and lessons I have learned contributed to the success that I have seen in my business. Both my father and mother immigrated to the United States of America, so that they could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. As a first generation student, I am extremely proud to be able to refer to such compassionate risk takers as my parents. Through perseverance and dedication, they were able to send the four of us to a private Christian school in Arlington, Texas. However, making the investment to send your four children to a school that requires an annual $40,000 tuition is not an easy feat. To achieve this goal, my parents started multiple businesses such as “The Promise Group Inc.,” and “Ebiani” to cover the necessary costs that come with a private school education. The success of my parents’ entrepreneurial journey is what inspired me to start my own business. I hope to be able to both ease their financial burden, and finance my postsecondary education with the income that I earn from my business. I believe that my work as an entrepreneur can play a critical role in the wellbeing of the people in my community. I hope to start a business that is similar to the “Feed My Starving Children” organization. This organization packs rice, beans, and similar foods into packages and sends them to the less fortunate in third world countries. I had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer at this institution in the past, and obtained a great deal of satisfaction with the work that I had done. I intend to model my business after this organization and aid in the fight to end world hunger. My parents migrated from Nigeria, which is a country that holds a large number of impoverished children. For this reason, the mission to save the starving children hits very close to home for me. I believe that I have the ability to improve the lives of those in my parents’ home country and put some food on their plates. In conclusion, my parents have served as an excellent support system in my journey as an entrepreneur. I intend to work as an entrepreneur so that I can improve the lives of those in Nigeria and support those who are fighting world hunger. I hope that my business can help right the wrongs in this world, and make it a better place for everyone.

I am extremely passionate about improving the lives of the next generation by serving as a role model in the medical field. I intend to analyze the errors of the past, so that the lessons that are learned from them can be utilized to prevent their occurrence in the future. To accomplish this goal, I volunteer in nursing homes, serve as an intern in several hospitals, and work as a teaching assistant in the children’s ministry of my local church. Every weekend, I make sure that I am actively gathering information that can be attributed to areas of growth in the near future. My passion for correcting the wrongs of the past, and creating a future that houses individuals who benefit from those who have learned from the mistakes of the past can be directly linked to my career goals. My dream is to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. I hope to be able to utilize the information and life experiences that I gain from my years as an anesthesiologist to pass onto the next generation. To achieve this goal, I plan on serving as a biology teacher at my old high school once I retire. Here, I can play a direct role in the improvement of the next generation. I would prefer to teach in an advanced placement biology class, so that I can be surrounded by students who truly care about both the advancement of their education and growth of their knowledge. I always help my brother out with his homework, which is a task that sometimes entails reteaching the entire lesson that his teacher went over in class. I have done this for a couple of years and although I am aware that I will have to obtain a degree, I do believe that I currently have a sufficient amount of teaching experience. I always loved teaching my younger brother, so I am sure that I will obtain the same type of enjoyment when I teach a real class. In conclusion, I am very passionate about educating the youth and the African American community by both changing their preconceived notions about healthcare professionals and equipping them with the knowledge that they will need to create a better tomorrow.

The environment and the animals that it houses have always held a special place in my heart. One of my earliest memories is rushing home from school after a field trip to the local zoo, and telling my parents about my recent decision of becoming a veterinarian. I loved interacting with the animals, and learning about how they operate in an environment that is so different from my own. However, I was extremely disappointed when I was informed about the decreasing number of the animals that I have come to love so much. I believe that there is a way to reverse this downward spiral that has plagued so many animals over the years; however, it is important to review the methods that have shown positive results in the past so that we can learn from them and emulate their success. The Endangered Species Act has protected over 1,600 plant and animal species for more than forty years. This is the strongest law for protecting biodiversity in the United States and its surrounding territories, and for good reason. This law has shielded exotic animals from the gaze of poachers and hunters who may have disrupted their lives had there not been any existing measures to prevent them from doing so. Although I am associated with some peers who engage in frequent hunting trips, they never go out of their way to cause trouble for locals and the economy by poaching animal parts or disrupting animals that have no business having a rifle in their face. The Endangered Species Act has been successful for so long because it has imposed restrictions on the amount of animals that may be hunted in an area, employed those who observe common hunting grounds to ensure that there is not any foul play being involved, and punished those who disobeyed its instructions with jail time and fines. I believe that utilizing the full extent of the law is absolutely necessary in the mission of protecting wildlife and the environment in which they live and conduct their business. The Act has shown a ninety percent recovery rate in more than one hundred species in the United States and shows no signs of slowing down. I hope that it continues to see greater amounts of success in the future. A more simpler and common way of preserving the lives of endangered animals is reusing items in the home. Methods such as choosing reusable water bottles for beverages and using reusable bags for groceries prevent any plastics from reaching the environment in which an animal may preside. Animals have a dangerous habit of consuming objects such as old soda cans, plastic bags, and other items that have no business being anywhere but in a trash can. If an animal tries to eat such items, he will be putting his life at risk. This issue is also impacted by littering. It is extremely important that we stop littering and continue to use reusable items to preserve the lives of endangered species in our community. Creating the habit of using reusable items and refraining from littering are two practices that have been shown to save the lives of the animals around the world. In addition to using reusable items and frowning upon the practice of littering, we can take a number of steps to save the lives of the animals in our environment. One such method is refraining from using harsh chemicals such as those used in laundry, housecleaning, dish washing and personal care in the household. These chemicals can end up in underground waters and poison aquatic life as well as the animals that feed on them. Another method that we can all undertake to preserve the lives of endangered species is disposing of waste properly. This entails recycling plastics, paper, metal cans, and glass. This method ensures that littering is not promoted, and that no dangerous materials end up in the stomachs of any wandering animals who are ignorant of the negative effects. One last step that we can all choose to take is supporting an organization that fights to save the lives of endangered species. Volunteering and donating really make a difference in the fight to protect the lives of the animals that we care about. In conclusion, many successful strategies have saved the lives of endangered animals in the United States. We can persuade politicians to enact measures to protect the wildlife, but the responsibility ultimately lies on our shoulders to step up and work towards a future where animals are not at risk of extinction because of the ignorance and malicious intent of human beings. I have always loved animals, and will continue to do so as I fight for their lives.

I intend to start my own clothing line in the near future. I love clothes and fashion in general, but I always felt as if finding the perfect graphic tee or the ideal business suit that I had pictures in mind was a rare occurrence. I want to provide clothes that proved the consumer with the exact article that they envisioned in their minds. My goal is to become the CEO of the largest clothing company in the world, and supply the less fortunate in third world countries with the clothes they will need to survive harsh weather conditions. To accomplish this goal, I look at every waking moment as an opportunity to grow as an entrepreneur and gain more experience in the field. I have only labeled myself as an entrepreneur for a few years now, but I believe that all of the examples, experiences, and lessons I have learned contributed to the success that I have seen in my business. Both my father and mother immigrated to the United States of America, so that they could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. As a first generation student, I am extremely proud to be able to refer to such compassionate risk takers as my parents. Through perseverance and dedication, they were able to send the four of us to a private Christian school in Arlington, Texas. However, making the investment to send your four children to a school that requires an annual $40,000 tuition is not an easy feat. To achieve this goal, my parents started multiple businesses such as “The Promise Group Inc.,” and “Ebiani” to cover the necessary costs that come with a private school education. The success of my parents’ entrepreneurial journey is what inspired me to start my own business. I hope to be able to both ease their financial burden, and finance my postsecondary education with the income that I earn from my business. Because both of my parents are entrepreneurs, I have had the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve my own business. For example, when she was still relatively new to the makings of a business, my mother started to see her income decreasing with each month for seemingly no reason. My mother was very puzzled, and could not figure out why she was making less and less money each month. She asked my father, the friends she had met in the business, and a variety of experts, but could not find the reason as to why she was not seeing the numbers that were expected of her business. It took her four months to resolve the comically simple issue. She realized that she had been counting the money incorrectly the entire time. Because she would be up working at such late hours, she would usually count the money when was deeply fatigued. This mistake resulted in her money count being way off of the usual mark. I learned multiple lessons from this mistake. I now know to manage my time efficiently, so that I can both get a good night’s rest and ensure that I am receiving the income that is expected of my business. I also learned that I should check my money at least three times to prevent the monetary errors that haunted my mother. I do not have the luxury of taking four months to resolve the issues in my business if I want to surpass my parents as an entrepreneur. In conclusion, I intend to start my own clothing line and become the head of the most successful clothing business in the world. I have learned multiple lessons from both of my parents, and have also picked up little nuggets of knowledge here and there from the media, trusted family members, and other successful entrepreneurs. I am eager to begin my journey and see success in my career.

My dream is to inspire the next generation. I have always wanted my work to contribute to a greater cause, and what cause has more significance than instilling a sense of passion and life into the children who will inhabit the Earth when we are all gone? This dream is what inspires me to make a difference through my music. People of all ages have always listened to the music of their time, so I know that there will always be a demand for thought provoking music that can enhance the emotions of the listener. There has always been a special place in my heart for music, and I want to share that love with the rest of the world. Music is just one of the many passions that I intend to pursue wholeheartedly, and I have no intention of letting any obstacle prevent me from achieving my goals. I personally know a large number of people who have chosen to either abandon their passions or put them on the backburner because of financial circumstances, fear of public opinion, and a lack of self confidence. I believe that I owe it to these discouraged dreamers to go through with my ambitions, and show them that it is not impossible to see success in something that they are passionate about. The idea of inspiring others and leaving behind a legacy that encourages risk takers to take a leap of faith is my true motivation for making music. With that being said, if I did not have to worry about money, then I would definitely choose to teach the children in my community how to make music. A large number of children feel that they are misunderstood, and that nobody is paying attention to them. As someone who had the reputation of being the quiet kid in the back of the class, I can not relate to this more. I always had a lot on my mind, and would have shared my feelings and emotions to anyone who made the effort to listen. Because no one in my life took that step, I turned to music and changed my thoughts into lyrics. Making music gave me my own voice, and I want to pass that opportunity to those who may not have discovered the saving grace that is music. For my base of operations, I would like to rent a facility in Houston, Texas. I love “H-Town,” and intend to attend the University of Houston there in the fall semester of 2021. Therefore, it is only right to begin my music teaching business in what I believe to be one of the best cities in the United States of America. Because money will not be an issue, I will have access to a surplus of resources. I would also be able to provide transportation and food for the students. Although I want to teach children how to make music, I do specialize in playing the drums. Because of this, my main focus would be on that one instrument. However, I am associated with those who are very passionate about vocals and other instruments such as the: bass, piano, flute, trombone, and more. I would ask these talented musicians to assist me in my goal of teaching the youth at the facility. In conclusion, I would spend my time teaching the children of Houston, Texas if money was not an option. I want to be able to teach others what I have learned from my musical journey over the years, and serve as a role model for the next generation. I intend to give the antisocial and misunderstood children an outlet, so that they can express themselves and feel safe in our society. I fell in love with music at a young age, and I hope that I can help others see how amazing music is.

I hope to write about the tension that exists between healthcare workers and the African American community, so that I can educate others and improve the relationship between the two parties. In primary school, I was a participant in the “TCAF Young Authors” competition and won several awards, so I always believed that I had a talent for writing. Although I have always written fictional stories, I intend to write articles that are based on facts and relevant real-life experiences now that I am on the verge of my high school graduation. I intend to share my talent of writing with others, and help them understand what is being hidden and/or ignored. In this age where technological advancements are commonplace, I plan on taking advantage of the current success that is seen in modern electronics, and the demand for information by becoming a digital writer. However, I never want to be confined to just one profession. My main goal has always been to become an anesthesiologist. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, my reasons for becoming a digital writer and an anesthesiologist coincide with each other to support the common goal of spreading information and debunking false claims about both African Americans and healthcare professionals. I want to play a critical role in the improvement of my community, and change all starts in the mind. If people start to act on a lie, then true results will not be made. I believe that it is my responsibility to plant the seeds of truth into the minds of my friends, family, and other loved ones through my work as a digital writer.

The act of taking a step back and assessing a difficult situation is one of the greatest skills that I have learned from the game of chess. Before I had even sat in front of a chess board, I would always rush headfirst into new experiences and observe the damage that had been caused at a later time. Whether it be playing a new sport without thinking of how it could affect my parents’ work schedule, or cooking a new dish without consulting the original recipe as often as one should, I never considered to look before I leaped. However, this all changed when I became a consistent chess player. Chess taught me both how to be patient and not take actions that will put me at a disadvantage at a later point. For example, I saw great results when I utilized this method in a long distance race during my track and field career. When another athlete passed me in the 1600 meter race, I became filled with a sense of urgency and wanted to run faster so that I could pass him immediately. However, much like I did in the first games of chess that I ever played, I took a step back and considered the consequences of such an action. I concluded that I should maintain the current pace at which I was running rather than increase my speed and overtake the other athlete because I would just drain myself of the energy I would need to cross the finish line at the end of the race. This necessary skill that is extremely beneficial to a competitor in a long distance race was learned from the game of chess and not my track coach, peers, or any other area. I intend to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To accomplish this goal, I know that I must be patient with my coworkers, patients, and any one else who may be ignorant of the issues that still haunt the African American community. Just as chess helped my track and field career, I am certain that the skills I learned as a player will aid me in my work as an anesthesiologist. In conclusion, the game of chess has taught me to be more cautious and hesitant before I decide on an action. Chess has also taught me to remain calm in stressful situations, and not to let my emotions take control. I am extremely grateful that I was exposed to such a wonderful game at such an early age. I believe that the game of chess has done a great job in mentoring its players and will continue to do so for as long as there are curious people in this world.

I am very passionate about natural foods, because I have come to realize the horrors that are behind the famous comfort foods of today. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, and many more consist of ingredients that are not only disgusting to hear about, but are also extremely unhealthy and do not contribute to the improvement of one’s health. As soon as I was informed of this information, I embarked on my natural food journey. I convinced my family members to give all of the detrimental food items that we had away to the less fortunate, and encouraged them to change their diets and transition into a healthier and better lifestyle. Every day, I strive to be the best possible version of myself, and my physical health plays a big role in that mission. Now that I know the truths of the food industry, I would not be able to sleep at night if I knew that all of the trans and saturated fats that I consumed would be hurting my body instead of helping it. The environment also has a special place in my heart. I always loved going outside to play with all of the neighborhood children when I was a child, and still engage in the occasional sunbathing today. Some of the foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients come from the environment. Therefore, it is only reasonable that I care about such a place and gather the essential nutrients from a place that is both very dear to me and that contains the healthiest food items on the market. I have always been a proud advocate for the conservation of various plant species and animals, and I wish to educate the masses and let them know just how wonderful this Earth can be. This is the reason why I get a little frustrated when I see people litter, and treat the environment as if it were a dumpster. The environment and nature in general are essential to our survival in the way that it can provide food for us to eat, and give us air to breathe. To further my knowledge on these topics, I am currently a student in a variety of nutrition and health related classes. I believe that creating a strong study schedule for these courses and really taking the effort to learn in them will support me in my goal of becoming the healthiest person that I can be. I also participate in a variety of community service projects that involve the cleanup of frequently visited areas such as beaches, parks, libraries, and the like. In conclusion, I am very passionate about the natural foods that I eat and the care that we as a community show to the environment. I believe that a positive relationship exists between the proper uptake of the environment and the advantages that we can get from the food that is produced by our environment.

I intend to become an entrepreneur, so that I can serve as the CEO of a business that focuses on the improvement of others. I have only labeled myself as an entrepreneur for a few years now, but I believe that all of the examples, experiences, and lessons I have learned contributed to the success that I have seen in my business. Both my father and mother immigrated to the United States of America, so that they could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. As a first generation student, I am extremely proud to be able to refer to such compassionate risk takers as my parents. Through perseverance and dedication, they were able to send the four of us to a private Christian school in Arlington, Texas. However, making the investment to send your four children to a school that requires an annual $40,000 tuition is not an easy feat. To achieve this goal, my parents started multiple businesses such as “The Promise Group Inc.,” and “Ebiani” to cover the necessary costs that come with a private school education. The success of my parents’ entrepreneurial journey is what inspired me to start my own business. I hope to be able to both ease their financial burden, and finance my postsecondary education with the income that I earn from my business. I believe that my work as an entrepreneur can play a critical role in the wellbeing of the people in my community. I hope to start a business that is similar to the “Feed My Starving Children” organization. This organization packs rice, beans, and similar foods into packages and sends them to the less fortunate in third world countries. I had the opportunity to serve as a volunteer at this institution in the past, and obtained a great deal of satisfaction with the work that I had done. I intend to model my business after this organization and aid in the fight to end world hunger. My parents migrated from Nigeria, which is a country that holds a large number of impoverished children. For this reason, the mission to save the starving children hits very close to home for me. I believe that I have the ability to improve the lives of those in my parents’ home country and put some food on their plates. In conclusion, I intend to become an entrepreneur so that I can improve the lives of those in Nigeria and support those who are fighting world hunger. I hope that my business can help right the wrongs in this world, and make it a better place for everyone.

My dream is to inspire the next generation. I have always wanted my work to contribute to a greater cause, and what cause has more significance than instilling a sense of passion and life into the children who will inhabit the Earth when we are all gone? This dream is what inspires me to make a difference through my music. People of all ages have always listened to the music of their time, so I know that there will always be a demand for thought provoking music that can enhance the emotions of the listener. There has always been a special place in my heart for music, and I want to share that love with the rest of the world. Music is just one of the many passions that I intend to pursue wholeheartedly, and I have no intention of letting any obstacle prevent me from achieving my goals. I personally know a large number of people who have chosen to either abandon their passions or put them on the back burner because of financial circumstances, fear of public opinion, and a lack of self confidence. I believe that I owe it to these discouraged dreamers to go through with my ambitions, and show them that it is not impossible to see success in something that they are passionate about. The idea of inspiring others and leaving behind a legacy that encourages risk takers to take a leap of faith is my true motivation for making music. The “Ocho Cares Artistry Scholarship” will support my goal of making a difference in this world and spreading love through music by offering a helping hand in the financial aspects of my aspirations. Changing the world is not cheap, and requires one to make a great deal of sacrifices. If there is one thing that my Nigerian parents have taught me, then it is that money does not grow on trees. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I will use it to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents by helping them pay for my post secondary education.This scholarship will help me earn and maintain the position of a student at the University of North Texas’s College of Music. Working as a student at this university, and continuing my work as an aspiring professional musician are the first steps toward my dream of inspiring others through music. In conclusion, The “Ocho Cares Artistry Scholarship” will definitely elevate my chances of becoming a musician that inspires the next generation. I intend to show the discouraged musicians of today that it is possible to see success in an area that others may have abandoned. I want to leave behind a legacy that motivates others to pursue their dreams, and this scholarship will help me do just that.

Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my post secondary education. My private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a college education. If I am granted the “Future Black Leaders Scholarship”, I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will play a critical role in my journey to become an anesthesiologist in the state of Texas. So far, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service projects. I have organized and handed out clothes to the homeless at “Mission Arlington, an organization that is a frequent host for community service projects. I also serve in the youth ministry of my local church as a teaching assistant. This position involves helping the Sunday school teacher create the curriculum for the month, handing out mandatory snacks to every middle school aged child that attends the service, and guiding guardians to the room in which their children are located. Serving in a church brings such a great feeling of satisfaction to me because I love knowing that I am playing a part in the development of the next generation. Although I greatly appreciate all of the community service opportunities that have come my way, there is one that I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments. The project involved several groups traveling to an apartment complex for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. To continue my work as an advocate of the community, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I have always been in love with the medical field, and believe that it contains some of the most productive and advantageous ways to help others in many areas. I believe it is important that I help my community through my future career because I want to pursue something that makes me feel alive, and helping others find different solutions to their mental, physical, and financial problems gives me that feeling. The last thing that I want to do is work at a job because of the salary. If I am only attracted to the monetary value that a long lasting career brings, then I will never be truly satisfied with the achievements that I have seen and will continue to see in my lifetime.

My dream is to inspire the next generation. I have always wanted my work to contribute to a greater cause, and what cause has more significance than instilling a sense of passion and life into the children who will inhabit the Earth when we are all gone? This dream is what inspires me to make a difference through my music. People of all ages have always listened to the music of their time, so I know that there will always be a demand for thought provoking music that can enhance the emotions of the listener. There has always been a special place in my heart for music, and I want to share that love with the rest of the world. Music is just one of the many passions that I intend to pursue wholeheartedly, and I have no intention of letting any obstacle prevent me from achieving my goals. I personally know a large number of people who have chosen to either abandon their passions or put them on the backburner because of financial circumstances, fear of public opinion, and a lack of self confidence. I believe that I owe it to these discouraged dreamers to go through with my ambitions, and show them that it is not impossible to see success in something that they are passionate about. The idea of inspiring others and leaving behind a legacy that encourages risk takers to take a leap of faith is my true motivation for making music. Although some have said that I lean into the pop genre, I would generally classify myself as an R&B artist. I am always working on new songs. Writing down new song lyrics and experimenting with different melodies, and equipment in a recording studio give me life and fill me with the energy that I need to continue my work. I love making music because it gives me a chance to really wind down and relax after a hard day at school, work, basketball practice, etc. This satisfying feeling of relaxation and peace is highlighted in my newest song, “Calm.” I really believe that this is my best work, and am extremely proud of the completed result. I am also working on a song called “Complexity” that dives into the complex emotions and views that I have of my family. I am very excited to complete this song, and hope you will stay tuned for the release. The “KUURO Master Your Craft Scholarship” will support my goal of making a difference in this world and spreading love through music by offering a helping hand in the financial aspects of my aspirations. This scholarship will help cover the finances involved with releasing my music, and I will use it to update my current equipment so that I can create the best music that I can. Changing the world is not cheap, and requires one to make a great deal of sacrifices. If there is one thing that my Nigerian parents have taught me, then it is that money does not grow on trees. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I will use it to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents by helping them pay for my postsecondary education.This scholarship will help me earn and maintain the position of a student at the University of North Texas’s College of Music. Working as a student at this university, and continuing my work as an aspiring professional musician are the first steps toward my dream of inspiring others through music. In conclusion, The “KUURO Master Your Craft Scholarship” will definitely elevate my chances of becoming a musician that inspires the next generation. I intend to show the discouraged musicians of today that it is possible to see success in an area that others may have abandoned. I want to leave behind a legacy that motivates others to pursue their dreams, and this scholarship will help me do just that.

My dream to improve the lives of those in my community and leave behind a legacy that encourages others to do the same is my everything. I want to inspire the next generation to not only become the best possible versions of themselves, but to also work on the behalf of others. I have always wanted to pursue a career that supports others and directly contributes to their well being. This dream truly encompasses both my personality and the love that I have for other people. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In conclusion, my dream to improve the lives of others and serve as an inspiring role model for the next generation is my everything. This dream is what gets me out of bed in the morning, and motivates me to achieve success regardless of the obstacles that may appear.

My story as a chess player is not the usual one. Growing up in a private Christian school that teaches all ages, one would think that I would have had a large number of opportunities to expand my knowledge in areas that most would not have the opportunity to experience. However, my private school is not where I was exposed to the wonders that can be seen on a chess board. The earliest memory that I have of chess was at a barbershop in Arlington, Texas. While I was waiting to receive a haircut, I noticed an older man moving little pieces around what looked to be a plank of wood in the corner of the barbershop. When I approached the man and saw the depressed look on his face, I became curious as to why he was in back of the barbershop and secluded from the other customers. As a young middle school aged child at the time, my curiosity jumped at the opportunity to learn about new experiences. I took the seat across from him and introduced myself. The man said that his name was Samuel and he was sad because his brother had not arrived to play chess with him. I had only ever heard of chess from a television show, and was never intrigued enough to educate myself on the topic, so I used this interaction as both an opportunity to learn something new and lift Samuel’s spirits. He explained all of the rules to me, and we began to play. At first, I greatly disliked the game. Samuel would best me at every turn, and would win every game. However, as I grew more accustomed to his habits and slowed my pace, I began to see more and more victories. This would continue for an hour. I was having so much fun that I even went back and kept playing with him after I received my haircut. When I went home that day, I realized that I had fallen in love with chess. I stated earlier that I began to win more games of chess when I began to calm down and slow my pace. The act of taking a step back and assessing a difficult situation is one of the greatest skills that I have learned from the game of chess. Before I had even sat in front of a chess board, I would always rush headfirst into new experiences and observe the damage that had been caused at a later time. Whether it be playing a new sport without thinking of how it could affect my parents’ work schedule, or cooking a new dish without consulting the original recipe as often as one should, I never considered to look before I leaped. However, this all changed when I became a consistent chess player. Chess taught me both how to be patient and not take actions that will put me at a disadvantage at a later point. I saw great results when I utilized this method in a long distance race during my track and field career. When another athlete passed me in the 1600 meter race, I became filled with a sense of urgency and wanted to run faster so that I could pass him immediately. However, much like I did in those first games of chess in the barbershop, I took a step back and considered the consequences of such an action. I concluded that I should maintain the current pace at which I was running rather than increase my speed and overtake the other athlete because I would just drain myself of the energy I would need to cross the finish line at the end of the race. This necessary skill that is extremely beneficial to a competitor in a long distance race was learned from the game of chess and not my track coach, peers, or any other area. I intend to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To accomplish this goal, I know that I must be patient with my coworkers, patients, and any one else who may be ignorant of the issues that still haunt the African American community. Just as chess helped my track and field career, I am certain that the skills I learned as a player will aid me in my work as an anesthesiologist. In conclusion, I am extremely grateful to both Samuel and the game of chess for instilling a sense of patience into me. I have already used this skill to see great success, and I plan on utilizing it to count my victories in the future.

My dream is to inspire the next generation. I have always wanted my work to contribute to a greater cause, and what cause has more significance than instilling a sense of passion and life into the children who will inhabit the Earth when we are all gone? This dream is what inspires me to make a difference through my music. People of all ages have always listened to the music of their time, so I know that there will always be a demand for thought provoking music that can enhance the emotions of the listener. There has always been a special place in my heart for music, and I want to share that love with the rest of the world. Music is just one of the many passions that I intend to pursue wholeheartedly, and I have no intention of letting any obstacle prevent me from achieving my goals. I personally know a large number of people who have chosen to either abandon their passions or put them on the backburner because of financial circumstances, fear of public opinion, and a lack of self confidence. I believe that I owe it to these discouraged dreamers to go through with my ambitions, and show them that it is not impossible to see success in something that they are passionate about. The idea of inspiring others and leaving behind a legacy that encourages risk takers to take a leap of faith is my true motivation for making music. The “Elevate Minorities in the Arts Scholarship” will support my goal of making a difference in this world and spreading love through music by offering a helping hand in the financial aspects of my aspirations. Changing the world is not cheap, and requires one to make a great deal of sacrifices. If there is one thing that my Nigerian parents have taught me, then it is that money does not grow on trees. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I will use it to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents by helping them pay for my postsecondary education.This scholarship will help me earn and maintain the position of a student at the University of North Texas’s College of Music. Working as a student at this university, and continuing my work as an aspiring professional musician are the first steps toward my dream of inspiring others through music. In conclusion, The “Elevate Minorities in the Arts Scholarship” will definitely elevate my chances of becoming a musician that inspires the next generation. I intend to show the discouraged musicians of today that it is possible to see success in an area that others may have abandoned. I want to leave behind a legacy that motivates others to pursue their dreams, and this scholarship will help me do just that.

Although the year 2020 was a very depressing year for a large number of people, I personally saw a great amount of success and will continue to count my victories. I always dreamt of earning my driver’s license at the end of my junior year of high school, so that I could drive myself to school for the entirety of my senior year. Fortunately, I managed to do just that. In the spring of 2020, I studied the “Texas Driver Handbook” from front to back and passed my driving test with flying colors. However, this was not an easy feat for me. I was extremely nervous for the entire week leading up to the test, but I knew that I was prepared. I had the biggest smile on my face when I was told that I had earned a perfect score on the driving test. I have been driving myself to school every day since my driver’s license was issued to me. Earning my driver’s license was a very big step in my life that will definitely support me in my future endeavors. I intend to become an anesthesiologist, so being able to drive myself to and from my destination will prove to be very useful. The skill of operating a motor vehicle is also an important life skill in general. Obtaining my driver’s license was the first step into the real world for me. Instead of pestering my parents by asking them to drive me around and risk arriving at important events in a late fashion, I can spare both myself and others from that headache and just drive myself. All of the responsibility lies on my shoulders now. In addition to earning a driver’s license in 2020, I also finished a year of high school at an institution that was completely different from where I had previously earned my education. For about fifteen years of my life, I attended the exact same school. I interacted, learned, and ate with the same students in a school of about five hundred students in total for most of my life. This school teaches every student from the age of five to eighteen, so there was no need to attend different schools for middle school or high school. One could say that this school was the whole package. Because I had practically grown up with my peers, they were all like siblings to me. However, my family made the decision to transfer me to a different school so that I could get a better education. Courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) clases, International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, and the like were nowhere to be found at my old school. Like I stated earlier, I intend to become an anesthesiologist once I graduate from medical school. Because of the competitive nature of my future career, it is adamant that I challenge myself academically now so that I will not fall behind my peers and coworkers in the future. What made this whole event a little more stress inducing is that I was transferring from a private Christian to a local public high school. Although it still boggles my mind that a school that requires a $40,000 tuition does not offer any rigorous courses, I still had a strong connection to everyone there. Nevertheless, I knew that I had to make an effort to get adjusted to my new environment. I was definitely nervous at first, but everyone at the high school was all very inviting, which was a huge contrast with how those at my private school imagined them to be. I managed to earn a spot on several sports teams, and built some very strong relationships with the students, teachers, and coaches that I was able to learn from. Although there will always be a special place in my heart for my old school, I am extremely grateful to my parents for letting me switch schools. In conclusion, 2020 was a very stressful but ultimately successful year for me. I earned my driver’s license and completed my junior year of high school at a new school. Although I did face my own share of obstacles, I thank God every day for guiding me through them and showing me why I should be grateful. A large number of people experienced one negative event after the other in 2020, and hearing those testimonies really puts everything into perspective for me. I know that the perception of 2021 will be the complete opposite of the year that came before it, and hope that everyone can see the same success that I plan on achieving in the coming years.

In the summer of 2018, I was invited to attend an annual summer camp for the youth that was hosted by my church. The event pushed the notion that teenagers should put their smart phones down and pick up a Bible instead. As an active volunteer in the children’s church, I was all for a program that created new relationships between the Lord and the leaders of the next generation, as well as solidifying the spiritual connections that were already present. When I registered for the event, I was completely ignorant of the outdoor activities that would be conducted throughout the entire week of the summer camp. Only the multiple sermons and indoor group activities had been advertised. However, it is needless to say that I found the experiences I would undergo on these adventures in nature to be very enjoyable. Not only was I ignorant of the lifelong memories that I would make, I had no idea that I was granted the opportunity to add another reason as to why I want to become a doctor. Although there were a small amount of indoor activities, the outdoor events were clearly the main attraction. Each day of the summer camp came with a major outdoor activity. On the first day, the teenagers were split into groups of ten and played “Capture the Flag”. Capture the Flag is a game that requires each team to capture the other team’s flag and take it back to its zone. I was having a blast playing this game before the incident occurred. In the middle of the game, a younger teenager fell and earned a large bruise on her right knee. I noticed this immediately and took it as an opportunity to both help her and practice my first aid skills. I acquired a medical first aid kit, and informed her on what I would be doing to help her. First, I washed the wound to reduce the chances of any potential infections down the road. Next, I found a bandage that was approximately the same size as the wound and applied it to the area carefully. Lastly, I gave the girl some advice that would prevent this injury from being repeated in the future. I told her to avoid some areas in the field because of the different levels of stability in the ground and substances that invited a fall. After she thanked me for taking care of her wound, I was extremely proud of myself. Knowing that I contributed to the wellbeing and happiness of someone else really struck a chord with me. At this point in time, I knew that I wanted to help people as a doctor but I had no idea what that really meant. The experience that I had during the capture the flag event helped in opening my eyes to the satisfaction that a doctor might feel in a real workday. It also helped me realize why I like helping people so much. Although I did jump at the opportunity to show off my skills in a time where medical attention was necessary, I was mainly concerned with the safety of whoever had been injured. I had no idea that I would be put in almost the same situation on the final day of the summer camp as well. For the last activity, the groups that we had previously been split into were required to play a version of “The Amazing Race.” The Amazing Race is a television show that consists of several teams embarking on a global scavenger hunt. During the event, we were told to find the clues that had been hidden in various locations around the entire campus, so that we could find the prize. The first clue that my group managed to find was hidden among a shrub of bushes and required one of us to fight through leaves, twigs, and rocks to get a hold of the slip of paper. When one of my group members volunteered, the others were filled with relief. This volunteer was one of the most physically gifted teenagers at the camp, so there were no worries. However, when the young man came back with the clue, there was a large gash on his upper arm. He said that it was nothing to worry about, but I begged to differ. Fortunately, I was still in the possession of the first aid kit that I used on the first day of camp. I performed the procedure that I had on the young girl on the boy who had apparently cut his arm on a rock. When he thanked me, I felt the same satisfaction that I did earlier. That moment is really what confirmed my decision to become a doctor. Although I was aware of the physical and financial obstacles that would appear, the potential struggles that I would face will all be worth it if I can make a lasting impact in the lives of others. In conclusion, the outdoor activities that I participated in helped me realize why I wanted to help people as a doctor. The joy and gratitude that appears on the faces of those who I help fills my heart with a great sense of accomplishment. I intend to continue helping people for as long as I am on this planet. The only difference between my actions now and in the future is that I will be working for the benefit of others as a licensed physician.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country.

I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In what I consider one of my greatest accomplishments, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In addition to serving as an assistant teacher in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “The Potter’s House MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that not only cares about the lives of others, but also makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. Serving as a group leader for the community service project filled me with both satisfaction and an undying love for others. I intend to continue to serve my friends, family, and beloved members of the community for as long as I am on this Earth. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that my African American community has for healthcare professionals. Although their hesitance is understandable, it is important that we all learn to forgive each other, so that we can all work towards a better future. In order to achieve this goal, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal.

Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a journalist. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. For this reason, I take great pride in the adversities that I have been able to overcome, and believe that I can face any additional one that may appear in my life. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such an uncommon goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a journalist so that I can help in the documentation of important events and people. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by the financial pursuits of his children. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. My private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the “African American Journalism Scholarship”, I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will play a critical role in my journey to become a journalist in the state of Texas. I have been involved in a number of community service projects, but there has only been one time where I have been called upon to be a leader in the field. I consider the work that my group and I contributed to be one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in desperate need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward.

I think that it is extremely important for one to work on the behalf of his community, and help in the improvement of those who live in it. I firmly believe that no one can achieve the success that he truly desires without the help of others. Oftentimes, the people of our communities make a great contribution to the success of many in society. Whether this contribution appears as relatives supporting each others’ small businesses, or a man simply granting his neighbor the salt that he needs for a meal, community members play a leading role in the victory that most see in physical, mental, and financial areas. For these reasons, I believe that it is one’s responsibility to give back to the community that supported him in every possible way. So far, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service projects. I have organized and handed out clothes to the homeless at “Mission Arlington, an organization that is a frequent host for community service projects. I also serve in the youth ministry of my local church as a teaching assistant. This position involves helping the Sunday school teacher create the curriculum for the month, handing out mandatory snacks to every middle school aged child that attends the service, and guiding guardians to the room in which their children are located. Serving in a church brings such a great feeling of satisfaction to me because I love knowing that I am playing a part in the development of the next generation. Although I greatly appreciate all of the community service opportunities that have come my way, there is one that I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments. The project involved several groups traveling to an apartment complex for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I had been appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The older volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the prepared meals and gifted clothes to the elderly, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country.

In what I consider one of my greatest accomplishments, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In addition to serving as an assistant teacher in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “The Potter’s House MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that not only cares about the lives of others, but also makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. Serving as a group leader for the community service project filled me with both satisfaction and an undying love for others. I intend to continue to serve my friends, family, and beloved members of the community for as long as I am on this Earth. In conclusion, I believe that the opportunity to serve the elderly widows in my community was a result of the hard work I had shown in the children’s ministry. It is important for me to act as if someone is always watching, so that my best work can always be put on display.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country. I am also grateful for my experiences as a first generation student. I have had the opportunity to interact with many different kinds of people and learn from those who I would have never spoken to if I did not have my identity as a Nigerian American student. I also had the luxury of realizing the true reason behind my decision to become an anesthesiologist. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, my life as a first generation Nigerian American has introduced me to more than I could have ever imagined. The experiences that I faced as the son of two Nigerian immigrants brought me face to face with my life goal, and what I believe is the reason that I was placed onto this earth. I will forever be grateful to my parents for taking the great leap of faith by immigrating to America and enduring the hardships that I knew existed, so that my three siblings and me could live the best lives possible.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country. I am also grateful for my experiences as a first generation student. I have had the opportunity to interact with many different kinds of people and learn from those who I would have never spoken to if I did not have my identity as a Nigerian American student. I also had the luxury of realizing the true reason behind my decision to become an anesthesiologist. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, my life as a first generation Nigerian American has introduced me to more than I could have ever imagined. The experiences that I faced as the son of two Nigerian immigrants brought me face to face with my life goal, and what I believe is the reason that I was placed onto this earth. I will forever be grateful to my parents for taking the great leap of faith by immigrating to America and enduring the hardships that I knew existed, so that my three siblings and me could live the best lives possible.

My dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist and improving the lives of those in my community are what get me out of bed in the morning. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, my two dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist and someone who can contribute to the improvement of his community drive me to be a better person each and every day. These goals inspire me to keep God and the service of others before my own selfish desires.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country. I am also grateful for my experiences as a first generation student. I have had the opportunity to interact with many different kinds of people and learn from those who I would have never spoken to if I did not have my identity as a Nigerian American student. I also had the luxury of realizing the true reason behind my decision to become an anesthesiologist. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, my life as a first generation Nigerian American has introduced me to more than I could have ever imagined. The experiences that I faced as the son of two Nigerian immigrants brought me face to face with my life goal, and what I believe is the reason that I was placed onto this earth. I will forever be grateful to my parents for taking the great leap of faith by immigrating to America and enduring the hardships that I knew existed, so that my three siblings and me could live the best lives possible.

I plan on graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I plan on becoming a nurse anesthetist for a few years before applying to medical school. If I am fortunate enough to be accepted into the medical school of my choice, I will work to become an anesthesiologist. The BSN degree means more to me than I can truly display. I have always wanted to become a doctor, so that I could improve the lives of the less fortunate in my community. When I earn the BSN degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, I will be taking the first step towards that goal. Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor because of my father. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a valuable member of the medical field by becoming an anesthesiologist. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such a goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a physician so that I can see the same success that my father has seen in his life. My parents planted the idea of pursuing a medical career in my mind during grade school. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by those who are willing to work in the field. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. Although I do love the Lord with all of my heart and then some, my private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the “Rosemarie STEM Scholarship,” I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. In conjunction with my eventual BSN degree, this scholarship will support my goal of becoming a physician in the state of Texas. Earning a BSN degree will ease the doubts that I had in my years as a high school student. As I completed various assignments in AP, Dual Credit, and virtual classes, I began to wonder if all of my hard work would really pay off. I have pushed myself to the absolute limit in the classroom ever since I was a child in primary school. However, I always saw the results of my efforts in the past. Whether it be a sticker, piece of candy, or just words of affirmation, I always got an almost immediate reward. This could not be more different from my experience as a high school senior. My goal to become an anesthesiologist will not be met with immediate results, and that fact shook my resolve in the early years of my high school career. I always knew that the road to becoming a doctor would not be smooth and easy, but it is quite difficult to have a constant sense of motivation for such an arduous and long term goal. It was not until my junior year of high school that I realized why I really wanted to become a doctor. I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. In conclusion, the BSN degree will play a critical role in my pursuits of becoming an anesthesiologist and improving my community. To become an anesthesiologist that his community can be proud of, it is adamant that I earn a BSN in nursing. I want to dedicate my life to the service of others, and help in the creation of a world that sees and treats every individual as someone who is worthy of respect in each and every professional field. If I am awarded the “Rosemarie STEM Scholarship,” then I will be able to ease the financial burden that seems to have taken a permanent seat on my parents’ shoulders and work towards my career goals with less stress and worry.

My life as a first generation Nigerian American has been very interesting to say the least. Both my father and mother immigrated to America from their homes in Nigeria, because they had heard about the wonders of America for most of their lives. Although they were interested in the many opportunities that existed in America for them to improve as physicians, the chance to raise my three siblings and me in a country filled with a wide range of success stories is what pushed them to take the big risk. I come from a family of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, so it is only natural that I follow suit and pursue an esteemed career like those who came before me. However, my decision to become an anesthesiologist was not made with ease. I conducted a large amount of research into the various specialties that make up the medical field, and made the decision only after I had lengthy conversations with the people that I trust the most: my family, friends, and relatives who have seen both the positive and negative aspects of the medical field. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so I have had two excellent examples of what type of doctor that I want to become. When I made the decision to become a doctor, I was immediately introduced to obstacles that I had never had to overcome before. I have experienced a great deal of depression and severe anxiety not only as a potential medical school student, but also as the son of two immigrants who expect nothing but success. I have been forced to compete in academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Math Olympics, etc. for my entire life. Although I knew that the skills I would sharpen in these events would benefit me in the future, I never enjoyed participating in these activities. However, my parents were positive that they were necessary to my success. As immigrants who worked their entire lives, my parents wanted me to see the same success that they did. They tend to dismiss any “mental health issues” as complaints, and as an excuse for me to work harder. Because I did not want to let my parents down, I always dragged myself out of my bed and pushed myself to work harder until I achieved the expected results. I never managed to rid myself of the fear that I would disappoint my parents, friends, and loved ones who expect so much from me. However, I do believe that I am making progress towards a positive and healthy mindset. I made a promise to myself that I would endure and become an even better person tomorrow than I am today, and I plan to adhere to that pact. Despite the mental health issues that I have faced, I intend to become an anesthesiologist. I am grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to succeed in a beautiful country.

I think that it is extremely important for one to work on the behalf of his community, and help in the improvement of those who live in it. I firmly believe that no one can achieve the success that he truly desires without the help of others. Oftentimes, the people of our communities make a great contribution to the success of many in society. Whether this contribution appears as relatives supporting each others’ small businesses, or a man simply granting his neighbor the salt that he needs for a meal, community members play a leading role in the victory that most see in physical, mental, and financial areas. For these reasons, I believe that it is one’s responsibility to give back to the community that supported him in every possible way. So far, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service projects. I have organized and handed out clothes to the homeless at “Mission Arlington, an organization that is a frequent host for community service projects. I also serve in the youth ministry of my local church as a teaching assistant. This position involves helping the Sunday school teacher create the curriculum for the month, handing out mandatory snacks to every middle school aged child that attends the service, and guiding guardians to the room in which their children are located. Serving in a church brings such a great feeling of satisfaction to me because I love knowing that I am playing a part in the development of the next generation. Although I greatly appreciate all of the community service opportunities that have come my way, there is one that I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments. The project involved several groups traveling to an apartment complex for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I had been appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The older volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the prepared meals and gifted clothes to the elderly, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference.

Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a journalist. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. For this reason, I take great pride in the adversities that I have been able to overcome, and believe that I can face any additional one that may appear in my life. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such an uncommon goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a journalist so that I can help in the documentation of important events and people. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by the financial pursuits of his children. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. My private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the “Writing with a Purpose Scholarship”, I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will play a critical role in my journey to become a journalist in the state of Texas. I have been involved in a number of community service projects, but there has only been one time where I have been called upon to be a leader in the field. I consider the work that my group and I contributed to be one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in desperate need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward.

Although the corona virus pandemic has impacted millions of lives and caused many to sacrifice experiences, social interaction, and even careers, no one has been affected more than the average eyeglass wearer. Fine, I may be over exaggerating a little bit, but it is still extremely annoying to have basically no vision when I breathe with a face mask on. This meme means a lot to me because I can personally relate to its message. I have worn glasses for my entire life, but it has never been an annoyance until now. A pair of glasses and a face mask are a horrible combination. The creation of this meme is proof that others harbor the same feelings of frustration that I do. Although placing the eyeglasses on top of the face mask prevents the glasses from fogging up, it is only a temporary solution. The glasses will go back to their original position, and the cycle will just start over again. Also, this method just does not look appealing. I chose this meme because I can relate to it more than most of the others that are out there. I hope the meme made the reader of this essay chuckle.

Much like Hailey Julia, I was practically born in the pews of my church. My parents love the Lord with all of their soul, and wanted to instill the same respect and admiration for God into the hearts of my three siblings and me. However, when I attended Sunday school, listened to sermons, and gave my offering, I always felt as if I was doing another chore. The usual activities of the church did not make me feel excited about engaging in the worship of the Lord, but instead made me dread the idea of coming to church altogether. It was not until I truly experienced the Holy Spirit that I began to put my faith into God, and lay my life into His hands. I have had the privilege of attending St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy, a private Christian school in Arlington, Texas from preschool to my sophomore year of high school. During my time at this institution, I learned invaluable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my life and made countless memories with my friends. However, my experience with the Holy ghost and the beginning of my journey of faith truly began at a summer camp that was hosted by the school. The “Outreach” summer camp was an annual five-day event that encouraged young teenagers to replace the phones in their hands with a Bible. The event also invited multiple evangelists and pastors to preach to the students of the school. My experience that occurred at one of the sermons is what pushed me to start a relationship with the Lord. The evangelist who was preaching spoke of the laxity that the current generation shows for the Lord, and criticized them for chasing after material possessions and goals. As he spoke, I felt as if his words were daggers that were aimed directly at me. The evangelist made every topic that he covered sound as if he was turning the pages of my life story. As the sermon went on, I grew more and more guilty and ashamed. I knew then that I wanted to start living for the Lord, and dedicate my life to him. I recommitted my life to the Lord at the altar call that night. When the summer camp was over, I knew that a fire had been lit in my spirit for the Lord. To fan the flames, I dove into the Bible every night and found different meanings to the various scriptures that I had heard from my childhood. I also began to pay close attention to my youth pastor while he was preaching every Sunday, and became more involved in the church. I am now an avid member of “The Potter’s House MegaCare”, which is a division of The Potter’s House of Dallas that focuses on providing for the less fortunate members of the community. I have also participated in the “Widow’s Project,” which is an effort to provide meals, articles of clothing, and prayer to the widowed elderly in the area. In addition to serving the elderly, I also serve the children of my community. I am a consistent volunteer for the children’s church, where I serve as a teaching assistant who hands out mandatory snacks, guides the children to the bathrooms, and regains control of the noisy classroom. I consider the community service projects that I participate in to be some of my proudest achievements, and can not wait to get back into the field once the coronavirus pandemic is a distant memory. In conclusion, I have not had the perfect experience with the Lord. Although I started off on a rocky path, I believe that I have found my way to the right track. I have dedicated the rest of my life to not only the service of my community, but also to the Lord and the growth of His kingdom.

I believe that there are many issues in this world that warrant the attention of Mechanism and its resources. However, one of the most important problems that must be resolved is that of child hunger. Www.worldhunger.com states that approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year. A vast majority of these children are from my parents’ home country of Africa, so this topic hits very close to home for me. I believe that this is a problem worth solving because human lives are the most precious thing in this world. Malnutrition and undernutrition strip the potential dreams, accomplishments, and relationships from the multiple lives that they claim every year. I am aware that Mechanism is devoted to the improvement of others and the world in general, so I know that the issue of world hunger is one that they are willing to tackle. In the summer of 2018, I served the “Feed My Starving Children” organization during a community service project at my high school. This Christian organization is devoted to providing starving children around the world with consistent and nutritious meals. I served the organization by packing grains of rice, prepared slices of potatoes, and bread into packages and bags. I also loaded these bags onto delivery trucks, and directed the activities of my other peers as a member of the National Honor Society. The satisfaction that I felt while I was serving gave me the motivation that I needed as a future entrepreneur. I always knew that I wanted to start my own business, but I could never decide on what purpose it would serve. I believe that the “Feed My Starving Children” organization opened my eyes, and showed me exactly what I want to do with my life. I intend to provide meals to the hungry across the world, and hope that Mechanism will be right beside me as I accomplish my goal of reducing the number of starving children in both America and around the world. Although I am extremely grateful to be living in a country where food is provided at a consistent and sometimes excessive rate, I do believe that we Americans take our meals for granted. For example, the obesity epidemic has not shown any signs of decreasing in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5% to 42.4%, and the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2% as of 2018. It is very disheartening to know that there are people who eat more than what is considered to be healthy, while others are “dying” to know where their next meal will come from. Because world hunger is getting worse as time goes on, I believe that actions must be taken to preserve the excess food in the United States and other countries, and focus on providing meals to those who are truly suffering from a lack of nutrition and nourishment. Actionagainsthunger.com says that the number of undernourished people in the world grew by ten million from 2018 to 2019. I plan on working to reduce these numbers, so that this statistic can only be used as a memory that we all look back on to see how far we have come in the fight against world hunger. I believe that Mechanism will be a great aid in this process by using their abilities to cofound companies that are truly dedicated to the improvement of nutritional conditions around the world. In conclusion, I believe that the empty plates of many children across the world can be filled with Mechanism’s help. I found my career path as an entrepreneur who wishes to construct a business that works on the behalf of hungry individuals across the country while I was on a community service project. I know that the combined efforts of companies, organizations, and dedicated individuals can end world hunger. I hope that Mechanism uses its influence and resources to contribute to this worthy cause, and is able to contribute to the nutritional satisfaction of many children that will result in the saving of millions of lives around the world.

Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor because of my father. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. For this reason, I take great pride in the adversities that I have been able to overcome, and believe that I can face any additional one that may appear in my life. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a valuable member of the medical field by becoming an anesthesiologist. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such a goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a physician so that I can see the same success that my father has seen in his life. My parents planted the idea of pursuing a medical career in my mind during grade school. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by those who are willing to work in the field. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. My private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the Bubba Wallace Live to Be Different Scholarship, I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will also support my goal of becoming a physician in the state of Texas. I have faced adversity in the sport that I have played throughout my high school career. Throughout my life, I have always been the shortest one in my class. Because of my height, many have questioned my decision to play sports and my commitment in the long run. This same suspicion was conveyed by my varsity basketball coach who was unsure that I was physically able to compete at a high school level. When my coach expressed his concerns to me, I became committed to prove to him and the other naysayers that I am prepared to be a high school basketball player, and that I can keep up with my taller peers. This endeavor was not a simple one. I doubted both myself and my abilities many times throughout the season. However, I persevered and gained the respect of my coach and teammates. I also became a member of the starting five, and won the “Most Improved Award” at the annual sports’ ceremony. The adversity that I overcame on the basketball court greatly contributed to the other pursuits in my life. In my pursuit of becoming a respectable member of the varsity basketball team, I sharpened my qualities of perseverance and dedication. I am grateful for the experience because it played a crucial role in the shaping of the young man that I am today. I have also faced adversity in the academic sense at the two high schools that I attended. By overcoming both physical and mental issues, I have climbed to the top ten percent of my high school graduating class. I believe that excelling in the classroom is a very important task, and devote myself to becoming the best student that I can be. Performing well in the classroom serves as another push that motivates me to not only attend a university, but also work as a successful physician. I intend to earn my bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, and potentially pursue a higher form of success in the form of a master’s degree. I want my children to know how possible it is to achieve a difficult goal, and excel in both the classroom and in any sport that they choose to play. I am glad that I have chosen to live different, and will encourage my children to do the same.

I am a first generation Nigerian American student who fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Both my father and mother migrated from Nigeria, so that they could give my three siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable careers, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. Although I do love the Lord with all of my heart and then some, my private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the Mirajur Rahman Perseverance Scholarship , I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will also support my goal of becoming an anesthesiologist to mend the distrust that exists between African Americans and healthcare professionals. I plan to use the money received from the Mirajur Rahman Perseverance Scholarship to finance the education I will receive from undergraduate and medical school. Both are very expensive and I am positive that this scholarship will support my future endeavors. I am also very inspired by Mirajur Rahman’s story and am glad that I was able to find so many similarities in our lives.

I have only labeled myself as an entrepreneur for a few years now, but I believe that all of the examples, experiences, and lessons I have learned contributed to the success that I have seen in my business. Both my father and mother immigrated to the United States of America, so that they could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. As a first generation student, I am extremely proud to be able to refer to such compassionate risk takers as my parents. Through perseverance and dedication, they were able to send the four of us to a private Christian school in Arlington, Texas. However, making the investment to send your four children to a school that requires an annual $40,000 tuition is not an easy feat. To achieve this goal, my parents started multiple businesses such as “The Promise Group Inc.,” and “Ebiani” to cover the necessary costs that come with a private school education. The success of my parents’ entrepreneurial journey is what inspired me to start my own business. I hope to be able to both ease their financial burden, and finance my postsecondary education with the income that I earn from my business. Because both of my parents are entrepreneurs, I have had the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve my own business. For example, when she was still relatively new to the makings of a business, my mother started to see her income decreasing with each month for seemingly no reason. My mother was very puzzled, and could not figure out why she was making less and less money each month. She asked my father, the friends she had met in the business, and a variety of experts, but could not find the reason as to why she was not seeing the numbers that were expected of her business. It took her four months to resolve the comically simple issue. She realized that she had been counting the money incorrectly the entire time. Because she would be up working at such late hours, she would usually count the money when was deeply fatigued. This mistake resulted in her money count being way off of the usual mark. I learned multiple lessons from this mistake. I now know to manage my time efficiently, so that I can both get a good night’s rest and ensure that I am receiving the income that is expected of my business. I also learned that I should check my money at least three times to prevent the monetary errors that haunted my mother. I do not have the luxury of taking four months to resolve the issues in my business if I want to surpass my parents as an entrepreneur. In conclusion, my parents’ journey is what motivates me to succeed as a businessman. The financial risks that they took as immigrants in a new country were met with great success. I hope to see even greater financial success in my own aspirations. I will use the lessons that I learned from my parents’ mistakes to improve my own business, and use their success as a template so that I can achieve my own goals as an entrepreneur. As a first generation student, I believe that I know the definition of perseverance more than anyone else, and will use my stubborn habit of enduring the greatest shortcomings to overcome any obstacles that come my way as an entrepreneur.

I think that it is extremely important for one to work on the behalf of his community, and help in the improvement of those who live in it. I firmly believe that no one can achieve the success that he truly desires without the help of others. Oftentimes, the people of our communities make a great contribution to the success of many in society. Whether this contribution appears as relatives supporting each others’ small businesses, or a man simply granting his neighbor the salt that he needs for a meal, community members play a leading role in the victory that most see in physical, mental, and financial areas. For these reasons, I believe that it is one’s responsibility to give back to the community that supported him in every possible way. So far, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service projects. I have organized and handed out clothes to the homeless at “Mission Arlington, an organization that is a frequent host for community service projects. I also serve in the youth ministry of my local church as a teaching assistant. This position involves helping the Sunday school teacher create the curriculum for the month, handing out mandatory snacks to every middle school aged child that attends the service, and guiding guardians to the room in which their children are located. Serving in a church brings such a great feeling of satisfaction to me because I love knowing that I am playing a part in the development of the next generation. Although I greatly appreciate all of the community service opportunities that have come my way, there is one that I consider to be one of my greatest accomplishments. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a teaching assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to an apartment complex for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I had been appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The older volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the prepared meals and gifted clothes to the elderly, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In addition to serving as an teaching assistant in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that truly cares about the lives of others and makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. Serving as a group leader for the community service project filled me with both satisfaction and an undying love for others. I intend to continue to serve my friends, family, and beloved members of the community for as long as I am on this Earth. To continue my work as an advocate of the community, I also intend to become an anesthesiologist. I have always been in love with the medical field, and believe that it contains some of the most productive and advantageous ways to help others in many areas. I believe it is important that I help my community through my future career because I want to pursue something that makes me feel alive, and helping others find different solutions to their mental, physical, and financial problems gives me that feeling. The last thing that I want to do is work at a job because of the salary. If I am only attracted to the monetary value that a long lasting career brings, then I will never be truly satisfied with the achievements that I have seen and will continue to see in my lifetime.

"Penny" is a very relaxing puppy. If she's not basking in the sunlight, then she is most likely sleeping on your lap. She is a Maltese-Poodle mix, and is about four years old. She really springs to life when I take her out on walks. She is always so interested in the cars, and loves to interact with the other dogs in the community. She has recently learned to obey a variety of commands, such as "sit," "roll over," and "bark." Spending time with Penny puts me at ease. I am very glad she is a part of my family.

Image 1: "Coronavirus, Coronashmirus. Lakers in 4." Image 2: "It happens to the best of us..." Image 2: Image 3: "I really need to invest in some contacts."

Ever since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor because of my father. My father migrated from Nigeria, so that he could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. For this reason, legacies are extremely important to me. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a valuable member of the medical field by becoming an anesthesiologist. At the time, I was ignorant of the academic and financial requirements that come with such a goal; nevertheless, I am determined to become a physician so that I can see the same success that my father has seen in his life. My parents planted the idea of pursuing a medical career in my mind during grade school. My father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, so the practice of pursuing a rigorous education is not an unusual one in my family. However, the financial pressure that follows every doctor is a very serious matter that must be addressed by those who are willing to work in the field. Along with my three siblings, I have attended a private Christian school for most of my childhood. Although my parents are fortunate enough to have such profitable jobs, the costly tuition took its toll on my family. My parents were both paying over $40,000 each for my three siblings and I, and are now unable to pay for my college education. Although I do love the Lord with all of my heart and then some, my private Christian education forced me to excel not only in my classes, but also in my search for a postsecondary education. If I am granted the Brady Cobin Law Group "Expect the Unexpected" Scholarship, I will be able to ease the financial burden that weighs on my parents shoulders and pursue my goal of leaving an inspiring legacy for future generations. The scholarship will also support my goal of becoming a physician in the state of Texas. The act of leaving a legacy for my children and their generation is an extremely important task to me. I have several interpretations of what it means to leave a legacy. First, I believe that leaving a legacy is similar to leaving behind a large sum of money or land that is inherited by someone’s children when he dies. Although money and land are very valuable in this world, I believe that a legacy holds even more value. Knowing that your relative was able to see such a great amount of success and being able to benefit from their financial, physical, and mental habits can prove to be a major difference in who will overcome the various obstacles in life and who will fail in doing so. I also believe that leaving a legacy behind can be interpreted as a sort of love letter to the next generation. If I am fortunate enough to prosper in my future career and endeavors, my children will definitely know that their well being was on the forefront of my mind. One of the many reasons why I push myself so hard is because I do not want my children to go through the same issues that I was forced to endure. Although I value the hard work and dedication that is necessary to overcome an obstacle, I want to leave my children with information on how I succeeded, so that they will be better prepared to challenge their problems. I have also pushed both my mind and body to their limits at the two high schools that I attended, and climbed to the top ten percent of my high school graduating class. I believe that excelling in the classroom is a very important task, and devote myself to becoming the best student that I can be. Performing well in the classroom serves as another push that motivates me to not only attend a university, but also work as a successful physician. I intend to earn my bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, and potentially pursue a higher form of success in the form of a master’s degree. This is the type of legacy that I want to leave behind. I want my children to know how possible it is to achieve a difficult goal, and excel in the classroom.

At the end of my sophomore year of high school, one of my best friends informed me that her grandmother had died, because the medications that she needed were unavailable to her. I shared my condolences, and assumed that this was just an unfortunate event that could not have been avoided. However, my friend also shared that her grandma’s medications were unavailable because one of the doctors at the hospital purposefully spread false information to her family. He said that the medicine was unnecessary, and sent the elderly woman to her death. Because of the unfortunate events that his grandma suffered at the hands of a corrupt physician, my friend is adamant about avoiding the doctor’s office. He refuses to go in for checkups, and grimaces every time he hears someone’s dreams of becoming a doctor. I intend to become a physician, so that I can both mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades and prevent the occurrence of any medical malpractice in my community. I am a first generation Nigerian American student who fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Both my father and mother migrated from Nigeria, so that they could give my three siblings and me the opportunity to gain a proper education in a safe environment. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In what I consider one of my greatest accomplishments, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that my African American community has for healthcare professionals and prevent the occurrence of any malpractice in my community.

I intend to become a physician, so that I can mend the trust between healthcare professionals and African Americans that has been damaged for decades. I fell in love with the medical field after conducting an extensive amount of research on the careers that it includes, and enrolling in multiple science-related classes at my high school. Although my father introduced the idea of becoming a doctor to me for the sole purpose of acquiring a job that pays substantially well, monetary value is only a small component of my reasoning for becoming a physician. I have single-handedly witnessed the amount of distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and African Americans. Because of the atrocities that have occurred in the past, a large majority of black people are either hesitant to turn to their doctors, or refuse to visit the doctor’s office altogether. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continuous use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells without the consent of her family, and the unethical operations that J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology,” committed on enslaved African American women are only a few examples of the horrible treatment that black people have been subjected to by doctors, surgeons, gynecologists, and the like. My goal is to change the negative views that my community holds of doctors by becoming a proper physician and rebuilding the trust that should exist between the two parties. To achieve this goal, I dedicate myself to the improvement of my community every day by participating in various community service projects, where I am able to interact with those around me and gain more knowledge about topics that I am ignorant of, as well as learn entirely new information. It is easy to say that you want to make an impact on the world, but I believe that the act of going outside and interacting with the current world is important to the process of improval. I believe that the work that I do in my community will equip me with the communication skills, information, and experience that I will need to become an anesthesiologist that can properly represent the community. In what I consider one of my greatest accomplishments, I truly believe that I played a crucial role in the lives of my community. In the summer of 2019, I was recommended to serve as a group leader for a community service project that my church decided to host. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times, so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces erased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied before. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those whom I was serving made all the difference. In addition to serving as an assistant teacher in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “The Potter’s House MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that not only cares about the lives of others, but also makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. Serving as a group leader for the community service project filled me with both satisfaction and an undying love for others. I intend to continue to serve my friends, family, and beloved members of the community for as long as I am on this Earth. In conclusion, I want to see a change in the beliefs that my African American community has for healthcare professionals. Although their hesitance is understandable, it is important that we all learn to forgive each other, so that we can all work towards a better future. In order to achieve this goal, I currently participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year, where I am able to interact with the members of my community and gain insight into how I can go about achieving my goal.

There are a plethora of quotes that have inspired my future endeavors; however, one that has really stood out to me comes from Martin Luther King Jr. The quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” spoke to me on multiple levels, and gave me a brand new reason for becoming a doctor. I intend to become an anesthesiologist who mends the distrust that exists between healthcare professionals and the African American community. Because of corrupt practices that occurred: in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, at the hands of the “Father of Gynecology” at the expense of countless enslaved black women, and the controversial use of Henrietta Lacks’s cells, African Americans are either hesitant of physicians or avoid the doctor’s office altogether. Before I had been made aware of Mr. King’s quote, I only intended to become a doctor so that I could help the people in my community. However, King’s quote inspired me to not only do more research on various areas in the medical field, but also contemplate on why I really want to be a doctor. When I obtained my new reason for becoming a doctor, I instantly became more motivated to pursue this goal. I began to serve in “The Potter’s House MegacCare,” which is a division of my church that focuses entirely on community service projects. I decided that I wanted to give back to my community and plant a seed of love instead of the hate that is constantly being spewed on various news outlets. I sincerely believe that I would have never taken the huge leap from being the average church goer to an active member of the community if I had not come across Martin Luther King Junior’s quote. I have also devoted my weekends to the “The Potter’s House Outreach” organization, which delivers bagged meals, articles of clothing, and prayer to the eldelry widows of the community. Because of my favorite quote, I concluded that I want to be a part of the problem and not the solution. I want to be the justice that Mr. King speak of, and combat the injustice that is embedded within the country. My hope is that I will be able to play a crucial role in the improvement of my country like Martin Luther King Junior did before he passed away. In addition to challenging the inequality in my country by becoming an active member of the community, I have also taken it upon myself to inform others about the injustice that exists in the United States of America on my social media platforms. In conclusion, Martin Luther King Junior’s quote inspired me to: find a new meaning behind my decision to become an anesthesiologist, participate in various community service projects, and amplify my voice on social media. Although I never had the honor of meeting Martin Luther King Junior, I will forever be grateful to him for helping me become aware of the fact that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher at some point in my life. I gained my inspiration for becoming a teacher from one of the history teachers who taught at my school. He was one of the most qualified teachers at the school, and made every lesson an engaging and interesting experience. The moment when I realized that I wanted to be a teacher was after I had finished a project for this same history teacher’s class. The project required students to organize a group of at least four people to present a summary of one of the chapters that had been completed in class. Because I was used to being the group leader and my peers respected me as such, I chose my group members and directed the activities of the group as well as conducted a way to decide on what should be included in the presentation. The entire process went very smoothly. When the time came for my group to showcase the presentation, I took the leading role and executed the game plan that my group had created. As I was presenting, I worked as if my goal was to make sure that the students actually understood the events that occurred in the chapter. I began to notice that my classmates were listening intently to the presentation. Being able to control a classroom full of teenagers who would rather be in any place but a school is not a simple feat. It was at this moment that I started to realize that I may have the ability to effectively command a classroom, and teach students a lesson in a timely manner. However, what confirmed this suspicion were the events that occurred once the presentation had finished. My teacher informed me that he wanted to speak to me after class. As soon as the bell rang, a large number of my classmates congratulated me as they had already assumed that my group had earned a perfect score on the project. When I met with my teacher, he informed me of how good of a job that I did, and told me that I should consider pursuing a career in education. In a failed attempt to conceal my excitement, I thanked him profusely. The conversation ended, and I had a new sense of purpose as I walked out of the classroom. This was the moment when I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. In conclusion, I realized that education is the right path for my career during my history project and confirmed the idea during the conversation with my history teacher. Every day, I meet new students who have fallen out of love with school and education in general. Although I can not choose the path that they choose to set upon in life, I believe that it is my responsibility as a prospective teacher to help them realize the importance that education has in the community.

My absolute favorite film of all time is Creed II. I have always been a huge fan of the Rocky franchise, so I was ecstatic when I found out that a sequel to the first Creed movie had been made. The movie was everything that I hoped for it to be. It managed to tell a story that did not feel like a rehash of the Rocky movies even though Adonis Johnson struggled with some of the same issues that Rocky did. The movie succeeded in the reintroduction of old characters without making them overstay their welcome, or steal the spotlight. The new characters were also very interesting. I loved how different Johnson and Balboa were from their parents even though legacy is an important theme of the movie. The plot was very simple, but I do not expect anything groundbreaking from a boxing movie. The story was interesting enough to keep the audience engaged, but the acting is what carried the movie. The acting was superb. Michael B. Jordan always brings passion to his roles, and never leaves the audience feeling underwhelmed or bored. Although this movie was his first step into the entertainment industry, Florian Munteanu who played the main antagonist, was excellent in his role. The plot was very simple, but I do not expect anything groundbreaking from a boxing movie. The story was interesting enough to keep the audience engaged, but the acting is what carried the movie. In conclusion, Creed II is my favorite film. The movie has everything that I look for in a piece of entertainment. The plot is also interesting enough to keep me captivated. The movie is very re watchable, and rewards those who stick to the end.

As someone who intends to become a gerontologist in the future, I believe that it is more beneficial to focus on the lives of the future generation rather than directing one’s attention to those in the present. The livelihood of the people in the present should definitely be observed; however, working to ensure the mental, physical, and even financial stability of those who will take our places in the future may also improve the lives of those in the present. I also believe that it is important to draw information from the older generations, so that both the current and future generations can benefit from the valuable practices and knowledge that were earned by those who came before them. Both my father and mother migrated from Nigeria, so that they could give my siblings and me the opportunity to gain an education in a safe environment. I am a first generation student who strives to achieve the same success that my parents have seen in their careers. However, as a first generation student in a country that was foreign to my parents, any beneficial information about a postsecondary education or anything of the like were insufficient to say the least. I was forced to work harder than my peers in a multitude of areas where I would have succeeded earlier had I been informed of the same methods, actions, and information that my peers were exposed to. Because of these experiences, I want to be able to entrust my children and their generation with all that I have learned, so that they will not have to jump through the same hoops that I did. I intend to become a gerontologist so that I can not only improve the lives of those who came before me, but also pass the knowledge down to the next generation. I believe that I have the ability to make an impact in the lives of those whom I will be serving as a gerontologist. As I improve the physical lives of my patients, I hope to be able to rack their brains about their own experiences. In doing so, I will be able to add the information to my own and use it to support my community. Before I retire, I plan on becoming a teacher at my old high school, St. Paul’s Preparatory Academy. During my time there, I intend to educate the students on what it means to be a valuable member of the medical field and instill the values of perseverance and dedication into them at a young age. In doing so, I believe that I will be playing the role that is expected of me. As the oldest son in a family of six, I fell in love with the act of serving others. I have always been the one who tutored my younger brother when he needed help in arithmetic, and have even explained a large majority of the material to my mother in one of her pre-law courses. I believe that these actions and the many others that I performed have prepared me for my life of service as a gerontologist. In conclusion, I believe that it is better to focus on the lives of the future generations by instilling knowledge, perseverance, and the proper information into them. In doing so, the present generation will benefit from the hard work that they put in, and the future generations will be able to benefit from the valuable information that has been passed on to them.

As technology improves, the use of electronics will grow to be a more necessary component of our lives. Smartphones in particular have played a very crucial role in my daily activities, social life, and responsibility as an operator of a motor vehicle. My smartphone plays countless roles in my life, and what is arguably the most important one is that of an alarm clock. The five family members that I live with all have different schedules, so there will not always be someone I can turn to if I oversleep. However, my smartphone prevents the concept of oversleeping because it allows me to set multiple alarms, which is a very tedious task on the average alarm clock. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the virtual nature of my classes requires a device that has access to the internet. Although some may use a computer or tablet to conduct virtual meetings, I use my smartphone to participate in these calls. While I complete my assignment on the computer, I am able to interact with my classmates and professors on my smartphone. Multiple professors actually require the students to take pictures of their handwritten assignments in order to submit them online. This task would be much more difficult if I did not own a smartphone. In this case, the absence of a smartphone would lead to the decline of my GPA. My smartphone makes my life much easier, and makes a direct contribution to my academic success. My smartphone has also played a huge role in my social life. The coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on many aspects of my life, but the impact it made on how I interact with others does not compare to the others. I am in multiple virtual classes, so I am not able to interact with my peers in the same way that I used to. However, my smartphone has been the answer to my prayers. My personal phone allows me to call, text, and communicate with my peers and professors in a timely manner. Without my smartphone, my social life would have been nonexistent, and I would not have been able to make the memories that I have with my friends online. My smartphone enables me to talk to my old friends, but it also gives me the opportunity to talk with people that I never would have seen in a normal setting. For example, in a recent group discussion, I conversed with a variety of students that I have never seen at my school before. When I was informed that they had just transferred to the district and never had a chance to attend in-person classes, I realized that I gained the opportunity to converse with new students before they even got to the school. I would not have been able to do this without my smartphone. Although the use of a smartphone has benefited me in many ways, the ability to refrain from using the phone has many benefits on the road as well. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle knows how difficult it is to drive when his attention is directed onto his phone and not the road; however, a wide number of people seem to have forgotten of the dangers “texting and driving” poses to not only the driver, but to everyone around him. Refusing to use my phone while I am driving may save the lives of those around me. A text can always wait. In conclusion, the smartphone plays a crucial role in my life, but it is also important for me to know when to put it down.

I have been on the receiving end of a number of selfless acts, but there is one that has not only made an impact on my life, but also gave me a direct opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. When I was sitting in the pews of my church’s youth ministry one Sunday morning, I noticed a deacon who was trying to get my attention. As I walked towards him, I could not help but notice the expression on his face. He looked as if he was anxious to tell me something. He informed me that he had noticed my act of performing as a Sunday school teacher’s assistant in the children’s ministry, and recommended me to be a group leader for a community service project. At the time, I had only ever spoken to this deacon a handful of times so the fact that he was impressed with my abilities to the point where he felt like I was worthy of a recommendation was astounding to me. In a failed attempt to contain my excitement, I thanked him profusely and gathered all of the details about the work I would be doing at this community service project. The project involved several groups traveling to a nursing home for elderly widows and gifting them with meals, various articles of clothing, prayer, and an open ear to listen to all of the experiences and life advice they were willing to share. When I conveyed this information to my parents, they were almost as excited as I was. As a member of my high school’s National Honor Society, I was in desperate need of community service hours. This was a perfect opportunity to both make an impact in the lives of the elderly, and fulfill the requirements for my position as an elected member of the school. On the day of the community service project, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous because I was appointed as a group leader over multiple people who had been serving in this particular event for years. I was hesitant at first, because I figured adults would have reservations about taking “orders” from someone who was so much younger than them, but my worries quickly subsided. The adult volunteers were very humble and served alongside me with smiles on their faces. My excitement replaced my nervousness as my group and I traveled to various apartment complexes. When we gave the elderly the meals and clothing that had been prepared for them, the joy on their faces eased any doubts that I had at the moment and pushed me to keep moving forward. When the project was over, I had never felt so satisfied. I always knew that I loved helping people, but seeing the direct result of my actions in the faces of those who I was serving made all the difference. In addition to serving as an assistant teacher in the children’s ministry, I am now an active participant in “MegaCare.” This is a division in my church that organizes and embarks on weekly community service projects. I can not convey how honored I am to be able to serve in an institution that truly cares about the lives of others and makes a direct impact in the lives of those in my community. In conclusion, the act of kindness that the deacon displayed by recommending me for the community service project made a great impact in my life, and allowed me to spread joy to my community.

The fact that I am an American means a lot to me. In fact, the various freedoms and opportunities that come with the American nationality mean a little more to my family than most. My parents both migrated from Nigeria when they were fresh out of college, so that they could raise my three siblings and I in a country filled with safety and opportunity. Ever since I was a young child, I have attended a private Christian school. This school has a very diverse student body, and incorporates the teachings of the Bible into the curriculum. Such a feat is only possible in the United States of America. Every time I walked through the doors of the school building, I was greeted with a fresh face and invited to a fresh and safe environment. I am extremely grateful to my parents for taking the huge leap of faith that they did when they left their old lives behind to start a new one for my siblings and me. This is one of the many reasons why being an American means so much to me. My father is a pharmacist, and my mother is a nurse. If my parents had migrated to a different country such as China or Russia, they may not have seen the same financial success. America has a wide amount of opportunities that enables every one who is willing to work an opportunity to be great. This is why I get confused when others state that the American dream is dead. I always tell them that anyone can be somebody if he has the desire and motivation to work hard. I never miss the opportunity to brag about my parents and their inspiring life story. Because of them, a fire has been lit in my heart that forces me to endure any hardship that comes my way. If my parents can migrate to a whole country with only twelve dollars in their pockets and become physicians, then I can manage to overcome any first world issue that comes my way. In conclusion, being an American means more to me than I can possibly convey in this essay. If I listed every single reason that describes why I am proud to live in my country, I would surely surpass the word limit. My parents forged a way for my siblings and I to be the best versions of ourselves in a country that is full of opportunities. I will forever be grateful to both them and my beautiful country for giving me the chance to show my skills and God-given talents to the world in a safe environment.

Because I was raised in a Nigerian household that values perseverance and dedication, I have always been motivated to achieve my goal of becoming a physician despite all of the obstacles that have forced their way into my life. I fell in love with the medical field at a very young age, and believe that my parents played a huge role in my decision to pursue a career in such a rigorous and unpredictable field. My father is a pharmacist, and my mother is a nurse. Although they faced a great amount of challenges and shortcomings, they also achieved a great amount of success. Seeing my parents enjoy the fruit of their labor inspired me to walk in their footsteps and endure the hardships that I am facing now, so that I can experience the same success that my parents did. Both of my parents migrated from Nigeria and worked to start a life in America that would benefit my three siblings and me. Growing up as a first generation student, I was heavily encouraged to focus on my academics instead of athletics or other forms of extracurricular activities. When I was younger, this was very discouraging, However, as I grew older, I discovered that the mathematical, science, and engineering skills that I refined in the house while other children were playing sports outside gave me a great advantage in my studies. I excelled in my classes and rose to the top ten percent of my high school graduating class. I am extremely grateful that I inherited a sense of mental endurance from two parents who accomplished many goals that most are never able to see. As a first generation student, I have also had the opportunity to view the negatives of the healthcare system in Nigeria. When I visited my parents home country, Nigeria, in the summer of 2008, I was both appalled and intrigued by how little those in the area knew of the benefits that come with an environment that is filled with medical excellence. Although there were a few who practiced modern health methods, the general consensus seemed to be that necessary components of proper hygiene and medical safety are unnecessary and irrelevant. As I ate a meal in the residence where my family and I were staying for the summer, I noticed a large number of flies, cockroaches, and other insects that should not have been anywhere near a kitchen. I even saw some insects help themselves to a scoop of ice cream! When I notified the caretakers of the residence, they informed me that the insects meant no harm and made an attempt to take my attention away from them and back onto my plate. However, I found it very hard to eat when I just saw a beetle take a swan dive into the soup. At first, I concluded that this residence was the only place that did not know the importance of keeping organisms that are susceptible to carrying diseases away from food; however, I began to notice an increasing amount of people disregard sanitary practices during my time in Nigeria. Some people would not wash their hands after they used the bathroom, others would not wash the fruit they used before incorporating them into meals, etc. When I saw all of this, I decided that I would devote my life to working as a physician that can inspire others to abolish bad sanitation practices both in America and in countries around the world.Growing up as a first generation student played a prominent role in my decision to become a physician.

Ever since I was young, I have always been different from my three siblings. I come from a family of overachievers, full of people who refuse to accept anything less than a one hundred percent mark on any assignment that graces their hands in the classroom. I, on the other hand, was more concerned with sports and making new friends. Being such a shy kid, these two areas of my life were extremely important to me. Although school was never my main priority, I still showed my academic excellence by remaining in the top ten percent of my graduating class. However, In my parents’ eyes, I was the direct opposite of the hardworking and determined child that they wanted me to be. This resulted in my labeling as a misfit. The fact that both of my two older sisters surpassed my academic achievements and graduated as the valedictorian of their respective high school classes did not help my case. My parents were sure that I only cared about myself, and had no plans for my life after high school. This could not be any farther from the truth. I have always wanted to become an anesthesiologist, and am still working towards that goal. However, my reasons for wanting to pursue this career has changed because of my family’s views. Originally, I wanted to become an anesthesiologist because of my uncle who introduced me to the medical field. He is an anesthesiologist who gave me the opportunity to intern at his hospital and played a major role in the love that I have for anesthesiology. Although my experiences as an intern and the connection that I shared with my uncle through medicine are still the driving forces behind my decision to become an anesthesiologist, the “misfit” label that my parents had placed on my forehead lit a new fire in me. I now have a new reason for working towards my goal. I want to become an anesthesiologist, so that I can prove to my parents that I am the dedicated and hardworking man that they always envisioned me to be. When I become an anesthesiologist, I do not only want to impact those in my community. I want my work to change the world in various ways. To accomplish this goal, I will use my unique perspective as a “misfit” to look in areas that most would have ignored, help those who others view as irredeemable, and serve the people around me in ways that have not yet been imagined. I am aware that there are other misfits in the world, and I know that I will be able to help them by providing a new account of the issues that they are going through. Because I would share the same perspective as these misfits, I would find solutions to their hidden problems that had been concealed from the eyes of the average physician. I have always been great in my science-focused classes, and intend to put my skills to the test in the unusual task of caring for the misfits that society has deemed as unreliable and unnecessary. In conclusion, I believe that my parents’ false views of me and my accomplishments contribute to my image as a misfit. Although they do not quite understand my motivations, their disapproval is the driving factor behind my intention of becoming an anesthesiologist. I hope to unite the world in unprecedented ways by catering to not only the unfortunate, but also to my fellow misfits around the world.

Growing up, I have always known the value of determination. Knowing how to work hard is an integral part of my character and has been cultivated by my parents and the people around me. Both my father and mother migrated from their home country of Nigeria to come to the United States of America so that they could give their children a safe place to learn, grow, and develop into the best forms of themselves. My father specifically came to the states with only twelve dollars in his pocket. He had to work from the ground up in a country that he did not know without any help for the most part. It was only until he met and married my mother where he started to receive some support. At the time, my father was in medical school and studying to be a pharmacist while my mother attended college to pursue nursing in the state of Texas. With the costs of medical and undergraduate school being what they are, learning how to operate vehicles that are very different from the ones in Nigeria, and dealing with racist and contemptuous coworkers, life in America was very hard for them and they wanted to make sure that their children would not have to go near any of the hardships that they were forced to endure. When I first heard about the obstacles that my parents had to overcome, I began to understand why they pushed me so hard to be the best in my class, sports, and community. Before I knew about their life story, they do not really like to talk about it, I was pretty frustrated with the high expectations that they had for me and my siblings. Academics came pretty easy to my older sisters, but I was always a little behind them. I was still a honors student because my parents would not accept anything else, but I am not the valedictorian of my high school graduating class like my sisters were. However, once I knew about the lifestyle that my parents lived, I became motivated to be the absolute best at anything that I set my mind to accomplish. In my freshman and sophomore year, I was on track to become the valedictorian of my class until I transferred to Mansfield Summit High School so that I could participate in dual credit classes. However, transferring schools did not stop me from reaching for the top. In only a couple of months, I rose to the top ten percent of my class and even got accepted to the University of North Texas in my junior year without even applying. I became the fastest long distance runner on my varsity track team, and was an esteemed member of the volunteer group at my youth ministry. I am dreaming big by working to become a practicing physician. Taking the current state of the country into account, I know that this will not be an easy task. Universities have a lower budget now because of the effects of the corona virus pandemic, so scholarships are becoming more and more scarce. Therefore, I am going to have to work even harder to make sure that I stand out as a student so that I can get into my college of choice, graduate from medical school, and become a doctor. This becomes an even harder task when I think of my siblings. Both of my older sisters are currently attending a different university. Although they were both valedictorians of their respective high school classes, they are no longer freshman in college so the Texas Highest Ranking Graduate Program is no longer obligated to fund their tuition. The money has to come out of my parents' own pockets. This is why my dream is so big. I don't want my parents to have to pay another dime for my education, so I: work harder than anyone in my school, apply to every scholarship that I see, attain every recommendation letter that I can, and expand my network by making connections with the successful people around me so that I do not have to worry about paying for my post secondary education. I know that I am going to have to work even harder than before to not only become a better student, but to also set an example for my little brother and everyone else who looks up to me. To do this, I help tutor my classmates when they are having trouble with any of their classwork, help my brother by offering him any advice and tips on becoming a better high school student and person in general, and give others work out tips and anything that can help improve their performance in athletics. In conclusion, my big dream is to grab the baton that my parents worked so hard to pass to me and become a practicing physician in the state of Texas. I work to be the best version of myself so that I can inspire those around me to meet me at the top of the summit. I believe that I can do it, and with God's help, I know that I will.

I want to create a community that values respect, honesty, loyalty, perseverance, and determination. I intend to instill such values in a population where I feel comfortable starting a family and raising my children. Through this community, I want my children to see the best characteristics that make up an individual and work to become the person that they know they should be. In this community, there will be a private school that will help children mature and become adults by teaching them information that will help them get by in the real world. This information would consist of necessary skills such as: learning how to pay taxes, changing a flat tire, fixing a water heater, knowing how to perform exercises and work out regimens that will improve one's body, etc. I believe that it is vital for the world to see my creation so that others can be inspired to be better individuals and improve every aspect of their lives. I have always wanted to leave my mark on the world, and I believe that making a community that will continue to change lives when I am gone is a perfect opportunity. I can not wait until I have children so that I can begin educating them on what it means to be an upstanding citizen of the United States of America, but first, I must work on improving my own character.

1. One of my closest friends is majoring in computer science and he is always telling me about how much he like it. I did my research and discovered that it was the path that I wanted to go down as well. 2. I want to be a software developer after i receive my degree. 3. I feel like I am the best candidate to receive this scholarship because i am a very hardworking student who aspires to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist. I have three siblings who also want to go into the medical field, which is not a cheap endeavor. Attending undergraduate school is already expensive let alone medical school. Therefore, scholarships are much appreciated. I want to be able to attain a job and not have to worry about paying off student loans. My parents are immigrants from Nigeria and have only known to work hard. Although my father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse, they have spent a great deal of money to send my siblings and me to a private Christian school for most of our lives. in doing so, any money that may have gone towards a college fund for any one of us has gone towards our school funds. My parents are still trying to save money for their retirement and may not have enough to sustain themselves if they have to pay the full college tuition of four young adults. I have worked incredibly hard for my entire life so that I would be set when I graduate high school, and my siblings are no exception. Both of my sisters were valedictorians of their respective classes and i have risen to the top ten percent of mine. this is why I believe that I am deserving of this scholarship.

I am currently interested in Howard University's Musical Theatre program. Ever since I was a young child, I have always been interested in musicals, plays, and other forms of theatre. I jumped at the opportunity to participate in my school's annual plays, and had an amazing time performing with my friends for all of my loved ones. I loved performing in the plays so much, but at one point I thought it was a time for a nice change. I auditioned for a role in my church's Christmas play and got the part. Performing for my church was a very different experience. I had a lot more lines, the play was a lot more complex than my old school plays, and most importantly, there were a lot more people there than just my loved ones. Thousands of people witnessed my act and I was very satisfied with my performance. When I was performing, I felt like I was truly in my element. I felt like I was at home. I say all of this to show how important attending Howard University is to me. I have always wanted to attend an HBCU, and what other way to go than to pursue the degree of my dreams? I intend to become an actor once I have obtained my degree. I want to perform for millions of people and share my talent with the world. I believe that attending Howard University's Musical Theatre program will help me accomplish that goal. When you see me on the big screen, try not to look so surprised.

My experience as a first-generation child has been very interesting to say the least. I have had the opportunity to witness many cultural foods, customs, languages, and interactions that most people do not get to see. Both of my parents migrated from Nigeria and knew little to nothing about America except the fact that it would be a suitable place to raise children. My three siblings and I were blessed to attend a private Christian school for most of our lives, but my life has not gone without its fair share of shortcomings. Because my parents had only known to work hard for their whole lives, they practically forced me to do the same. I was so focused on my studies that I had completely disregarded my social life. "Friends won't get you into college," my parents would say. It was only until they let me play sports that I started making real friends. From that point on, I started to find new passions that seemed to have been closed off to me before. I discovered a love for basketball, music, movies, and the entertainment industry in general. However, my parents were convinced that a career in the medical field was the only way for me considering the fact that my father is a pharmacist and my mother is a nurse. I have always thought highly of healthcare workers, but I have come to appreciate them a little more because of the work that they have done in the midst of this corona virus pandemic. Because of this, I have decided that I want to become an anesthesiologist. Being a first born, first-generation child has its perks, but life is not easy for anybody.

My father is definitely the number one role model in my life. When he was only about twenty years old, he took a leap of faith and migrated from Nigeria to the United States of America with only twelve dollars in his pocket. He wanted to live in a safe country where he knew he would be able to have a wife and children, and give them the opportunities that he didn't have as a kid. My father had always been a hard worker, but he really had to focus on improving his lifestyle when he got to America. He avoided going to parties, getting into trouble, and stumbling into anything that might have taken him off of his predestined road to success. He studied hard, took on many jobs, met my mother, and became a pharmacist. Hearing his life story for the first time inspired me to work harder and convinced me that anything really can happen. Ever since I was a young boy, my father instilled a sense of hard work and perseverance into me. He taught me that anything that is worthwhile can only be attained through hard work and I agree wholeheartedly. I knew that the information he taught me could not go to waste. I intend to not only educate my peers about what it takes to be truly successful in this world, but to also pass on the priceless memories and lessons that my father taught me to my children. I hope my father's story has inspired anyone who came across this submission to never give up and only find satisfaction in success.

"You're not alone. There are a lot of people in your life who care about your health and safety." These are the reassuring words that I felt encouraged to say to one of my best friends who was suffering from depression. Although I am glad that I was able to tell him what he needed to hear, going out of my way to comfort someone was not an easy task for me. I am usually a very closeted person who likes to keep to myself, but I could not find it in me to just let my friend feel the despair that I knew he was going through. When he came back to me a couple of days after our motivational conversation, he informed me that what I said had actually helped "him find strength in what seemed like a hopeless situation." Hearing these words put the biggest smile on my face. My good friend made me realize that something that took me only a few seconds to say made a great impact on the life of someone who I really cared about. This experience inspired me to help others who are going through the same thing. After all, how could I just go back to caring for myself when I knew that I could help improve the lives of who knows how many people? To help those who are struggling with any kind of mental illness, I post information on my social media that leads others to places where they can find serious help, such as: the Suicide Prevention Hotline, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I am also constantly checking up on my friends and family to make sure that they are okay, and encourage them to do the same to the people they come in contact with everyday. I hope that I have motivated anyone who is reading this to do more for the people around them by helping them recover from their mental illnesses and prevent them from being diagnosed in the first place.

Last summer, I almost lost my life in Alaska. While we were on vacation at the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska for the summer, my family and I decided to hike up the Denali Mountain. I had never climbed a mountain before so during my endeavor, I almost fell multiple times. Fortunately, as I pursued and continued to climb the mountain, I started to get the hang of it and got to the peak of the mountain faster than any member of my family. It was an exhilarating experience and I have never felt more bold.