My parents had to grow up fairly quickly, due to the war that broke out in Liberia in the early 1990s. My mother was only ten when it broke out and my father was 15. Being that it happened when they were so young this immensely affected their access to education but borderline anything. This meant that my father had to stop at only 15 years old. My mother on the other hand wasn't so lucky she never was able to go to school. She grew up with a poor single mother who had 4 kids who could barely afford to feed them let alone send them to school. This meant growing up even though my mother spoke english I was her constant translator. From being there for her for any appointment my father couldn't attend once I learned to read and write to helping her understand what and why I needed her to sign a persimmon slip for me. By the time the war was over my parents had already left Liberia, My mother going to Ivory Coast and staying at a refugee camp and my father going to Ghana and doing the same. They don't often talk about that part of their life so I often don't pry. President George W. Bush created a program that allowed victims of the civil war a temporary protected status. Through that both of my parents came. My father came in 2001 and went through the JFK airport to stay with his sister who came through the program a few years back and was staying in government housing. My mother came in 2005 but brought one of her friend’s who had passed away son with her. Being that my mom had no family listed she was placed in North Carolina in government housing. I still find it amazing how she was able to move to a completely different continent with little to no understanding of any of its systems. My mom would later find her sister's number that she kept in a notebook and would move to Kentucky to live with her. This is where my parents would meet and create a life together. Growing up, my house was never quiet. My parents argued constantly about money, about work, and what felt like everything. We didn't have much and these stresses filled every room. I quickly learned to be the kid that didn't cause problems. My siblings would act out, and I didn't blame them, I understood why. But I choose to be the one who stayed quiet , who got good grades, and who tried to keep the peace. I had mastered the art of deception, after a big argument at my house the next day at school I looked like nothing had happened, like I was not just begging my dad to stop packing the night prior. It was easy to hide it from teachers, but harder to hide it from myself. When my parents finally split up when I was 9, I remember feeling relieved. It sounds strange to say but it was one of my most peaceful years because the arguing had stopped. I still hated hearing people argue and still do. When I was just eleven my mom’s friend's son who she had raised that I called my cousin got into some serious trouble. My cousin was labeled the trouble but no one understood why he lashed out like I did. He was who I would have been had I not mastered the art of hiding my emotions. He followed the wrong crowd and got into really bad trouble. It shocked our entire family . Especially my mother being that she was his guardian she felt as if she failed. She cried constantly and lost a lot of weight after the fact. It didn't help that our community in Kentucky turned on us. People we had known for years completely turned their back on us. They stopped talking to us and instead started talking about us. When I would get asked about the situation I would often act oblivious like I didn’t know but I knew it all growing in such an unstructured way did not allow me to have the privilege of being able to be so oblivious. On the outside I tried to be the kid who had it together but on the inside I was falling apart. It had to be one of the darkest times in my life yet a lot of people wouldn't have been able to tell. After everything that happened my mother decided it would be best to have a new start. So we moved to Massachusetts. It seemed like everytime I tried to get on foot something would knock me down again. Through all of it my mother would tell me, “you don't want to end up like me”. I watched her work jobs she hated because she never had the opportunity to get an education. That stuck with me. Education became my light not because I loved homework but because it was the one thing no one could take from me . I couldn't fix how people saw me or how people treated me. But I could control my grades, my effort and my future. So I threw myself into everything. I joined track, soccer, student council and many summer programs. I even got a part time job to not burden my mother at 16. I kept adding more because achievement felt safe. People often look at me and see a sweet girl with no problems, but they don't know my story, and they don't need to. Everyone deserves kindness no matter what they are carrying. All that darkness taught me resilience, empathy and responsibility. Now that I’m applying to Howard with a 3.9 GPA, APs, and leadership roles not despite my story but because of it. My childhood was dark but I found the light and now I'm walking toward it.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

1.“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. I have dedicated my entire high school career to helping those in need. Before I started at Taconic I already had envisioned a plan for my high school experience. From the problem I was going to avoid to the AP classes I was going to take. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.

“What if I fail?” For most of my childhood those words were a constant echo in my head, an echo that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to silence it. No matter how hard I tried to stop it, it was always there. It was a whisper that lingered and a constant companion I didn't invite but couldn't shake. It was an oppressive certainty that filled my world with unease and fed my fear of failure that I struggled to outrun. Back then, I felt like I was searching for something steady to hold onto but everything kept shifting. Growing up I saw how strong my parents were, they immigrated to the United States both as refugees in hope of a promising future. They came from a third world country ravaged by a twelve year civil war. Struggles for basic safety and sustenance often overshadowed whispers of mental turmoil. For them just staying safe and finding enough to eat were daily challenges. Concepts like anxiety were distant abstractions where physical threats were prominent. It was hard for them to fathom how my obstacles, so small compared to theirs, could hold me back. I grew up seeing time after time people around me becoming susceptible to their environment. In a city plagued by gun violence I witnessed the detrimental impact it had on individuals and communities. My exposure intensified my fear of failure. Despite physically escaping this environment the feeling still lingered and latched onto any reason I could find. Whether it was related to the fact that I am a first generation college student, the financial struggles that came with being low income, or the fear of never being enough. My fear of failure fueled my determination to succeed despite the odds. I did everything in my power to increase the chances of my success. From joining clubs like link crew, student council and National Honor Society to taking AP courses, going on overnight leadership summits and joining sports like soccer and track. Transforming my fear into determination helped me gain confidence in a promising future. My upbringing has allowed me to gain perspective on a lot of things. I hope with this I inspire other people who will grow up like me. Growing up in a challenging environment has instilled a passion in me to help others. I aspire to pursue a career in healthcare where I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. This passion to help others has driven me to pursue opportunities in healthcare. Even in high school I have obtained my CNA certificate and participated in the health technology program at my school. The love I have for helping is one I hope to continue by pursuing a career where I can make a real difference and genuinely change the lives of others.