As the great philosopher John Dewey once said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." Education has always been the foundation of my aspirations, shaping me into a dedicated and driven student. From excelling in advanced coursework to engaging in leadership roles and community service, I have continuously sought opportunities to challenge myself and contribute to those around me. As an aspiring cardiovascular surgeon, I always seek the chance to learn and help others. . Throughout high school, I have maintained a 4.1 weighted GPA and a 3.5 unweighted GPA while taking rigorous courses, including AICE, Honors, and AP classes, with a strong focus on Math and Science. My commitment to academic excellence has been recognized through Honor Roll distinctions for all four years of high school and induction into the National Honor Society (NHS). Additionally, my participation in the Pre-Med Academy at my school allowed me to gain more knowledge in the medical field and provided me with a tremendous number of opportunities. Through the program, I had the chance to earn my CPR certification, learn how to assess vital signs, and earn a CMAA(Certified Medical Administrative Assistant) license. Beyond academics, I have embraced leadership opportunities, particularly through my involvement in JROTC, where I have earned multiple awards, including the Air Force SGT’s Medal, the Superior Cadet Award Medal, the Academic Achievement Medal, the Military Excellence Award Medal, National Flight Academy Wings, and the JROTC National Physical Fitness Medal. These experiences within the program have shaped my ability to lead with confidence, discipline, and integrity, qualities that will serve me well in my future career as a cardiovascular surgeon. The program has left an everlasting impact on me, which has sparked my interest in hopefully joining the Army in the future. In the meantime, I plan to do ROTC while I work on my biochemistry major to help reach my goals. My ultimate goal is to become a cardiovascular surgeon, specializing in innovative, cutting-edge treatments that improve patient outcomes. My fascination with the human heart, science, and the desire to make a positive impact on people's lives all play a major part in my wanting to achieve this goal. Every time I imagine being a doctor, I get goosebumps. Every time I go to a healthcare setting and meet a doctor, I get starstruck and think to myself, “Wow, this will be me one day if I work hard enough and stay focused”. Beyond academics and career preparation, I strongly believe in the power of giving back to my community. I have dedicated numerous hours to volunteering, including volunteering in the ER at Delray Beach Medical Center, the Delray Beach Public Library, and AVDA Youth Events, collectively contributing over 300 hours of community service. These experiences have reinforced my belief that healthcare extends beyond hospitals and operating rooms. This scholarship means more to me than just financial support; it represents an opportunity to honor the sacrifices my family has made for me. I grew up in a single-parent household and had to leave Haiti at a young age, leaving my mother behind. I went from living with my mom to living with my dad. Adjusting to a new country without her was difficult, but I watched my father struggle and work tirelessly to provide for me and my brother so we could have the opportunities he never had. Seeing his unwavering commitment to our success has inspired my determination to work hard, excel academically, and pursue a career that will allow me to give back, not just to my family, but to others in need.

My story starts in Haiti, where opportunity is rare and healthcare is even rarer. I came to the United States with my father and brother while my mother stayed behind, a sacrifice that still pushes me today.Growing up in a single-parent home where money was tight and stability wasn't guaranteed shaped the way I see the world.I learned early on that if I wanted to build a better future, not just for myself but for others like me, I would need to work harder, think bigger, and serve deeper. Science has always called to me, especially the human heart. There is something powerful about understanding how the body works and using that knowledge to save lives. That's why I chose to major in biochemistry as I pursue my dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. This field blends two things I care deeply about: solving complex problems and serving people when they are most vulnerable. My dream is not just about a white coat or a title, it is about impact and healing. I earned my Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) license before graduating high school, proof of how serious I am about my future. I also maintained a 4.1 weighted GPA while taking AP, honors, and AlCE courses in science and math. But my learning hasn't just come from classrooms. I have completed over 300 hours of community service that has shaped my heart as much as my head. I've volunteered in the emergency room and rehab unit at Delray Medical Center, helped with blood drives, built care packages for women in domestic violence shelters, tutored English learners, joined beach cleanups, and honored veterans through JROTC events. Each experience has reinforced my passion for service and medicine. Leadership and giving back are core to who I am. l've been involved in programs like Women of Tomorrow and Junior Achievement Career Bound, where I built leadership skills and learned how to use my voice with purpose. Through JROTC, I've been trusted to lead in uniform and in action. I do not wait for opportunities to serve,I create them. Attending college and majoring in biochemistry is not just the next step, it is the foundation for everything I want to do.This program will prepare me for medical school and equip me with the knowledge I need to stand confidently in operating rooms and underserved clinics alike. One day, I plan to open my own clinic where cardiovascular care is accessible to people who cannot afford it. I also hope to open a homeless shelter to help those who, like me, have experienced instability and know how hard it is to build from the ground up. Representation matters, and so does access. I want young black girls to see me in scrubs and know they can make it too. I want patients to feel seen, heard and cared for by someone who understands their struggle. And I want to use my education to break cycles, not just for me, but for my community and the generations that come after. This scholarship would not just help pay for my education, it would be an investment in everything I plan to give back. I am not only passionate, I am ready. And with the right support, I will make sure my journey is not just about success, but about significance.

My story starts in Haiti, where opportunity is rare and healthcare is even rarer. I came to the United States with my father and brother while my mother stayed behind, a sacrifice that still pushes me today. Growing up in a single-parent home where money was tight and stability wasn’t guaranteed shaped the way I see the world. I learned early on that if I wanted to build a better future, not just for myself but for others like me, I would need to work harder, think bigger, and serve deeper. Science has always called to me, especially the human heart. There is something powerful about understanding how the body works and using that knowledge to save lives. That’s why I chose to major in biochemistry as I pursue my dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. This field blends two things I care deeply about: solving complex problems and serving people when they are most vulnerable. My dream is not just about a white coat or a title, it is about impact and healing. I earned my Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) license before graduating high school, proof of how serious I am about my future. I also maintained a 4.1 weighted GPA while taking AP, honors, and AICE courses in science and math. But my learning hasn’t just come from classrooms. I have completed over 300 hours of community service that has shaped my heart as much as my head. I’ve volunteered in the emergency room and rehab unit at Delray Medical Center, helped with blood drives, built care packages for women in domestic violence shelters, tutored English learners, joined beach cleanups, and honored veterans through JROTC events. Each experience has reinforced my passion for service and medicine. Leadership and giving back are core to who I am. I’ve been involved in programs like Women of Tomorrow and Junior Achievement Career Bound, where I built leadership skills and learned how to use my voice with purpose. Through JROTC, I’ve been trusted to lead in uniform and in action. I do not wait for opportunities to serve — I create them. Attending college and majoring in biochemistry is not just the next step, it is the foundation for everything I want to do. This program will prepare me for medical school and equip me with the knowledge I need to stand confidently in operating rooms and underserved clinics alike. One day, I plan to open my own clinic where cardiovascular care is accessible to people who cannot afford it. I also hope to open a homeless shelter to help those who, like me, have experienced instability and know how hard it is to build from the ground up. Representation matters, and so does access. I want young Black girls to see me in scrubs and know they can make it too. I want patients to feel seen, heard and cared for by someone who understands their struggle. And I want to use my education to break cycles, not just for me, but for my community and the generations that come after. This scholarship would not just help pay for my education, it would be an investment in everything I plan to give back. I am not only passionate, I am ready. And with the right support, I will make sure my journey is not just about success, but about significance.

I was born in Haiti, a country where healthcare is often out of reach and opportunity can feel like a luxury. My mother stayed behind while I came to the United States with my father and brother, chasing a future that didn’t yet exist for us, but one I knew I would create. My father worked tirelessly to support us, even through unemployment and hardship, but the weight of sacrifice never stopped him. Watching him push through struggle taught me what true strength looks like, and watching my mother suffer health complications back home without access to proper care taught me what my purpose is. I have always been drawn to science, especially the human heart, how it works, how it fails, and most importantly, how it can be repaired. I will be majoring in biochemistry with the dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I chose this path not just because of what I have seen in Haiti, but also because of what I have seen here in the United States. Injustice in care, families torn apart by preventable conditions, and a healthcare system that too often overlooks the most vulnerable have all shaped my desire to make a change. I want to be the one who steps into that gap, who stands in the place where others have fallen through. My journey has not been easy. I have faced the emotional challenge of being separated from my mother, the financial stress of living in a single-parent household, and the pressure of navigating a new country, language, and culture all at once. Still, I have worked hard to rise above it all. I maintained a 4.1 weighted GPA and a 3.5 unweighted GPA while taking rigorous courses like AP, AICE, dual enrollment, and honors classes. I earned my Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) license before graduating high school, a certification that has given me both knowledge and confidence in medical environments. I did not wait to start serving. I have already been giving back in every way I can. To date, I have completed over 300 hours of community service. I have volunteered in the emergency room and rehabilitation unit at Delray Medical Center, where I assist nurses and doctors with tasks, help patients move around safely, and provide comfort to families going through scary and emotional moments. Whether it is helping with labs or making sure patients and families are comfortable, every moment reminds me of why I chose this path. Outside the hospital, I have made it a priority to serve my community wherever possible. I have helped build care packages for women in domestic violence shelters, providing them with essentials and a reminder that someone cares. I have tutored fellow students who are learning English, helping them feel confident and supported in the classroom. I have participated in local beach cleanups to protect our environment and have taken part in organizing blood drives that directly save lives. Through JROTC, I have supported veterans and their families during Veterans Day and Memorial Day events by helping run ceremonies and showing respect to those who have served. My service is not limited to one area, because people need help in more than one way. I have also grown as a leader through programs like Women of Tomorrow and Junior Achievement Career Bound. These experiences helped me build my voice, sharpen my leadership skills, and become someone who can inspire and uplift others. I have learned how to advocate for myself and others, and how to be confident in rooms where people might underestimate me. As a young Black woman in STEM, I understand that representation matters, and I plan to show the world that we belong in science, in medicine, and in leadership. My dream does not stop with getting a degree. I plan to open a clinic to provide cardiovascular care to people who have never had access to it. I also want to open a homeless shelter and support underserved communities with more than just medical treatment by offering education, job preparation, and compassion. I believe true care goes beyond prescriptions and procedures. It is about healing the whole person and giving them the tools to thrive. This scholarship would lift a major financial burden off my shoulders and allow me to focus on my studies and service without constantly worrying about money. More than that, it would remind me that people believe in what I am trying to do. Eric W. Larson’s legacy means so much to me because he used his success to lift others up and fight for equity in STEM. I hope to carry that same spirit with me by breaking barriers, showing up for my community, and proving that women of color not only belong in science but are vital to its progress.

Growing up as a first-generation Haitian-American student in a single-parent household, I quickly learned that education was my way forward. After leaving Haiti as a child and being separated from my mother, I was raised by my father, who worked tirelessly to support my brother and me. While other kids worried about what to wear to school, I was worrying about how to get there. That experience shaped me, pushed me, and ignited a passion for science and service that continues to drive me. My journey into STEM began with a simple curiosity about the human body. That curiosity turned into passion when I joined my high school's Pre-Medical Academy, earned my CPR certification, and later achieved my Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification before graduation. Now, I plan to study biochemistry at Florida International University and become a cardiovascular surgeon. My dream is to open a clinic and a homeless shelter to serve underserved communities, starting in the U.S., and eventually returning to Haiti to bring healthcare access to the people I left behind. But the road to medical school is not just mentally challenging, it’s expensive. Standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and eventually the MCAT require costly prep materials and retake fees. On top of that, application fees, transcript requests, and admissions costs can add up quickly. As someone who has worked hard to build a strong academic record, I’m constantly balancing my goals with financial pressure. Every step forward requires sacrifice, whether it’s time, energy, or money my family doesn’t have. Receiving this scholarship would lift a huge weight off my shoulders. It would allow me to focus on learning and excelling, not worrying about how I’ll pay for my next class, textbook, or test. This financial support would be an investment in my future, a future dedicated to healing, serving, and making a difference in communities that are too often overlooked. My ultimate goal isn’t just to wear a white coat, it’s to use that position to create change. I want to inspire other young women of color to chase careers in STEM, no matter their circumstances. I want to return to Haiti with mobile clinics, offer mentorship to future first-gen students, and create programs that connect marginalized communities to quality healthcare. Success to me isn’t about status, it’s about service. I’ve faced more than my fair share of obstacles, but they’ve only made me more determined. I don’t just want to survive this journey, I want to thrive and help others thrive with me. This scholarship would be more than just money, it would be a step closer to my mission.