Unquestionably, no family is picture perfect. Many people want the white picket fence lifestyle, and that is not always the case. I don’t allow hardships to consume me. Instead, I embrace the situations and aim to turn them into lessons. This mindset has helped me along the way to gain a better understanding of what my morals are and who I am. Bouncing from house to house wasn’t uncommon for me; I was raised by a single mother who gave birth to me at the ripe age of 16. She struggled with not having a support system and finding a way to provide for us. Throughout raising me, we have grown up together in a sense. She has flourished into an incredible woman and mother, my true inspiration and the reason why I’m so hard-working and determined of achieving my life goals. Being born in the projects, a low-income area has opened my eyes to the struggling working women and unnecessary violence within my community. It has only motivated me to become hard-working and ensure I would create a better life for myself and family. My mother enrolled me in a vocational-focused high school, where I study veterinary science, to prepare me for my future. Over the years, I have developed a passion for helping animals. The skills and knowledge gained from the program allowed me to intern at local animal clinics and volunteer at ranches like Horse Power 4 Kids. The program has sparked my interest in furthering my education by majoring in Animal Science. Pursuing my dream to become a Veterinarian, helping my four-legged friends. Through the program, I have grown tremendously. I'm intentional and more compassionate. I am a first-generation college student attending Florida A&M University, a home away from home. I aim to continue to be hard-working and receptive to the knowledge being poured into me. While following my dreams and stepping into the next chapter in my life, I hope to continue to make my mother proud and better yet…myself and God. With this scholarship, my mother will not have the financial burden of going deeper into debt due to my schooling and caring from my two younger siblings. Which will allow me to solely focus on school without worrying about how I will pay for college. Nevertheless, it’s very important to me that I graduate undergrad debt-free because I plan to attend a veterinary school that cost an arm and a leg. I just want to guarantee I’m doing everything to reach my final destination of becoming a Veterinarian with minimal financial disturbances and breaking the generation curse.

Unquestionably, no family is picture perfect. Many people want the white picket fence lifestyle, and that is not always the case. I don’t allow hardships to consume me. Instead, I embrace the situations and aim to turn them into lessons. This mindset has helped me along the way to gain a better understanding of what my morals are and who I am. Bouncing from house to house wasn’t uncommon for me; I was raised by a single mother who gave birth to me at the ripe age of 16. She struggled with not having a support system and finding a way to provide for us. Throughout raising me, we have grown up together in a sense. She has flourished into an incredible woman and mother, my true inspiration and the reason why I’m so hard-working and determined of achieving my life goals. She has always taught me not to let anyone dim my “Rae of Sunshine”. I consider myself to be a positive person, always aiming to ensure others are taken care of and focused on finding new ways to push myself the extra mile. For instance, I play a significant role in my two younger siblings' lives. With my mother being busy with work, I try to take some work off her load by picking them up from school and preparing dinner. I’m proactive within school too, striving to unify my peers around me and spread positivity. My life isn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t trade my upbringing for anything! Being born in the projects, a low-income area has opened my eyes to the struggling working women and unnecessary violence within my community. It has only motivated me to become hard-working and ensure I would create a better life for myself and family. My mother enrolled me in a vocational-focused high school, where I study veterinary science, to prepare me for my future. Over the years, I have developed a passion for helping animals. The skills and knowledge gained from the program allowed me to intern at local animal clinics and volunteer at ranches like Horse Power 4 Kids. The program has sparked my interest in furthering my education by majoring in Animal Science. Pursuing my dream to become a Veterinarian, helping my four-legged friends. Through the program, I have grown tremendously. I'm intentional and more compassionate. I am a first-generation college student attending Florida A&M University, a home away from home. I aim to continue to be hard-working and receptive to the knowledge being poured into me. While following my dreams and stepping into the next chapter in my life, I hope to continue to make my mother proud and better yet…myself and God. With this scholarship, my mother will not have the financial burden of going deeper into debt due to my schooling and caring from my two younger siblings. Which will allow me to solely focus on school without worrying about how I will pay for college. Nevertheless, it’s very important to me that I graduate undergrad debt-free because I plan to attend a veterinary school that cost an arm and a leg. I just want to guarantee I’m doing everything to reach my final destination of becoming a Veterinarian with minimal financial disturbances and breaking the generation curse.

The impact community service would have on me was something I could never have imagined. Over the past four years, I have contributed to my community by volunteering for a variety of organizations, including Planned Pethood, Metropolitan Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay, and others organizations. I found that I kept going back to shelters and animal clinics. Drawn to animals that were crying out for help but didn’t have a voice of their own. I have been able to learn and develop my passion for assisting my four-legged friends, also known as "animals." I was able to advocate for those animals and assist in finding solutions thanks to volunteering. My desire to become a veterinarian is sparked by my involvement in community service. Not just a general practice veterinarian, but I also attend to specialize in shelter medicine. It strikes a perfect balance between helping my community and my passion for animals. I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer and gain insight into other people's lives. It has strengthened my desire to help others and made me more compassionate. I can't wait to see all of the animals I can treat and adopt. Planned Pethood, a spay and neuter nonprofit organization that is based in a low-income area. In March 2021, I began volunteering there. It was difficult to locate volunteer-friendly locations in my neighborhood due to COVID-19. I drove an hour each way every Saturday for a year because I wanted to work with animals. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work alongside outstanding veterinarians and technicians. I gained a wealth of knowledge regarding restraining, obtaining vitals, and trimming nails. I received enough experience over time to help with surgery, patient preparation, and vaccine administration. I am very appreciative of the facility at Planned Pethood, for they were willing to teach me and guide me in the right direction. Although I do not volunteer there as often as before, I am thankful for the foundation they have given me. They have taught me that I can run a successful organization and assist animals without the latest technology or design. Anything is attainable if you have a willful attitude and a heart of service. Today as a junior majoring in animal science I’ve continued to devote my time to helping my community through my passion for animals. I spent this fall semester volunteering at the North Florida Wildlife Center. Learning about how to care and protect wildlife has been extremely rewarding and important for my community.

I am a natural server at heart, I love helping others… especially animals. My desire to study Animal Science ( Pre-Vet) was sparked by my involvement in the veterinary program at Tampa Bay Tech High School. At first, I thought all I would do was play with animals all day. I quickly realized I had mistaken the program, it entailed so much more. Starting with the basics, the terminology is where I fell in love with learning what everything meant from Abaxial to Zoonosis. Later I learned handling and restraint, which are by far one of the most important skills. I carry the wise words of my vet teacher “Without control you have chaos”. In the subsequent year, I was able to put my abilities to use in a clinical setting, where I was able to link the how to the why. For instance, I was taught surgical prep, and how to give injections, and had the chance to handle many different animals. Through the valuable skills learned, I earned internships and job opportunities that provided me with insight into what my desired career may withhold. Moreover, After undergrad, I intend to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and use my knowledge to educate my community about proper animal education. I discovered that animal awareness education and fundamental resources were lacking. This is the reason that animals are treated improperly and end up in shelters. I plan to become a specialist in shelter medicine, which is a field of veterinary medicine dedicated to the care of homeless animals in shelters or other facilities dedicated to finding them. Additionally, I will organize a free workshop on "Animal Education Awareness" using my earned title for the Tampa Bay Area. In the hope of educating pet owners on how to properly care for their animals and how to keep them healthy. A well-informed owner is essential to a happy and healthy animal, and I would like to increase the likelihood of that happening. Ultimately, I aspire to make a change in a predominantly caucasian dominated field. Black individuals account for only 1.8% of veterinarians. To reach my desired career, I will have to work ten times harder to be recognized or acknowledged compared to my counterparts. Although it is unfair, I am dedicated to standing my ground and achieving my aspirations. Aim to be an inspiration to others, showing that we are more than 1.8%. Being an Animal Science majors means being a leader in the food and agriculture sciences department. Exemplifying leadership is a daily occurrence for me, iI've learned there is always a way to improve and evolve. But it takes dedication, execution, and no fear of failure to reach your desired resul

I am a natural server at heart. I love helping others… especially animals. My involvement in the veterinary program at Tampa Bay Tech High School sparked my desire to study Animal Science (Pre-Vet). At first, I thought all I would do was play with animals all day. I quickly realized I had mistaken the program. It entailed so much more. Starting with the basics, the terminology is where I fell in love with learning what everything meant from Abaxial to Zoonosis. Later, I learned handling and restraint, one of the most essential skills. I carry the wise words of my vet teacher: “Without control, you have chaos.” In the subsequent year, I was able to put my abilities to use in a clinical setting, where I was able to link the how to the why. For instance, I was taught surgical prep and how to give injections, and I had the chance to handle many different animals. Through the valuable skills learned, I earned internships and job opportunities that gave me insight into what my desired career may withhold. Moreover, after my undergraduate studies, I intend to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and use my knowledge to educate my community about proper animal education. I discovered that animal awareness education and fundamental resources were lacking. This is why animals are treated improperly and end up in shelters. I plan to become a specialist in shelter medicine, a field of veterinary medicine dedicated to caring for homeless animals in shelters or other facilities devoted to finding them. Additionally, I will organize a free workshop on “Animal Education Awareness,” using my earned title for the Tampa Bay Area to educate pet owners on how to care for their animals properly and keep them healthy. A well-informed owner is essential to a happy and healthy animal, and I would like to increase the likelihood of that happening. Ultimately, I aspire to make a change in a predominantly Caucasian-dominated field. Black individuals account for only 1.8% of veterinarians. To reach my desired career, I must work ten times harder to be recognized or acknowledged than my counterparts. Although unfair, I am dedicated to standing my ground and achieving my aspirations. Aim to inspire others, showing that we are more than 1.8%. I am an Animal Science major, leading the food and agriculture sciences department. Exemplifying leadership is a daily occurrence for me. I’ve learned there is always a way to improve and evolve. But it takes dedication, execution, and no fear of failure to reach your desired results.

I am a natural server at heart. I love helping others… especially animals. My involvement in the veterinary program at Tampa Bay Tech High School sparked my desire to study Animal Science (Pre-Vet). At first, I thought all I would do was play with animals all day. I quickly realized I had mistaken the program. It entailed so much more. Starting with the basics, the terminology is where I fell in love with learning what everything meant from Abaxial to Zoonosis. Later, I learned handling and restraint, one of the most essential skills. I carry the wise words of my vet teacher: “Without control, you have chaos.” In the subsequent year, I was able to put my abilities to use in a clinical setting, where I was able to link the how to the why. For instance, I was taught surgical prep and how to give injections, and I had the chance to handle many different animals. Through the valuable skills learned, I earned internships and job opportunities that gave me insight into what my desired career may withhold. Moreover, after my undergraduate studies, I intend to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and use my knowledge to educate my community about proper animal education. I discovered that animal awareness education and fundamental resources were lacking. This is why animals are treated improperly and end up in shelters. I plan to become a specialist in shelter medicine, a field of veterinary medicine dedicated to caring for homeless animals in shelters or other facilities devoted to finding them. Additionally, I will organize a free workshop on “Animal Education Awareness,” using my earned title for the Tampa Bay Area to educate pet owners on how to care for their animals properly and keep them healthy. A well-informed owner is essential to a happy and healthy animal, and I would like to increase the likelihood of that happening. Ultimately, I aspire to make a change in a predominantly Caucasian-dominated field. Black individuals account for only 1.8% of veterinarians. To reach my desired career, I must work ten times harder to be recognized or acknowledged than my counterparts. Although unfair, I am dedicated to standing my ground and achieving my aspirations. Aim to inspire others, showing that we are more than 1.8%. Being an Animal Science major means leading the food and agriculture sciences department. Exemplifying leadership is a daily occurrence for me. I’ve learned there is always a way to improve and evolve. But it takes dedication, execution, and no fear of failure to reach your desired results.

Leadership will have to be what I value most about myself. I have to thank my mother for this characteristic. Because every time I heard the word leadership. All can hear is her bold strong voice "Be a Leader, not a follower!" I remember quickly questioning myself as a little girl, can anyone be a leader? Yes, leadership comes in all shapes and sizes, it is anyone willing to step up to the plate and guide people in a better direction. They are diligent, respectable, and care for others. Then I believed that is me I lead in numerous ways. Being a leader makes me a better person because it brings me joy. The first time I led a pack was when I used my love for dance and started a small nonprofit at the age of 12, Rae It Up. An opportunity to give back to the community by offering free dance classes in the park to younger girls. Rae It Up helped me learn that I love working towards a good cause. Now we are here an 18-year-old young lady and I'm still marching in the front. I've earned my role of president of the senior council through my spirit and dedication to finding ways to unite my peers, through school events like tailgates, breast cancer awareness week, and spirit days. I have been a part of Tampa alumnae Delta GEMS, an organization that empowers African American young ladies and instills leadership within us. Over the course, I have led by example through my poise and attitude which earned me the role of president of the GEMS executive board for two consecutive years. My leadership doesn't stop within organizations, I host study groups for me and my friends. Helping them apply for colleges and reading over essays, along with preparing for an upcoming test. Always trying to be a voice to help others, I created a social media account to reach more people, providing them with resources for scholarships, and volunteer opportunities, while being an inspiration to others. In the same instance, a leader is constantly learning and receptive to new information. In the same instance, a leader is constantly learning and receptive to new information. This past October I had the opportunity to have a meeting with U.S. Representative Kathy Castor about ways to improve engagement throughout the school. There is always a way to improve and evolve, you just need to be able to put in the work...that I am willing to do.

When you have gratitude towards life, it's not difficult to lend a helping hand. I was raised with the spirit of "too much is given, much is required. " I am blessed to have the opportunity to give back. I embody selflessness through my community and within my family. I sacrifice time and effort to pour into others, not because I'm seeking a physical reward. But because l love to make people feel appreciated and worthy. I know life can throw everyone curve balls, some need extra encouragement. I know from experience with my mother's selflessness, that she has always pushed me to go the extra mile. To get out there and be a change for the better. With her encouragement, I started volunteering around my community. From Feeding Tampa Bay to Metropolitan Ministries (which are just some of my favorites) I enjoy seeing the joy spread across their faces and engaging in conversations with different people. I like to say it's a humbling experience and leaves me looking forward to the next time I'm able to come back. Not only do I demonstrate selflessness within my community, coming from a huge family and dealing with a multitude of people's needs. I've learned there is more to life than just what " Rae wants". I've gained the mindset that to be where I want in life, I need to uplift others around me. For instance, when my Godmother opened her business it was a collective effort to get her business up and running. The experience taught me that if you're altruistic towards people, others will be grateful and return the action. It's the small gestures you do for people that go a long way. In this case, school is where I exemplify selflessness as well. I have always been a person to help my peers out when they're struggling. I'm never afraid to ask a billion questions because some people dislike speaking aloud but need help. Yes, l am worried about my success but I'm capable of uplifting others while achieving my goal. To conclude, when writing this piece which happens to be my first college scholarship essay. This allowed me to reflect on what my morals are and no matter the situation big or small I am making a change in the world. I am proud of the young lady I have grown to be, thank you for this opportunity!