Carl Jung once said, “You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” From an early age, I was fascinated by human behavior, why people act the way they do, what shapes their emotions, and how experiences influence their choices. As the more emotional child out of the two, I was the one who couldn’t hide my feelings, whether through tears or expressions when something upset me. My curiosity deepened when I noticed how differently my peers responded to the world around them. In middle school, I discovered true crime, which expanded my interest in psychology to forensic psychology. I became obsessed with understanding what drives people to commit crimes, like what experiences led them to that point and whether intervention could have changed their path. I believe that beneath every stigma lies a person with experiences, value, and potential beyond the labels society places on them. This belief fuels my passion for psychology and my determination to advocate for those who feel unheard. Losing my sister at 19 due to a medical misdiagnosis profoundly shaped my understanding of grief, healing, and mental health. That loss instilled in me a deep desire to support others, particularly youth in crisis, as they navigate emotional and psychological struggles. I have since channeled my grief into advocacy, working to ensure that individuals, especially marginalized youth, can receive the mental health support they deserve. During my Junior year, I was an intern at Prince George's Mental Health Champions, where I illustrated the importance of mental health to children through art. My internship at the University of Maryland’s Lavender Lab throughout the summer allowed me to research the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ adolescents, further reinforcing my commitment to advocating for those often overlooked. Witnessing the impact of mental health resources on marginalized communities solidified my goal to work with incarcerated youth in juvenile correction centers. I want to create a space where they can confront their trauma, understand their emotions, and see themselves beyond their circumstances. By addressing their emotional and social needs, I hope to help them recognize their potential and make empowered choices for their future. Earning a degree in psychology or forensic psychology from Temple University will be the first step toward achieving this goal. I plan to continue my education by earning a master’s and a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (PsyD), equipping myself with the knowledge and experience to work within the justice system. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to continue my studies and pursue hands-on research opportunities, mentorships, and internships that will shape my future career. It will also lessen the stress my parents have to experience after dealing with my sister’s medical bills. My ultimate goal is to not only impact individual lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and equitable justice system. Everyone deserves a fair chance to be heard, and I want to be that voice for them. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to transforming my passion into action, helping young individuals break cycles of trauma and reshape their futures. Thank you for considering me!

Carl Jung once said, "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do." From an early age, I was fascinated by human behavior and why people act the way they do. As an emotional child, I struggled to hide my feelings, which fueled my curiosity about psychology. In middle school, true crime expanded my interest in forensic psychology. I became obsessed with understanding why people commit crimes and whether intervention could change their path. I believe behind every stigma is a person with value and potential, fueling my passion for advocacy. Losing my sister at 19 due to a medical misdiagnosis reinforced my desire to support youth in crisis. Being Guyanese and the child of immigrants, I witnessed my parents’ sacrifices and navigated an education system that lacked cultural representation. To address this, I founded my high school’s Caribbean Student Association, strengthening my leadership and advocacy skills. I interned at Prince George's Mental Health Champions, illustrating mental health concepts through art, and at the University of Maryland’s Lavender Lab, researching Black LGBTQ+ adolescents. These experiences solidified my goal to work with incarcerated youth, helping them confront trauma and redefine their futures. A psychology or forensic psychology degree from Temple University is the first step toward this goal. I plan to earn a master’s and a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (PsyD) to work within the justice system. This scholarship would provide financial support for my studies, research, and internships, helping me transform my passion into action. Thank you for considering me!

Carl Jung once said, “You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” From an early age, I was fascinated by human behavior, why people act the way they do, what shapes their emotions, and how experiences influence their choices. As the more emotional child out of the two, I was the one who couldn’t hide my feelings, whether through tears or expressions when something upset me. My curiosity deepened when I noticed how differently my peers responded to the world around them. In middle school, I discovered true crime, which expanded my interest in psychology to forensic psychology. I became obsessed with understanding what drives people to commit crimes, like what experiences led them to that point and whether intervention could have changed their path. I believe that beneath every stigma lies a person with experiences, value, and potential beyond the labels society places on them. This belief fuels my passion for psychology and my determination to advocate for those who feel unheard. Losing my sister at 19 due to a medical misdiagnosis profoundly shaped my understanding of grief, healing, and mental health. That loss instilled in me a deep desire to support others, particularly youth in crisis, as they navigate emotional and psychological struggles. I have since channeled my grief into advocacy, working to ensure that individuals, especially marginalized youth, can receive the mental health support they deserve. During my Junior year, I was an intern at Prince George's Mental Health Champions, where I illustrated the importance of mental health to children through art. My internship at the University of Maryland’s Lavender Lab throughout the summer allowed me to research the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ adolescents, further reinforcing my commitment to advocating for those often overlooked. Witnessing the impact of mental health resources on marginalized communities solidified my goal to work with incarcerated youth in juvenile correction centers. I want to create a space where they can confront their trauma, understand their emotions, and see themselves beyond their circumstances. By addressing their emotional and social needs, I hope to help them recognize their potential and make empowered choices for their future. Earning a degree in psychology or forensic psychology from Temple University will be the first step toward achieving this goal. I plan to continue my education by earning a master’s and a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (PsyD), equipping myself with the knowledge and experience to work within the justice system. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to continue my studies and lessen the stress my parents have to experience after paying my sister’s medical bills. My goal is to not only impact individual lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and equitable justice system. Everyone deserves a fair chance to be heard, and I want to be that voice for them. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to transforming my passion into action, helping young individuals break cycles of trauma and reshape their futures. Thank you for considering me!

Carl Jung once said, “You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” From an early age, I was fascinated by human behavior, why people act the way they do, what shapes their emotions, and how experiences influence their choices. As the more emotional child out of the two, I was the one who couldn’t hide my feelings, whether through tears or expressions when something upset me. My curiosity deepened when I noticed how differently my peers responded to the world around them. In middle school, I discovered true crime, which expanded my interest in psychology to forensic psychology. I became obsessed with understanding what drives people to commit crimes, like what experiences led them to that point and whether intervention could have changed their path. I believe that beneath every stigma lies a person with experiences, value, and potential beyond the labels society places on them. This belief fuels my passion for psychology and my determination to advocate for those who feel unheard. Being Guyanese and the child of immigrant parents has played a crucial role in shaping my educational journey. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices my parents made to provide opportunities for me that they never had. Their resilience and determination instilled in me a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for education. However, I also experienced the challenges of navigating an education system that often lacked representation of my culture. Recognizing this gap, I took the initiative to start the Caribbean Student Association at my high school, creating a space where students from similar backgrounds could feel seen and celebrated. This experience reinforced my leadership skills and passion for advocacy, further motivating me to pursue a career where I can uplift marginalized voices. During my Junior year, I was an intern at Prince George's Mental Health Champions, where I illustrated the importance of mental health to children through art. My internship at the University of Maryland’s Lavender Lab throughout the summer allowed me to research the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ adolescents, further reinforcing my commitment to advocating for those often overlooked. Witnessing the impact of mental health resources on marginalized communities solidified my goal to work with incarcerated youth in juvenile correction centers. I want to create a space where they can confront their trauma, understand their emotions, and see themselves beyond their circumstances. By addressing their emotional and social needs, I hope to help them recognize their potential and make empowered choices for their future. Earning a degree in psychology or forensic psychology from Temple University will be the first step toward achieving this goal. I plan to continue my education by earning a master’s and a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (PsyD), equipping myself with the knowledge and experience to work within the justice system. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to continue my studies and pursue hands-on research opportunities, mentorships, and internships that will shape my future career. My ultimate goal is to not only impact individual lives but also contribute to a more compassionate and equitable justice system. Everyone deserves a fair chance to be heard, and I want to be that voice for them. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to transforming my passion into action, helping young individuals break cycles of trauma and reshape their futures. Thank you for considering me!

It was March 2023, and I was on a school field trip in New York. While walking back, a sharp cramp shot through my leg, stopping me in my tracks. I remember laying on the floor of a movie theater as a student from another school stretched my legs out. At that moment, I fully dissociated, praying this wasn’t my reality. Weeks later, I was rushed to Children's Hospital with a raging headache that felt like it was splitting my skull in two. My body was weak, my vision blurred, and a deep pit formed in my stomach, a mix of fear and confusion I couldn’t shake. The doctors moved swiftly, their voices blending into the hum of machines and hurried footsteps. I had no idea that this night would change my life forever. After hours of endless tests and IV drips, the doctor walked in with my diagnosis. “Type 2 diabetes.” I was stunned. My family had a history of diabetes, but I never thought it would be me. During my stay at the hospital, I had to quickly learn how to manage this new reality, how to take insulin, how to count carbs, and how to navigate a life that suddenly revolved around numbers and injections. From that moment on, everything changed. Every day before lunch, I had to go to the nurse to take my insulin, which sometimes felt isolating. In the beginning, I was embarrassed, my Dexcom would beep loudly during exams, reminding everyone of my condition. I had to turn down the foods I enjoyed. And worst of all, I started feeling like something was wrong with me. It wasn’t until my junior year that I finally embraced my diagnosis. I started wearing my Dexcom with confidence, advocating for myself when I needed accommodations, and taking control of my health through exercise and better nutrition. My journey even led me to research with NIH’s NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases), where I explored diabetes from a scientific perspective. I realized that diabetes isn’t a life sentence; it’s a testament to resilience and strength. Although I don’t have Type 1 diabetes, I share the daily challenges of managing this condition. With this scholarship, I hope to attend Temple University, where I can volunteer for diabetic outreach programs and participate in labs focused on diseases like diabetes. Every day, I continue to advocate for those navigating this illness, showing them that while the diagnosis may change their life, it doesn’t have to limit it.