Hampton City Schools has blessed me with many teachers who have inspired me throughout my high school experience, but Mrs. Fields has inspired me the most on a personal level. My first encounter with Mrs. Fields was during freshman year in Geometry class. She visited to give a motivational talk about college, how to tackle the math curriculum, and the importance of taking care of oneself. At the time, I didn’t realize how important she would become in my life. After that day, our interactions were small but meaningful. Waves in the hallway, brief conversations, and having her as a testing monitor. These simple encounters built our connection that would later have a lasting impact on me. During my sophomore year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and run for class president. As someone who was not particularly social, this was a significant step for me. I had a strong desire to serve others and give my class the year they deserved. I campaigned like crazy, and I ended up winning along with someone else and we became co-presidents. Throughout my entire time as president, Mrs. Fields was there to support me. Even when some of our ideas were not fully supported by the administration, she advocated for us and made sure our voices were heard. The moment Mrs. Fields inspired me the most came during my junior year, when I struggled in math for the first time. I had always been confident when it came to math, but I had a teacher whose teaching style didn’t align with how I learned, and I struggled tremendously. I used every resource I could find, YouTube videos, practice tests, and even a private tutor, but nothing seemed to work. Towards the end of the year, I felt hopeless, and honestly did not want to take any type of math that was harder than elementary functions for my senior year. One day, I ran into Mrs. Fields in the hallway, and I explained everything to her. Instead of agreeing with my idea to take an easier path for senior year, she challenged me. She told me I was capable of more than I could imagine and encouraged me to take her Dual Enrollment Pre-Calculus class. I was hesitant, but I trusted her teaching and her belief in me. That decision changed everything. With her guidance and teaching, I regained my confidence, and I am now succeeding in a class I once thought was too advanced for me. Mrs. Fields has inspired me in multiple ways throughout my high school career. She pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, supported me through my leadership roles, and reminded me of my true full potential when I was struggling. Mrs. Fields’ impact has made me grow more confident, persistent, and willing to take on big challenges. Her kindness has made my high school journey truly meaningful, and it is something I will definitely carry with me in the future.

In elementary school, when my teachers asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer always had something to do with healthcare. I admired my mom and thought about becoming a nurse like her, but something about that profession didn’t feel right. I found myself drawn to animal shows, like Billy the Exterminator, Critter Fixers, and The Secret Life of the Zoo. Watching veterinarians work under pressure, support worried owners, and comfort animals their entire shift made me realize that caring for animals on a professional level was what truly inspired me. Only 1.2% of veterinarians in the United States are African American, and I plan to contribute to increasing this percentage. I remember going to the zoo as a kid and being completely fascinated by all the animals, especially the elephants, which later became my favorite. These early experiences are what sparked my initial dream of becoming a small animal veterinarian, where I could directly help animals and their owners as well. However, as I grow older, I’ve explored my interests further, and I’ve also begun to consider becoming a zoo veterinarian. The idea of working with the same animals that fascinated me when I was a child excites me just the same as working as a small animal veterinarian. Beyond my passion for animals, I have a deep interest in representation within the veterinary field. Growing up, I loved the veterinary shows I got to watch; however, I noticed there were very few television shows that featured African American veterinarians. I can only imagine this lack of representation made it hard for other young kids like me to see ourselves in that career. I hope to change this. One of my long-term goals is to create my own television show that highlights the work of veterinarians while also inspiring young audiences to pursue careers in animal science. In addition to representation, I am motivated by a strong desire to make veterinary care more affordable. I’ve seen how expensive veterinary services can be, and I have experienced the reality of having to put my dog down due to financial limitations. This experience has driven me to pursue another long-term goal: opening my own veterinary hospital. I want my practice to be a place where high-quality care is available to all patients, regardless of their owners' financial situation. By creating a practice that prioritizes affordability, I hope to serve my community in a meaningful way. Whether I pursue a career as a small-animal veterinarian or a zoo veterinarian, I know that my work will be driven by a strong desire to serve both animals and their owners. I am determined to break down the barriers in the veterinary field where diversity is limited and become a source of inspiration for others who may not see themselves within this profession. By creating a veterinary practice that prioritizes affordability and a platform that brings visibility to diverse veterinarians, I hope to leave a lasting mark on the field. My love for animals started as a childhood fascination, but it has now grown into a clear purpose I’m committed to pursuing with dedication.

In elementary school, when my teachers asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer always had something to do with healthcare. I admired my mom and thought about becoming a nurse like her, but something about that profession didn’t feel right. I found myself drawn to animal shows, such as Billy the Exterminator, Critter Fixers, and The Secret Life of the Zoo. Watching veterinarians work under pressure, support worried owners, and comfort animals their entire shift made me realize that caring for animals on a professional level was what truly inspired me. Today, my academic and professional goal is to become a veterinarian and contribute to a field where representation is limited. Only 1.2% of veterinarians in the United States are African American, and I am determined to aid in changing that. Growing up, I rarely saw veterinarians who looked like me on the shows I watched. I can only imagine this lack of representation made it hard for other young kids like me to see themselves in the veterinary field. I hope to change this. In addition to practicing veterinary medicine, I want to create a television show that highlights the daily work of veterinarians while inspiring young audiences, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in animal science. My love for this field is also personal. I’ve seen how expensive veterinary services can be. I have experienced the hard decision of having to put my dog down due to financial limitations. Due to this, I plan to open up my own veterinary hospital. I want my practice to be a place where high-quality care is available to all patients, regardless of their owners' financial situation. It will have multiple floors to accommodate every owner and animal that comes into my care. By creating a practice that prioritizes affordability, I hope to serve my community in a meaningful way. In addition to my academic and professional goals, I have actively given back to my community through my school’s Governor’s Health Science Academy. This program has provided me with numerous opportunities to explore the healthcare field. Whether it’s touring hospitals or volunteering at blood drives, the opportunities never seem to run out. One of my most memorable experiences was performing hearing screenings for over 200 students across multiple schools. Using an audiometer, I assessed each student’s hearing and recorded their results. The whole experience was beautiful, but what meant the most to me was the connections I made with the students. As they sat in front of me and I placed the headphones over their ears, I made it a point to greet them and ask how their day was going. You never know what someone is going through at home, so simply starting a small conversation could make someone’s day. I wasn’t just assessing their hearing, I was also checking on their well being. Through my community service, I have met multiple individuals and gained a deeper appreciation for the community around me. These experiences have inspired me to continue serving others and pursue my future career with purpose. I believe God has placed me in these situations for a reason, and I plan to make Him proud in whatever I do. I believe that making a difference in the world begins with small acts of kindness, and I am determined to carry out that mindset in everything I do.

My name is Sa’Maiyah Long, and I am a senior at Bethel High School. I will be attending Christopher Newport University to earn my bachelor’s degree in Biology on a Pre-Vet track. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to attend veterinary school to become a small animal veterinarian and earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). From a young age, I knew I wanted a career in healthcare. In elementary school, when my teachers asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answers always reflected that interest. I admired my mother and thought about becoming a nurse like her, but something about that profession just didn’t feel right. I found myself drawn to animal shows, like Billy the Exterminator, Critter Fixers, and The Secret Life of the Zoo. Watching veterinarians work under pressure, support worried owners, and comfort animals their entire shift made me realize that caring for animals on a professional level was what truly inspired me. During high school, I participated in multiple extracurricular activities that helped shape my teamwork skills. I have been involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and served as a student mentor for incoming freshmen. I have had the opportunity to serve as class president, which has pushed me out of my comfort zone and strengthened my leadership skills. I am also a member of the color guard in the Mighty Marching Bruin Band at Bethel. Beyond academics and extracurriculars, I have a deep interest in representation within the veterinary field. Growing up, I loved the veterinary shows I got to watch; however, I noticed there were very few television shows that featured African American veterinarians. I can only imagine this lack of representation made it hard for other young kids like me to see themselves in the veterinary field. I hope to change this. One of my long-term goals is to create my own television show that highlights the work of veterinarians while also inspiring young audiences to pursue careers in animal science. In addition to representation, I am motivated by a strong desire to make veterinary care more affordable. I’ve seen how expensive veterinary services can be, and I have experienced the reality of having to put my dog down due to financial limitations. This experience has driven me to pursue another long-term goal: opening my own veterinary hospital. I want my practice to be a place where high-quality care is available to all patients, regardless of their owners' financial situation. It will have multiple floors to accommodate every owner and animal that comes into my care. By creating a practice that prioritizes affordability, I hope to serve my community in a meaningful way. My goals are driven by a passion to uplift others. I plan to make a lasting impact. I want to heal, educate, and inspire the animals and people around me.

My name is Sa’Maiyah Long, and I am a senior at Bethel High School. I will be attending Christopher Newport University to earn my bachelor’s degree in Biology on a Pre-Vet track. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to attend veterinary school to become a small animal veterinarian and earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Only 1.2% of veterinarians in the United States are African American, and I plan to contribute to increasing this percentage. During high school, I participated in multiple extracurricular activities that helped shape my teamwork skills. I have been involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and served as a student mentor for incoming freshmen. I have had the opportunity to serve as class president, which got me out of my comfort zone and strengthened my leadership qualities. I am also a member of the color guard in the Mighty Marching Bruin Band at Bethel. Beyond academics and extracurriculars, I have a deep interest in representation within the veterinary field. Growing up, I loved the veterinary shows I got to watch; however, I noticed there were very few television shows that featured African American veterinarians. I can only imagine this lack of representation made it hard for other young kids like me to see themselves in the veterinary field. I hope to change this. One of my long-term goals is to create my own television show that highlights the work of veterinarians while also inspiring young audiences to pursue careers in animal science. In addition to representation, I am motivated by a strong desire to make veterinary care more affordable. I’ve seen how expensive veterinary services can be, and I have experienced the reality of having to put my dog down due to financial limitations. This experience has driven me to pursue another long-term goal: opening my own veterinary hospital. I want my practice to be a place where high-quality care is available to all patients, regardless of their owners' financial situation. It will have multiple floors to accommodate every owner and animal that comes into my care. By creating a practice that prioritizes affordability, I hope to serve my community in a meaningful way. Aside from my love for animals, I am very passionate about acts of community service. If I were to start my own charity, its mission would be to support stray animals by making sure they receive the necessary nutrition and veterinary care. My organization would focus on feeding animals living on the streets and providing medical treatment for those that are injured. The volunteers would play a vital role by distributing food, assisting with rescue efforts, transporting animals to veterinary clinics, and helping raise awareness about animals’ well-being. My all time goal would be to improve the quality of living for stray animals while also promoting compassion within my community.

If you had told my freshman self that she would join the marching band for her second half of high school, she would have laughed in your face. Marching band just felt like something that nerds did; it wasn’t up my league at all. However, at the end of my sophomore year, I made the big decision to try out for color guard. I was yearning for a community that felt like home, and after a friend recommended joining color guard, I thought, 'Why not?' I’m glad I did, because making the team was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It was competition day. My team and I were so excited for this competition; it had a nice environment, and the views from the stadium were beautiful. As we’re walking into the stadium to get set up, I overhear a volunteer ask, “Is this the only black band that’s coming?” I thought I was the only one who heard it, but I saw my team's energy shift completely. Surrounded by predominantly white bands, we felt like outsiders before we even performed. I could tell my teammates felt a little on edge, and I felt it too. As we walked to the practice fields, we would see the way all the other bands stared at us, as if we were animals. This affected the way we warmed up; more people started dropping their flags, nobody was counting, and everyone just seemed to be off time. However, I knew we couldn’t carry this way of thinking onto the field. I told my team that we were more than the color of our skin and that this was our chance to prove ourselves through our performance. Slowly, I watched their faces turn from frustration to determination. That day was the best we’ve ever performed, and we placed first in every category. More importantly, I learned how vital it is to support others in moments when they may feel unappreciated. Due to my words, my teammates were able to get back on track and realize that a few ignorant words and a couple of long stares can’t allow us to be down. I now understand leadership isn’t just about being the center of attention; it’s about helping people regain their confidence. This experience helped to show me what resilience truly means. Being able to bounce back in stressful situations is what truly makes a good leader. That competition was an uncomfortable environment, but we quickly changed it into a learning experience. We learned how to shake things off and not let it get to us, but the ignorant person who made that comment also learned that people aren’t defined by their skin color. In the end, it was a beautiful day, and my team and I grew significantly mentally and physically.

In elementary school, when my teachers asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer always had something to do with healthcare. I admired my mom and thought about becoming a nurse like her, but something about that profession didn’t feel right. I found myself drawn to animal shows, such as Billy the Exterminator, Critter Fixers, and The Secret Life of the Zoo. Watching veterinarians work under pressure, support worried owners, and comfort animals their entire shift made me realize that caring for animals on a professional level was what truly inspired me. Only 1.2% of veterinarians in the United States are African American, and I plan to contribute to increasing this percentage. ​ I remember going to the zoo as a kid and being completely fascinated by all the animals, especially the elephants, which later became my favorite. These early experiences are what sparked my initial dream of becoming a small animal veterinarian, where I could directly help animals and their owners as well. However, as I grow older, I’ve explored my interests further, and I’ve also begun to consider becoming a zoo veterinarian. The idea of working with the same animals that fascinated me when I was a child excites me more than working as a small animal veterinarian. Beyond my passion for animals, I have a deep interest in representation within the veterinary field. Growing up, I loved the veterinary shows I got to watch; however, I noticed there were very few television shows that featured African American veterinarians. I can only imagine this lack of representation made it hard for other young kids like me to see ourselves in that career. I hope to change this. One of my long-term goals is to create my own television show that highlights the work of veterinarians while also inspiring young audiences to pursue careers in animal science. ​ In addition to representation, I am motivated by a strong desire to make veterinary care more affordable. I’ve seen how expensive veterinary services can be, and I have experienced the reality of having to put my dog down due to financial limitations. This experience has driven me to pursue another long-term goal: opening my own veterinary hospital. I want my practice to be a place where high-quality care is available to all patients, regardless of their owners' financial situation. By creating a practice that prioritizes affordability, I hope to serve my community in a meaningful way. Not all positive impacts come from people we meet face-to-face. For me, the person who has had the greatest impact on my life lived over two thousand years ago, yet His presence continues to guide me every day. Jesus Christ is the one who has profoundly impacted my life and helped me realize my purpose. There was a time when I felt lost, I felt like I had no real purpose to fulfill, and that’s when I met Jesus. He came into my life and shaped me into the young woman I am today. Pursuing a career in veterinary medicine is such a beautiful path to take as a Christian. You not only get to serve Jesus’ people, but also his animals. When I become a small animal veterinarian and later open my own veterinary practice, I plan to share the Gospel whenever the opportunity arises, whether that’s through Bible verses on medication bottles, praying with worried pet owners, or simply having Bibles available in the waiting room. My goal is to make Jesus smile whenever He sees the work I’ve done for His creation.

Not all life-changing experiences come from people we meet face-to-face. For me, the person who has had the greatest impact on my life lived over two thousand years ago, yet His presence continues to guide me every day. Jesus Christ is the one who has profoundly impacted my life and helped me realize my full potential. There was a time where I felt lost, I felt like I had no real purpose to fulfill; and that’s when I met Jesus. Before I fully gave my life to Jesus Christ, I struggled to make decisions that honored Him. I didn’t fully believe in my potential, and I lived as if my actions didn’t have consequences. I would use inappropriate language, skip important classes, and accept bad grades. Whenever I sinned, I didn’t take the time to reflect and repent. Eventually, everything began to change. God came into my life and revealed to me how lukewarm my faith had become, and called me to turn back to Him and live a life that truly honors Him. Jesus is loving, compassionate, and peaceful. Through prayer, reading the Bible, and real-life experiences, He has shown me how to grow and become more like Him. For example, in difficult situations, like arguments, my first thought is no longer to react based on emotion, but to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” As I continue to seek Him in those hard moments, He guides me toward making the right choices. My mindset has completely changed from the girl I was in sixth grade, who didn’t care about how she lived. Now, as a twelfth grader, I’m preparing to start this new chapter of my life knowing my full potential. Since allowing Jesus into my life, I’ve changed in many ways. I read my Bible more consistently, I’m more mindful of the language I use, and I take time to repent when I fall short. Through Him, I’ve discovered my true potential to make a positive difference in this world. I have served my community through volunteer work, earned strong grades throughout high school, and built so many beautiful relationships along the way. I couldn’t have made any of these beautiful milestones without Jesus. I am grateful for every blessing He has given me. In conclusion, Jesus has taught me that I was created for a purpose. I now understand that I have both the ability and the responsibility to use my full potential, not only to make a difference in this world, but also to honor Him in everything I do. As I move forward in my life, I know I will face challenges, but with my faith in Jesus, I’m confident that I will overcome them. The faith that I have built over the years has given me assurance that God will continue to guide me every step of the way.

As I walk with God in this exciting new chapter of my life, I find myself realizing that faith is crucial in my walk with Jesus. Right now, I’m waiting on my dream school decisions, which come out on March 26th. It's an Ivy League school, and while my mind has its doubts, my spirit is telling me to have faith. Getting rejected will hurt, yes, but I have faith that God has a plan for my life that is far better than anything I could imagine. So even if I don’t continue my higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, I know Jesus will allow me to thrive no matter the school I attend. I plan to put this same strong faith into my higher education. Becoming a veterinarian takes eight years of schooling, something I know I can only succeed in through Jesus. College will be the first time I experience a long-term environment where it’s just God and me. I won’t have my parents there to monitor my decisions, only Jesus. I see that as a blessing. I’m entering a new season in my walk with God that feels independent and personal. As I grow older, I’ll experience more intimate moments with Jesus, and college is just the beginning. Having a passion for veterinary medicine is such a beautiful path to pursue as a Christian. You not only get to serve Jesus’ people, but also his animals. When I become a small animal veterinarian and later open my own veterinary practice, I plan to share the Gospel whenever the opportunity arises, whether that’s through Bible verses on medication bottles, praying with worried pet owners, or simply having Bibles available in the waiting room. My goal is to make Jesus smile whenever He sees the work I’ve done for His creation. My relationship with Jesus has strengthened my faith more than I ever thought possible. There have been so many times when I deeply wanted something, faced rejection, and then received a blessing even more beautiful then I imagined. That’s why I’m at peace with whatever outcome March 26th brings. Jesus has shown me that His plans are always greater than my own. Faith means so much to me, I got the word tattooed on my left forearm. I think of it as a little reminder that no matter how bad the season, Jesus will never leave my side.