I honestly never imagined I would reach the age of eighteen. From the moment I was born, I felt a sense of inadequacy, convinced I was destined for failure. This belief shaped much of who I am today. As I reflect on my life, countless memories flood back, many filled with agony that sparked my struggles with self-confidence, depression, and anxiety. My education, unfortunately, suffered the most. Little did I know that my lack of self-sufficiency would eventually lead to becoming an academic failure. In elementary school, I was a dedicated student. My mother, an immigrant from Antigua who later became a citizen, always encouraged me to strive in school. She never attended college, focusing instead on supporting her four children while learning American English. Despite her challenges, she taught me to be diligent and intelligent, and I made sure to make her proud. I loved studying vocabulary, solving math problems, and taking my education seriously. But I was often one of the few in my class who felt this way. Many of my classmates didn't value school the same way. Our primary years were chaotic, with unstable teachers and constant disruptions. Still, I refused to let this hinder my learning. I kept reading, studying on my own, and maintaining high test scores, an area where African American students are often underrepresented. Teachers recognized my efforts, and their praise motivated me to push forward. Then the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything. Learning through a screen became unbearable, and I fell into a deeper depression, spending hours alone while my mother worked and my siblings were busy. School days felt endless, and I lost interest in learning. Soon, I began skipping Zoom classes and even falling asleep during them. I fought to finish middle school strong, but my motivation slipped away. High school felt like a fresh start, but I quickly became overwhelmed. Within months, I was falling behind and feeling isolated. My confidence crumbled, and I was consumed by hopelessness and anxiety. No matter how many times I reached out, I couldn't find support. I withdrew from school and turned to self-harm, cutting, not eating, just to cope. Things changed during my sophomore year when I transferred schools and met the school's therapist. At first, I was skeptical, but weekly therapy sessions became my lifeline. My therapist helped me reframe my thoughts, replacing all negativity with positivity. Through tears, fears, and laughter, we worked through my challenges, and over time, I began to heal. For the first time, I saw a future for myself. The change was clear to everyone. My grades improved dramatically, and I built healthier relationships with family and friends. My mother, who once felt powerless to help, now cries tears of joy, grateful to see me happy. I'm thankful for the support I received and proud to say I am motivated again. Looking ahead, I feel ready to continue my education and pursue a life full of positivity and full of purpose. I'm grateful I chose to keep going and excited for this new chapter in my life. This scholarship will encourage my passion to further my education. I would like to receive this scholarship to pursue a medical career in diagnostic medical imaging. Helping others, I believe, is my calling in life. I would love to make this dream come true.