On December 4, 2013, she took her last breath. It was heartbreaking knowing I would never be able to see or speak to her again. I could not believe that my mother was really gone. I thought to myself, why did this happen to me? What has she done to deserve this? I found myself with so many questions but not a single answer. That moment felt surreal, and my initial reaction was to escape into denial. Externally, I tried to be strong and calm, but internally, I was in so much pain. Taking the lid off the bottle and letting my emotions pour out was not an easy task, but it was the best way to get through this tough time. Confronting this tragedy taught me that no matter how difficult a challenge may seem, I can persevere with the right mindset and attitude. As I watched my mother struggle, the only thing I could offer was my love and support. I wanted to do more. Though cancer took my mother away, it also gave me something in return: a spark of interest in medicine. Words like "nasopharyngeal," "chemotherapy," and "PET scan" piqued my curiosity. Of all the healthcare professionals who cared for my mother, the physician assistants (PAs) fascinated me the most with their compassion and versatility. Reflecting on my mother's battle, I remembered one of her lessons: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Witnessing her struggle pushed me to explore the PA profession. To follow this newfound calling, I volunteered at the Corazon Clinic, a small inner-city clinic in the heart of San Antonio. There, I cared for patients from diverse backgrounds, many of whom were impoverished or facing homelessness. These patients often dealt with added health risks due to their ethnic and environmental circumstances. Chronic pain, poor diets, unsanitary living conditions, and even drug use were factors we had to consider when developing accessible treatment plans. Volunteering at the clinic opened my eyes to the importance of patient-centered care, particularly for vulnerable populations. This experience went beyond teaching me about the practice of medicine it highlighted the need for minority representation in healthcare. As an African-American man, I rarely encountered healthcare providers who looked like me. Research shows that patient outcomes improve when they are treated by someone from a similar ethnic background. I want to use the PA profession to promote cultural diversity in healthcare. My openness to other people's perspectives and ideas will help me work effectively with diverse patients. I hope to increase access to medical resources and services in underserved communities and reduce healthcare inequities. Becoming a PA comes with challenges, and student loan debt adds to those difficulties. As a first-generation college student, I’ve faced financial obstacles that can hinder progress. The Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship would significantly reduce my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my academic and professional goals. With the money saved from paying down my loans, I could invest in furthering my education and professional development. This scholarship would also help me plan for future milestones like homeownership and starting healthcare initiatives for underserved communities. My experiences—losing my mother to cancer, serving the underserved, and navigating the challenges of being an African-American student have shaped me. I am committed to providing patient-centered care, using my cultural background to help patients feel safe and comfortable. This scholarship would enable me to overcome financial barriers and focus fully on becoming the best PA I can be while giving back to the communities that need it most.