I’ve always been interested in the medical field, it has always been something close to home. Growing up, my father was an EMT and had night classes during his visitation with me so, I always went with him. At the age of seven, I learned how to perform CPR and the Heimlich Remover. I think that’s what sparked my love for medicine, I liked that there were ways to tell what was wrong with someone and how to help them with it. I also liked that it was something that bonded me and my dad together – we both had a shared devotion that we could relate to. We have always had a difficult relationship that became more strained in the third grade. I was sitting at my dining room table on a video call with my father and he told me that he wasn’t coming back to America – his home was now in Ireland away from me. After this, I began working harder in school and my after-school activities, and excelling in everything that I did so I could get farther in life than him. Everything that I’ve achieved and accomplished was despite him for some reason. But even with all this resentment and anger I had towards him as a child, my love for medicine never faltered, nor did my love for my father. Even though we had all this distance between us, our relationship stayed intact because of our mutual love for medicine and each other. Because of this, I’ve always gravitated towards science courses like chemistry and biology that were linked with medicine. My parents had me right out of high school and never had the chance to finish their college careers so, it was instilled in me from a young age that my education is what mattered most for me and my future. But this is all easier said than done, my parents split up right after I was born and neither of them made a substantial amount of money so, I had no savings set aside for my college fund. I'm very lucky to have received federal aid and scholarships from my college but my Pell Grant was recently cut in half and it's taking a toll on me and my family's finances. I've always known what I wanted in life and who I wanted to be, I just wasn't always given the best resources to pursue it. Receiving the scholarship will allow me to stay at my college and continue studying medicine without having to carry any financial burdens.

I am a native New Yorker, I come from a residential community in the Bronx called Pelham Bay. It holds over ten thousand people, and yet everyone is connected. The place itself seems to be stuck in time with the way things work, the same family businesses are running, the same school rivalries continue, and the same traditional values are set in place. And even though the people in my neighborhood are obsessed with Bronx and New York history, I’ve never heard or learned about Stonewall until I started high school. In my community, there aren’t many people like me, a daughter of a single mother who doesn’t go to the zoned high school and a lesbian. Where I’m from you can’t be gay and successful, you’d be wasted potential. All that I’ve accomplished wouldn’t matter because it’s such a shame I wasn’t “right”. When talking to others in my neighborhood I could share all my new achievements and everything new with me, and say that I know it’s a shame I don’t have a boyfriend yet but it’s because I’m focusing on school. To me, college is about growing as a person and I hope to do that in an environment where I don’t have to hide my sexuality. And if that sort of safe space isn’t at my college, I’d make one. It’s an important part of me that I’ve had to hide from my home for so long and I no longer want to feel that way. I want to be able to embrace every part of myself and not my sexuality as a setback to help others in my future community who’ve experienced the same. Besides being part of a supportive community college is something very important to me regarding my future. I am a first-generation student who was raised by a single mother. I plan on going into medicine and have done my best to be involved with it as much as I can so I can ensure my place in a good institution. I’m in my school's pre-med and advocacy club and am the leader/founder of my school's book club. I also volunteer my time as a lab tech and peer tutor at my school during my free time as well as hospital shadowing that I did over the summer in the ER. Even though what I’ve done isn't exactly linked to the LGBTQ+ community, I am a part of the community, and any success and accomplishments I’ve achieved directly reflect those of my peers. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to receive both an education and a community without having too much financial burden.

I’ve always been interested in the medical field, it has always been something close to home. Growing up, my father was an EMT and had night classes during his visitation with me so, I always went with him. At the age of seven, I learned how to perform CPR and the Heimlich Remover. I think that’s what sparked my love for medicine, I liked that there were ways to tell what was wrong with someone and how to help them with it. I also liked that it was something that bonded me and my dad together – we both had a shared devotion that we could relate to. We have always had a difficult relationship that became more strained in the third grade. I was sitting at my dining room table on a video call with my father and he told me that he wasn’t coming back to America – his home was now in Ireland away from me. After this, I began working harder in school and my after-school activities, and excelling in everything that I did so I could get farther in life than him. Everything that I’ve achieved and accomplished was despite him for some reason. But even with all this resentment and anger I had towards him as a child, my love for medicine never faltered, nor did my love for my father. Even though we had all this distance between us, our relationship stayed intact because of our mutual love for medicine and each other. Because of this, I’ve always gravitated towards science courses like chemistry and biology that were linked with medicine. Delving deeper into the intricacies of those subjects and having the potential to make a meaningful impact on society have motivated me in my pursuit of higher education. Throughout my academic journey, I have consistently excelled in courses related to studying medicine. From acing physics, chemistry, and college biology courses to partaking in hands-on projects, I have been continuously inspired by the intellectual challenges and the potential for real-world applications. Notably, my work in my DNA barcoding lab gave me invaluable insights into evolutionary biology's practical implications, further igniting my curiosity. Beyond the classroom, my passion for medicine extends to various extracurricular activities. As a member of my school’s pre-med club, I participated in presentations and discussions to address real-world issues in the medical world. Additionally, my involvement in the NYLF Medicine summer program allowed me to witness firsthand how to care for patients, administer IVs, and much more, confirming my dedication to pursuing it as a career. I’m also very fortunate to have a parent who went to school for medicine and practiced it, so I’ve shadowed them while they work and treat others. Graduating with my bachelor's degree in biology/chemistry will serve as a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal: making a lasting impact on society through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions. With a solid foundation in medical science, I envision myself working as a medical professional, addressing global challenges and driving positive change. I am excited about the prospect of learning and growing within an esteemed academic community. I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the world.