At the age of 10, I arrived in the United States with the daunting task of mastering the English language to pass my 5th-grade STAAR exam. It was a challenging journey, but I was determined and committed to achieving my goal. I spent countless hours studying and practicing, and after three years of hard work and persistence, I finally became fluent in English. Despite the language barrier, I have managed to excel in my studies and maintain an unweighted GPA above 3.5. This is a testament to my unwavering commitment to academic excellence and my ability to overcome obstacles through hard work and dedication. I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to continuing to pursue my academic goals with the same level of determination and perseverance. As a Muslim teenager in the United States, I have encountered numerous difficulties, including bullying and discrimination, which have shaped my character and strengthened my resolve. However, I have never lost sight of my objectives, and I remain steadfast in my confidence and determination to achieve my goals. I am convinced that my perseverance and resilience make me an ideal candidate for this scholarship because I am unwavering in my determination to make a positive impact on society and stay focused on my goals. As I look ahead to my future, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and determination to pursue my ultimate aspiration of becoming a premed student and attending medical school. My passion for medicine and healthcare has been a driving force in my life, and I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most. One of my primary goals is to assist individuals in underprivileged areas in gaining a better understanding of their health and anatomy. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. Through my work as a premed student and future physician, I hope to help bridge the gap between healthcare disparities and provide care to those who are often overlooked or underserved. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, as it will enable me to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the field of medicine and serve my community.

Whenever I watched the movie inside out it changed my life forever. I feel like even though it is a Disney movie for kids, it has so much depth it that has to do with psychology which I am so fascinated by. Inside and Out would be the movie I would watch for the rest of my life. The movie talks about core memories and how they define and shape our lives. Core memories also dictate how we react and perceive certain things. Aside from core memories, inside out also validates the different types of emotions one can go through during a particular event. I feel like the movie was very intriguing as it accurately describes the feelings someone would go through when developing through their childhood and into their late adolescent years. As an adolescent myself I can watch that movie over and over again because I tend to find out new details somewhere along the scenes. Inside Out is a Disney production that has had an incredible impact on my life. Despite being a film geared towards children, it explores the fascinating world of psychology. Specifically, it touches on the concept of core memories and how they shape our existence. These memories have the ability to influence our reactions and perceptions toward certain situations, and the film does an excellent job of showcasing this phenomenon. What I find truly remarkable about the movie is how it validates the range of emotions we can experience in response to a given event. It shows that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated and that those emotions are just as valid as joy or happiness. As someone who is fascinated by psychology, I found the movie to be exceptionally captivating. It accurately portrays the emotional journey of a person from childhood to late adolescence, and it does so in a way that is both relatable and poignant. One of the things I appreciate about Inside Out is that it doesn't shy away from complex emotions. It acknowledges that life is messy and complicated and that our experiences shape us in ways that we may not even be aware of. As a young adult, I can watch this movie repeatedly and still discover new details that I may have missed before. It's a testament to the film's depth and complexity, and it's a reminder that even the most seemingly simple stories can have a profound impact on our lives.

I can fully understand and relate to Malgorzata's struggles, as my family and I encountered a similar situation when we migrated to the United States from Iraq seven years ago. We were in a completely new country without any family or support system, which proved to be quite challenging. Moreover, my sister and I did not know any English, which was a daunting obstacle to overcome. At the time, I was in fifth grade and had to pass my finals to move on to middle school and to do so, I had to learn English in just one year. This was a seemingly impossible task that I had to accomplish. There were numerous instances when I felt like giving up, especially when people doubted my abilities, including my teacher. However, I was determined to prove them wrong and pass the test. In addition to the language barrier, I had to cope with physical difficulties as well. In sixth grade, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, which required me to wear a brace for at least 18 hours a day and undergo physical therapy. The process was not easy, but I persevered through the pain and trusted the process. My goal was to avoid surgery, and I knew that if I did everything right, I would eventually achieve that goal. I remember every doctor's appointment I went to they told me that my chances of having surgery were very high, however, the more I heard those comments, my temptations to prove them wrong only increased. I recall the days were I was so sore I could barely move my back, and the days were I got frustrated due to the restrictions the brace put on my movements. After all of that, 4 years later, I am off my bracing, still doing my workouts, and not getting surgery anytime soon. All of these experiences have led me to consider pursuing a career in the medical field. As a graduating high school senior, I plan to pursue dentistry as my career path. My plan is to major in biology with a medical concentration, and then apply to dental school. My objective is to help people feel confident about their smiles and bring a smile to their faces. I feel that this is the best way to give back to society and make a positive impact on people's lives. When looking at Malgorzata I feel like all of the things I went through and am planning to do align with her accomplishments and values.

Carried me for 9 months, then ended up with scars due to the surgery she had to go through to have me. Mi mama - my mom. My mom inspires me because when the odds were all against her, she came through with determination and willpower. My mom did not have an easy upcoming. She grew up in an unprivileged household where she had no light to finish her homework. She lived through a war and still managed to graduate with a 3.8 GPA from high school. She went into computer engineering, blossomed, and became a college professor. After that, she married my dad and had me less than a year later. My mom sacrificed so much for my siblings and I. She gave up her family and her job to bring us here so that we can have a chance at a better future. She was not fluent in English, so she struggled to communicate with people. She stayed home while my dad worked and my sister and I went to school. However, her pregnancy with my baby brother put her life at risk. During her pregnancy, my mom found out she had gestational diabetes. She had to follow a strict diet with her food or she could lose the baby. This was a hard time for all of the family but seeing how she handled the situation and was determined to have her unborn child safely even if it meant not eating as much as she wanted to - keep in mind she was feeding not only herself, but another living human inside of her - was memorable to me. Another thing that inspired me was her striving to become the best version of herself. As mentioned before, my mom did not know English. However, she began listening to educational videos and practicing her speaking to go out in the community and be able to effectively communicate. After becoming better at English she got a job to help out our family with finances. The process was not easy, but she managed to secure a well-paying job that covered our needs. While working she made sure that every night there was food on the table, everyone went to bed with a full stomach, and had lunch in their bags the next day. There were days when she would wake up at 4 AM and go to bed at 11 PM just to make sure that everything was ready for the next day. If anyone else was in my mom’s shoes and went through the hardships she went through, they would have most likely crumble. This woman taught me that no matter what happens, the sun does not wait for you and shines the next day regardless. She motivates me to do better in life, and I hope that one day I can be as strong as her.