My dad left I was just one year old, and since then, it’s been just me and my mom. Growing up in a single-parent household meant maturing quickly. I learned to wash dishes before I was even tall enough to reach the sink. I was taught laundry and cleaning bathrooms because my mom was constantly working to make ends meet. I often came home to an empty house and cooked my food. My go-to meals were sandwiches or pizza. Each summer, Mom pushed me to complete the curriculum for the next grade level so I'd stay ahead of my classmates. Not having an active father figure in my life has molded me into an independent young woman. My mother’s tough-love and strictness has taught me self-discipline. When she came home, we would catch up and share stories about our days. Although we didn't have a lot of money, I always knew I had my mom’s love and support, which was priceless to me. I’ve grown to be the person I am today because of the hardships I’ve faced, not despite them. Throughout school, I’ve worked hard to be top of my class and maintain excellent grades. I’ve held leadership roles, including serving as Class President for three years and Historian of National Honor Society. While most students hate school, I proudly say I love it because it’s a place where I can make a positive difference and put my best foot forward towards success. Teamwork is a big part of my life, I’ve made a difference by being part of my high school volleyball team. I made Varsity and I’m always showing up for my team. Whether I’m cheering my head off on the bench or scoring on the court, I love to bring energy to those around me.

I’ve always dreamed of being a doctor and helping those in need of medical care. Personally, I rarely went to the doctor as a child. My single immigrant mother could not afford the cost of check-ups and Medicare. Growing up, when I got sick I was just told to just drink water and get more sleep. I had many cavities that never got professionally fixed because my mom didn't trust U.S. doctors, she opted for holistic remedies like supplements and foods. This is why I feel such a strong calling towards healthcare, driven by my desire to help those in need of medical attention. Biology is also my first choice major because I truly enjoy studying how the human body functions and I look forward to discovering more about health and wellness. I believe that Biology and other STEM fields provide lots of benefits in the real world. Biology is the study of life and we need more people who are willing to learn about it. Once I earn my degree in Biology, I will go into med school and become a great doctor and strive to make healthcare safer and more accessible, especially for minorities. The reason I want to go to college is to take my education to the next level. I want to push myself through challenging courses and gain knowledge to apply in the real world. My dream is to become a doctor—specifically, an Anesthesiologist. This pathway would change my life and make my family proud. My mom is from a large family in Nigeria, where healthcare is scarce, and she came to the United States to give me a better chance at life. I am so thankful to her because she’s the reason I've been blessed with so many opportunities. Aside from my family, I want this for myself. I’ve always enjoyed solving intellectual problems, and I love helping others and serving my community. I am hardworking, driven, and determined to pursue my career in STEM. I would make a great doctor because I will advocate for those in need and not judge their situations. I've also done 100+ hours of community service. I have volunteered at the food bank distributing meals, at Habitat for Humanity building houses, and painting my school. All the activities I volunteer in are to give back to my community. At my church, I help out by picking up trash around the building and cooking lunch for 20-30 guests on Sundays. Additionally, as Class President, I assisted my community with bake sales, soccer games, and school events so the seniors could have a prom. I wanted my peers to have a fun and memorable senior year, so I rallied everyone together to make it possible. I deeply enjoy community service, and I find it very fulfilling to know that I am serving a purpose greater than myself. This translates to medicine because I can make people feel better. My mom is my biggest inspiration and she has always said, “Leave the place better than you found it.” This means going the extra mile and working above and beyond to be a light in this world. I carry this mindset with me at all times. I’ve worked to overcome academic pressures, athletic competition, and mental battles, so I know I can succeed at a higher level. I would be a great candidate for this scholarship because of my unique perspectives and driven work ethic. With your help, I can achieve my medical career goals and make the world a better place. Thank you for your time.

I would describe myself as a hard worker in my community. I have always strived to be of service and make life better for the people around me. During my Junior year, for the class of 2025, I took it upon myself to find a sponsor and hold an election for student body officers. It is imperative to have class officers to represent the students in our grade and raise money for school activities like prom, senior trips, and other fun events. At first, I felt hopeless like there was no way I could possibly gather up a class cabinet on my own. But then I came up with the idea to ask my track coach, Coach Ramirez, to sponsor our class since she is a great role model and plenty of student-athletes look up to her. So I proposed the idea to her and she agreed to help me organize our student body. The next step in my plan was to have an election to swear in the new officers, so I talked to my coach about it and soon we made announcements to all juniors to run for a leader position in our class. As I pondered what position I could run for, the only option that really made sense to me was running for president. I began my campaign by making flyers, promoting on social media, and telling my friends to vote for me by word of mouth. I noticed that many people didn't actually understand the concept of being a class officer, so I sat down and explained it to the people who asked and that got more of my peers to run for office too. Eventually, the class officers were elected and we got to work. As class president, I decided our first order of business was to start fundraising for prom in the following year. I called for class officer meetings, created the student body group chat, started a class of '25 Instagram account, and got involved with my class. Our first fundraiser was hosting concessions for a local track meet. I presented myself as a leader by inviting many students to attend the event, asking people for concession donations, and donating concessions myself. I also rallied people to help sell concessions, and by the end of the track meet day, we ended up raising $700 for our class. My skills influenced this outcome because without me putting the student body together, it probably wouldn't have happened. I saw a situation that needed addressing, and I took action to get people involved to fix it. Although I felt overwhelmed and defeated at times, I didn't let that stop me. I continued to push towards my goal not letting anything stand in my way. I believe I exemplified the strong qualities of leadership, positivity, discipline, and integrity needed out in the "real world." I'm very glad I ran for class president and overcame mental obstacles, I am proud to say that I served a cause larger than myself.