I have always sought meaning beneath the surface, noticing the unspoken and seeking to support those who feel unseen as I have myself. My name is Sophia Santiago. As a senior at Danbury High School, I've dedicated myself to leadership, academics, and service while maintaining a 4.0 weighted GPA and a part-time job. I'm incredibly passionate about taking on meaningful roles in my school and within my community, serving as the president of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout my high school journey, I've furthered my advocacy and founded Protect Danbury Hearts, a local initiative focused on supporting families and community needs. Promoting youth involvement became one of the most defining experiences in my high school years, alongside my work in the Danbury High School Green Committee, Fashion Club, and serving as the Creative Director of Between the Spines. Over time and experience, I've learned that I feel most fulfilled when I'm helping people feel cared for and, most importantly, safe. That realization guided my involvement in school and community activities and fueled my passion for a future in healthcare, specifically Radiation Technology. ​ My commitment to service has shaped who I am today. My mother was disabled by a healthcare provider, and for the past few years, we have been living off of only her disability check after my father passed away. There have been times when we were living solely off of community resources and relied entirely on others to make it through tough times. After being in that position, I found that I wanted to help others, just as they had helped my family at our lowest. Through my community work and my own experience, I've seen firsthand how small acts of kindness can change someone's day or lives. Those experiences deepened my interest in health and wellness, especially after volunteering with those affected by illness and family struggles. However, I wasn't always a perfect student. For many years I faced an incredible mental health crisis that prevented me from becoming the person I desired to be. I didn't learn the value of my voice until I finally used it to help others. Breaking the cycle of depression was one of the hardest things I've ever done but It was incredibly worth it in the long run. ​ As I prepare to take the next step toward a career in healthcare, financial support is essential for me to continue on this path. Living in a single-income household after my father passed away, only supported by disability benefits, has made the cost of higher education a significant burden. This scholarship would not only make college attainable for me, but would also allow me to focus fully on my education and service. With this support, I will be able to transform my dedication to compassion, advocacy, and community service into a lifelong commitment to caring for others, ensuring the challenges my family faced become the foundation for change for future patients.

Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from a classroom, but from stepping up when my family and community needed support. My name is Sophia Santiago. As a senior at Danbury High School, I've dedicated myself to leadership, academics, and service while maintaining a 4.0 weighted GPA and a part-time job. I'm incredibly passionate about taking on meaningful roles in my school and within my community, serving as the president of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout my high school journey, I've furthered my advocacy and founded Protect Danbury Hearts, a local initiative focused on supporting families and community needs. Promoting youth involvement became one of the most defining experiences in my high school years, alongside my work in the Danbury High School Green Committee, Fashion Club, and serving as the Creative Director of Between the Spines. Over time and experience, I've learned that I feel most fulfilled when I'm helping people feel cared for and, most importantly, safe. That realization guided my involvement in school and community activities and fueled my passion for a future in healthcare, specifically Radiation Technology. However, I've always aspired to be an entrepreneur. For a while I went back and forth unable to decide which career I wanted to invest myself in, until I realized I could do both. My hard work and dedication could be split and I could fulfill both of my dream roles and possibly even connect the two. ​ My commitment to service has shaped who I am today. My mother was disabled by a healthcare provider, and for the past few years, we have been living off of only her disability check after my father passed away. There have been times when we were living solely off of community resources and relied entirely on others to make it through tough times. After being in that position, I found that I wanted to help others, just as they had helped my family at our lowest. Through my community work and my own experience, I've seen firsthand how small acts of kindness can change someone's day or even their life. Those experiences deepened my interest in human health and wellness, especially after volunteering with those affected by illness and family struggles. I plan to take my two career goals and combine them, taking my experiences in both, I want to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare. Nothing is more important to me than equal opportunity and fair treatment, which all starts at making healthcare affordable and easily accessible. ​ As I prepare to take the next step toward a career in healthcare and entrepreneurship, financial support is essential for me to continue on this path. Living in a single-income household after my father passed away, only supported by disability benefits, has made the cost of higher education a significant burden for my family, and I am determined to ease that strain while still pursuing my goals. This scholarship would not only make college attainable for me, but would also allow me to focus fully on my education and service. With this support, I will be able to transform my dedication to compassion, advocacy, and community service into a lifelong commitment to caring for others, ensuring that the challenges my family faced become the foundation for positive change in the lives of future patients. Thus, This scholarship is a pivotal stepping stone on my journey to making a true difference in the world. It will open doors not only for my education but everyone who I meet along the path.

Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from a classroom, but from stepping up when my family and community needed support. My name is Sophia Santiago. As a senior at Danbury High School, I've dedicated myself to leadership, academics, and service while maintaining a 4.0 weighted GPA and a part-time job. I'm incredibly passionate about taking on meaningful roles in my school and within my community, serving as the president of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout my high school journey, I've furthered my advocacy and founded Protect Danbury Hearts, a local initiative focused on supporting families and community needs. Promoting youth involvement became one of the most defining experiences in my high school years, alongside my work in the Danbury High School Green Committee, Fashion Club, and serving as the Creative Director of Between the Spines. Over time and experience, I've learned that I feel most fulfilled when I'm helping people feel cared for and, most importantly, safe. That realization guided my involvement in school and community activities and fueled my passion for a future in healthcare, specifically Radiation Technology. ​ My commitment to service has shaped who I am today. My mother was disabled by a healthcare provider, and for the past few years, we have been living off of only her disability check after my father passed away. There have been times when we were living solely off of community resources and relied entirely on others to make it through tough times. After being in that position, I found that I wanted to help others, just as they had helped my family at our lowest. Through my community work and my own experience, I've seen firsthand how small acts of kindness can change someone's day or even their life. Those experiences deepened my interest in human health and wellness, especially after volunteering with those affected by illness and family struggles. ​ As I prepare to take the next step toward a career in healthcare, financial support is essential for me to continue on this path. Living in a single-income household after my father passed away, only supported by disability benefits, has made the cost of higher education a significant burden for my family, and I am determined to ease that strain while still pursuing my goals. This scholarship would not only make college attainable for me, but would also allow me to focus fully on my education and service rather than financial stress. With this support, I will be able to transform my dedication to compassion, advocacy, and community service into a lifelong commitment to caring for others, ensuring that the challenges my family faced become the foundation for positive change in the lives of future patients. Ultimately, The Bright Lights Scholarship is a pivotal stepping stone on my journey to making a true difference in the world, It will open doors not only for my education but everyone who I meet along the path. With this opportunity, I can further my advocacy by becoming a healthcare provider who listens, protects, and stands up for those whose voices are often left unheard.

As a senior at Danbury High School, I've dedicated myself to leadership, academics, and service while maintaining a 4.0 weighted GPA. I'm Sophia Santiago, and I'm incredibly passionate about taking on meaningful roles in my school and within my community. Serving as the president of the National Art Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society has strengthened my sense of responsibility. I also founded Protect Danbury Hearts, a local initiative focused on supporting families and community needs. Promoting youth involvement became one of the most defining experiences in my high school years, alongside my work in many other school clubs. Over time, I've learned that I feel most fulfilled when I'm helping people feel cared for and, most importantly, safe. That realization guided my involvement in school and community activities and fueled my passion for a future in healthcare. My commitment to service has shaped who I am today. Through more than 90 hours of community work, I've seen firsthand how small acts of kindness can change someone's day or even their life. Those experiences deepened my interest in human health and wellness, especially after volunteering for those affected by illness and family struggles. To me, empathy is the ability to truly listen. It's about understanding another person's emotions, fears, and experiences without judgment. Empathy is one of the most powerful forms of support another human being can offer, especially when we are facing uncertainty or any form of pain. My commitment to empathy is rooted in my experiences as a student leader and Community volunteer. Through Protect Danbury Hearts and my involvement in the National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Fashion club, and the Green Committee, I’ve worked with people facing a variety of challenges—financial stress, academic pressure, environmental concerns, and personal loss. These experiences taught me how to approach others with patience, how to listen before acting, and how to respond in ways that prioritize their needs over convenience. In the Healthcare Field, empathy is not optional; it is essential. I plan to pursue a career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, which is a profession that not only requires technical skill but, most importantly, emotional awareness. I will be facing people during moments filled with hope, fear, or life-changing news. In my future career, I will ensure my work is human-centered by approaching every patient as a person with a story, not just a medical case. I will be patient and explain procedures clearly with calm language and focus on human-centered approaches. I will entirely focus on providing care that honors both the physical and emotional needs of the patient rather than my own convenience. I'm well aware of broader factors that impact Health Care, such as stress, environmental conditions, family situation, and a lack of access to resources. My involvement in my community and advocacy work has shown me how deeply these issues affect Wellness. In my profession, I will continue to promote education and treat each interaction as an opportunity to empower someone with knowledge, but most importantly, respect. I will build my career in healthcare on a foundation of empathy that delivers care to heal not just the body but the patient as a whole to the best of my ability. My goal is to build a life where my compassion becomes a force for healing, and my work is a testament to that. I'm ready to step into the healthcare field with a purpose and an unwavering commitment to making people feel safe, seen, and understood.

“This is me using my voice” — from “emails I can’t send”. A few years back, I could barely speak up for myself. I felt that being silent was easier and saying the words out loud was more difficult. My mental health was at an all-time low. However, there was one thing that brought me immense comfort: music. I could listen to it endlessly; I found that the songs spoke for me. I couldn’t find my words; however, these artists could. Finding Sabrina Carpenter took me out of my typical genre of alternative music and expanded my taste. It brought a different type of emotion out of me at the time I couldn’t place. It took me out of a headspace that I hadn’t been out of in a while. The lyrics simply seemed to flow out of her and straight into me. I could dance, I could cry all to one voice. The more music she released, the more fond I became, and everyone else around me seemed to feel the same. Watching a star rise from someone I watched on my TV to a global pop star was such a beautiful process. From the first time I saw her on Disney to the times I see her perform, my adoration for her never seems to falter. She takes and connects concepts that I could never even dream of and makes it seamless as if they were meant to be together. She’s simply one of those artists who unintentionally makes bold and iconic moves. Through every era, every lyric, and every performance, Sabrina shows that you can thrive in any scenario where your experiences are valid. She spoke for me when I couldn’t help me bring my voice to light so I could advocate for others. My voice goes beyond what I ever thought it would, and I love that. I have the confidence to share that with my community.

“Words like violence, break the silence”- Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode. I carried my grief quietly. Silently allowing my mental health to creep in and overtake my life. Hearing the news of my father‘s death sent me into a certain type of purgatory. I felt trapped, like I couldn’t scream for help. Forced to sit with my thoughts, mouth shut. I remember at the funeral I couldn’t speak any words. I just sat there with tears streaming down my face. It didn’t fully feel real. I had nothing to turn to or look towards because I felt like there was nothing at all. This was until I met a very important person. The figure who healed my pain and made me realize I was never alone. Although there were no physical signs, I was always protected by his presence. I knew the savior who could understand my pain and not be repulsed by it. People give up on me, and yet he never did. He allowed me to repent and try again. When I was a failure to everyone else, I was making baby steps in his eyes. I had faith, even if it was silent. Baby steps are still steps and are some of the most important ones. If I didn’t turn to him, I don’t know where I would be today. The process was slow and silent, but it was still progress from where it was at the beginning. I changed my ways, I tried so hard until I finally felt content. When I was most distant from everyone else, I was closest to him. I need support that simply no one else could give. Eventually, my silence was ceased. I finally felt free to use my voice. My voice has grown with his guidance, and through him, I have been able to guide others. I no longer sit in silence with my thoughts; I speak them aloud and try to make a change. Sometimes, if you want to be heard, you have to speak up. I never thought becoming an advocate would be in my cards; however, I want to grow with my community and help them in any way I can. As they tried to support me when I was at my lowest, I strive to support them. I couldn’t imagine my life without God and all of the things I might not have accomplished without his guidance. I needed his support, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it and how I’ve turned out. Through God, I was able to honor my father and let his words live through me and spread them into the community.

I have always sought meaning beneath the surface, noticing the unspoken and seeking to support those who feel misunderstood. I am Sophia Santiago, a dedicated student and community leader. As a future sonographer, my goal is to make health care more accessible, comforting, and human. I am drawn to diagnostic medical sonography because I believe precision, empathy, and trust are as vital as technical skill. The field itself relies on trust and strong relationships. In my career, I want to create a positive impact that goes beyond the walls of the clinic, but also be an advocate who can help bridge the gap between people and the care that they truly deserve. I am committed to supporting patients as they navigate their health journeys so they do not feel alone. I plan to take my desire to make a change with me as I grow and make Health Care more accessible for everyone who truly needs it the most. Healthcare often feels intimidating, and many people have endured distressing experiences that no one should have to face. I strive to lead with empathy, listen with intention, and offer support when someone is struggling. My desire is to help others feel understood, especially during vulnerable moments. I aim to influence healthcare so that compassion becomes a standard for all. Through my local initiative, Protect Danbury Hearts, I have supported my community through drives, fundraisers, and extensive volunteering. Helping others is central to who I am, and it motivates my ongoing commitment and involvement. I want to bring care directly to the people who need it most because no one should ever feel that help is out of reach. Beyond patient care, I want to contribute to a broader impact by increasing access to Quality Imaging for under-served communities. All people, no matter their status or their past, deserve proper Health Care and shouldn't be restricted because of the cost. Medical Imaging, especially prenatal care, is so important, and no one should ever lose out on that. Volunteering and advocacy are a part of who I am, and I will always advocate for those who don't have access to them. At my core, I believe my skills should be used to uplift and help others. Through my future career and diagnostic medical sonography, I hope to make healthcare feel clear, kind, and more reachable for each patient, one scan at a time. I will ensure that people who often go unseen by the Healthcare System will feel supported, understood, and most importantly valued.

As I look at the world around me, people are constantly suffering in silence. No one should suffer because they cannot afford Healthcare. Countless individuals are left without support and left to struggle due to high costs and stereotypes. I am Sophia Santiago and my mission is to change that. ​ As an advocate in my community, I have established a local initiative called Protect Danbury Hearts. I've run fundraisers and volunteered hundreds of hours of my time to support those in need in my community. I want to go into the medical field and have a long-term goal of improving Mental Health Resources, especially for under-served communities. Expanding Affordable Health Care and being compassionate is something I'm most passionate about. Too often, people are constantly seeking help, but don't know where to go. I want to develop programs that will eliminate those barriers and offer low-cost screenings that provide care to the people who need it most. Oftentimes, the people struggling are the backbone of our community. My goal is not just to work in health care but to transform the stigmas within it by also emphasizing the importance of affordability. Mental health care should not be considered a privilege but instead recognized as a right. I want to take this all to the next level and build a world where healing is possible for all. Many people disappear quietly inside themselves. My life mission is to make sure they are found and heard before it is too late.

No society can fully function without a strong community. Living in Danbury, Connecticut, all of my life it makes sense that I would want to give back to the community that raised me. When my family was going through tough times I remember getting Christmas gifts from the women’s center in my school and how much joy it brought me to have presents under the Christmas tree and donated food on the table. I knew that one day I would wanna be one of the people who donated them to support little girls like me but I simply thought I was too young to do so. However after joining my first club called the National Art Honor Society, I realized that my actions have an impact and could genuinely help the people in my community. Through this club, I recognized how much I enjoy supporting my community and the joy that is brought to people. Spreading art into my community was such a beautiful way to start, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that experience. As a junior, I became the vice president of this club and this year I have the honor of being president. I volunteered at churches,schools, and so many different events, and every single one of them has brought me so much joy. After joining more advocacy clubs in volunteering more every year, eventually I decided I wanted to start my own. I want to finally take the initiative to drive head first and truly get involved in my community. And then founded Protect Danbury Hearts to educate, advocate and volunteer for the people and organizations in our community. Through social media I’ve built a connection with other organizations and have been able to spread some of the issues and challenges my community has faced. We have now over 700 followers and have run drives, fundraisers, and volunteered at multiple events. Taking my passion for helping people in my love for the community has truly created something absolutely beautiful and something I could not be prouder of. I want to continue advocating for everybody no matter where I am. I would use this money to further my education and expand my advocacy further than just Danbury. I want to help people all around the nation and bring awareness to their struggles. I’m determined to turn passion into action and with the proper support I can create a more connected community and leave a lasting impact. Community service isn’t something that I just do; rather it is a core part of who I am and who I want to be. Being a president and founder is more than a label; it is about being a leader with empathy and a drive for action. Every person I’ve met through these initiatives have shaped my perspective on what it means to be in a community and how I can make it thrive. I am beyond proud of how my projects have turned out but I have so many aspirations for the future. The more I do the more I am reminded of why I started this in the first place and where I came from.