Attending an HBCU is a great stigma in my family. I have been told to attend predominantly white colleges for a better chance of success in today's society. However, as a child who has only experienced predominantly black areas, I find this mindset regressive. How can my success be dependant on my background. My mother always told me that it is not how you start, but how you finish. She is an extreme inspiration for me, and a product of this saying. As an immigrant, she struggled to bring us up, yet I am able to aquire education past levels my family were never able to reach. I am attending a historically black institution as a means to break the stigma in my family that success can not come to those that refuse to let go of there authentic selves. Additionally, I am breaking the generational curse of my family not having any collegiate graduates.

My mother is my inspiration, and guide through the world. She is the person who has supported me the most through not only my education, but every other aspect of life as well. I live in a single parent immigrant household. It was through God that my mother was able to migrate to America and begin a life for our family. My mother truly started from the bottom, and I watched her carry my 2 other siblings and I on her back. I can remember vividly how we went from a one bedroom one bathroom apartment sleeping on a mattress while she slept on the floor to being able to comfortably lay in a bed and work hard in school. I watched her stand on her feet for more than half the day just so we could wear clothes and eat properly. She raised us with morals and gave us everything she could in order for us to be successful. To this day she shows how she would rather we have nice clothes and go to school while she had nothing than for her to put herself first with us being the expense. She taught me to read, write, and speak with clarity. She fully supports me in every decision I do but makes sure I approach it with wisdom and integrity. Being knowledgeable is something she takes heavily. Education is important in my household. My mother made sure to instill in us how important it is to know and to understand. Having knowledge benefits you in so many ways including hard, and soft skills. I often get compliments on my proper speech and how well spoken I am. However, despite me making it to the collegiate level, my mother is once again struggling to support our household. As a first-generation graduate, I have been failing to support her in this journey as well. She has made sure I am equipped with the tools to navigate not only school, but people as well. With loans being a setback for me, I am taking this opportunity to thank my mother by doing scholarships earnestly. I want to create a future where my family is comfortable and set a precedent for my younger sister who is not far from being in my same predicament. My mother is our biggest contributor, and I believe there is truly nothing on earth that compares to the determination, support, and love from a mother that want nothing, but the best for her kids.

As a black female, there is a stigma from society that has reflected within our community to look a certain way to be deemed beautiful., e.g., curves, but not heavy, plump behind, but the flat stomach, the face of a Bratz doll. Natural hair and braids have been a consistent debate over their professionalism. Makeup had to be natural. We couldn’t explore vibrant colors without receiving backlash that it did not suit our melanated skin. Our men have turned to Western features and have only looked to us for breeding, as we have been left to defend, provide, protect, teach, and nurture our own in the best way we could. Through all this, our creativity and fight to embrace our features and hair have been consistently looked to as a trend. I experienced this adversity first-hand during my time in high school. Besides having to see and hear my less melanated brothers and sisters advocate that y2k, street style, box braids, cornrows, and twist-outs were available to everyone without having to give credit nor acknowledgment to us, I watched and experienced my brothers and sisters that did not fit the pretty little thing and Nike aesthetic but rather chose to express ourselves through alternative and earthy styles face backlash. As someone who has seen both sides of the situation, I was faced with the adversity of feeling beautiful as a black female in a place where beauty was selective. I expressed myself in different ways through clothing and makeup and succeeded in my sport and presidency of HOSA along with other clubs and organizations while being beautiful in my way. I have seen my peers around me begin to express themselves while becoming more accepting of other styles. Knowing that I made a difference no matter how small heightened my current interest in the aesthetics field. I want to feel and make people feel beautiful. I want to make a difference in my community and let my brothers and sisters know that it is okay to take care of yourself and to allow yourself to feel beautiful. To take care of your skin, your mind, and your body. Out of my acceptances and offers, I have now decided on Fort Valley State University to pursue nursing with the intent of going into aesthetics after completing the program. Through the completion of my degree, I want to enhance the beauty of my community to give my brothers and sisters a chance to finally relax their minds and bodies through body and skin care.

As the pandemic and general health awareness increases, people around the world are making efforts to improve their health. I am no exception. I can play an important role in encouraging physical activity among peers and young children. By embracing healthy habits and making informed decisions about my health, those around me can be motivated to make similar changes in their lives. This can include eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. Also, volunteering at local hospitals and clinics to help those in need access to healthcare can be a great way to learn about healthcare, experience new people, and make a difference in people's lives. As a volunteer, I can help with multiple tasks such as assisting with patient care, and helping with community initiatives. Mental health support can also aid those with mental illness. Sarting support groups, running awareness campaigns, or simply listening to those in need helps the inclusivity of mental health patients. By educating others about health topics, I can introduce others to the latest advances in the healthcare industry, share tips and tricks for staying healthy, and debunk common health myths. Providing information about how to recognize the symptoms of certain diseases, where to find resources and support, and how to manage chronic diseases can benefit individuals and their families. I can do this by creating social media posts or creating a blog to educate others about health issues. As a young woman, my ability to contribute directly to the health of others is limited. However, I can provide a wealth of information, resources, and tools to help individuals take control of their health and make informed decisions regarding their wellness. Not to mention I can help direct my community to get in touch with healthcare professionals who can offer them extra support in managing their health. With my extensive knowledge of treatments, conditions, and procedures, I can help people find the right healthcare providers in our area to meet their specific needs. By helping people find the right resources and professional advice, I can ensure people receive the best healthcare possible. In summary, I can make a valuable contribution to improving the health of others in many ways. From encouraging physical activity to reducing the stigma of health issues, I can make a huge difference in the lives of others. With a little effort, I can take a step toward a healthier, happier, and more inclusive society.