“What am I here for?” A universal question asked by many who have different perspectives of this thing we call life. Various qualities and morals dictate the person one becomes and how the individual decides to execute those designated gifts. Nevertheless, Life is limited and does not digress for anyone, using personal experiences and knowledge can be fundamental for not only solemn growth but collective growth as well. Oh!, how rude of me— Hi!, my name is Synayah. I’m a nineteen year old, upcoming sophomore in college. I currently attended the university of North Texas majoring in Medical Laboratory Practices. My desired career is to be a NICU nurse and pursue the calling to nurture the innocence of our society. Therefore, I plan to attend Texas Woman’s University in the spring and earn my BSN to continue this journey of purpose. If you were to ask me on a personal level, I would talk about how empathetic I am; not only listening and caring to what others are conveying, but actually feeling their emotions too. Moreover, I’m emotionally mature and intellectually inclined. I have a strong interest in brain stimulating activities and ability to understand the problem and work for a solution. All interlinking qualities necessary for being a healthcare provider. Additionally, the world is indeed a cruel place and our population constantly tends to its suffering. Numerous of people are frightened of healthcare, others are waitlisted for long periods of time, and most are being fed empty promises causing a lack of trust between patients and providers in the medical field. These are all facts that I learned this year in my public health class, all facts that will remain the same or increase concern without any intervention. Furthermore, The change must start with the workers. In my medical career, I will be the example that was never set for me; meaning I will treat the patient as a person, not a number. Using my personal qualities, I will show genuine interest at their visit indicating that I am actively listening to their vocality. My intent in doing so is to allow a safe and calming environment which will eventually lead to comfortability, the foundation of trust. My purpose is to care for the infant, but to also serve as a support system to a family who is in the midst of uncertainty. I can not and will not dismiss the emotional comfort and sense of trust my patients need. Ultimately, effective change and growth in the world can stimulate from collective and individual development through the learnings of life’s obstacles. The differences between present-day medical care and future medical are my qualities and I. know my purpose, I know what I’m here for, Do you?

Everything happens for a reason and for that I am grateful. Throughout my high school years, I have had many ambitions and encountered numerous trials and errors. During my journey of redemption, I realized my sorrows have registered a divine pathway for me. Although adolescence holds cherishable memories and spontaneous experiences; troubling obstacles such as losses and failure can blindside teenagers, leaving them tormented. Primarily, I have suffered a great deal of losses: family and friends, but the greatest loss would have to be myself. Losing my loved ones damaged my heart, losing my friends made me lose my mind, but losing myself took a toll on my soul and spirit. The pressure of it all crushed me whole. Suddenly, I had no other choice but to dwell in solitude, allowing my self-destructive actions and self-sabotaging thoughts to wander freely and take control. I changed completely, my emotions were belittled by the shameful slander of my rabid thoughts and it was quite noticeable to my peers around me. My rage charged at others who were only trying to express their condolences and as I denied the comforting arms of those who loved me, my misery grew stronger. Feeling hopeless and lost in despair, my last resort was managing to clinch onto God and ask for a sense of recovery, without a doubt he delivered peace and clarity in return. These four years of my life have taught and revealed to me that change is guaranteed, often leading to self-discovery. In addition, failure leads to success, but before comes a storm intertwined with overwhelming emotions and stress. Failure for me served as a mental blocker because I struggled with letting it define who I was. Every idea and every effort felt as if it was crumbling underneath me when I tried to pursue each ambition. Failure lingers everywhere. When I failed my first test my sophomore year, I was stressed about my academic future worrying about the effects it would have on my desired career path. Missing a move in my dance routine at the district competition led me to think I was failing my team and director entirely. The defeat started to settle within me, I was now a failure to myself, my family, and my confidants; looking for a leeway to success. My confidence and self-esteem diminished, leaving me puzzled with abstract pieces of challenges to reassemble into an honorable proposition. Yet, failure can also teach life lessons, like the value of hard work and perseverance. I was motivated to try harder and learn from my mistakes which helped me develop resilience and the ability to bounce back. Ultimately, despite the smiles and laughs, teens face oppressed situations that cause chaos and chain them in shackles, looking blindly for a solution. As I approach the end of my travel through high school, I have no regrets regarding the way I handled these unpleasant events. The hardships I have endured Impacted me in miraculous ways, shaping me into the thriving individual I am today. Thank you God.

Don’t you love being a girl? The love-filled moments we make by doing girly activities allow us to connect. Those who are offered luxury access to a locker room are granted the opportunity to have an alternate home in case a tornado runs through theirs. Lady locker rooms reveals the exhilarating atmosphere where girls are permitted to encounter the soul-craving compassion of peace of mind that everyone needs. Girls are faced with obscene occurrences and salient situations, which later overwhelming emotions follow causing a need for release. When in need of a space to gather thoughts; the wide-spread, peace offering pit, also known as the locker room, is the perfect place to go. My teammates and dance instructors showed me the slightest, yet most cherishing sense of compassions by offering me a place to reveal my true identity. Walking into the Pantherette locker room eyes are immediately attracted to the insightful sayings running across the wall. The welcoming warmth of air majestically flowing through the canopies that hang delicately above each locker declares relaxation. The whispered secrets wander around the room into the ears and out of the mouths of each person. The fear of them being set free to the rest of the school is nonexistent because trust is made knowing “What goes on in the locker room, stays in the locker room.” Empowerment of teammates, celebrating wins, and resembling good sportsmanship are results of lockers being slammed loudly out of happiness. The combination of citrus and fresh scents bloom onto the surrounding clothes, sticking and staying there until washed again. At times the smell of burnt hair will wiggle into my nose from all the straighteners and curlers permanently plugged into the outlets, letting me know it’s “Game Time!” The compassion is merely mended together by the soulfulness of the team members and our coordination out on the field. Undoubtedly, every Pantherette is not just someone you dance with, but a sister you will have to accompany you forever. Our team song are not just words we say to lift our spirit, they are embedded in our hearts for a lifetime where they will expel onto every person we encounter and unleash sentimental energy that one can take value in. Being a Pantherette has given me compassion, but also has allowed me to give compassion to the ones who need it and the ones who we think do not deserve it. Not another day will go by where I think that I am better than anyone else because if I have not learned anything, I have learned to remain humble simply because equality exists in every human being. Thank You Pantherettes.