I am an undergraduate junior at Penn State University whose character has been shaped by responsibility and growth. Growing up as the oldest sister meant learning how to lead, support, and persevere long before I fully understood those roles. Navigating academics alongside family responsibilities taught me patience and empathy, qualities that now guide my goals and the way I engage with my community. These experiences sparked my interest in pursuing a career that combines problem-solving with service to others, where I can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. One of the most formative ways I positively impacted my community came through volunteering at a local youth mentoring program. I worked with middle and high school students, helping them navigate academic challenges while providing guidance and encouragement. Many of these students faced difficulties at home or school, and even small gestures, listening to their concerns, helping them organize their work, or celebrating their progress— often made a tangible difference. I learned that leadership is not always about giving instructions; sometimes it is about being consistent, reliable, and genuinely invested in others’ success. Watching students grow more confident and motivated reminded me how much of an effect consistent support can have on a community. Beyond structured volunteering, I have also sought opportunities to serve in ways that build connection and accessibility. For example, I participated in a campus health initiative that promoted wellness and preventive care. By helping organize educational workshops and assisting attendees, I contributed to creating an environment where people felt informed, supported, and empowered to make healthier choices. These experiences reinforced my understanding that service is most meaningful when it improves people’s lives directly and fosters a sense of trust and care within the community. Through these experiences, I have developed a vision for my future career: one rooted in both service and leadership. I hope to pursue a profession where I can combine my problem-solving skills, empathy, and sense of responsibility to support others, particularly in healthcare or counseling. I want to be the kind of professional who uplifts others, provides guidance when it is needed most, and contributes to building stronger, healthier communities. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my academic goals but also affirm my commitment to a life dedicated to serving others. I am inspired by the legacy of individuals like Emma Jane Hastie, who devoted themselves to their communities with care and integrity. Like her, I hope to make a lasting impact by fostering environments where people feel supported and valued, and by demonstrating that meaningful change often comes from consistent, thoughtful effort.

I chose to pursue STEM because it allows me to combine responsibility, problem-solving, and compassion into meaningful, real-world impact. From a young age, I naturally stepped into leadership roles as the oldest sister in my family. While I may not have raised a family in the traditional sense, I grew up helping guide my siblings academically and personally, often feeling a deep sense of responsibility for their well-being. This experience shaped the way I approach challenges: thoughtfully, patiently, and with a focus on helping others succeed. These qualities ultimately led me toward STEM, particularly healthcare, where science is used not just to understand the world, but to improve lives. My interest in STEM deepened as I progressed through my education and realized how powerful science and technology can be when applied with purpose. I am drawn to the structure and logic of STEM disciplines, but even more so to their potential for impact. Whether through research, patient care, or innovation, STEM offers the opportunity to create solutions that are evidence-based, measurable, and lasting. I am motivated by the idea that scientific knowledge can reduce disparities, increase access to care, and empower individuals to live healthier lives. For me, STEM is not just a field of study but a tool for advocacy and change. As a woman pursuing a career in STEM, I am aware of the underrepresentation and barriers that still exist, especially in leadership and advanced scientific roles. Rather than discouraging me, this reality motivates me. I want to be part of a generation of women who challenge outdated expectations and redefine what leadership in STEM looks like. My experiences have taught me that leadership does not always mean being the loudest voice in the room; it often means being reliable, prepared, and willing to uplift others. These are strengths I bring with me into STEM spaces. I hope to make a difference by contributing to a more inclusive and representative scientific community, one where women feel supported, seen, and valued. By pursuing STEM, I aim to serve as an example for younger women who may question whether they belong in science or healthcare. I want them to see that perseverance, empathy, and dedication are just as critical to STEM as technical skill. In the future, I hope to mentor, advocate, and actively work toward equity in education and healthcare outcomes. Ultimately, my goal is not only to succeed in STEM, but to use my education to create meaningful change. As a woman in STEM, I hope to contribute knowledge, leadership, and compassion to a field that shapes the future and to help ensure that future is inclusive, ethical, and impactful.

An impactful Physician Assistant is someone who combines clinical competence with compassion, adaptability, and strong communication. While medical knowledge is essential, the ability to connect with patients, advocate for their needs, and function effectively within a healthcare team is what truly sets a PA apart. One of the most important qualities of an impactful PA is empathy. Patients often encounter the healthcare system during moments of vulnerability, fear, or uncertainty. A PA who listens actively and validates a patient’s concerns can make a significant difference in both outcomes and trust. As the oldest sister in my family, I learned early how to be emotionally present for others. My role required patience, understanding, and the ability to support people with different personalities and needs, skills that directly translate to patient care. Another essential quality is adaptability. PAs work in fast-paced environments where priorities shift quickly and collaboration is key. I’ve had plenty of experience in fast paced environments where I’ve been put under pressure and had to step up as a leader. In the environments I’ve worked in, the pace would fluctuate so I had to adjust to change quickly and obtain a rhythm. Being comfortable with change and open to continuous learning allows a PA to provide safe, effective care. I embody this trait through my academic and leadership experiences, where I have had to balance responsibility, problem-solve in real time, and adjust to new challenges without losing focus. These experiences have taught me how to remain calm and effective under pressure. Strong communication is also central to being an impactful PA. Whether explaining a diagnosis, collaborating with physicians, or reassuring a patient, clarity and confidence matter. I have developed this skill by frequently stepping into leadership roles and serving as a bridge between others, listening carefully, asking questions, and ensuring everyone feels heard and informed. This has strengthened my ability to advocate and communicate thoughtfully. Finally, an impactful PA must be committed to lifelong growth. Medicine is constantly evolving, and the best providers are those who remain curious, reflective, and open to feedback. I actively seek opportunities to improve myself academically and personally, understanding that growth is not a weakness but a responsibility to future patients. We are all constantly evolving as humans, physically and mentally and it is important to take note of that. In embodying empathy, adaptability, communication, and a commitment to growth, I strive to become the kind of PA who not only delivers high-quality care, but also leaves patients feeling respected, supported, and confident in their treatment.

My “pie in the sky” dream is to build a life in healthcare where I am not only a provider, but a leader and advocate, someone who changes how patients, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, experience care. It’s the kind of dream that excites me and intimidates me at the same time, because it requires persistence, resilience, and faith in myself long before there are any guarantees. This dream was sparked by growing up as the oldest sister in my family. From a young age, leadership was not optional, it was expected. I became someone others depended on for guidance, reassurance, and example. That role taught me how powerful it is to be present for someone else, especially during moments of uncertainty. Over time, I began to see how closely care, trust, and responsibility are connected. Those early lessons planted the idea that I wanted a future centered on service and impact. As I learned more about healthcare, that idea evolved into a clear goal. I saw how healthcare professionals can change the trajectory of a person’s life through compassion, advocacy, and competence. I also noticed how intimidating and inaccessible the system can feel, particularly for families who lack resources or representation. My dream is to become a healthcare professional who not only treats patients, but also helps bridge those gaps, someone patients feel safe with, understood by, and empowered through. What makes this dream feel “pie in the sky” is the reality of the path ahead. Healthcare is demanding academically, emotionally, and financially. There are moments when self-doubt creeps in, especially when the journey feels long or overwhelming. Still, what keeps me committed is the belief that growth comes from choosing courage over comfort. I know this dream will require discipline, sacrifice, and the willingness to learn from failure rather than fear it. To reach this goal, I believe the first step is continuing to invest fully in my education, strengthening my foundation in science, seeking out mentorship, and taking advantage of opportunities that push me beyond my comfort zone. Gaining hands-on experience, whether through clinical exposure, volunteering, or leadership roles, will help me better understand the realities of patient care and refine the kind of professional I want to become. Equally important is developing resilience: learning how to manage stress, accept setbacks, and keep moving forward with purpose. Ultimately, my pie in the sky dream is not about prestige or perfection. It is about becoming someone who makes a lasting difference, someone whose presence brings clarity, compassion, and confidence to others in their most vulnerable moments. Even if the dream feels just out of reach at times, I am committed to pursuing it step by step, knowing that growth happens when you dare to aim high and keep going anyway.

As the oldest sister in my family, I have often felt as though I have helped raise my family in my own way. From a young age, leadership and responsibility were naturally placed upon me. I became someone my siblings looked to for guidance, reassurance, and support, whether it was helping them navigate school, offering advice, or stepping in during moments when they needed someone steady to rely on. These experiences shaped my sense of accountability and taught me that caring for others is not limited to traditional definitions of family roles. Being the oldest meant learning to put others before myself. I learned how to be patient, how to listen, and how to lead by example. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to set the tone for my sister academically, emotionally, and personally. These leadership roles were not ones I asked for, but they became roles I embraced. Over time, I realized that caregiving is as much about presence and empathy as it is about action. Through this role, I also became more aware of how challenges, especially health-related ones impact an entire family. When someone is struggling, the effects ripple outward. Seeing this dynamic up close made me appreciate the importance of compassionate, dependable care. It showed me how powerful it is when someone takes the time to support not just an individual, but the people who stand beside them. These experiences are what inspired my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. Healthcare is a field rooted in leadership, service, and trust, all qualities I have developed through my role as an older sister. I want to be someone who can guide others through vulnerable moments, advocate for their needs, and provide reassurance during uncertainty. Just as I have done within my family, I hope to bring stability, empathy, and care to the patients and families I will serve. While I may not have raised a family in the traditional sense, being an older sister has given me firsthand experience in leadership, responsibility, and caregiving. Those lessons have shaped who I am today and solidified my commitment to a future in healthcare.

I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because she has been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember. I didn’t just listen to her music—I lived in it. I used to sing her songs constantly, replay her music videos on repeat, and memorize every lyric like it was second nature. Her music wasn’t background noise; it was something I actively experienced every single day. Watching her videos felt like stepping into a world where emotion, confidence, and self-expression were celebrated. I vividly remember memorizing her first two albums, Eyes Wide Open and Evolution. I knew the tracklists, the lyrics, the moods—everything. I could sing along from start to finish without missing a beat. Those albums became soundtracks to different phases of my life, playing during moments of excitement, self-discovery, and growth. There was something incredibly comforting about knowing her music so well—it felt familiar, like a friend you could always return to. What makes Sabrina Carpenter’s career especially impactful to me is watching her evolution over time. She grew publicly, artistically, and personally, and her music matured alongside her. Seeing her transition from her earlier work into more confident, self-assured artistry showed me that growth is not only allowed—it’s powerful. She never stayed boxed into one version of herself, and that taught me that reinvention doesn’t mean losing who you are; it means becoming more of yourself. Her career has inspired me to embrace confidence and authenticity. Sabrina’s willingness to be bold, expressive, and unapologetic in her music helped me feel more comfortable doing the same in my own life. Whether it was through songwriting, visuals, or performances, she showed that your voice deserves to be heard exactly as it is. Being a fan of Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just about enjoying her music—it’s about growing up alongside it. Her career has been a reminder that passion, consistency, and self-belief can take you far. Watching her succeed has motivated me to pursue my own goals with the same dedication and fearlessness, knowing that evolution is part of the journey and that staying true to yourself is always worth it.

My journey through the NYC public school system has taught me adaptability, perspective, and resilience in ways I did not fully understand at the time. As a student, I moved through multiple schools, each with a different cultural makeup. I attended a school where most students were Asian, then another with primarily Latino and Black students, then one that was almost entirely Black, and later schools that reflected a mix of many backgrounds. Being surrounded by so many cultures shaped how I see the world. It taught me how to listen, respect differences, and feel comfortable in spaces where everyone brings a unique story. At the time, I didn’t realize how unusual it was to not always remain in the same school for long periods. It felt normal to adjust quickly, make new routines, and keep going. Looking back, I now understand how much that experience strengthened my ability to adapt. It made me open-minded and observant, able to connect with people across cultures and communities. Funding disparities were also a clear part of my experience, especially in high school. We rarely had field trips, resources were limited, and the quality of school food reflected those challenges. Many of my friends, including myself, often skipped lunch—not out of choice, but because the food was unappealing or because we used that time to study and complete homework. Despite these limitations, students remained motivated, determined to succeed even when resources were scarce. High school was also when I finally found a sense of belonging. It was the first time I formed meaningful friendships that made school feel less like a place to endure and more like a community. Those friendships helped me grow academically and personally, reminding me of the importance of support systems and shared goals. Every morning in high school, we walked through metal detectors before entering the building. At the time, it was routine, but my mother once commented that it felt more like entering a jail than a school. That moment stayed with me. It highlighted the differences in how students are treated based on where they live and attend school, and it deepened my awareness of educational inequity. This scholarship would help me take the next step by providing the support needed to continue my education and pursue my goal of becoming a pediatrician. My experiences in NYC public schools have shaped my understanding of resilience, diversity, and determination. I am proud of where I come from, motivated by how far I’ve come, and committed to building a future where access, dignity, and opportunity are not determined by zip code.

Coming from a low-income household has profoundly shaped my ability to persevere through challenges and remain committed to my goals. Although I grew up with both parents present, financial instability was a constant reality in my life. My family experienced periods of housing insecurity that required us to move between shelters, creating an environment of uncertainty and disruption. These experiences forced me to develop resilience, adaptability, and emotional strength at a young age. Living with limited resources affected many aspects of my childhood, including my education and social life. Frequent moves made it difficult to make friends, and I was often bullied because of my economic circumstances. These challenges impacted my mental health and, at times, my academic performance. However, I learned how to persevere even when progress felt slow and support felt limited. These life experiences have deeply influenced how I plan to make a positive impact in my community and the world. I witnessed firsthand how poverty affects families, especially children has inspired my goal of becoming a pediatrician. I understand how instability, stress, and lack of access to care can shape a child’s development and sense of security. I want to provide not only medical care, but compassion, understanding, and advocacy for children from underserved backgrounds. I plan to use my lived experiences to connect with and uplift others who may feel unseen or discouraged. I am actively working toward my goals through dedication to my education and long-term preparation for medical school. I am focused on strengthening my academic foundation, completing prerequisite coursework, and seeking opportunities for clinical exposure and community service. Coming from a low-income household has shaped my character, sharpened my sense of purpose, and strengthened my resolve. Rather than hindering my aspirations, these challenges have fueled my desire to succeed and give back.

This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me because it represents more than financial or academic support—it represents hope, healing, and the affirmation that my story has purpose. Growing up, my life was marked by instability and hardship. I experienced poverty at a level that forced my family and me to move from shelter to shelter, never knowing how long we would be able to stay in one place. This lack of permanence made it difficult to build friendships or feel a sense of belonging. I was often bullied because of my circumstances, which reinforced feelings of isolation and unworthiness. These experiences took a significant toll on my mental health. As a child and adolescent, I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, feeling as though I had no safe place—physically or emotionally. Carrying this weight affected my academic performance, not because I lacked ability, but because I was trying to survive in an environment that constantly reminded me of what I did not have. There were moments when it felt easier to give up than to keep pushing forward. In the midst of this darkness, my faith became my anchor. When everything around me felt uncertain, my faith gave me something stable to hold onto. It reminded me that my life had value, even when my circumstances suggested otherwise. Prayer became my refuge, and trusting in God’s plan helped me endure seasons that felt unbearable. My faith taught me that suffering does not define me and that hardship can coexist with purpose. Even when I doubted myself, I believed that God had not abandoned me. Over time, faith helped transform my pain into perseverance. I began to see my survival as a triumph in itself. Each year I continued in school, each obstacle I overcame, and each moment I chose to keep going became evidence of God’s grace working in my life. While my academic journey has not been perfect, it reflects resilience, growth, and determination forged through adversity. I am proud not only of what I have achieved, but of the strength it took to reach this point. This opportunity matters to me because it would allow me to continue pursuing my goals without being defined by my past struggles. It affirms that faith, perseverance, and hope are seen and valued. It would relieve some of the burdens I carry and allow me to focus fully on becoming the person God has called me to be. Looking forward, I plan to continue using my faith as a guiding force in reaching greater heights. As I pursue a future in medicine and service, my faith will ground my compassion, humility, and commitment to others. I want to be someone who not only succeeds, but who uplifts those who feel unseen—especially children and families facing hardship similar to what I endured. My faith has carried me through survival, and I trust it will continue to guide me toward purpose, healing, and service.

My academic and career goals are centered on becoming a pediatrician and using medicine as a means of service, advocacy, and long-term impact. From an early age, I have been drawn to healthcare because of its ability to change lives at their most vulnerable moments. Pediatrics, in particular, aligns with my passion for working with children and supporting families during critical stages of development. I view a career in medicine not only as a profession, but as a responsibility to uplift and protect future generations. Academically, my primary goal is to successfully complete my undergraduate education while fulfilling all medical school prerequisites and maintaining a strong academic record. I am committed to mastering foundational coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as these subjects form the basis of effective clinical reasoning and patient care. Beyond meeting requirements, I aim to deeply understand the science behind disease, growth, and development so I can provide thoughtful, evidence-based care as a physician. In addition to coursework, I plan to seek hands-on experiences that will prepare me for medical school and a career in pediatrics. These include clinical volunteering, shadowing physicians, participating in research, and engaging in community health initiatives. Exposure to diverse healthcare settings will help me better understand patient needs, healthcare disparities, and the importance of compassionate communication. I am particularly interested in opportunities that allow me to work with children from underserved communities, as these experiences reinforce my motivation to pursue pediatrics and advocate for equitable care. My long-term career goal is to attend medical school, complete a pediatric residency, and practice as a physician who provides high-quality, culturally competent care. I aspire to work in communities where access to pediatric healthcare is limited and where children face preventable health challenges due to socioeconomic barriers. As a pediatrician, I hope to not only treat illness but also educate families, promote preventative care, and serve as a trusted advocate for children’s physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. Ultimately, I envision a career that combines clinical excellence with community engagement. I want to collaborate with schools, public health organizations, and local leaders to address issues such as childhood nutrition, mental health, and health education. In the future, I also hope to mentor students interested in medicine, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and encourage them to pursue careers in healthcare. Becoming a pediatrician represents the intersection of my academic interests, personal values, and desire to serve others. Through dedication, perseverance, and continued learning, my goal is to contribute meaningfully to the medical field while making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

Albert Dono Ware’s legacy embodies the values of service, sacrifice, and bravery principles that are not only historical ideals, but living guides for how we navigate personal responsibility and collective progress today. His life represents a commitment to something greater than oneself, a willingness to endure hardship for the betterment of others, and the courage to act even when the cost is high. These values have profoundly shaped my personal journey and continue to inspire my vision for addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the African diaspora in the United States. Service, to me, begins with presence and intention. Growing up, I became aware early on that communities within the African diaspora often carry disproportionate burdens, limited access to quality education, healthcare disparities, economic instability, and systemic inequities embedded in institutions. Witnessing these realities shaped my understanding that service is not passive; it requires active engagement. Like Ware’s legacy demonstrates, service is rooted in accountability to one’s community. In my own journey, this has meant prioritizing advocacy, mentorship, and education as tools for empowerment. Whether through academic pursuits, community involvement, or using platforms to amplify underrepresented voices, I have learned that service is most impactful when it is consistent and grounded in empathy. Sacrifice is an unavoidable companion to meaningful change. Albert Dono Ware’s life reminds us that progress often demands giving up comfort, time, and sometimes personal safety for a larger cause. This value has shaped my understanding of resilience. As a member of the African diaspora, navigating spaces that were not designed with us in mind often requires sacrificing ease for excellence. I have learned that sacrifice does not always appear dramatic; sometimes it is the quiet endurance of being overlooked, the persistence required to succeed in inequitable systems, or the decision to reinvest success back into the community rather than seeking individual escape. These sacrifices are necessary to disrupt cycles of marginalization and create pathways for future generations. Bravery, perhaps the most defining of Ware’s values, is the catalyst that transforms service and sacrifice into action. Bravery is speaking truth in spaces that resist it, challenging policies that perpetuate inequity, and imagining alternatives when the status quo feels immovable. In my personal journey, bravery has meant asserting my identity unapologetically and engaging in difficult conversations about race, justice, and accountability. Ware’s legacy reinforces that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the determination to act despite it—a lesson that remains deeply relevant for addressing modern challenges within the African diaspora. These values collectively shape my vision for addressing current challenges faced by African Americans and the broader African diaspora in the U.S. One of the most critical issues remains systemic inequality, particularly in education, healthcare, housing, and criminal justice. Addressing these challenges requires both policy reform and community-driven solutions. Educational equity stands out as a foundational priority. Policies that ensure equitable school funding, culturally responsive curricula, and accessible higher education opportunities are essential for long-term empowerment. Education not only equips individuals with skills, but also fosters critical consciousness and civic engagement. Healthcare reform is another urgent area. Persistent racial disparities in maternal mortality, chronic illness, and mental health access demand policy interventions that expand affordable healthcare, invest in community-based health centers, and increase representation of Black professionals in medical fields. Housing and economic reforms—such as affordable housing initiatives, protections against discriminatory lending, and support for Black-owned businesses—are equally critical to closing wealth gaps that have persisted for generations. Community reforms must work alongside policy changes. Grassroots organizations, faith-based institutions, and local leaders play a vital role in translating policy into lived impact. These spaces often serve as trusted anchors within the community and are essential for mobilization, education, and support. Mentorship programs, youth development initiatives, and restorative justice practices can strengthen community resilience and reduce reliance on punitive systems. Driving meaningful change requires collaboration among key stakeholders. Policymakers at local, state, and federal levels must be accountable and informed by lived experiences. Educators, healthcare providers, and business leaders must commit to equity within their institutions. Equally important are community members themselves, activists, students, elders, and organizers whose voices and leadership ensure that reforms remain grounded in real needs. The private sector and philanthropic organizations also have a responsibility to invest ethically and sustainably in marginalized communities. Ultimately, Albert Dono Ware’s legacy serves as both inspiration and instruction. His values remind us that progress is not accidental, it is built through service rooted in care, sacrifice grounded in purpose, and bravery fueled by vision. As I continue my personal journey, these principles guide my commitment to contributing to a more just and equitable future for the African diaspora, one that honors the past while courageously shaping what comes next.

My journey so far has been shaped by challenges that have tested my resilience, but also strengthened my determination to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. Growing up, I faced both financial instability and the constant challenge of moving from place to place. I never truly felt like I belonged anywhere, because just as soon as I would begin to feel settled, it was time to leave again. Nothing in my life felt permanent—everything was temporary. These changes often made it difficult to feel grounded, and at times it seemed as though I was constantly starting over from scratch. On top of that, I struggled with my mental health, learning how to cope with stress and uncertainty while still trying to keep up with school and plan for my future. I often felt isolated, unable to connect with peers at the new schools I attended, which only deepened my sense of instability. Despite these obstacles, I have always tried to find the positive side of every situation. Each time I had to adapt to a new environment, I learned how to be flexible, resourceful, and open to new experiences. While moving frequently was difficult, it also pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me valuable skills that I carry with me today. I learned to communicate with people from different backgrounds, to quickly adjust to new settings, and to remain resilient even when circumstances were overwhelming. Facing rejection and hardship early in life also gave me a thicker skin, and I developed a deep appreciation for perseverance. Battling my mental health struggles taught me how important it is to ask for help and to support others who may be quietly fighting their own battles. I often wished someone had told me, in my hardest moments, that I would be okay. That wish now motivates me to be that source of reassurance for others. Even now, I sometimes feel as though I am playing catch-up. College has been challenging, and being a STEM major is even more demanding than I initially imagined. Balancing heavy science and math courses while aiming for strong grades can feel overwhelming. At first, I thought I could manage it easily, but I quickly realized that academic rigor combined with financial stress and personal hardships created more challenges than I anticipated. When my family went through losses and struggles, I learned firsthand how deeply personal life circumstances can affect academic performance. It was a painful lesson to recognize that when life weighs heavily on you, your academics will inevitably reflect that burden. Still, I chose to keep looking on the bright side, reminding myself that setbacks are not the end, but rather opportunities to grow stronger. These experiences have fueled my passion for medicine, particularly pediatrics. I want to be the kind of doctor who not only cares for children’s physical health but also understands the emotional and social challenges that affect them and their families. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by circumstances beyond your control, and I want to be the kind of physician who listens, encourages, and provides hope. Children deserve doctors who care about the whole person, not just the illness or condition being treated. My struggles have instilled in me the compassion and empathy necessary to fill that role. Overcoming these challenges has shown me that life will never be perfectly predictable, but perseverance and optimism can carry me through. Every move, every financial hardship, every mental health battle, and every academic challenge has prepared me for this path. I bring that perspective into every classroom and every opportunity, because I know that each step forward brings me closer to the career I dream of: becoming a doctor who makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.

Throughout my academic journey, I’ve often felt as though I’m constantly facing challenges, some big, some small, but all deeply impactful. These obstacles have affected me emotionally, mentally, and academically. While I’ve sometimes allowed them to weigh me down, I’ve also learned how important it is to adapt and rise above them. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve taken from these experiences is the importance of leaning on a support system and using the resources available to me. Two of the biggest academic challenges I’ve faced have been Calculus and Chemistry. Despite putting in effort, I found myself struggling to grasp the concepts. These subjects did not come naturally to me, and I started to feel defeated. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to drop Calculus out of fear of failing. It felt like a major setback and forced me to start over with a new plan. In Chemistry, I made the mistake of trying to tackle everything on my own. I was too embarrassed to ask for help, thinking it would make me seem weak or less capable. As a result, I didn’t earn the grade I wanted and left the class feeling disappointed in myself. However, these setbacks have taught me more than any successful class could have. I now understand that asking for help is not a sign of failure, it’s a strength. Everyone needs support at times, and there’s no shame in using the resources around me, whether that’s tutoring, office hours, study groups, or simply talking to someone who’s been through it before. I’ve learned that pride and ego can be barriers to growth, and letting go of them is the first step toward real improvement. If I could go back and start those semesters over, I would but I can’t. What I can do is carry those lessons with me and make sure I don’t repeat the same mistakes. I plan to retake Chemistry with a new approach, this time using every resource available to me and asking questions when I need clarity. I’m committed to becoming someone who doesn’t shy away from challenges but learns how to navigate through them with persistence and the support of others. There will always be difficulties in life. What matters most is how we respond to them. I hope to continue developing the strength and resilience to face every new challenge head-on and to help others do the same.

Service has always been a part of my life whether it’s supporting my family, giving back to my community, or helping those around me feel seen and valued. Growing up in a family that faced financial hardship and housing instability, I learned early on what it means to support one another through difficult times. We moved often, sometimes living in shelters, and through it all, I stepped up to help my parents in any way I could. Whether it was taking care of my younger sister while they worked tireless nights, helping manage household responsibilities, or encouraging each other during the toughest moments, I’ve always believed that being there for my family is one of the most important forms of service. It’s the only way we have been able to get as far as we have. In my community, I’ve made it a priority to give back. I’ve volunteered at local food pantries where I help distribute meals and organize donations for families in need, many of whom are going through the same things my family once did. I also volunteered at a daycare center, helping staff care for children and ensuring they have a safe and positive environment. These experiences have taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and being present for others, even in small ways. I’ve enjoyed being apart of these peoples experiences and changing their lives even in minimal ways. In school and team settings, I’ve served as someone who uplifts others especially those who feel left out or marginalized. Having been bullied myself for my living situation, I understand how damaging exclusion can be. That’s why I’ve made it a point to befriend new students, stand up for classmates when I witness unfair treatment, and help others with schoolwork when they’re struggling. Whether it's working on a group project or collaborating in the classroom, I try to create a positive space where everyone feels included and supported. No one should feel left out, especially at school where we are all there to do the same thing, learn! To me, living a life of service doesn’t always mean doing big things, it’s about being consistent, showing up, and choosing kindness every day. My experiences have shaped my desire to serve in even greater ways in the future. I want to continue my education so I can dedicate my career to helping others and making a difference in the lives of people who need support, just like I once did.

I have faced many challenges in my journey to pursue my educational goals. Financial stability is something my family has always struggled with. We never had the opportunity to settle down or build a sense of permanence. Growing up, we were constantly moving from borough to borough across New York City, trying to find somewhere stable to live. This meant I had to switch schools often, which exposed me to many different learning environments and diverse communities. Although the academic transition was difficult, the biggest challenge was never the schoolwork, it was trying to fit in socially, avoid bullying, and find a sense of belonging. I just wanted to be included. One of the most difficult times in my life was when students at school discovered that I was living in a homeless shelter. The information spread quickly, and I was bullied, judged, and isolated because of my housing situation. It hurt deeply because I never understood why people looked down on me for something I couldn’t control. To me, a home was a home whether it was a shelter or a house because I had my family, and that was enough. But the bullying and judgment made me feel ashamed of my circumstances. I started to dislike myself and blame my situation for everything that was going wrong. What helped me stay grounded were the constant reminders from my parents that home isn’t defined by material things, it’s defined by love, support, and unity. They reminded me that our strength as a family was more important than where we lived. Those words helped me push through the toughest times. I still remind myself of that lesson today: as long as we stick together and support each other, we can overcome anything. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a path in public service. I want to be the person I needed when I was younger someone who helps others feel seen, included, and supported. I want to give back to communities like mine and create environments where no one is judged for their circumstances. That’s why I volunteer at local food pantries and daycares, doing what I can to support those in need. My goal is to continue my education and eventually work in a role where I can make a meaningful impact. I’ve always had a passion for helping people, and I hope to use my experiences to uplift others and contribute positively to the world around me.

My name is Tamarah, and I’m a proud student at Penn State University majoring in Premedicine and Biology. I’m entering my junior year with a deep commitment to my lifelong goal: becoming a pediatrician. Ever since I can remember, I’ve felt a strong connection to children and a desire to care for others. I’ve always wanted to be the person they can count on in moments of fear or uncertainty someone who brings not only medical support but also kindness, patience, and understanding. Becoming a pediatrician means more to me than just fulfilling a childhood dream. It means being a part of the next generation of doctors who lead with compassion, cultural awareness, and a genuine desire to serve underserved communities. I want to work in areas where families, especially those who look like me can see a doctor who understands their background, their struggles, and their values. As a Caribbean and African-American student from New York, I’ve always valued community and cultural pride. That’s why I’m active in organizations such as the African Student Organization, Caribbean Student Association, and Black Student Union. These groups have helped me celebrate my identity while supporting others who are also navigating college life with unique cultural experiences. Being involved in these communities has taught me leadership, empathy, and how powerful it is to create space for people to be seen and heard. Outside of academics, I’m a deeply creative person. I love writing music and stories because it helps me express emotions and reflect on my journey. Music is a big part of my life, and it gives me strength when I’m facing difficult moments. I also enjoy playing basketball and volleyball. Sports have taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and persistence qualities that are essential in medicine, too. I’m also a member of the Psychology Club, which has sparked an interest in understanding how mental and emotional health shape people’s lives. I’m considering minoring in psychology to help me approach medicine in a more holistic way treating not just the body, but the whole person and the mind. My journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been full of growth, learning, and resilience. I want to make my family proud, and more importantly, be the kind of pediatrician who makes a lasting impact on children and their families. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my story, and this scholarship would help me continue walking the path toward a future in compassionate, community-centered healthcare.

My name is Tamarah, and I’m a proud student at Penn State University majoring in Premedicine and Biology. I’m entering my junior year with a deep commitment to my lifelong goal: becoming a pediatrician. Ever since I can remember, I’ve felt a strong connection to children and a desire to care for others. I’ve always wanted to be the person they can count on in moments of fear or uncertainty someone who brings not only medical support but also kindness, patience, and understanding. Becoming a pediatrician means more to me than just fulfilling a childhood dream. It means being a part of the next generation of doctors who lead with compassion, cultural awareness, and a genuine desire to serve underserved communities. I want to work in areas where families, especially those who look like me can see a doctor who understands their background, their struggles, and their values. As a Caribbean and African-American student from New York, I’ve always valued community and cultural pride. That’s why I’m active in organizations such as the African Student Organization, Caribbean Student Association, and Black Student Union. These groups have helped me celebrate my identity while supporting others who are also navigating college life with unique cultural experiences. Being involved in these communities has taught me leadership, empathy, and how powerful it is to create space for people to be seen and heard. Outside of academics, I’m a deeply creative person. I love writing music and stories because it helps me express emotions and reflect on my journey. Music is a big part of my life, and it gives me strength when I’m facing difficult moments. I also enjoy playing basketball and volleyball. Sports have taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and persistence qualities that are essential in medicine, too. I’m also a member of the Psychology Club, which has sparked an interest in understanding how mental and emotional health shape people’s lives. I’m considering minoring in psychology to help me approach medicine in a more holistic way treating not just the body, but the whole person and the mind. My journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been full of growth, learning, and resilience. I want to make my family proud, and more importantly, be the kind of pediatrician who makes a lasting impact on children and their families. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my story, and this scholarship would help me continue walking the path toward a future in compassionate, community-centered healthcare.

My goal as a future doctor is to become a pediatrician who not only treats children’s medical needs but also supports their emotional well-being. I want to create a space where young patients and their families feel heard, seen, and safe especially those from marginalized backgrounds. I’ve always believed that medicine is about more than just diagnosing and prescribing. It’s about trust, compassion, and the ability to connect with people in some of their most vulnerable moments. It’s the ability to be able to be that person that people want to confide in and trust with their health and worries. I want to serve in underrepresented communities where access to care is limited and cultural understanding is often lacking. My dream is to work at a pediatric clinic that offers affordable, holistic care for families of all backgrounds. Eventually, I hope to mentor young students of color who are interested in medicine, so they know it’s possible for someone who looks like them and shares their experiences to succeed in this field. Being a Caribbean and African-American woman, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of not always feeling represented or understood in healthcare spaces. That’s one of the reasons I’m passionate about increasing racial diversity in medicine. When patients see doctors who share similar cultural or racial backgrounds, they’re more likely to feel comfortable and respected. This can lead to better communication, more accurate diagnoses, and stronger patient outcomes. But it goes beyond just patient comfort because diversity in healthcare leads to more inclusive research, broader medical perspectives, and a workforce that’s better equipped to meet the needs of a diverse population. We need more doctors of color because we bring experiences and insights that others may not have. Those insights can shape how medicine is taught, how care is delivered, and how communities are supported. I also believe that representation in healthcare sends a powerful message to future generations. When young people of color see someone like me in a white coat, they might begin to believe they belong in that space too. That kind of visibility is powerful, it breaks barriers, challenges stereotypes, and builds confidence in those who have often been overlooked or underestimated. It’s not easy pursuing medicine, especially while navigating systems that weren’t always built with people like me in mind. I’ve struggled, but I’ve also grown stronger. Each challenge has reminded me why I want to do this, why I NEED to do this and who I want to do it for. I want to be the doctor who makes kids smile even when they’re scared, the doctor who parents trust, and the doctor who inspires other Black and brown students to chase their dreams, too. This is bigger than just a career for me. It’s about healing, representation, and helping build a healthcare system that serves everyone with dignity, empathy, and equity.

Free expression is an important ideal in medicine because it invites many different outcomes and many different perspectives because of the many different identities explored. If free expression is known to be important it can help benefit many different cures and research being done because of people being able to freely express health issues and new risks and benefits of different medications and diseases being spreaded around. This is especially important in todays society because I feel as if we are being introduced to so many new diseases and viruses. Science is continuously growing as well as the human mind so free expression is very important and necessary. Individuals in the medical field can help protect and bolster free expression by advocating for a workplace culture that values open dialogue and encourages questions and feedback. They can also make sure to let patients know that they are able to freely express their medical opinions and needs and concerns because it’s important. By having this sort of respect and comfortability with their patients they can help protect their medical ideas as well.

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that runs throughout my family. My grandfather has recently been a victim to this disease and it made a huge impact on all of my family’s lives. My dad explained it to me when he had found out his father had started experiencing this disease. You start to forget things, people, and you don’t realize it. My grandmother called and told my father that my grandfather was waiting for him to come home from soccer practice. My dad hasn’t been to soccer practice in over 20 years. We had heard he wasn’t getting better, he was starting to experience some hallucinations, muttering in his sleep and he was very sluggish. They had called and told us he experienced a pretty bad fall down the stairs and suffered a stroke due to it. He was resting in the hospital and that was when he had lived his final breaths. I am now 17 and I deal with the burden of never seeing him again. I don’t recall if he ever remembered me or not. I remember getting the call that he had passed when I was in the car with my dad. My grandmother had called, she told us to pull over. At that moment I knew what she was going to say. I don’t think my dad knew, and that is what broke me. When she had said the words, I witnessed my father cry for the first time in my life. Seeing him cry, made me cry. My dad had a whole life with his father and he hasn’t seen him in six years. Now he’ll never see him again. It was hard to hear about his death because I had only met him twice, when I was a baby and when I was 11. He was always so sweet to me and my family. What hurt the most was knowing that we couldn’t attend the funeral. It was held in Jamaica, we couldn’t afford a flight there. Instead, we watched the funeral from home. It was special, homey and I saw all of my relatives on the stream. In Jamaica, you are to grieve with alcohol and celebration. To celebrate the person moving on from life to death. My father had explained this to me and I watched him grieve silently. I know Alzheimer’s disease runs in my family, but it’s so hard to imagine a world where I won’t remember my parents or my sister. To have a whole chunk of your life taken out of your memory frame has got to be one of the most cruel things to ever experience. I fear that my father won’t remember me when he’s older and I’ll have to go through what he has. I fear I won’t remember my life and all the good that has come from it. I’ve learned from Alzheimer’s disease, to appreciate what you have in your life now. To try and remember everything that is important before it is gone.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this university. I've taken out a few loans but as you probably already know, medical and graduate school are not cheap. I would be in extreme debt 8-10 years from now which is what I hope to avoid. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal, I want to change the world, and I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. To complete my goal I have majored in Biology/Pre-Med. I’ve always enjoyed science as it is such an interesting subject to learn. You can make several hypotheses to get to the bottom of any situation. You can make several experiments to conduct a conclusion. I majored in biology to do all of this and more. I want to learn more about the human body, specifically children’s bodies. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school so I can accomplish my goals. As you might already know, Medical school and graduate school are not cheap, I don’t want to be in debt in undergraduate school when I have more years of school ahead of me. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal and I do have a passion for what I want to do. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

The dream version of my future self is happy, healthy and living in a world filled with peace, health, and equality.

My name is Tamarah Hall. Ever since I was younger, I’ve always loved caring for others and making them happy. When I was 8 years old I started to babysit my little sister so my parents could work to provide for us as a family. We lived in a homeless shelter at the time and needed the money. I provided proper meals, and proper hygiene for her all while trying to do well in school. This was what sparked my ambition to become a doctor, specifically a pediatrician. As I gradually grew older, I began babysitting other children and watching over them as well. It became a hobby for me because I genuinely liked it. I ended up learning more about the health field, and I realized, this is what I can see myself doing. I was always usually healthy. I played basketball in school because I genuinely liked it. It kept me fit and happy. My parents made us only drink water because they could not afford juice and other flavored beverages. I always loved eating vegetables as a kid as long as they were seasoned properly. Growing up with a Jamaican father, seasoned food was never a problem. COVID played a huge role in my life because it changed me a lot. Having to quarantine, limited me to a few options. Healthier food became even more expensive, and junk food became cheaper. I usually just watched plenty of shows and movies while eating chips, popcorn, candy, etc; At the time, I used those as comfort foods to get through this immense impact. I had little interaction with people and I transferred to a new school so I knew nobody. Two years later, I went to school and met all these new people that I never really got to meet in remote learning. I remember the day in gym class when we measured our weight. I didn't think anything of it and when I walked onto the weight scale and watched how the numbers drastically increased, I felt a knot in my stomach form. The numbers fell out of his mouth, and when I got home I cried myself to sleep. I had gained weight, too much weight. I tried to stop eating for a while. It didn't help much. I couldn't join the basketball team because of COVID, so all I could do was make small changes. I realized crying about it wouldn't change anything. I looked up workout videos on YouTube and worked out at home. My parents were always stuck at work and didn't want me to go to the gym by myself. I did curl-ups, planks, high knees, etc; and repeated it every single day. I made small changes in my lifestyle, I took the stairs instead of the elevator and started walking home from school, walked to pick my sister up from school, and ate small portions of food instead of nothing at all. I realized you could truly eat anything you want as long as you eat it in a small healthier portion. This lesson changed my life in so many ways. I remember going back to school after the summer and many people telling me I looked much healthier or that I’d lost a lot of weight and I look happier. I was happier and healthier and it was all thanks to my changes.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I’ve donated plenty of clothes to homeless shelters in my community and the salvation army. I’ve worked with catholic charities and local food pantries to help provide those in need with food and necessities. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

I’ve grown up listening to all different types of music. I remember going to bed one night and turning on my radio that someone had donated to me, and listening to the newer songs of that year. I remember hearing “blank space” and I was immediately hooked on to the song. The way Taylor Swift had that nice demeanor throughout almost the whole song, even with the words she was saying was incredible to me. She was literally talking about how “boys only want torture” and I did not even know what love felt like at the time but I sort of felt her pain. Maybe it was also the fact that I felt like lots of women could relate to that song. She got a lot of hate for just being open to dating, and never making the relationships last, but she was able to make songs out of it to cope with how the media portrays her. I admire her for being able to do that because at the time, I wouldn’t have been able to do that. Being a Swiftie in that era was extremely hard, as crazy as it sounds. I used to get made fun of for listening to her music, but I didn’t care. Her music was/is so creative and she is really great at incorporating amazing lyrics with a great beat. I still know nothing about love but when I listen to her music, I feel like I know everything about love. I feel like i’m in her shoes. I remember pretending I was at her concerts at night, screaming the lyrics whenever my parents weren’t home. Taylor Swift is incredibly talented and she gets hate for it but she knows how to ignore the hate and move on. That brings me to my second favorite song, “Shake it Off.” “Shake it Off” is just her once again flaunting the media with their own words, and telling them she doesn’t care. She’s motivated me to do the same. Of course, I’m not famous and I haven’t gone to half of the things she has, but growing up and being bullied, listening to Taylor Swift was my way out. It made me feel powerful whenever any of her songs came on. I felt like I could do anything if I put my mind to it. Every time one of her songs come on now, I just reminisce of the great and bad memories I’ve made during the time that they were released. Seeing her now, happy and getting the recognition she deserves makes me happy. I can’t wait to tell my children about one of the greatest artists of all time, Taylor Swift.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. When I close my eyes I dream of a world where there is equality and peace. A world where everyone can be healthy and accepted for who they are. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. I’ve participated and volunteered with numerous charities and shelters. I’ve helped can goods for people who are in hunger, I’ve donated countless amounts of clothes to those who can’t afford clothes, because I know what it was like to be in their shoes. I’ve grown up moving from shelter to shelter with nothing. So when I look around my community and see someone in need, I help. I think we need more of that community love in our lives nowadays. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. I’ve worked with numerous charities, and shelters to try and help out my community. I once lived in many homeless shelters so I understand what it is like. I have canned multiple goods for those in need, who are hungry and I have provided them with clothes I have donated. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

My name is Tamarah Hall and I am a senior in high school. My goal in life is to become a pediatrician so I can help make health care a vital priority in children’s lives. Children need attention when it comes to their health, as their bodies are small and fragile. I want to help make sure any child, no matter what race or gender can receive equal health care and attention. That’s a big thing in today’s society. People are being neglected healthcare due to their race and it is extremely unfair. I want to work on changing that because if we can do that to adults, in need of healthcare, imagine what we could do to children who need healthcare more than ever. To complete these goals I must attend a school that can help me learn more about my field and give me the proper education I need. I have gotten accepted to many schools, but Penn State was one school that stood out to me the most. Their tuition is extremely expensive and they aren’t necessarily generous when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. They have an amazing medical program for me to help me accomplish my goals. Not only is Penn State such a prestigious school, but it could help me have a head start in my Pre-Med track. This is an amazing opportunity that I don’t want to let go to waste, but their tuition is so far out of my budget. I worked so hard in high school to get accepted to this school, and I might be stuck going to a school where I am unhappy and not ahead. When I see myself in the future, I see a woman that has helped impact the world in generous ways that anyone could imagine. I’ve always been so passionate about being a pediatrician and I want to be one of the best. I’ve grown up around children almost all my life and had to take care of children, whether it’s my sister or my cousins, and I have grown to love this profession. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have worked so hard to get to the next step in my goal but I won’t be able to go to my dream school without this scholarship or more. I want to change the world, I hope you can help me do that.

COVID has taken a huge toll on everyone’s lives. It has been very impactful in many ways, whether it’s socially, mentally, or even physically. I’ve been impacted by COVID socially and physically. Being restricted from friends, and not being able to go outside and get the Vitamin D I need from the sun has changed my body and mind. When the COVID restrictions had lifted, I felt like a different person. During the pandemic, I binge-watched lots of TV shows and movies while eating, and I was never active. I didn’t have the luxury of working out at home and being active and all of the food I was just piling on, grew on me. I had gained lots of weight, and with the weight came sadness and a sort of depression. So when the pandemic had calmed down, and I was able to go to school again, I didn’t know how to communicate with others and I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin. My mother bought weights for me to use with my arms, and I started walking up and down the stairs at my building, and school. There were slow changes that started to happen, but nothing big. It wasn’t until I joined the basketball team this year that I started to notice more gradual changes. I still ate the things I loved, just in smaller proportions and that felt so much better than just eating bigger portions. I tried eating salads too, but not the plain ones that you hear about often. I added healthy things I enjoyed in my salads. Avocados, tuna, strawberries, cranberries, etc; and it tasted delicious. Not only did it create a mindset in my mind that I was eating healthy, but my body never felt better after eating what I enjoyed the most, in a healthier way. My friends started noticing the gradual changes in my body and they even told me that I looked much happier. I began running more, and becoming more physical because I was playing the sport I loved again. I was being active, and happy. There were times where I told myself, the problem was because I was eating. You don’t have to stop eating completely or go to the gym every single day. It starts with small changes in your lifestyle, like walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or drinking water instead of drinking that juice you drink every single day. If you can make small changes like that in your life, you can start to notice big changes in a few months. You can truly be happy with yourself while making small changes. I came from being overweight and uncomfortable in my skin to becoming happy and confident that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I feel healthier and happier than ever.

COVID has taken a huge toll on everyone’s lives. It has been very impactful in many ways, whether it’s socially, mentally, or even physically. I’ve been impacted by COVID socially and physically. Being restricted from friends, and not being able to go outside and get the Vitamin D I need from the sun has changed my body and mind. When the COVID restrictions had lifted, I felt like a different person. During the pandemic, I binge-watched lots of TV shows and movies while eating, and I was never active. I didn’t have the luxury of working out at home and being active and all of the food I was just piling on, grew on me. I had gained lots of weight, and with the weight came sadness and a sort of depression. So when the pandemic had calmed down, and I was able to go to school again, I didn’t know how to communicate with others and I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin. My mother bought weights for me to use with my arms, and I started walking up and down the stairs at my building, and school. There were slow changes that started to happen, but nothing big. It wasn’t until I joined the basketball team this year that I started to notice more gradual changes. I still ate the things I loved, just in smaller proportions and that felt so much better than just eating bigger portions. My friends started noticing and they even told me that I looked much happier. I began running more, and becoming more physical because I was playing the sport I loved again. I was being active, and happy. Some people tend to think that working out can be stressful and too much work, but it isn’t if you are doing something you love. You don’t have to stop eating completely or go to the gym every single day. It starts with small changes in your lifestyle, like walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or drinking water instead of drinking that juice you drink every single day. If you can make small changes like that in your life, you can start to notice big changes in a few months. I came from being overweight and uncomfortable in my skin to become happy and confident that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I feel healthier than ever.

My biggest role model is my mother. Growing up, my mother was taught that education is not the most important thing in life, working is. Her parents forced her to drop out of high school to work and try to help pay the bills. Her father was illiterate and so were her sisters. She had the motive to be better and taught herself how to read. Fast forward to 2005, I was born and she knew exactly what she wanted from me. She wanted me to be and do better than she has ever done. As soon as I was born, she taught me how to read, write, speak, and all of the basic learning needs for a child. By the time I was in first grade, I was ahead of everyone, and when I was in third grade, I was reading level Z while everyone was stuck on M. She always strived for me to be great, no matter the financial struggles we were placed with. Moving from shelter to shelter many times at a young age would usually take a toll on a child, but she blinded me from that reality and told me to focus on my education because education is the most important part thing in the world. I remember her telling me that without an education, you cannot get anywhere in life. As I grew older I realized she was correct. You look at the most successful people in life and what do all those people have in common? An education. Maybe a few didn’t have an education but more than 95% do and that’s what matters. She beat that into my head repeatedly, and those are the words that motivate me every day. Even now, she tells me I’m so close but I’m not there yet. I have a long way to go, and I should not lose my path. She’s made me strive for better than what I have right now. Though she’s tried her hardest to shelter me from my reality, I’ve grown up and I realize it now. I realize the struggles and I realize everything she’s done for me, even throughout everything she has been through she was able to care for me. She was able to make sure I had a great education, a great childhood, and motivation. She has not only been a great mother, but a great role model for me, and I thank her everyday for it.

My family is very broad. They come from many different areas of the world. My father is an immigrant from Jamaica. Every now and then he tells me stories about his life there and how different it is from here now. He tells me about the lack of opportunities in other countries compared to America and how lucky I am to be exposed to these opportunities he could never have. He came here at the age of 15 by himself. At the age of 15, my father wouldn’t even let me leave the house unless it was for school. He had left his family behind and all of his childhood memories in Jamaica to come to a country where he felt he could have better opportunities. I couldn’t imagine doing that, and I am amazed everyday by the stories he tells me. In Jamaica the school system is different, he graduated from high-school at a young age and started college earlier than people usually start. I could really see and understand the hunger my father had to succeed at even a young age. All he’s ever wanted was a life without struggle and he left everything behind to try and get that. Unfortunately, with him being an immigrant, it limits him to things that me, a citizen, would be able to do. He can’t live to his full potential so he tries to live through me and hopes that I can be better than he could. This has impacted me on my academic journey because seeing how my father has come a long way to get to where he is now has made me hungry for more. I want to do better, I hope you can help me do that.

I remember the sound of the ball bouncing on the floor. The sound had stopped and the ball slowly rolled over to me. As I bent over to pick it up, the boys ran over to ask me to pass the ball to them. “I want to play.” The four words came out of my mouth and I could hear the snickering and laughter from them. “You’re a girl. You can’t play.” Those words replayed over and over in my head, even now. When I had gotten home that day I watched countless games on my little box TV. I grew to love The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry. With that came my love for the sport. I admired Stephen and how he plays almost every single night to his fullest. He brings smiles and cheers to the crowd's faces as he plays the sport he loves. Growing up, I had always been tall and people always told me I should play volleyball or basketball. I decided to try basketball. I had made the team, became a starter, and accomplished playoff status. I did all of this in the sixth grade. We did it again, and again, and when I was an eighth grader we made it to the finals. Although we didn’t win, it felt great proving those boys wrong. I came back to school the next day feeling a sense of comfort, and I understood from that day on, that basketball would be a huge part of my life. Moving on to high school, I tried out for the varsity team and became a starter. It was different from the middle school games I had played in because the gym was bigger and the crowds were too. I remember walking in the hallways after games and having people yell my number out and say amazing things to me. The season had finished and we made it to the playoffs again, we lost unfortunately and that was the end. COVID hit, I transferred schools and I was separated from the sport I loved the most. I was stuck inside all day, unmotivated and unmoved. I tried watching basketball highlights to spark something but it wasn’t the same. A year later came, I found myself in a new school with new people. I couldn’t play basketball for the team due to COVID restrictions, but I was able to play in gym class. It felt weird, it felt like being used to doing something almost every day to just not doing it as much as you used to. I had watched someone miss a shot and their basketball rolled over to me, as I bent over to pick it up they had said, “Do you play?”. We played a game, a few classmates gathered around to watch and people boasted on and on about how I could change the fate of the girl's team at our school. The boys loved talking bad about them and saying they would never make it far. They had a pretty bad record that year only winning 3 games and losing the rest. I had decided to join the next year and they were right, I made a big impact. We were 8-8 and we made playoffs. We lost, unfortunately, but what matters is we made it. I like to think that I somewhat gave those girls some hope. So, as I sit down to write this while Stephen Curry is playing on my TV behind me, I realize that anyone can play a sport, we just need hope.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. Moving from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. I never once thought that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school near the shelter, the fourth shelter, and I was only eight years old.) I focused on my studies, and I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we lived in, and the kids from my class followed. They mockingly said, “Hi, Tamarah” they acted like they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Then laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry, and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school, and this carried on, for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people I never got to see again was exhausting, and this affected me as a person. Every person I met in my mind was temporary. It was only recently that I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry-erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in a shelter to living in the New York City Housing projects. Something I will always be incredibly grateful for. My grades have improved drastically, and I met people that have positively influenced me. Im motivated to pursue higher education. Multiple colleges and universities have sent me acceptance letters. Without the help of a scholarship, I will not be able to attend, making my future uncertain. To answer your question: how will this scholarship help me pursue my future career goals? This scholarship with others is my only chance of being able to attend the college of my dreams. To have the opportunity to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe, and happy. That will not only educate me but leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to work on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured. I think I’m ready for whatever is next. Hopefully, with your help.

My name is Tamarah, my friends call me T. I am of Jamaican descent. I was raised in NYC by my mother and immigrant father. I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m applying to colleges where I can major in biology, biomedical sciences, or a pre-med program. I love playing basketball, I was able to participate in my freshman year and now as a senior, but due to covid, I missed two years of my favorite sport. However, I was able to volunteer at my local food bank and with Catholic Charities. At my local food bank I was able to help bag different vegetables and fruits, carry them to shelters, where I then helped hand them out to those in need. I also donate clothes to the Salvation Army or my local homeless shelter for those in need. I used to live in a homeless shelter so I am aware of the struggle it is, I wished me and my family had more support and help when going through that rough time. Since I was able to experience the hardships of having to live in a homeless shelter where the rooms weren’t stable enough, they were infested with roaches and rats, and so much more, I am able to feel empathy for others especially since I’ve been in their shoes. As an aspiring pediatrician and surgeon, it is my dream to be able to help children. Despite my family’s financial difficulties, I’ve come from a home that has taught me the value of a helping hand. Which is what I would like to be for numerous families. Many families all around the world suffer with poverty and they struggle with finances just like mine did. People tend to look the other way and only focus on themselves but I want to be different. I want to help. I think, no matter how much money you have you should be able to get the right healthcare you need and deserve. We are all human at the end of the day and we all go through different illnesses and weaknesses in our bodies. We all need the same type of healthcare and attention we deserve. I’ve had this aspiration to be a doctor or pediatrician since I was a kid, playing doctor with my dolls as I watched Doc Mcstuffins. I’m hoping to have a career where I can not only give back but, change the world because children are our future. I am determined to make it a reality, and I know I can with your help.

My name is Tamarah, my friends call me T. I am of Jamaican descent. I was raised in NYC by my mother and immigrant father. I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m applying to colleges where I can major in biology, biomedical sciences, or a pre-med program. I love playing basketball, I was able to participate in my freshman year and now as a senior, but due to covid, I missed two years of my favorite sport. However, I was able to volunteer at my local food bank and with Catholic Charities. At my local food bank I was able to help bag different vegetables and fruits, carry them to shelters, where I then helped hand them out to those in need. I also donate clothes to the Salvation Army or my local homeless shelter for those in need. I used to live in a homeless shelter so I am aware of the struggle it is, I wished me and my family had more support and help when going through that rough time. Since I was able to experience the hardships of having to live in a homeless shelter where the rooms weren’t stable enough, they were infested with roaches and rats, and so much more, I am able to feel empathy for others especially since I’ve been in their shoes. As an aspiring pediatrician and surgeon, it is my dream to be able to help children. Despite my family’s financial difficulties, I’ve come from a home that has taught me the value of a helping hand. Which is what I would like to be for numerous families. Many families all around the world suffer with poverty and they struggle with finances just like mine did. People tend to look the other way and only focus on themselves but I want to be different. I want to help. I think, no matter how much money you have you should be able to get the right healthcare you need and deserve. We are all human at the end of the day and we all go through different illnesses and weaknesses in our bodies. We all need the same type of healthcare and attention we deserve. I’ve had this aspiration to be a doctor or pediatrician since I was a kid, playing doctor with my dolls as I watched Doc Mcstuffins. I’m hoping to have a career where I can not only give back but, change the world because children are our future. I am determined to make it a reality, and I know I can with your help.

My name is Tamarah, my friends call me T. I am of Jamaican descent. I was raised in NYC by my mother and immigrant father. I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m applying to colleges where I can major in biology, biomedical sciences, or a pre-med program. I love playing basketball, I was able to participate in my freshman year and now as a senior, but due to covid, I missed two years of my favorite sport. However, I was able to volunteer at my local food bank and with Catholic Charities. At my local food bank I was able to help bag different vegetables and fruits, carry them to shelters, where I then helped hand them out to those in need. I also donate clothes to the Salvation Army or my local homeless shelter for those in need. I used to live in a homeless shelter so I am aware of the struggle it is, I wished me and my family had more support and help when going through that rough time. Since I was able to experience the hardships of having to live in a homeless shelter where the rooms weren’t stable enough, they were infested with roaches and rats, and so much more, I am able to feel empathy for others especially since I’ve been in their shoes. As an aspiring pediatrician and surgeon, it is my dream to be able to help children. Despite my family’s financial difficulties, I’ve come from a home that has taught me the value of a helping hand. Which is what I would like to be for numerous families. Many families all around the world suffer with poverty and they struggle with finances just like mine did. People tend to look the other way and only focus on themselves but I want to be different. I want to help. I think, no matter how much money you have you should be able to get the right healthcare you need and deserve. We are all human at the end of the day and we all go through different illnesses and weaknesses in our bodies. We all need the same type of healthcare and attention we deserve. I’ve had this aspiration to be a doctor or pediatrician since I was a kid, playing doctor with my dolls as I watched Doc Mcstuffins. I’m hoping to have a career where I can not only give back but, change the world because children are our future. I am determined to make it a reality, and I know I can with your help.

My name is Tamarah, my friends call me T. I am of Jamaican descent. I was raised in NYC by my mother and immigrant father. I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m applying to colleges where I can major in biology, biomedical sciences, or a pre-med program. I love playing basketball, I was able to participate in my freshman year and now as a senior, but due to covid, I missed two years of my favorite sport. However, I was able to volunteer at my local food bank and with Catholic Charities. At my local food bank I was able to help bag different vegetables and fruits, carry them to shelters, where I then helped hand them out to those in need. I also donate clothes to the Salvation Army or my local homeless shelter for those in need. I used to live in a homeless shelter so I am aware of the struggle it is, I wished me and my family had more support and help when going through that rough time. Since I was able to experience the hardships of having to live in a homeless shelter where the rooms weren’t stable enough, they were infested with roaches and rats, and so much more, I am able to feel empathy for others especially since I’ve been in their shoes. As an aspiring pediatrician and surgeon, it is my dream to be able to help children. Despite my family’s financial difficulties, I’ve come from a home that has taught me the value of a helping hand. Which is what I would like to be for numerous families. Many families all around the world suffer with poverty and they struggle with finances just like mine did. People tend to look the other way and only focus on themselves but I want to be different. I want to help. I think, no matter how much money you have you should be able to get the right healthcare you need and deserve. We are all human at the end of the day and we all go through different illnesses and weaknesses in our bodies. We all need the same type of healthcare and attention we deserve. I’ve had this aspiration to be a doctor or pediatrician since I was a kid, playing doctor with my dolls as I watched Doc Mcstuffins. I’m hoping to have a career where I can not only give back but, change the world because children are our future. I am determined to make it a reality, and I know I can with your help.

My name is Tamarah, my friends call me T. I am of Jamaican descent. I was raised in NYC by my mother and immigrant father. I’m currently a senior in high school. I’m applying to colleges where I can major in biology, biomedical sciences, or a pre-med program. I love playing basketball, I was able to participate in my freshman year and now as a senior, but due to covid, I missed two years of my favorite sport. However, I was able to volunteer at my local food bank and with Catholic Charities. At my local food bank I was able to help bag different vegetables and fruits, carry them to shelters, where I then helped hand them out to those in need. I also donate clothes to the Salvation Army or my local homeless shelter for those in need. I used to live in a homeless shelter so I am aware of the struggle it is, I wished me and my family had more support and help when going through that rough time. Since I was able to experience the hardships of having to live in a homeless shelter where the rooms weren’t stable enough, they were infested with roaches and rats, and so much more, I am able to feel empathy for others especially since I’ve been in their shoes. As an aspiring pediatrician and surgeon, it is my dream to be able to help children. Despite my family’s financial difficulties, I’ve come from a home that has taught me the value of a helping hand. Which is what I would like to be for numerous families. Many families all around the world suffer with poverty and they struggle with finances just like mine did. People tend to look the other way and only focus on themselves but I want to be different. I want to help. I think, no matter how much money you have you should be able to get the right healthcare you need and deserve. We are all human at the end of the day and we all go through different illnesses and weaknesses in our bodies. We all need the same type of healthcare and attention we deserve. I’ve had this aspiration to be a doctor or pediatrician since I was a kid, playing doctor with my dolls as I watched Doc Mcstuffins. I’m hoping to have a career where I can not only give back but, change the world because children are our future. I am determined to make it a reality, and I know I can with your help.

Being a young multiracial female has been a challenge for me so far. Finding individuals to accept me for me is not that common. I’ve always been told I look like a white girl by black people yet I’m not white enough for white people. My mom and dad told me who I was and where I came from, my mother being mixed with African American, Bahamian, Cherokee Indian, and Irish and my father being Jamaican with his grandmother from Germany, Im quite the mix. They both instilled in me to be proud of my heritage, even though the world might not be. Forgive those who would judge me because of the color of your skin and not the content of my character, and that is what I intend to do. I look forward to working with and helping people from all walks of life. Helping other young girls find pride in who they are and not who the world will try and make them out to be, teaching them to find beauty in different cultures and places. I want to make people like me be able to feel accepted and that they belong. It’s so hard to have that feeling and I would know. Even being a woman in today’s society comes with some sort of isolation. I remember being told I couldn’t play basketball with these boys because I was a girl. I joined the basketball team in retaliation to that and ended up going to the playoffs, and to the finals. Although we didn’t win, I felt like I proved myself a lot to those boys who desperately preached that basketball wasn’t a girls sport. I would take these struggles of my gender and culture with me to the healthcare setting to show how I wouldn’t discriminate against anyone who I am taking care of. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what gender you are, what you identify as, you are human, and you deserve the right amount of healthcare and attention that you need. I want everyone to feel inclusive and not feel uncomfortable because of who they are. I’ve grown to love myself in many aspects and I hope to help others realize you can love yourself as well. Everyone is different in many ways, living in New York City has made me realize that. There are so many different people from different places and it’s so fascinating to meet them and learn about them. I would take my past of being neglected to help others feel what I wanted to feel. Acceptance. In a way that will make sure they are healthy too.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. Recently, I had decided to do community service with my mom at this local shelter nearby. I had donated clothes there a few times but I had never really stopped by for a while. I helped can all sorts of goods at the local food pantry and helped give them out to people that needed them. Seeing the joy on their face as they received food and the relief that had made me feel really good. I had gotten flashbacks to when I was in a similar point of view as them. Fast forward to now, I don’t live in a shelter anymore but I do live in the projects. It’s an upgrade but it does come with some cons. It costs a lot to live in New York and the rent in the projects are high as well. My parents work extremely hard to try and have enough money to stay here because of the opportunities given. Now with me leaving for college, I don’t want to be in debt and relive my childhood all over again as an adult. This scholarship could help me get by my first year of college without being in debt. It could help me stay in a stable environment for at least a while without moving. I would greatly appreciate if you could consider me. Thank you for reading.

To me feminism is the empowerment of women, empowering women to vote, make decisions for their bodies, and have equal employment etc. It is important for women all over the world to feel this empowerment. For women to understand their voice is being heard, and their opinion matters. This is something women have fought for. Just to be seen as an equal person. Not a home/baby maker, but a person that can change the world giving the opportunity. My mom has always been my inspiration. She did not go with normal family traditions, waiting on my dad her husband to figure things out and or make money. In our family, she is the bread winner, and has always taught me to be a strong woman. That love is not waiting around for someone else to feed you, to be independent. To use my voice, and not be afraid to speak up. Which is what I do whenever I see any injustice done, especially against women. I recently ran for vice president at my High School 75% of my running partner’s were females. While I did not win I was happy that another female did win. I look forward to helping her make our senior year the best.

All my life, being healthy has been an important factor in my life. I’ve always been active by playing basketball and walking up stairs and hills. I enjoy salads and fruits and vegetables. Not only are they healthy, but they taste amazing and are very nutritious. Due to the pandemic I didn’t have much time to be active so I stayed home a lot and ate food. This caused me to gain a couple pounds. Towards the end I realized how I was less active than I used to be. I started working out at home and doing simple exercises like curl ups, bicycle kicks and so many more. I continued eating healthy, and cut out carbs for a little. I noticed a drastic change not only in my body image but in myself. I felt more happy and I felt accomplished and more energized. Being healthy really does cause a big change in your life.

All my life, being healthy has been an important factor in my life. I’ve always been active by playing basketball and walking up stairs and hills. I enjoy salads and fruits and vegetables. Not only are they healthy, but they taste amazing and are very nutritious. Due to the pandemic I didn’t have much time to be active so I stayed home a lot and ate food. This caused me to gain a couple pounds. Towards the end I realized how I was less active than I used to be. I started working out at home and doing simple exercises like curl ups, bicycle kicks and so many more. I continued eating healthy, and cut out carbs for a little. I noticed a drastic change not only in my body image but in myself. I felt more happy and I felt accomplished and more energized. Being healthy really does cause a big change in your life.

“I don’t understand why they don’t like me.” Those were the words of a 17 year old girl I met. I related to those words almost all my life and I understood her pain. She was being heavily bullied and treated horribly. They had broken her iPad, stole her food, tripped her, insulted her and mocked her. She was too afraid to tell anyone, even a teacher. She did not want anyone getting in trouble. She’s African and her accent is hard to understand at times. They take advantage of that and mock her to make her feel less about herself. This made me upset. I remember seeing her have a panic attack in the locker room after gym. She was crying and shaking and I never saw this in person so I was afraid. I tried holding her to calm her down. I rubbed her back and told her to try to breathe. I kept seeing her chest pump in and out rapidly. She was breathing so fast and I had to get her to the office or something. I explained what had happened to the teachers. I don’t really know what happened afterwards, but they never bothered her again. I hang out with her now and I try to make sure she doesn’t feel left out. I never want someone to experience what I experienced or what she experienced. We are all different in many ways and that is what makes us unique, it shouldn’t be something to make fun of.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a stillbirth, it happened more than once. She told me one of my sisters could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong, but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I want to become a pediatrician, or a pediatric surgeon. I would love the opportunity to help save a child’s life, and be a voice for those without one.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friends. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what happened, It was a stillbirth. It happened more than once, my mom told me one of my sisters could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong, but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose a unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life, because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor, well at least not yet. This has taught me everyone deserves to be heard.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a miscarriage. It had happened more than once, all because my mother wanted another child. She tells me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a miscarriage. It had happened more than once, all because my mother wanted another child. She tells me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” acting as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time, these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but all the kids would pick on me, because of my living situation. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a miscarriage. It had happened more than once, all because my mother wanted another child. She tells me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life because my family did not have enough money. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. I’ve always been the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I remember my father picking me up from school and walking me to the shelter we stayed in and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” and acted as if they were my friend. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I was young and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college. A college where I can feel welcome, safe, and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. I know I am going to be dependent on scholarships to make this dream a reality. However, surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a miscarriage. It had happened more than once, all because my mother wanted another child. She tells me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I remember sitting in the hospital waiting room. Waiting for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence, in the cold, because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They told me, I was going to have a sister. They told me this many times before. Where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms, or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what happened. It was a stillbirth. It happened more than once. My mom told me one of my sisters could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong, the baby wasn’t active, but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor told her to go home, and drink some juice, give the baby a bit a sugar. The doctor thought my mother was over exaggerating, and everything was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life. It has taught me how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have your medical provider listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor, at least not yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explain what had happened. It was a miscarriage. It had happened more than once, all because my mother wanted another child. She tells me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I remember waiting outside in the waiting room for my mother to come back. I remember us walking ”home” in silence in the cold, because we didn’t have a car. I was so naive. So confused. They had told me I was going to have a sister. They had told me this many times before. So where was she? Where was my sister? She wasn’t in the empty stroller my dad carried around. She wasn’t in my parents arms, or anywhere to be found. Why did my mother look upset? Was there something wrong? All I remember was my father holding my mother while she cried in his arms. They told me to play with my toys, so I did. I didn’t ask questions. Now that I’m older, they explained what happened, It was a stillbirth. It happened more than once, she told me one of them could’ve survived. She knew something was wrong, but the doctor didn’t listen. The doctor thought my mother was freaking out, and it was normal. This caused my sisters death. No mother, no one should have to go through that unimaginable pain. To lose an unborn child that could’ve lived. To be unheard, because a doctor feels they know what’s best. This has affected my perspective in life, because it shows how many things can be prevented if we all just sit and listen. To have someone listen to what you have to say is powerful. To be unheard is draining. The fact my mother has to live with that for the rest of her life, makes me feel as if it should never happen to anyone ever again. I want to make sure that never happens. I want to be a doctor, and make sure to listen to the mother before listening to myself because “mother knows best”. My mom has almost died because of pregnancies many times. Her last pregnancy was a success, and my sister has survived. The doctor listened, and was able to make sure I could have someone to bother for the rest of my life. So yes, that has changed my perspective on life. Instead of putting myself first, I tend to make sure to listen to others. Though I am not pregnant, nor am I a doctor yet, everyone deserves to be heard.

I’ve never really LIVED in New York. I’ve survived New York. I’ve moved from place to place, borough to borough, shelter to shelter almost all my life. My parents tried their hardest to blind me from our reality. Never once did I think that our situation was as bad as it was. Going to school I was always the new kid. Everyone already knew each other, and I was just there. No one liked me at all. In third grade, I went to a new school that was near the shelter, (I think this was the fourth shelter we had been moved to, and I was only 8 years old.) I remember my father picking me up from school, him walking me to the shelter we stayed in, and kids from my class followed. They mockingly said “Hi Tamarah” acting as if they were my friends. I was confused at the time because these were the same kids that picked on me in class. Them laughing at me the next day made me feel horrible about myself. I focused on my studies, I tried to make friends, but the kids would pick on me because of my living situation. I was young, and didn’t understand why kids were making fun of where I lived. Every single day my father asked how my day at school went, and I always lied, and said it was fine. I didn’t want him to worry and he didn’t until my grades started dropping. I was unmotivated to do better in school and this carried on for a while. Again, moving to different shelters and meeting new people who I never got to see again, was exhausting. This affected me as a person because every person I met was seen in my mind as temporary. Everything I was going through was seen as temporary. It was only until recently where I finally could live somewhere permanently, and understand what the word permanent truly meant. That dry erase marker had finally become permanent, even if it still was not in good condition. I went from living in shelters to living in the projects, which i’m incredibly grateful for. My grades have lifted, and I met people who influence me in a positive way. Going through all this and more has made me want to go to a college where I can feel welcome, safe and happy. I want to go to a college that will leave a permanent imprint on me. I want to keep working on becoming a pediatrician to help make the world a better place. Surviving NYC was a challenge I endured, I think I’m ready to endure whatever is next.