1. In 200 words or less, tell us anything about yourself! Additionally, make sure to address this question: What values and experiences have shaped you as a person and made you passionate about human health and wellness? Growing up in a community where access to healthcare was limited, I witnessed firsthand how vital compassionate care is to people’s well-being. My family instilled in me values of kindness, perseverance, and service, which have guided me through academics, athletics, and volunteering. Mentoring local youth and supporting individuals with disabilities taught me the importance of empathy and patience. These experiences fueled my passion for human health and wellness, as I realized health is not just about treating illness but about supporting whole people—physically, emotionally, and socially. Pursuing a career in Radiologic Technology feels like a natural extension of my desire to combine science with service, helping patients through crucial diagnostic processes. I am committed to continual learning and compassionate care, knowing that every interaction can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. 2. In 500 words or less, what does empathy mean to you, and why is it important to have this quality in the specific health-related career that you'd like to pursue? Additionally, discuss how you would ensure that your efforts and work are done through a human-centered lens. To me, empathy is the ability to genuinely understand and share the feelings of another person, stepping beyond one’s own perspective to connect deeply with their experience. In healthcare, empathy is essential because patients often face fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability. My career goal in Radiologic Technology involves working closely with patients during diagnostic imaging procedures, a time when they may feel anxious or uncomfortable. Demonstrating empathy means listening carefully, communicating clearly, and providing reassurance so patients feel seen, respected, and cared for. Empathy fosters trust between healthcare providers and patients, which improves cooperation and outcomes. It helps me remember that behind every scan or image is a person with unique worries and hopes. By practicing empathy, I can deliver technical care with compassion, easing patients’ concerns and making their experience less intimidating. To ensure my work is human-centered, I will prioritize patient dignity and comfort at every step. This means explaining procedures in understandable ways, being attentive to nonverbal cues, and advocating for patients’ needs within the healthcare team. I will seek to understand cultural backgrounds and individual preferences, tailoring my approach accordingly. Continuous reflection and feedback will guide me to improve my interactions and care delivery. Ultimately, empathy and a human-centered approach are not just about kindness—they are fundamental to quality healthcare. They transform clinical tasks into meaningful connections that support healing and wellness. I am committed to embodying these values as I grow in my career, knowing that compassionate care can profoundly impact patients and their families.

I am proud to be a Kansas Citian and a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. Growing up in this vibrant city, I have always admired how the Chiefs, especially quarterback Patrick Mahomes, use their platform to give back and inspire others. His 15 and the Mahomies Foundation’s dedication to supporting health, wellness, education, and underserved communities deeply resonates with me. I am honored to apply for the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation Kansas City Area Scholarship to help me pursue my educational and career goals. I graduated high school in May 2025, and throughout my academic career, I have worked diligently to maintain strong grades while actively participating in extracurricular activities and community service. I was involved in several clubs and played high school and club soccer along with high school tennis, which taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, discipline, resilience, and perseverance. Being part of a team requires dedication and supporting others through challenges, and these are qualities that I admire in Patrick Mahomes both as an athlete and a leader. Beyond athletics, I committed much of my time to volunteering, coaching younger athletes, tutoring peers, and mentoring students in my community. These roles allowed me to develop my leadership skills and reinforced my passion for making a positive difference. My personal journey has also been shaped by health challenges I faced throughout my childhood and teenage years. I had to visit hospitals frequently and undergo numerous diagnostic tests including MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. These experiences gave me a unique perspective on the healthcare system and the critical role compassionate, skilled professionals play in patient care. Witnessing firsthand the difference that empathy and expertise make during difficult times inspired me to pursue a career in radiology, with a focus on mammography and women’s health. I want to help ensure that patients, particularly those in underserved communities, receive not only accurate diagnosis and treatment but also the emotional support they deserve. Like Patrick Mahomes and his foundation, I firmly believe that everyone deserves the chance to grow, achieve, and reach their full potential regardless of their background or circumstances. His commitment to uplifting underserved communities motivates me to give back in my own way, by supporting health education and providing care to those who face barriers to accessing medical services. This scholarship would alleviate financial stress and allow me to focus fully on my studies as I begin my Radiology degree at Northwest Missouri State University in fall 2025. Receiving the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation Scholarship would be a tremendous honor and a crucial step toward achieving my dreams. I am excited to carry forward the values of leadership, service, and community impact that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs exemplify. With this support, I am confident I can make a meaningful difference in healthcare and serve my community with dedication and compassion. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting students who strive to make a positive impact in the world.

I am deeply inspired by Sloane Stephens’ commitment to uplifting underserved communities through education, empowerment, and service—values that strongly resonate with my own life experiences and goals. Like Sloane, I believe that resilience, kindness, and self-belief are essential not only to personal success but also to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. I will be starting my studies in Radiology at Northwest Missouri State University in the fall of 2025, with a focus on women’s health and mammography. Through this path, I hope to contribute to improving healthcare outcomes, especially by promoting early detection and compassionate care for women. Throughout high school, I was actively engaged in numerous clubs and played tennis all four years, which helped build my discipline, time management, and teamwork skills. Being part of a tennis team taught me perseverance and how to support teammates through challenges—qualities that Sloane embodies both on and off the court. Beyond sports, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to community service, volunteering at local organizations, coaching younger athletes, tutoring classmates, and mentoring peers. These experiences enriched my leadership abilities and strengthened my passion for giving back to the community. My personal health journey has also deeply influenced my desire to pursue healthcare. From a young age, I faced ongoing health challenges that required numerous hospital visits and diagnostic imaging procedures, including MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. Navigating these experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of how crucial compassionate and skilled care is during vulnerable times. It also sparked my interest in radiology and the power of imaging technologies to provide critical information that guides treatment and saves lives. The mission of the Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship, honoring her grandparents’ legacy of resilience, kindness, and belief in education, aligns perfectly with my values. I admire how Sloane has used her platform to uplift underserved youth and create opportunities where they might not otherwise exist. This inspires me to continue seeking ways to serve and empower others, especially through education and healthcare. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my academic journey but also connect me to a community that celebrates perseverance and service. I am excited to carry forward the spirit of giving back and resilience as I pursue my degree and work toward becoming a nuclear medicine technologist specializing in mammography. My goal is to provide patients with accurate diagnostic care delivered with empathy and respect, helping them face their health challenges with confidence. Thank you for considering my application. I am honored to share my story and hope to contribute to the legacy of kindness, empowerment, and excellence that this scholarship represents.