From Adversity to Aspiration: My Journey in STEM Growing up in a household burdened by debt, I understood from an early age that financial security was something we had to work for, not something we could rely on. Both of my parents did everything they could to support our family—sacrificing, working hard, and making ends meet where possible—but despite their efforts, money was always tight. We were constantly trying to catch up on bills, stretch grocery budgets, and figure out how to do more with less. While my childhood was filled with love and support, it was also shadowed by the stress that financial instability brings. Those circumstances shaped me—not to feel limited, but to feel motivated and focused on building a better life. My family’s struggles became my reason to succeed. I knew I wanted to pursue a future where I could help others, and I found that purpose in science. From the moment I began learning about the chemical and biological processes that govern our bodies, I felt drawn to understanding life on a deeper level. Science gave me answers to questions I didn’t even know I had, and it challenged me to think critically, ask more, and never stop learning. That spark led me to pursue a degree in Biochemistry—a field that constantly inspires me to dig deeper into the mechanisms of life and health. Now, as a Biochemistry major at Texas Tech University, I am pursuing that passion with everything I have. The road here has not been easy. I am a first-generation college student, and with that comes a steep learning curve—navigating financial aid, balancing class schedules with work hours, and making decisions without a blueprint to follow. Still, I have worked hard to maintain a 4.0 GPA and earn a place on the President’s List every semester. I am determined to make the most of every opportunity, because I know how much it took to get here and how much it means for my future. To support myself through college, I’ve taken on multiple jobs. I work at the University Recreation Center, where I not only assist with operations but also help train new employees. I’ve learned leadership, communication, and how to multitask under pressure—all skills that will serve me well in my future career. I also served as a Red Raider Camp leader, helping incoming students find their footing—something I know is especially important for first-generation students like myself. These roles have taught me the value of mentorship and the power of building community. Beyond academics and work, my experiences in the healthcare field have deeply influenced me. Through my internship at Covenant Health and the Joe Arrington Cancer and Research Center, I was able to witness the real-world application of science in medicine. I saw how scientific understanding at the molecular level can translate into life-saving treatments. I also saw the emotional side of healthcare—patients facing fear, families leaning on hope, and professionals working tirelessly to provide care. It made me realize that I want to be more than a scientist—I want to be a healer. These experiences have solidified my goal of becoming a physician with a strong foundation in biochemistry. I want to use my scientific knowledge to improve treatments and outcomes for patients, particularly in underserved communities. I’ve seen firsthand how lack of resources and information can affect people’s health, and I want to be part of the solution. Whether through research, clinical work, or public health outreach, I hope to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and effective. My family’s financial challenges taught me the value of perseverance, sacrifice, and education. They also taught me empathy—something I carry with me not only as a student but as someone preparing to work in a field that impacts lives. Every scholarship I’ve received has not just helped cover the cost of tuition or books—it has given me time. Time to study, time to grow, time to build the future my parents worked so hard to make possible for me. Looking forward, I hope to specialize in a field such as oncology or pediatrics, where I can blend science and compassion. I want to conduct research that contributes to more affordable treatments and be a doctor who patients trust not just for expertise but for understanding. I also want to mentor students like myself—those who come from financial hardship but have big dreams and strong potential. Representation and support matter, and I hope to be that resource for others one day. STEM has given me the tools to ask meaningful questions, solve real problems, and envision a future where I can give back. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and even more excited about what lies ahead. My past may be rooted in adversity, but my future is built on purpose, passion, and the promise of making a difference.

One of the most meaningful moments when I helped someone in need occurred during my time volunteering at an elementary school that serves a large population of Spanish-speaking families. Our student volunteers from Texas Tech University had been invited to assist with a family literacy night, where we would help guide parents and children through reading and educational activities. When we arrived, many families appeared hesitant and unsure of what to expect, and I could sense a level of discomfort among my peers, especially during introductions. As the event began, the school staff asked our group to introduce ourselves to the families. However, no one stepped forward right away. I could feel the silence stretch, and I recognized that the fear of mispronunciation or saying the wrong thing was holding some of us back. Wanting to break the ice, I stood up and introduced myself in Spanish: "Hola, me llamo TaSharra y estoy muy feliz de estar aquí con ustedes esta noche." My words weren't perfect, but they were genuine. Immediately, the room shifted - I saw smiles from the parents, and the tension among my peers eased. One by one, others began to introduce themselves too. That moment reminded me that helping someone does not always require having all the right words, just the courage to try and the compassion to care. It also reinforced the importance of communication, patience, and cultural awareness - skills that I strive to bring into every aspect of my life, especially as someone pursuing a healthcare career. Whether I am training new employees at the recreation, guiding freshmen through Red Raider Camp, or assisting patients during my internship at Covenant Health, I try to approach every interaction with the same mindset: listen first, act with empathy, and meet people where they are. Helping that mother connect with her child's learning was a small act, but one that I know made a real difference for her - and for me, it was a powerful reminder of why I chose to serve. This experience also deepened my appreciation for the role education plays in empowering families, especially those who face language barriers. As a first-generation college student myself, I understand how intimidating it can feel to navigate unfamiliar systems- whether it's education, healthcare or simply asking for help. That night, I realized that even small efforts, like offering a smile, using someone's native language, or slowing down to explain something, can help break those barriers. It inspired me to continue seeking opportunities where I can bridge gaps in understanding, especially for underserved communities. I left the event not just proud of what I had contributed, but more motivated than ever to be someone others can rely on when they need a helping hand.

Three endeavors I would like to promise my future self are patience, a growth mindset, and confidence. Throughout life, I have always set goals to be the best that I can be. As I approach the biggest milestone and challenge of my life, I hold onto these three promises as guiding principles to assess and improve myself. Life is an adventure, filled with obstacles and trials that I have had to navigate. My household has not always been the most stable, but my parents have always done their best to ensure that my siblings and I had what we needed. To keep my mind off financial hardships, I remained active and involved in high school, playing sports and participating in extracurricular activities. I maintained a 4.0 GPA and applied for multiple scholarships during my senior year, which allowed me to cover my first year of tuition. However, that payment only lasted a year, and as I enter my second year of college, I am facing financial hardships once again. Despite these challenges, I remember my three promises. These scholarships will help me get through the rest of my college career, aiding me in my pursuit of becoming an Ethnic Doctor of Dermatology. The scholarship fits into this image by providing the necessary financial support to continue my education without the burden of financial stress. It will enable me to focus on my studies and personal growth, adhering to the promises I have made to myself. My financial circumstances have always been a source of concern. My parents work tirelessly to provide for our family, but the financial strain is evident. I have taken on part-time jobs and sought out scholarships to alleviate some of the burdens on my family. This scholarship will significantly reduce the financial pressure, allowing me to dedicate more time to my studies and less time worrying about how to pay for my education. It will also enable me to take advantage of opportunities that I might otherwise miss due to financial constraints, such as internships, research projects, and networking events. In conclusion, the promises of patience, a growth mindset, and confidence are not just for my future self but also for my present journey. This scholarship is a vital stepping stone that will help me fulfill my higher education goals and ultimately achieve my dream of becoming an Ethnic Doctor of Dermatology. By securing this scholarship, I am investing in a future where I can provide better care for my patients, teaching them to have confidence in their skin, to be patient with their progress, and to always seek growth. This commitment to my future self and my future patients is the driving force behind my dedication to my education and personal development.

As I enter the real world and start expanding my intellectual education, I plan to pursue many goals and investments to provide for my rural communities and the world. In society, and the world today, there are many problems associated with various aspects. Some of these aspects people may not be familiarized with or even know about. One of the problems, I believe, that is not remarkably familiar to society is the insecurity of people with skin disorders or acne. Since middle school, I have always been interested in having a job that was a part of the medical field. Being able to care for people has always been a passion of mine. After the show, “Dr. Pimple Popper,” came out I knew exactly what I wanted to be, and that is a doctor of dermatology. Although people may not admit it, a poll shows that many Americans state that their skin issues affect their self-confidence. Acne affects more than just a person’s appearance; it also takes a toll on their emotional health. Study after study shows that people with skin issues can also develop anxiety, depression, decreased quality of life, and so much more. I consider this an opportunity for my career. As I further my education at Texas Tech University and progressively become a doctor or dermatologist. I plan to use my education to build others' self-confidence. I have experienced skin issues that have led me to become insecure in my appearance which made me scared to walk out of the house or even socialize with other people. This is not okay as we must socialize to have opportunities. Therefore, I plan to utilize the career I plan to pursue and impact others’ lives to where they are not afraid of their appearance or how others will think about their skin. However, I plan to reassure them that no matter the circumstances they are beautiful in their skin and opportunities are awaiting them. In addition to helping people with their skin disorders and self-confidence. I also plan to invest in a program that will help my community and young teens who hope to pursue the same career plan or major as me. Throughout high school, it has been a hassle trying to figure out the classes and the right educational path I would like to take. Not only has it been a struggle for me, but it has also been a struggle for my parents. To make it easier for parents and students wanting to pursue a career in the medical and science fields, I plan to invest in an organization that plans out for a future that fits and interests them. In addition to this, I plan to find classes for them to take and hopefully be able to aid them financially throughout their schooling and invest in students from minority groups to open opportunities for them as well. Furthermore, I hope that I can pursue this goal and hopefully give students early education and intelligence on the career and major that want to enter. In conclusion, I hope this major leads me to a successful career and I can invest in many attributes and opportunities for our rural communities, minority groups, and the economy. Although it will require quite a bit of work and time, I will fight through adversity to reach my goal. No matter the circumstances or how my career may play out, I plan to positively impact my community and the world.

The career I hope to pursue is a doctor of dermatology and pursue a degree in science. While pursuing this degree I hope to improve minorities' health by providing them with a professional and comfortable environment. Also, I will provide them with informative facts that may benefit their skin. Not only is being a doctor of dermatology beneficial to my clients for health necessities, but I will also provide a comfortable foundation. In correlation with providing my patients a comfortable foundation I hope to contribute to my patients outside life if they allow me to. In addition to making my patients comfortable with me, I hope my positive impact can lead to overall better health benefits and wellness. As I am from the black community, I understand how some people of my color may feel in their skin. We sometimes do not feel comfortable and most of the time if we are not surrounded by people of the same race we feel left out. I want to put an end to the low confidence in our black community. To aid the black minority group I hope to host programs within my future dermatology business that will help inspire young people of color. This program I hope to invest for the future will help young people of color pursue a career in whatever future goals/careers they plan to achieve after high school. However, the black community is not the only minority group I wish to inspire and encourage. Another minority group's health I would like to improve and contribute to are women. Gender inequality has been a controversy and has its roots between men and women. "These result from social constructions of relations, which in turn stem from sexual divisions of labor rooted in biological differences between the genders, such as the ability to breastfeed." Structural gender inequalities result in many allocation resources such as education, income, and health care. These all are strongly associated with poor health and reduced well-being. In some minority groups, skin disorders are common. Some diseases that are common in minority groups are skin cancer, hyperpigmentation, keloids, and more. Through my degree I can help patients with treatments and advise on how to improve their skin and the disorders that may be causing them discomfort or self-consciousness. I plan to achieve my goal of becoming a dermatologist by attending a four-year university and gaining knowledge of all the intellectual necessities needed for this career. When I become a dermatologist, I do not only want to help my patients with their skin or whatever the case may be for coming to me, but I would also love to help them with any other problems they may be encountering. I want to be a safe place for my patients, and I hope to when I enter this career that I will have relations and connections to help my patients with any other health needs they have. I have experienced many challenges and opportunities that have made me want to aid people when they are going through situations that I do not want to talk about. These opportunities and challenges have formed and shaped me to the independent, humbled, young woman I am today. As I continue to progress and pursue my dreams, I know that I can fight through adversity and conquer any obstacle I go through. Each challenge and opportunity I had to face changed my mindset, work ethic, compatibility, ambition, and many more skills. Therefore, with those challenges and opportunities I will try to positively impact the minority groups.

Some may ask, "What is there to love about math?" However, there is a lot to love about math. Math has an abundant amount of benefits it brings with it for future purposes. Scenarios that we learn in math class can be applied in real-world situations one may encounter in their future career or everyday lives. Our nation as a whole, in every workforce, is surrounded by numbers, equations, algorithms, and so much more. The simplest math can be utilized in our lives today. For example, I use the mathematical knowledge I have learned so far every day of my life. I believe it is important to love math or have a strong liking of the subject to develop essential financial wellness. I love math for an abundant amount of reasons. Personally, math has acted as my "get away" from stress, anxiety, and many other negative impacts that I have encountered throughout my high school career. Another reason why I love math is that I enjoy it. This subject has improved my analytic and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and my satisfaction. Math will play a significant role in my future career and can help me improve in all aspects of wellness.