Title: Leading with Compassion My name is Trinity Cleveland, I am an aspiring pre veterinary animal science major from Atlanta, Georgia. I plan to attend University of Arkansas in the fall of 2026 to study Pre Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in large or small animal science. Many people overlook the emotional impact pets have on their lives. During my internship, I saw how deeply families depend on their pets and are so vulnerable, especially during stressful medical situations. Serving these families reminded me that community service can take many forms, including supporting the well being of the pets that bring people comfort and joy. My path has included overcoming challenges such as ADHD and high functioning autism. Over time, I learned to advocate for myself, communicate my learning needs, and staying organized—especially during junior year, when I found better balance academically and personally. My experiences with anxiety and depression have shaped how I lead with compassion because I witnessed how my peers were treated and labelled as one who will never succeed, or behavioral problems at school simply because they have been misdiagnosed or never received an educational evaluation at all. These challenges have strengthened my empathy—especially toward my peers who struggle silently. Many teens spend excessive hours online, isolating themselves and becoming more vulnerable to cyberbullying. Because much cyberbullying happens privately, victims often feel invisible or ashamed, unsure of where to turn. My compassion has increased by supporting some of my friends who were cyberbullied. It is essential to overcome this because online harassment can cause deep emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and a loss of confidence. Through my own growth, I have learned how powerful it is to have someone who listens without judgment. Reaching out, even in small ways, helps peers feel seen and safe, and strengthens the community as a whole. My experiences have shown me that emotional support is meaningful, and I will take these skills with me as I pursue my degree in Animal Science. I fully support programs such as the Companion Animals Program that brings service dogs into schools and senior residence homes to help relieve their stress and bring unconditional love through the use of pets to the community. Through participating in this unique community service—whether supporting families with their pets as I help prepare them for surgery at the Pet Hospital or helping my peers navigate the emotional harm of stress in their school environment—I have learned the importance of empathy, presence, and purposeful action. Every person is part of a larger community, and reaching one individual can create a ripple that impacts many. It is a privilege to support others in their most vulnerable moments, and by being with them during their time of need increases my compassion a thousand fold. My faith has increased, knowing that I am serving animals and families in a unique and purposeful way and represents the core values as a recipient of the S.O.P.H.I.E award.

Title: Leading with Compassion My name is Trinity Cleveland, I am an aspiring pre veterinary animal science major from Atlanta, Georgia. I plan to attend University of Arkansas in the fall of 2026 to study Pre Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in large or small animal science. Many people overlook the emotional impact pets have on their lives. During my internship, I saw how deeply families depend on their pets and are so vulnerable, especially during stressful medical situations. Serving these families reminded me that community service can take many forms, including supporting the well being of the pets that bring people comfort and joy. My path has included overcoming challenges such as ADHD and high functioning autism. Over time, I learned to advocate for myself, communicate my learning needs, and staying organized—especially during junior year, when I found better balance academically and personally. My experiences with anxiety and depression have shaped how I lead with compassion because I witnessed how my peers were treated and labelled as one who will never succeed, or behavioral problems at school simply because they have been misdiagnosed or never received an educational evaluation at all. These challenges have strengthened my empathy—especially toward my peers who struggle silently. Many teens spend excessive hours online, isolating themselves and becoming more vulnerable to cyberbullying. Because much cyberbullying happens privately, victims often feel invisible or ashamed, unsure of where to turn. My compassion has increased by supporting some of my friends who were cyberbullied. It is essential to overcome this because online harassment can cause deep emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and a loss of confidence. Through my own growth, I have learned how powerful it is to have someone who listens without judgment. Reaching out, even in small ways, helps peers feel seen and safe, and strengthens the community as a whole. My experiences have shown me that emotional support is meaningful, and I will take these skills with me as I pursue my degree in Animal Science. I fully support programs such as the Companion Animals Program that brings service dogs into schools and senior residence homes to help relieve their stress and bring unconditional love through the use of pets to the community. Through participating in this unique community service—whether supporting families with their pets as I help prepare them for surgery at the Pet Hospital or helping my peers navigate the emotional harm of stress in their school environment—I have learned the importance of empathy, presence, and purposeful action. Every person is part of a larger community, and reaching one individual can create a ripple that impacts many. It is a privilege to support others in their most vulnerable moments, and by being with them during their time of need increases my compassion a thousand fold. My faith has increased, knowing that I am serving animals and families in a unique and purposeful way and represents the core values as a recipient of the Jeanne Murphy Scholarship: Compassion in Action award.

My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am a rising freshman accepted to study Animal Sciences on the pre‑veterinary track at the University of Arkansas. Growing up in urban Atlanta, Georgia, I have always dreamed of pursuing a career that allows me to advocate for animals and improve their quality of life. Studying out of state will be both an exciting new chapter and a major cultural shift, but I am ready to embrace that change. With the support of my service dog, my family, and receiving an award from Pet Pals Pack Compassion, I am confident I can thrive academically and advocate for excellent veterinary care in our communities. My educational journey has not been without challenges. During my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early experiences: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until that point, my mother had intentionally shielded me from labels she feared might limit other people’s expectations of me. Learning this part of my story brought clarity to the social and academic obstacles I often faced. Instead of discouraging me, it strengthened my resolve. I pushed myself harder than ever, earning honor roll status and achieving the highest grades of my academic career. One of my proudest accomplishments came the following summer when I applied for a highly competitive national internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. Out of hundreds of applicants, only thirty students were selected. After multiple interview rounds and panel discussions, I was thrilled to receive an offer to work at the Banfield location in my community in Douglasville, Georgia. Throughout the internship, I assisted with lab work, helped prepare animals for surgery, and learned how to conduct blood and urine tests. My dedication led to a promotion to Pet Care Assistant and part‑time employment throughout my senior year. These hands‑on experiences deepened my passion for veterinary medicine and provided me with over 200 clinical hours that will support my future veterinary school applications. But before I can reach that goal, I must overcome the financial hurdle of completing my undergraduate degree. Earning admission to the University of Arkansas as a future Razorback has been one of the proudest moments of my life. I am committed to pursuing the veterinary field, and conducting community service by encouraging others through adoption fairs and events to have the support and love of pets and service animals. An award from Pet Pals Pack Compassion would allow me to focus on my coursework and mandatory lab hours instead of working excessive hours just to meet tuition deadlines. It would help bridge the gap between what my family can provide and what the university requires, allowing me to continue my education without fear of being forced to withdraw due to financial hardship. For me, this award is not just about support—it is stability, access, and opportunity. It is the key that would allow me to take full advantage of this life‑changing academic path. Receiving this award would also empower me to continue giving back to my community and the field of veterinary medicine. I want to show other students who share my background that their circumstances do not define their future. I want to be the example that proves perseverance, resilience, and hard work can change the course of your life. It is not how you start the race, but how you finish. With your support, I am ready to soar.

My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am committed to my continued servant leadership in my community. During the Summer of 2025, my community service centered around caring for one of a family’s most cherished treasures—their pets. As an aspiring pre-veterinary animal science major from Atlanta, Georgia, I have been accepted to attend the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2026 to pursue Pre Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in either large or small animal science. My experiences in community service has confirmed my desire to serve both people and animals through compassionate care. One of the most meaningful aspects of my community work has been supporting families during their most vulnerable moments. As part of a highly selective National Internship at Banfield Hospital—one of only 30 spots nationwide—I was able to witness firsthand how deeply families rely on veterinary teams for reassurance and guidance. During this internship with the Next Vet program , I greeted families as they dropped off their pets for surgery, helped calm worried owners, and worked behind the scenes with medical personnel to prepare animals for procedures. I learned to collect and process lab samples such as blood, urine, and feces, all of which were essential for safe surgeries and accurate diagnoses. These experiences allowed me to practice empathy and patience, showing families that their beloved pets were in caring hands. My community service continued this fall when I was offered a paid role as a Pet Care Assistant. This opportunity not only allows me to keep building my skills but also expands my ability to serve the community through events hosted by PetSmart, including pet adoption drives and health fairs. These events reach people from all backgrounds, especially underserved and vulnerable communities. My goal is to become one day certified in companion animal training and eventually open a company that provides accessible pet services to families who often lack resources. Most recently, I have added another part time employment to my resume where I work with animals that are trained in the film industry. I am exposed to all types of large farm animals, exotic and rare species including monkeys and owls which will enhance my experiences prior to starting my undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences. My path has not been without challenges. I have learned to navigate ADHD, high functioning autism, anxiety, and depression. These diagnoses do not define me; instead, they have taught me to advocate for myself, communicate my needs, and seek help when necessary. By becoming more organized and balancing school expectations during my junior and senior school years, I grew into a more confident and compassionate leader. My peers often trust me with their struggles, and I support them by listening and offering encouragement. These personal experiences enrich the way I serve others, because they remind me to approach every interaction with the public with empathy and understanding. Community service, especially one which involves animals, touches people at their core. Families trust us during moments of fear, uncertainty, and hope to care for their pet. Whether I am comforting a pet owner , or helping families connect with adoptable animals, I am contributing to a healthier and more compassionate community—one interaction at a time. Serving in this capacity is both a privilege and rare honor. My experiences sets the foundation for my future career as an empathetic veterinarian who understands the need for supporting individuals who are in need. My love for science, my desire to help others, and my commitment to community service will guide me as a professional who makes a meaningful impact in this society.

Option 1 The most meaningful relationship in my life—the one that has shaped who I am today—was with my brother, Julius. When I was young, I struggled deeply with socialization. I often felt inadequate and isolated on the playground, unable to understand why connecting with other children seemed effortless for them but impossible for me. I had Pica, eating wood chips, and experienced other neurodivergent tendencies that made navigating childhood overwhelming. My inability to communicate left me without friends, without playdates, and often without a sense of belonging. My parents sought support through social skills groups, mindfulness training, hippotherapy, and Sensory Processing techniques. While these interventions helped, the most transformative guidance came from home—specifically from Julius. He became my first social teacher, my role play partner, and my safe place. Julius intuitively understood how to reach me. Through playful scenarios, gentle encouragement, and endless patience, he taught me how to walk up to other children, how to speak, and how to simply “just play.” Julius saw my struggles, but he also saw my potential. He pushed me to embrace my creativity and pursue my art, reminding me always that I was capable of more than I realized. His presence made me feel understood at a time when I couldn’t understand myself. Losing him to a sudden brain aneurysm when he was just twenty seven was devastating, yet his influence remains one of the strongest forces in my life. Though he is gone, he is still my guide, living in my actions, my choices, and the way I now connect with others. That foundation became even more important during my junior year of high school, when I was required to participate in my first IEP meeting. Until then, my mother had been my quiet advocate, supporting me behind the scenes without letting labels define my identity. Hearing the words “ADHD,” “Autism,” and “Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder” was overwhelming, but also clarifying. Suddenly, the challenges I had faced made sense. Yet even as I learned these diagnoses, I refused to let them define me—just as Julius had always taught me. Instead, I embraced resilience. I reached out more. I communicated with my teachers. I achieved honor roll status and the highest grades of my academic career. Julius influenced not just how I overcame my struggles, but how I connect with others today. Because he met me with compassion and patience, I now strive to do the same. When I see students labelled as “behavior problems,” I see past the labels to the pain beneath—pain I recognize because I once felt it myself. By sharing my experiences, I have encouraged many to open up to their families and seek help. These connections weren’t always easy for me, as my natural tendency is to withdraw, but Julius taught me early on that meaningful human connection requires courage, effort, and vulnerability. My relationship with my brother shaped my empathy, my resilience, and my desire to create understanding among those who struggle silently. His influence guides how I show up for others and how I build relationships today—with intention, kindness, and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen for who they truly are. We are all connected to one another and the goal is to make those connections meaningful. I will honor my brother’s spirit by stepping on the college campus and making meaningful connections with students, professors and involve myself in community social activities. This scholarship will support my efforts to succeed in a new environment where there are endless connections that I will make and I will boldly face these challenges with the sole purpose of making meaningful relationships with others in my community. Thank you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black veterinarians make up approximately 1.2% to 2.2% of the profession in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There is a glaring underrepresentation of the Black community in this profession. A glaring discrepancy and underrepresentation of my race, especially since Black people make up approximately 14 % of the U.S. population and my goal is to change that paradigm in a positive direction. My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am a past 2025 recipient of the Banfield Animal Hospital NextVet program. This program interviews hundreds of aspiring young students and conducts a national search for role models to enter into the field of veterinary medicine for only 30 spots throughout the U. S. Last year, I was chosen as one to be mentored by the top veterinarians in the field for an 8 week summer program. I was thrilled to be chosen after a grueling interview process, and this was the first job I ever held. This experience confirmed my quest to become a veterinarian, and I am well on my way to pursue that goal by being accepted at the University of Arkansas to begin my undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences in the Fall of 2026. I see myself as a role model for others from my race and was proud to receive a promotion at Banfield Animal Hospital to the role of a part time Pet Care Assistant. I am continuing to be a part of the solution addressing the underrepresentation of my race in this rewarding field of veterinary medicine. During my experiences, I have seen the general public underestimate the quality of work of the veterinarian, especially if they are of a different hue. I have witnessed some pet owners ask to see the doctor when in fact, the doctor is right in front of them and they assumed it was a technician or other staff member just because of the color of their skin. My representation in the animal care industry is the first step to breakthrough some of the bias and stereotypes in the field. I realize that the majority of veterinarians who represent my race, received their degree at Tuskegee University which is the only historically Black veterinary Medicine college in the United States, but there is much work to be done for other colleges to accept people of color to their schools so that it becomes the norm. I challenged myself by choosing to enroll in an Animal Sciences undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas to be an active change agent. This university has less than 4 percent of the Black population representing their student body. I will be severely underrepresented in the animal science industry at this university, but I am committed to succeed. I will breakthrough some of the possible stereotypes and barriers ahead of me. I have this determination because this degree will exposed me to a world of endless possibilities in STEM education. I have the inner strength to realize that I do belong, and I am worthy to contribute to this field. My goal is to be a beacon of light to other students who look like me and encourage them to not let any limitations hinder you from your goal. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is a high educational cost associated in this field, in addition to bias in recruiting fresh young talent to the school of Veterinary medicine. The Julia Elizabeth Legacy Scholarship moves us in the right direction, and it would be an honor to be a 2026 recipient. Thank you.

From the moment I first calmed a nervous rottweiler before surgery, I knew that working with animals was more than a passion—it was my calling. Animals have a unique way of offering unconditional trust, and I aspire to dedicate my life to caring for them as a veterinarian. My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year, the highest grades of my academic career. Many students face mental health challenges in silence or worst yet become labelled as behavioral problems. I am thankful that my mother found support for me in school so I could succeed. She made sure that I did not fall through the cracks. I took the reins during my junior year and achieved the highest GPA of my academic career. I was able to share this with my peers and encouraged them to get support. One of my proudest accomplishments was earning a highly competitive internship at Banfield Animal Hospital in the summer of 2025. Out of hundreds of applicants nationwide, only thirty students were selected. After multiple interviews and panel discussions, I was thrilled to receive an offer. This experience taught me about perseverance, professionalism and coming out of my comfort zone. I was tested during my internship and prepared animals for surgery, learned to conduct blood and urine tests and by the end of the summer internship I was promoted within the company as a Pet Care Assistant. I currently work there on a part time basis while completing my senior high school year. I am so proud of myself! My resilience was also tested during my freshman year when my only brother passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm. His memory motivates me to succeed. I received grief counseling, and began looking into getting a service animal for my PTSD tendencies. This scholarship will help me realize my goal of studying Animal Sciences at the University of Arkansas. I chose this university because of its strong academic program and its commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs. I am particularly inspired by the Companion Animal Program, which helps students manage stress during exams. My goal is to contribute to this initiative by raising awareness about mental health challenges among students. Having lived through these experiences myself, I understand the importance of creating a stigma-free environment where students feel supported. I am using my experience to outreach the community. I feel that I am a good candidate for this award because I am one who was slated to fail in the educational system. However through early intervention, and work on myself I can achieve my goal to receive a degree in Animal Sciences. This scholarship would have a direct impact on my journey. It would reduce the financial pressure associated with higher education, allowing me to focus more on academics, research opportunities, and practical training. It would also provide the stability I need to pursue internships and mentorships in forensic and diagnostic labs—experiences essential for my professional growth. I can not wait to see how I will grow. I have a vision, I just need support to help me attain this goal. Thank you for your support.

My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am continuing to learn how to be a servant leader in my community. This summer, I spent my time serving others by caring for one of a community’s most cherished treasures—its pets. I am an aspiring pre‑veterinary animal science major from Atlanta, Georgia, and I plan to attend Purdue University in the fall of 2026 to study Pre‑Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in large or small animal science. My long‑term goal is to become certified in companion animal training so I can open my own company serving underserved and vulnerable communities. I am also a student‑athlete who competed on the varsity team from freshman to junior year. During my junior summer, I earned one of only thirty nationwide internship placements at Banfield Hospital. Through this experience, I shadowed veterinarians, reassured families whose pets were undergoing surgery, and learned to conduct lab samples such as blood, urine, and feces. Many people overlook the emotional impact pets have on their lives. During my internship, I saw how deeply families depend on their animals, especially during stressful medical situations. Serving these families reminded me that community service can take many forms, including supporting the well‑being of the animals that bring people comfort and joy. This fall, I will continue as a Pet Care Assistant, participating in adoption drives and community health fairs. My path has included overcoming challenges such as ADHD and high‑functioning autism. Over time, I learned to advocate for myself, communicate my learning needs, and stay organized—especially during junior year, when I found better balance academically and personally. My experiences with anxiety and depression have shaped how I lead with compassion. These challenges have strengthened my empathy—especially toward peers who struggle silently. Many teens spend excessive hours online, isolating themselves and becoming more vulnerable to cyberbullying. Because much of cyberbullying happens privately, victims often feel invisible or ashamed, unsure of where to turn. Supporting individuals who are cyberbullied is essential because online harassment can cause deep emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and a loss of confidence. Through my own growth, I have learned how powerful it is to have someone who listens without judgment. When friends confide in me about online cruelty, I remind them that their feelings matter and that being attacked behind a screen does not diminish their worth. Providing support—whether by encouraging them to speak up, helping them set healthier boundaries with technology, or simply being present—can interrupt the cycle of isolation that cyberbullying creates. Reaching out, even in small ways, helps peers feel seen and safe, and strengthens the community as a whole. My experiences have shown me that emotional support is just as meaningful a form of community service as volunteering in person. Flag football also played a major role in helping me grow. Being part of a team brought me out of my shell and taught me discipline, commitment, and confidence. My passion for human and animal anatomy continues to fuel my desire to serve others through veterinary care. Through community service—whether supporting families with their pets or helping peers navigate the emotional harm of cyberbullying—I have learned the importance of empathy, presence, and purposeful action. Every person is part of a larger community, and reaching one individual can create a ripple that impacts many. It is a privilege to support others in their most vulnerable moments, and these experiences continue to shape me into the veterinarian and community leader I aspire to become.

When I made the decision to step outside my comfort zone and apply to an out-of-state school, I was immediately shut down by peers and my high school personnel who did not support my goal. They told me I should only concentrate on attending local state universities and focus on local trade schools where I was better suited to fit in. I did not listen. I did something different. I went against the recommendation to stay in co-taught classes due to my disabilities. I was determined to find my own path despite the labels and diagnosis of ADHD, Autism and Depressive Mood Disorders. As a young African American female, I think outside the box and have always had ambitious goals. Unfortunately, I did not have many role models at my school, nor was I encouraged to succeed or even take the SAT. But over time as I matured I learned I had to take my path into my own hands and advocate for what I needed for my unique differences. I was successful in achieving honor roll during my junior year at high school and I am well on my way to becoming a successful STEM freshman in Fall 2026 at the University of Arkansas. I have already demonstrated promise by receiving a national internship opportunity at Banfield Animal Hospital, where only 30 spots were available. Not only was I accepted as a 2025 intern, but after completing my placement in the summer, I was also offered the chance to continue with the company as a part-time Pet Care Assistant. This opportunity opened my eyes to the endless possibilities available to me, and it strengthened my determination to pursue a degree in Animal Sciences. This year, as I continue my paid role as Pet Care Assistant I have come out of my comfort zone and tendency to be introverted and have experienced many opportunities to interface with the community. I participate in many volunteer events held by PetSmart, including Pet adoption drives, and Health fairs. When I look back from my freshman year to now, I am proud of myself and overcoming many obstacles I was faced with. I have never labelled myself as one that has ADHD or high functioning autism. Although these diagnosis are true, the good news is that over time and purposeful interventions, I have learned how to advocate for myself and reach out for help when needed. I must admit that this was very hard for me, and I had to learn how to ask for what I need and share with others my learning style in order to succeed. However, during my junior year, I was proud of my performance and became more organized while balancing school and work expectations. Living with these diagnoses has taught me how to care for myself and others more deeply. In my freshman high school year, I lost my brother to a sudden and tragic death which not only affected my family emotionally but also removed a critical source of financial support that would have helped fund my education. A financial scholarship would directly support my ability to continue my education without being forced to choose between my academic goals and my economic reality. It would allow me to stay focused on my coursework, reduce the need for excessive employment during school, and help bridge the gap between what my family can provide and the actual cost of attendance. I hope to show others who share my background that perseverance can change the course of their lives. It’s not how you start—it’s how you finish. Watch me soar.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black veterinarians make up approximately 1.2% to 2.2% of the profession in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There is a glaring underrepresentation of the Black community in this profession. A glaring discrepancy and underrepresentation of my race, especially since Black people make up approximately 14 % of the U.S. population and my goal is to change that paradigm in a positive direction. My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am a past 2025 recipient of the Banfield Animal Hospital NextVet program. This program interviews hundreds of aspiring young students and conducts a national search for role models to enter into the field of veterinary medicine for only 30 spots throughout the U. S. Last year, I was chosen as one to be mentored by the top veterinarians in the field for an 8 week summer program. I was thrilled to be chosen after a grueling interview process, and this was the first job I ever held. This experience confirmed my quest to become a veterinarian, and I am well on my way to pursue that goal by being accepted at the University of Arkansas to begin my undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences in the Fall of 2026. I see myself as a role model for others from my race and was proud to receive a promotion at Banfield Animal Hospital to the role of a part time Pet Care Assistant. I am continuing to be a part of the solution addressing the underrepresentation of my race in this rewarding field of veterinary medicine. During my experiences, I have seen the general public underestimate the quality of work of the veterinarian, especially if they are of a different hue. I have witnessed some pet owners ask to see the doctor when in fact, the doctor is right in front of them and they assumed it was a technician or other staff member just because of the color of their skin. My representation in the animal care industry is the first step to breakthrough some of the bias and stereotypes in the field. I realize that the majority of veterinarians who represent my race, received their degree at Tuskegee University which is the only historically Black veterinary Medicine college in the United States, but there is much work to be done for other colleges to accept people of color to their schools so that it becomes the norm. I challenged myself by choosing to enroll in an Animal Sciences undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas to be an active change agent. This university has less than 4 percent of the Black population representing their student body. I will be severely underrepresented in the animal science industry at this university, but I am committed to succeed. I will breakthrough some of the possible stereotypes and barriers ahead of me. I have this determination because this degree will exposed me to a world of endless possibilities in STEM education. I have the inner strength to realize that I do belong, and I am worthy to contribute to this field. My goal is to be a beacon of light to other students who look like me and encourage them to not let any limitations hinder you from your goal. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is a high educational cost associated in this field, in addition to bias in recruiting fresh young talent to the school of Veterinary medicine. The Lift as we Climb Scholarship moves us in the right direction, and it would be an honor to be a 2026 recipient. Thank you.

From the moment I first calmed a nervous rottweiler before surgery, I knew that working with animals was more than a passion—it was my calling. Animals have a unique way of offering unconditional trust, and I aspire to dedicate my life to caring for them as a veterinarian. My name is Trinity Cleveland and my journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I first learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Up to that point in my school years, I learned that my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. I must admit that I was shocked but it all began to make sense to me, and I feel that I have empathy for others that have gone through struggles in school and hope to be an example to show them you can be successful. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, however I refused to let them define me. Instead, I continued to grow in confidence and achieved honor roll status during my junior year, the highest grades of my academic career. One of my proudest accomplishments was earning a highly competitive internship at Banfield Animal Hospital in the summer of 2025. I came out of my comfort zone of being an introvert, and decided to make an impact for myself. Out of hundreds of applicants nationwide, only thirty students were selected. After multiple interviews and panel discussions, I was thrilled to receive an offer. This experience taught me perseverance and professionalism. During my internship, I assisted with lab work, prepared animals for surgery, and learned to conduct blood and urine tests and currently, I have been promoted with the company as a Pet Care Assistant with the company. I am enjoying the experience during my senior year of high school and making an impact to the junior class of students at my school by sharing this achievement. My resilience was also tested during my freshman year when my only brother passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm. His memory motivates me to succeed, just as he did as a Stetson University graduate. Despite these obstacles, I persevered, balancing academics with athletics as a member of the Varsity Flag Football team. These experiences taught me adaptability, teamwork, and determination. In summary, this scholarship will help me realize my goal of studying Animal Sciences at the University of Arkansas. I chose this university because of its strong academic program and its commitment to supporting students with diverse learning needs. I am particularly inspired by the Companion Animal Program, which helps students manage stress during exams. My goal is to contribute to this initiative by raising awareness about mental health challenges among students. Having lived through these experiences myself, I understand the importance of creating a stigma-free environment where students feel supported. I am using my experience to outreach the community. Banfield Hospital offers opportunities for me to educate the public on animal care, and the importance of adopting companion animals which can reduce stress and address mental health challenges at home and at school. This scholarship will help me pursue my dream to be a veterinarian and strong advocate for mental health awareness. Mental Illness, depression and grief are very common emotions that students face in school and often students fail to share their mental health challenges with others. I will make a positive impact by raising awareness for programs like “Companion Animals” for students at my university campus.

On May 17, 2017, I visited a college campus for the first time, accompanied by my parents. We were there to celebrate my brother, Julius Holder, as he walked across the graduation stage, earning dual degrees from Stetson University and the University of Madrid. At nine years old, I was too young to grasp the significance of that day, but looking back, I realize how profoundly it shaped my life. Today, I am a high school senior with a clear goal: to attend college as an animal science major and become a veterinarian. My brother Julius was my role model and greatest supporter. Tragically, he passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm at age 27 on March 14, 2021. Although he is no longer physically present, his spirit continues to guide me. Julius taught me resilience, encouraged me to pursue my art, and helped me overcome social challenges by role-playing playground scenarios. He was a stellar football player, and I aspired to follow in his footsteps. Witnessing his death during my freshman high school year, was a traumatic experience, but through grief, I discovered my path. Therapy became essential, and my love for animals inspired me to advocate for grief support through companion animals and emotional support dogs. This approach helped me cope with my pain and motivated me to help others facing similar struggles. My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year—the highest grades of my academic career. Suddenly, it all made sense. During the meeting, I realized all the years my mother had buffered me from this reality. She never allowed any label to define me. Through her hard work and my own growth, I matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control and learned how to manage my symptoms. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. Driven by my brother, Julius's example, I joined the Varsity Flag Football team from freshman to junior year, learning the value of teamwork and collaboration. These qualities opened doors for me, including a competitive summer internship at an Animal Hospital, where I was selected from a national pool of 30 students to shadow a veterinarian. I dedicated my internship to Julius and worked diligently, eventually earning a part-time position during my senior year. As a new team member, I prepare lab samples for surgery—blood, urine, and feces—for various animals. While some may find this challenging, I am passionate about this work and grateful for the opportunity to learn and contribute. Throughout high school, I have consistently improved my GPA, striving to honor Julius's legacy by being a humble and resilient student. I am determined to attend the college of my choice and pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian. I am proud of my growth and hopeful for the future, knowing that my brother’s influence will always be with me in my heart. People just do not understand what it is like to lose someone unless you have been through it but love in your heart will always be there.

On May 17, 2017, I visited a college campus for the first time, accompanied by my parents. We were there to celebrate my brother, Julius Holder, as he walked across the graduation stage, earning dual degrees from Stetson University and the University of Madrid. At nine years old, I was too young to grasp the significance of that day, but looking back, I realize how profoundly it shaped my life. Today, I am a high school senior with a clear goal: to attend college as an animal science major and become a veterinarian. My brother Julius was my role model and greatest supporter. Tragically, he passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm at age 27 on March 14, 2021. Although he is no longer physically present, his spirit continues to guide me. Julius taught me resilience, encouraged me to pursue my art, and helped me overcome social challenges by role-playing playground scenarios. He was a stellar football player, and I aspired to follow in his footsteps. Witnessing his death during my freshman high school year, was a traumatic experience, but through grief, I discovered my path. Therapy became essential, and my love for animals inspired me to advocate for grief support through companion animals and emotional support dogs. This approach helped me cope with my pain and motivated me to help others facing similar struggles. My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year—the highest grades of my academic career. Suddenly, it all made sense. During the meeting, I realized all the years my mother had buffered me from this reality. She never allowed any label to define me. Through her hard work and my own growth, I matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control and learned how to manage my symptoms. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. Driven by my brother, Julius's example, I joined the Varsity Flag Football team from freshman to junior year, learning the value of teamwork and collaboration. These qualities opened doors for me, including a competitive summer internship at an Animal Hospital, where I was selected from a national pool of 30 students to shadow a veterinarian. I dedicated my internship to Julius and worked diligently, eventually earning a part-time position during my senior year. As a new team member, I prepare lab samples for surgery—blood, urine, and feces—for various animals. While some may find this challenging, I am passionate about this work and grateful for the opportunity to learn and contribute. Throughout high school, I have consistently improved my GPA, striving to honor Julius's legacy by being a humble and resilient student. Despite financial constraints, I am determined to attend the college of my choice and pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian. I am proud of my growth and hopeful for the future, knowing that my brother’s influence will always be with me in my heart. Thank you for considering my story.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black veterinarians make up approximately 1.2% to 2.2% of the profession in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There is a glaring underrepresentation of the Black community in the profession. A glaring discrepancy and underrepresentation of my race, especially since Black people make up approximately 14 % of the U.S. population and my goal is to change that paradigm in a positive direction. My name is Trinity Cleveland, and I am a past 2025 recipient of the Banfield Animal Hospital NextVet program. This program interviews hundreds of aspiring young students and conducts a national search for role models to enter into the field of veterinary medicine for only 30 spots throughout the U. S. Last year, I was chosen as one to be mentored by the top veterinarians in the field for an 8 week summer program. I was thrilled to be chosen after a grueling interview process, and this was the first job I ever held. This experience confirmed my quest to become a veterinarian, and I am well on my way to pursue that goal by being accepted at the University of Arkansas to begin my undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences in the Fall of 2026. I am so proud of my experiences so far, and my promotion at Banfield Animal Hospital to the role of a part time Pet Care Assistant with the company . I am part of the solution to address the underrepresentation of my race in this rewarding and promising field of veterinary medicine. During my experiences, I have seen the general public underestimate the quality of work of the veterinarian, especially if they are of a different hue. I have witnessed some pet owners ask to see the doctor when in fact, the doctor is right in front of them and they assumed it was a technician or other staff member just because of the color of their skin. My representation in the animal care industry is the first step to breakthrough some of the bias and stereotypes in the field. I realize that the majority of veterinarians who represent my race, received their degree at Tuskegee University which is the only historically Black veterinary Medicine college in the United States, but there is much work to be done for other colleges to accept people of color to their schools so that it becomes the norm. I challenged myself by choosing to enroll in an Animal Sciences undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas to be an active change agent. This university has less than 4 percent of the Black population representing their student body. I will be severely underrepresented in the animal science industry at the university, but I am committed to succeed. I will breakthrough some of the possible stereotypes and barriers ahead of me. I have this determination because of the Next Vet program which exposed me to a world of endless possibilities to enter into this field. I have the inner strength to realize that I do belong, and I am worthy to contribute to this field. My goal is to be a beacon of light to other students who look like me and encourage them to not let any limitations hinder you from your goal. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is a high educational cost associated in this field, in addition to limited opportunities in recruiting people of color to the School of Veterinary medicine in Universities. I would be honored to be awarded The Learner Tutoring Innovators of Color in STEM Scholarship. Thank you for your support.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations, and sometimes even with my peers? I remember as a child never understanding what was going on in my head. Slowly, I began to piece together all the thoughts that ran through my mind. But as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I now know why! To some from the medical field, I had what they call a “diagnosis.” My journey has not been without challenges. During my freshman year, I lost my only brother who passed away due to a sudden aneurysm. During my Junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I first learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. My faith was shattered and tested during these times, but I was able to hold on and receive confirmation from God that I was going to be ok. I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year, the highest grades of my academic career, and I received counselling to help get me through. I have matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control, and I have learned how to manage my symptoms. Through faith and early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. I fully believe in the importance of addressing mental health issues. Receiving early intervention and having a family who is grounded in faith is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. I only wished that there were others in my school that could have experienced this because many of them were ostracized or labelled as “behavior problems.” But if you look past their pain, they are the ones most susceptible to turning to substances to dull their pain. But as for me—a young Black female in high school— I was able to share with them what has worked for me, and that was having faith in God and knowing that I will be shown the light. Instead of succumbing to the diagnosis and the possible limitations placed on the type of education I could receive, I sat at the head of the table during those IEP meetings and advocated for the tools I needed to be successful, and God was with me. I still have good days and bad days, but being mindful of what you are experiencing and understanding your emotions is the key to living with the unique gifts that come with a diagnosis. When I arrive on my new freshman college campus, I plan to find programs that raise awareness of the resources available to them for both mental health support and faith based organizations on the campus. It is not acceptable for students to suffer in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, grief, depression, or other mental health challenges. My unique contribution comes from my lived experience and my passion to walk alongside others through what I have already overcome. My faith has defined me not my diagnosis or label, and I have no limits on where I will soar.

From a young age, I was haunted by questions I couldn’t answer: Why did my heart race at the thought of being in public? Why did I clutch books between classes, seeking comfort in their weight? Why did social situations feel so awkward, even among friends? For years, I struggled to make sense of the thoughts swirling in my mind, feeling isolated by experiences I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that the pieces began to fit together. At my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, I learned the names for the challenges I’d faced: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. My mother, my silent advocate, had shielded me from these labels, ensuring I received support without letting a diagnosis define me. Understanding my diagnoses brought clarity, but I made a conscious choice—they would not limit my potential. Instead, I embraced resilience, working hard to achieve honor roll status and earning the highest grades of my academic career. That meeting was a turning point. I realized how much my mother had protected me, never allowing a label to dictate my identity. Through her advocacy and my own growth, I learned to manage my symptoms and matured into someone who could control impulses and tune in to my needs. Early intervention therapy, which I once thought was just extra playtime or horseback riding for fun, turned out to be essential for regulating my sensory processing disorder. These interventions were not just activities—they were lifelines. I believe deeply in the importance of addressing mental health issues early. Early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. Too often, students who struggle are ostracized or bullied, and many turn to substances to dull their pain. As a young Black female in high school, I know firsthand how critical it is to have someone in your corner. When I finally understood the purpose of my IEP meetings, my mother gave me the reins. I became my own advocate, sitting at the head of the table and voicing what I needed to succeed. I refused to let a diagnosis or others’ expectations limit my education or my future. I found my voice and I used it loud and clear! I am proud to be a product of early support and intervention. Not everyone is as fortunate. I still have good days and bad days, but I’ve learned that being mindful of my experiences and emotions is key to living with the unique gifts that come with a diagnosis. My journey is proof that with the right help, students can thrive. The highlight of my senior year was making the honor roll—a testament to my growth and determination. But my journey doesn’t end here. I am passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and support, especially for students who may not have someone to speak up for them. I now know that I need to take control of my own destiny and be my own advocate. I also realized that schools must do more to ensure that no student suffers in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or other challenges. As I prepare to start college, I will be that voice for students who suffer in silence with their mental health challenges. My lived experience has taught me that a diagnosis is not a limitation—it is a part of my story, but not the whole story. I am not defined by any diagnosis. I define myself, and I am determined to help others find their voice and soar beyond the boundaries of labels.

When I made the decision to step outside my comfort zone and apply to an out-of-state school, I was immediately shut down by peers who did not support my goal. They told me I should only concentrate on attending local state universities. As a young African American female, I think outside the box and have ambitious goals. Unfortunately, I did not have many role models at my school, nor was I encouraged to succeed or even take the SAT. It was my family who helped me realize my potential. I have already demonstrated promise by receiving a national internship opportunity at Banfield Animal Hospital, where only 30 spots were available. Not only was I accepted as a 2025 intern, but after completing my placement in the summer, I was also offered the chance to continue with the company as a part-time Pet Care Assistant. This opportunity opened my eyes to the endless possibilities available to me, and it strengthened my determination to pursue a degree in Animal Sciences. During my college search, I compared out-of-state programs with those offering similar animal science and veterinary tracks. By the end of my research, I realized the schools I visited could not compare to the strengths of this institution. I did not want to settle for a school in rural Georgia simply because it was the one I “qualified” for. I wanted a highly recognized agricultural program, a diverse demographic experience, and a school that could provide a respected degree in Animal Science. I am determined to become a strong candidate for veterinary school by the end of my undergraduate studies. To be honest, many of my friends and family struggled to imagine me attending such a prestigious school, which made this journey even more challenging. However, I realized that I must follow my own path and pursue my dreams—even when they fall outside other people’s comfort zones. This scholarship would have a significant impact on my ability to finance my education in Fall 2026, when I step out on faith and begin my studies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. I am excited for the opportunities ahead. My long-term goal is to become certified in companion animal training and open my own company, providing services to underserved and vulnerable communities. I am learning to push past my introverted nature by working directly with the public and supporting families as they drop off their pets for surgery. I am also skilled in conducting various lab tests such as urine, blood, and fecal samples needed to prepare animals for procedures. I continue to rise above challenges and break free of stereotypes. I will honor my family and community by continuing to perform my best in an underperforming high school. I am proud that I am now on the honor roll, and well on my way to celebrating new opportunities within my community. I also look forward to the opportunity to represent myself within the Arkansas community when I arrive on the campus, in Fall 2026. I will hold my head up high, in my true authentic self and when I return to GA, I promise to give back to the community where I was raised to another young person who experienced their challenging high school years as I have. Thank you for reading my life story.

My Mental Health Diagnosis and Resiliency: My Journey Beyond Labels From a young age, I was haunted by questions I couldn’t answer: Why did my heart race at the thought of being in public? Why did I clutch books between classes, seeking comfort in their weight? Why did social situations feel so awkward, even among friends? For years, I struggled to make sense of the thoughts swirling in my mind, feeling isolated by experiences I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that the pieces began to fit together. At my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, I learned the names for the challenges I’d faced: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. My mother, my silent advocate, had shielded me from these labels, ensuring I received support without letting a diagnosis define me. Understanding my diagnoses brought clarity, but I made a conscious choice—they would not limit my potential. Instead, I embraced resilience, working hard to achieve honor roll status and earning the highest grades of my academic career. That meeting was a turning point. I realized how much my mother had protected me, never allowing a label to dictate my identity. Through her advocacy and my own growth, I learned to manage my symptoms and matured into someone who could control impulses and tune in to my needs. Early intervention therapy, which I once thought was just extra playtime or horseback riding for fun, turned out to be essential for regulating my sensory processing disorder. These interventions were not just activities—they were lifelines. I believe deeply in the importance of addressing mental health issues early. Early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. Too often, students who struggle are ostracized or bullied, and many turn to substances to dull their pain. As a young Black female in high school, I know firsthand how critical it is to have someone in your corner. When I finally understood the purpose of my IEP meetings, my mother gave me the reins. I became my own advocate, sitting at the head of the table and voicing what I needed to succeed. I began to help my friends and I refused to let a diagnosis or others’ expectations limit my education or my future. I am proud to be a product of early support and intervention. Not everyone is as fortunate. I still have good days and bad days, but I’ve learned that being mindful of my experiences and emotions is key to living with the unique gifts that come with a diagnosis. My journey is proof that with the right help, students can thrive. The highlight of my senior year was making the honor roll—a testament to my growth and determination. But my journey doesn’t end here. I am passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and support, especially for students who may not have someone to speak up for them. I believe that schools must do more to ensure that no student suffers in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or other challenges. As I prepare to start college, my goal is to seek out programs that support students and raise awareness of available resources. My lived experience has taught me that a diagnosis is not a limitation—it is a part of my story, but not the whole story. I am not defined by any diagnosis. I define myself, and I am determined to help others find their voice and soar beyond the boundaries of labels. I hope my story inspires someone to never give up on their dreams.

Mental Health Diagnosis and Resiliency: My Journey Beyond Labels From a young age, I was haunted by questions I couldn’t answer: Why did my heart race at the thought of being in public? Why did I clutch books between classes, seeking comfort in their weight? Why did social situations feel so awkward, even among friends? For years, I struggled to make sense of the thoughts swirling in my mind, feeling isolated by experiences I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that the pieces began to fit together. At my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, I learned the names for the challenges I’d faced: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. My mother, my silent advocate, had shielded me from these labels, ensuring I received support without letting a diagnosis define me. Understanding my diagnoses brought clarity, but I made a conscious choice—they would not limit my potential. Instead, I embraced resilience, working hard to achieve honor roll status and earning the highest grades of my academic career. That meeting was a turning point. I realized how much my mother had protected me, never allowing a label to dictate my identity. Through her advocacy and my own growth, I learned to manage my symptoms and matured into someone who could control impulses and tune in to my needs. Early intervention therapy, which I once thought was just extra playtime or horseback riding for fun, turned out to be essential for regulating my sensory processing disorder. These interventions were not just activities—they were lifelines. I believe deeply in the importance of addressing mental health issues early. Early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. Too often, students who struggle are ostracized or bullied, and many turn to substances to dull their pain. As a young Black female in high school, I know firsthand how critical it is to have someone in your corner. Many times, in my culture and underserved communities, mental health counselling is not offered or is looked upon as a weakness. When I finally understood the purpose of my IEP meetings, my mother gave me the reins. I became my own advocate, sitting at the head of the table and voicing what I needed to succeed. I refused to let a diagnosis or others’ expectations limit my education or my future. I am proud to be a product of early support and intervention. Not everyone is as fortunate. I still have good days and bad days, but I’ve learned that being mindful of my experiences and emotions is key to living with the unique gifts that come with a diagnosis. My journey is proof that with the right help, students can thrive. The highlight of my senior year was making the honor roll—a testament to my growth and determination. But my journey doesn’t end here. I am passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and support, especially for students who may not have someone to speak up for them. We must ensure that no student suffers in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or is stigmatized by their mental health challenges. As I prepare to start college, my goal is to seek out programs that support students and raise awareness of available resources. My lived experience has taught me that a diagnosis is not a limitation—it is a part of my story, but not the whole story. I am not defined by any diagnosis. I define myself, and I am determined to help others find their voice and soar beyond the boundaries of labels.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations, and sometimes even with my peers? I remember as a child never understanding what was going on in my head. Slowly, I began to piece together all the thoughts that ran through my mind. But as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I now know why! To some from the medical field, I had what they call a “diagnosis.” My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year—the highest grades of my academic career. Suddenly, it all made sense. During the meeting, I realized all the years my mother had buffered me from this reality. She never allowed any label to define me. Through her hard work and my own growth, I matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control and learned how to manage my symptoms. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. Early intervention is the most effective path to face mental health diagnoses. I learned how to sit at the head of the table during those IEP meetings and became an advocate for the educational tools I needed to be successful. I will continue to do so when I arrive on my new freshman college campus. My focus of study will be in Animal Studies, with specific concentration to become a veterinarian, and specialize in Companion Animal Training. My unique contribution comes from my lived experienced and I would like to be a peer support to others who are going through mental health challenges and introduce them to the Companion Animal Program at my new college. My past will define my future.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations, and sometimes even with my peers? I remember as a child never understanding what was going on in my head. Slowly, I began to piece together all the thoughts that ran through my mind. But as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I now know why! To some from the medical field, I had what they call a “diagnosis.” My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year—the highest grades of my academic career. Suddenly, it all made sense. During the meeting, I realized all the years my mother had buffered me from this reality. She never allowed any label to define me. Through her hard work and my own growth, I matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control and learned how to manage my symptoms. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. Now I understand why I had early intervention therapy as a child. I used to think I was just an awkward kid and that all the fun I had riding horses was simply for my own enjoyment. I had no idea it was actually helping regulate my sensory processing disorder. I fully believe in the importance of addressing mental health issues, and early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. These are the kids in school who are ostracized and bullied. They are the ones most susceptible to turning to substances to dull their pain. But as for me—a young Black female in high school—once I was finally told what the purpose of the IEP meetings had been, my mother loosened the reins. Instead of succumbing to the diagnosis and the possible limitations placed on the type of education I could receive, I sat at the head of the table during those meetings and advocated for the tools I needed to be successful. I am an advocate for students to learn about the importance of recognizing the need for mental health support and counseling. My goal when I arrive on my new freshman college campus is to find programs that support students and raise awareness of the resources available. My focus of study will be in Animal Studies, with specific concentration to become a veterinarian, and specialize in Companion Animal Training. Studies have shown that pets not only relieve stress in people, but they share unconditional love to their owners and can pull them out of depression, and other mental health disorders. It is not acceptable for students to suffer in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. My unique contribution comes from my lived experience and my passion to walk alongside others through what I have overcome, and I know I will be a compassionate veterinarian due to my experiences.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations, and sometimes even with my peers? I remember as a child never understanding what was going on in my head. Slowly, I began to piece together all the thoughts that ran through my mind. But as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I now know why! To some from the medical field, I had what they call a “diagnosis.” My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year which was the highest grade in my academic career. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. I fully believe in the importance of addressing mental health issues, and early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. In junior and senior high school, I noticed my friends facing stress and mental health issues because of my own experiences. I supported them by sharing my own experiences and explaining how service animals or emotional support pets might help ease their struggles. I helped my friends understand therapy and advocated for my friends to recognize the value of mental health support. I plan to do this at my new college and study Animal Science and support programs that provide mental health resources for students. It is not acceptable for students to suffer in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. My unique contribution comes from my lived experience and my passion to walk alongside others through what I have already overcome. I am not defined by any diagnosis. Yes, I define myself, and I have no limits on where I will soar.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations, and sometimes even with my peers? I remember as a child never understanding what was going on in my head. Slowly, I began to piece together all the thoughts that ran through my mind. But as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I now know why! To some from the medical field, I had what they call a “diagnosis.” My journey has not been without challenges. In my junior year, I attended my first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, where I learned about the diagnoses that shaped my early life: ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety with Depressive Mood Disorder. Until then, my mother had been my silent advocate, ensuring I received the support I needed without labeling me. Understanding these diagnoses gave me clarity, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I embraced resilience and achieved honor roll status during my junior year—the highest grades of my academic career. Suddenly, it all made sense. During the meeting, I realized all the years my mother had buffered me from this reality. She never allowed any label to define me. Through her hard work and my own growth, I matured into someone who no longer struggled with impulse control and learned how to manage my symptoms. Through early intervention, I learned to tune in to my feelings and needs. I am proud of myself, and I refuse to let any diagnosis define who I am. Now I understand why I had early intervention therapy as a child. I used to think I was just an awkward kid and that all the fun I had riding horses was simply for my own enjoyment. I had no idea it was actually helping regulate my sensory processing disorder. I fully believe in the importance of addressing mental health issues, and early intervention is the most effective path for those facing mental health diagnoses and challenges. These are the kids in school who are ostracized and bullied. They are the ones most susceptible to turning to substances to dull their pain. But as for me—a young Black female in high school—once I was finally told what the purpose of the IEP meetings had been, my mother loosened the reins. Instead of succumbing to the diagnosis and the possible limitations placed on the type of education I could receive, I sat at the head of the table during those meetings and advocated for the tools I needed to be successful. I realize that I am a successful product of the help I received from an early age. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to such interventions. I still have good days and bad days, but being mindful of what you are experiencing and understanding your emotions is the key to living with the unique gifts that come with a diagnosis. The highlight of my senior year was receiving notice that I made the honor roll in my junior year, and I know the best is yet to come. In summary, I am an advocate for students to learn about the importance of recognizing the need for mental health support and counseling. Cyberbullying affects many students who may have deeper mental health struggles, and it must stop. Not every student has a parent who will advocate for them at a young age. This is especially true for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or from cultures who do not truly believe in the value of mental health counselling. My goal when I arrive on my new freshman college campus is to find programs that support students and raise awareness of the resources available. It is not acceptable for students to suffer in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. My unique contribution comes from my lived experience and my passion to walk alongside others through what I have already overcome. I am not defined by any diagnosis. I define myself, and I have no limits on where I will soar.

Have you ever heard a quiet whisper deep inside of you that speaks to you in an unconditional and loving way? If you have then this means you may have the gift of being able to decern what is best for you. When I get out of my comfort zone and pursue paths that I know God has led me, I hear the quiet whisper inside of me saying this where you need to go. This is what you need to be doing. The key is to realize when this happens and to act on it, otherwise the experience will not impact your life as it is meant to do. am proud to share how this scholarship will help me continue my dream which started in the summer of 2025 at the end of my junior year in high school. I truly believe that I was led to pursue this path, and I am not done with my journey. This scholarship will help me realize my goal and keep me on this path. I saw an advertisement for a summer internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. in March of 2025. There were only two spots available in the state of Georgia and a total of 30 slots nationwide. Reflecting on this I imagine that some people may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews and received an offer in late April 2025. I was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure this internship and was called back to work part time with a promotion as a “Pet Care Assistant” during my senior year of high school. With these revelations I have come to better understand my purpose. I have been able to gradually understand God’s purpose, and through signs, grace and perseverance I am starting to visualize my path. Currently, as a senior high school student, I am ready to pursue the animal science field. I am not dismayed by the cost of the college that I dream of attending. I know that I have to have faith that I will find a way for me to pay the high tuition cost for my education. . I also know that I will succeed in reaching my goal of working with animals who also are a gift from God. I hope to serve in this area by being able to be there in a time of need for families who bring their pets in for help when they are in pain. I want to be there for families who are at their most vulnerable moment. I want to be a source of light and reassurance for them, and I am proud to be able to contribute by working at the animal hospital while still pursuing my path to start my college goal in Fall of 2026. My life will never be the same from this experience. I have grown tremendously as a young adult by increasing my love, empathy and compassion for humanity and the animals who live with us. I am grateful that I have learned to never doubt and step out on faith to achieve your life goals. Go for it and listen to that quiet voice inside of you. I have gone for it, by reaching out to you for help in granting me the honor of receiving this scholarship.

Have you ever heard a quiet whisper deep inside of you that speaks to you in an unconditional and loving way? If you have then this means you may have the gift of being able to decern what is best for you. When I get out of my comfort zone and pursue paths that I know God has led me, I hear the quiet whisper inside of me saying this where you need to go. This is what you need to be doing. The key is to realize when this happens and to act on it, otherwise the experience will not impact your life as it is meant to do. I am proud to share a personal achievement that I am most proud of in my life which happened during the summer of 2025 at the end of my junior year in high school. I truly believe that I was led to pursue this path, and I am not done with my journey. I saw an advertisement for a summer internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. in March of 2025. There were only two spots available in the state of Georgia and a total of 30 slots nationwide. Reflecting on this I imagine that some people may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews and received an offer in late April 2025. I was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure this internship and was called back to work part time with a promotion as a “Pet Care Assistant” during my senior year of high school. With these revelations I have come to better understand my purpose. I have been able to gradually understand God’s purpose, and through signs, grace and perseverance I am starting to visualize my path. Currently, as a senior high school student, I am ready to pursue the animal science field. I am not dismayed by the cost of the college that I dream of attending. I know that I have to have faith that I will find a way for me to pay the high tuition cost. But one thing I do know is that God will see me through as he has before. So, I am joyful, and I have come to realize I am “just enough” with goals and aspirations to live for. I know that I will succeed in reaching my goal of working with animals who also are a gift from God. I hope to serve in this area by being able to be there in a time of need for families who bring their pets in for help when they are in pain. I want to be there for families who are at their most vulnerable moment. I want to be a source of light and reassurance for them, and I am proud to be able to contribute by working at the animal hospital while still pursuing my path to start my college goal in Fall of 2026. My life will never be the same from this experience. I have grown tremendously as a young adult by increasing my love, empathy and compassion for humanity and the animals who live with us. I am grateful that I have learned to never doubt and step out on faith to achieve your life goals. Go for it and listen to that quiet voice inside of you.

Have you ever heard a quiet whisper deep inside of you that speaks to you in an unconditional and loving way? If you have then this means you may have the gift of being able to decern what is best for you. When I get out of my comfort zone and pursue paths that I know God has led me, I hear the quiet whisper inside of me saying this where you need to go. This is what you need to be doing. The key is to realize when this happens and to act on it, otherwise the experience will not impact your life as it is meant to do. I am proud to share a personal achievement that I am most proud of in my life which happened during the summer of 2025 at the end of my junior year in high school. I truly believe that I was led to pursue this path, and I am not done with my journey. I saw an advertisement for a summer internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. in March of 2025. There were only two spots available in the state of Georgia and a total of 30 slots nationwide. Reflecting on this I imagine that some people may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews and received an offer in late April 2025. I was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure this internship and was called back to work part time with a promotion as a “Pet Care Assistant” during my senior year of high school. With these revelations I have come to better understand my purpose. I have been able to gradually understand God’s purpose, and through signs, grace and perseverance I am starting to visualize my path. Currently, as a senior high school student, I am ready to pursue the animal science field. I am not dismayed by the cost of the college that I dream of attending. I know that I have to have faith that I will find a way for me to pay the high tuition cost. But one thing I do know is that God will see me through as he has before. So, I am joyful, and I have come to realize I am “just enough” with goals and aspirations to live for. I know that I will succeed in reaching my goal of working with animals who also are a gift from God. I hope to serve in this area by being able to be there in a time of need for families who bring their pets in for help when they are in pain. I want to be there for families who are at their most vulnerable moment. I want to be a source of light and reassurance for them, and I am proud to be able to contribute by working at the animal hospital while still pursuing my path to start my college goal in Fall of 2026. My life will never be the same from this experience. I have grown tremendously as a young adult by increasing my love, empathy and compassion for humanity and the animals who live with us. I am grateful that I have learned to never doubt and step out on faith to achieve your life goals. Go for it and listen to that quiet voice inside of you.

Have you ever heard a quiet whisper deep inside of you that speaks to you in an unconditional and loving way? If you have then this means you may have the gift of being able to decern what is best for you. When I go into places that I know God has led me, I hear the quiet whisper inside of me saying this is the place for you. This has happened twice in my life so far, and the first one was when I decided to seek out opportunities to apply for college. When I made that decision, I immediately realized that I needed to in a supportive place in order to complete my undergraduate Animal Science studies on my path to becoming a veterinarian. The second realization happened during my summer internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. There were only two spots available in the state of Georgia, and looking back at it, some folks may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews and received an offer in late April 2025. I was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure this internship and was called back to work part time with a promotion as a “Pet Care Assistant” during my senior year of high school. With these revelations I have come to better understand my purpose. I know that I will succeed in reaching my goal of working with animals who also are a gift from God. I hope to serve in this area by being able to be there in a time of need for families who bring their pets in for help when they are in pain. I can understand pain and its various forms. Experiencing these range of emotions have transformed me into the person I am. My freshman year was very tough not only because of the sudden loss of my brother who passed from a sudden brain aneurysm in March 2021 but also due to the Pandemic. The sudden loss was very traumatic for me, and I received support but still grieving. Also, the pandemic was significant during my transition during the entire Grade 9 year, all of my freshman courses were taught online. Many of the subjects were interrupted by internet issues at the school and I found it very hard to stay focused and engaged in the subject matter. I also realize that learning virtually is not my learning style. I thrive by being with others and applying concepts firsthand so that the subject matter is meaningful. As a result, I had an uphill battle but feel that I am on a solid footing since my year was my highest grade accomplishment and I have matured significantly to take my educational career to the next level. As a senior high school student, I am ready to pursue the animal science field. I am not dismayed by the cost of the college that I dream of attending. I know that I have to have faith that I will find a way for me to pay the high tuition cost. But one thing I do know is that God will see me through as he has before. So, I am just enough, joyful and thankful for the contributions that I will be able to pour into this earth and community. .

Have you ever heard a quiet whisper deep inside of you that speaks to you in an unconditional and loving way? If you have then this means you may have the gift of being able to decern what is best for you. When I go into places that I know God has led me, I hear the quiet whisper inside of me saying this is the place for you. This has happened twice in my life so far, and the first one one was when I walked onto the college campus in Rome GA called Berry College. When I walked on the campus setting it immediately brough me peace, comfort, and joy. I immediately realized that I needed to be there to complete my undergraduate Animal Science studies on my path to becoming a veterinarian. The second realization happened during my summer internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. There were only two spots available in the state of Georgia, and looking back at it, some folks may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews and received an offer in late April 2025. I was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure this internship and was called back to work part time with a promotion as a “Pet Care Assistant” during my senior year of high school. With these revelations I have come to better understand my purpose. Did you know If you listen and pray consistently, God will answer your prayers? You may be asking yourself how does she know this? Well, from a young age and have experienced a range of emotions and trauma including being mad at God because in March of 2021, I experienced the sudden loss of my brother who passed from a sudden brain aneurysm in March 2021. The sudden loss was very traumatic for me, and I received support, but I am still grieving. To be completely honest, I wrestled with the fact that this had to happen and was mad at God for taking my brother. But over time, and prayer, God saw me through and brough me confirmation that things will be ok, and I will always have my brother in spirt in my heart. In a dream, my brother shared with me to “live life without guilt in your heart because to do so is not the way.” Since that dream, I have moved forward with a sense of purpose and love. I have been able to gradually understand God’s purpose, and through signs, grace and perseverance I am starting to visualize my path. As a senior high school student, I am ready to pursue the animal science field. I am not dismayed by the cost of the college that I dream of attending. I know that I have to have faith that I will find a way for me to pay the high tuition cost. But one thing I do know is that God will see me through as he has before. So, I am just enough, worthy of this honor and will succeed in reaching my goal of working with animals who also are a gift from God. I hope to serve in this area by being able to be there in a time of need for families who bring their pets in for help when they are in pain. Thank you.

If I had a choice to live with humans or animals, I would choose animals. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that I am a human. I love the fact that I am a gift from God and part of the human race. But one thing you may not have known is what it is like to get hugged and tackled by a huge rottweiler dog. There is no other satisfaction than calming this animal down and preparing them for surgery. This was my experience during the summer of 2025 where I was fortunate to receive a national internship opportunity at Banfield Animal Hospital. With only thirty (30) spots nationwide available, there would be only one person chosen per site. There were only two spots available in Georgia, and looking back at it, some folks may think that it would be an insurmountable task to actually be chosen as the one to represent your state or county. However, I really wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. To my surprise I continued to get called back for additional interviews during the months of March 2025 to my final offer of an internship in late April 2025. I did my best and was thrilled to land my first job ever and secure an internship that will catapult me towards my goal of becoming a veterinarian. This significant event in my life continued and I was promoted to a Pet Care Assistant and was offered part time employment with the company through my senior high school year. This impactful internship has helped me to realize the importance of having mentors in my life who are in your community. These mentors guided me with kindness as I prepared animal patients for lab work and surgery. In turn, I also showed the same kindness and compassion for the pet owners who brought their loved ones in for treatment. I learned how to show them empathy and understanding while they were in the waiting room, and it made me feel so good to know that I was making a small difference in someone's life. As I pursue my college education, I will seek colleges that really supports students and helps them to learn within meaningful environments. By doing so, the graduates will become contributing members of their society. Reflecting back to when I started as a freshman in high school , I know that I have come a long way. I was faced with many challenges when I started in grade 9, both personal and academically. My only brother passed away in March 2021 from a sudden brain aneurysm, and I am still grieving. However, I know that my brother would want me to succeed, as he did as a university graduate. But I am still extremely proud of my accomplishments and believe that it is not how you start but how you finish the race. In summary, I truly believe that the best is yet to come. I know I have a great deal to learn but I am on the right path. It is going to be a joy to be in an environment where there are other students who are there to learn, and teachers who want to teach them. I have not had many of those experiences in my high school. However, with the right exposure and environment it is just like planting seeds and seeing them bloom. I am already firmly planted and excited about growing in my community. Just provide more water and watch me bloom! Thank you!

#3 Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations and sometime with my peers? When I was young, I could not understand all of these thoughts that ran through my mind but now, as I reflect on these questions as a high school senior, I know why! I had no idea all through school that I had “labels” attached to me from pre-K to senior year. My mother shielded me from that, and I did not know that I had anything called an “IEP” that helped me throughout my elementary and middle school years. I just knew that I was going through something different than others. But it was in my Junior year in high school that I finally understood. The school administration said that at this age, I had to participate in the annual IEP meeting. I had no idea what that was and it was at that meeting at the age of 15 that I realized that I had "labels"? I was unaware of the labels that were attached to me, but it all made sense. Now I understood the reasoning behind the early intervention therapy that I had received as a child. I thought I was just having fun riding horses but had no idea it was regulating my sensory processing disorder. I thought I was just grooming animals at the farm, and it calmed me down. But that activity was so much more. Lastly, I thought that my dog Spike was just a dog. But no, he was much more. He was my special emotional support dog, not trained formally, but groomed with me from the time I was 10. And, in retrospect, all of that “intervention” worked. I overcame and I am now a fully functional young adult, ready to pursue college with an above average GPA. I am striving to eventually become a veterinarian and provide companion animals to students and adults who need support. It will be a “train the trainer” model, where people from all over can come and just pet and groom animals. I would create an affordable and accessible option on the school campus that could be replicated to other programs in daycares, airports, and other public settings where the public come together. Through my research into developing this program I found that companion animals has many benefits. These trained dogs can be used to treat people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism as well as depression, stress, anxiety, and PTSD. They are also being used in crisis interventions and in assisting people with dementia and people in hospice. In addition, to assisting in mental health treatment, animals are being incorporated to help prevent illness and to strengthen resilience factors during times of trauma. It would be amazing to bring this program on campus! I am an advocate for students to learn about the importance for mental health counselling and treatment. My goal while on the college campus is to provide awareness for students through creating animal companionship programs so they do not suffer in silence due to undiagnosed anxiety, depression or other forms of mental health. This program can be a great internship for college majors, and mutually benefit many on the campus. This is my unique contribution that I can share to any community because it comes from my experience and passion to step into the shoes of others where I have already walked.

If I had a choice to live with humans or animals, I would choose animals. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that I am a human. I love the fact that I am a gift from God and part of the human race. But one thing you may not have known is what it is like to get hugged and tackled by a huge rottweiler dog. There is no other satisfaction than calming this animal down and preparing them for surgery. It was this experience that I had in the summer of 2025 during my National internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. There were only thirty (30) spots nationwide and it would be one person chosen per site. To some that may seem like it is an insurmountable task to be the chosen individual. However, I wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. I did my best to perform during the interview sessions and was thrilled to land my first job and internship in a field of animal sciences on my eventual goal to become a veterinarian. As my senior high school year approaches, I am also thrilled to announce that I was offered an extended paid employment with the Animal Hospital and will be working part time as I complete my senior year. I am so excited to be working with veterinarians in the field that I want to pursue and proud that they promoted me to a “Pet Care Assistant” and will work collaboratively with the team. Many of my responsibilities in this position can be transferred to my undergraduate school experiences. I will be working with a team, preparing animals for surgery, conducting blood and urine samples, and working under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. I will also keep a transcript of all my hours spent under the mentorship of my team and doctor. My hope is to accumulate over 300 hours by the end of my high school senior year. Reflecting back to when I started as a freshman in high school , I know that I have come a long way. I was faced with many challenges when I started in grade 9, both personal and academically. My only brother passed away in March 2021 from a sudden brain aneurysm, and I am still grieving, and I had to rely on myself and some key teachers to continue to motivate me in my field of study. I also had to rely on my pet Spike, a black lab who became my sole refuge during my time of grief. He sat with me, and put his head on my lap as I cried, and was emotionally there for me. I know that animals provide unconditional love and I received that from Spike which was key to my healing. This is why I find the field of veterinary science so important because it can uplift a person's soul and provide them with emotional support not always received from humans. Despite some hardships in my life, I truly believe that the best is yet to come and to receive this scholarship will help me stay on a positive path. I truly believe the career of becoming a veterinarian is a calling from God. Not everyone is cut out for the rigor of the program, but I also know that when you know it is your passion, you will do whatever it takes to reach this goal. I am thankful, that at my young age, I have realized that this is the path I need to take.

If I had a choice to live with humans or animals, I would choose animals. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that I am a human. I love the fact that I am a gift from God and part of the human race. But one thing you may not have known is what it is like to get hugged and tackled by a huge rottweiler dog. There is no other satisfaction than calming this animal down and preparing them for surgery. It was this experience that I had in the summer of 2025 during my National internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. There were only thirty (30) spots nationwide and it would be one person chosen per site. To some that may seem like it is an insurmountable task to be the chosen individual. However, I wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. I did my best to perform during the interview sessions and was thrilled to land my first job and internship in a field of animal sciences on my eventual goal to become a veterinarian. As a young person in this position, I interact daily with the community who are anxious when they bring in their loved pets who are sick or near death and in need of treatment. Many of the customers need support and encouragement that their loved pet will do well. Many of them think of their pet as their child and it is part of the family. By being in this role, I am making a difference in their lives by providing them with emotional support, and in turn helping to make their lives better. It takes one encounter at a time to create positive change in a community, and the life of a veterinarian does just that. As a member of the team this summer, I have been blessed to be able to do this as well. As my senior high school year approaches, I am also thrilled to announce that I was offered an extended paid employment with the Animal Hospital and proud that they promoted me to a “Pet Care Assistant”. Many of my responsibilities in this position can be transferred to my undergraduate school experiences. I will be working with a team, preparing animals for surgery, conducting blood and urine samples, and working under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. I will also keep a transcript of all my hours spent under the mentorship of my team and doctor. My hope is to accumulate over 300 hours by the end of my high school senior year. Reflecting back to when I started as a freshman in high school , I know that I have come a long way. I was faced with many challenges when I started in grade 9, both personal and academically. My only brother passed away in March 2021 from a sudden brain aneurysm, and I am still grieving, and I had to rely on myself and some key teachers to continue to motivate me in my field of study. I also know that I am a student athlete, with a key role on the Girls Varsity Flag Football team from Freshman to Junior year. Despite some hardships in my life, I truly believe that the best is yet to come and to receive this scholarship will help me stay on a positive path. I believe that I am on the right track but need financial support to thrive as a young student in this awesome field of agriculture just like planting seeds and seeing them bloom.

If I had a choice to live with humans or animals, I would choose animals. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that I am a human. I love the fact that I am a gift from God and part of the human race. But one thing you may not have known is what it is like to get hugged and tackled by a huge rottweiler dog. There is no other satisfaction than calming this animal down and preparing them for surgery. This was my experience that I had in the summer of 2025 during my National internship at Banfield Animal Hospital. There were only thirty (30) spots nationwide and it would be one person chosen per site. To some that may seem like it is an insurmountable task to be the chosen individual. However, I wanted this internship and strived to do my best during the multiple interviews and panel discussions. I did my best to perform during the interview sessions and was thrilled to land my first job and internship in a field of animal sciences on my eventual goal to become a veterinarian. As my senior high school year approaches, I am also thrilled to announce that I was offered an extended paid employment with the Animal Hospital and will be working part time as I complete my senior year. I am so excited to be working with veterinarians in the field that I want to pursue and proud that they promoted me to a “Pet Care Assistant” and will work collaboratively with the team. Many of my responsibilities in this position can be transferred to my undergraduate school experiences. I will be working with a team, preparing animals for surgery, conducting blood and urine samples, and working under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. I will also keep a transcript of all my hours spent under the mentorship of my team and doctor. My hope is to accumulate over 300 paid internship hours by the end of my high school senior year. Reflecting back to when I started as a freshman in high school , I know that I have come a long way. I was faced with many challenges when I started in grade 9, both personal and academically. My only brother passed away in March 2021 from a sudden brain aneurysm, and I am still grieving, and I had to rely on myself and some key teachers to continue to motivate me in my field of study. I also know that I am a student athlete, with a key role on the Girls Varsity Flag Football team from Freshman to Junior year. Despite some hardships in my life, I truly believe that the best is yet to come and to receive this scholarship will help me stay on a positive path. I believe that I am on the right track but need financial support to thrive as a young student in this awesome field of agriculture just like planting seeds and seeing them bloom. This is my passion, and I will continue to share this with many who will come after me. Agriculture and Animal Science is a growing field of study and I am thankful to be able to share my rationale with the reviewers of this application. It is so important to have genuine relationships with humans and animals. However there is no greater gift than giving back and caring for sick and vulnerable animals in this world who give their unconditional love to their owners and the entire human race.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations and sometime with my peers? I could not understand and put together all of these thoughts that ran through my mind when I was a child, but now as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I know why! I had no idea all through school that I had these “labels” attached to me. My mother shielded me from that, and I did not know that I had anything called an “IEP” that helped me throughout my elementary and middle school years. I just knew that I was going through something different than others. My mother did all she could to help me get to this point. There were no limits to what I could do. She did not label me at all, and neither did I because I had no idea of the “labels”. But it was in my Junior year in high school that I finally understood. The school administration said that at this age, I had to participate in the annual IEP meeting. I had no idea what that was and it was at that meeting at the age of 15 that I realized that I had what? I could not believe the labels shared at the meeting of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depressive mood, and anxiety. What on earth? But it all made sense. Now I understand the reasoning behind the early intervention therapy that I had received as a child. I thought I was just having fun riding horses but had no idea it was regulating my sensory processing disorder. I thought I was just grooming animals at the farm, and it calmed me down. But that activity was so much more. Lastly, I thought that my dog Spike was just a dog. But no, he was much more. He was my personal emotional support dog, not trained officially but raised with me from the time I was 10. And, in retrospect, I know that all of that “intervention” worked. I overcame and I am now a fully functional young adult, ready to pursue college with an above average GPA. My mother tailored the IEP to help me and I overcame my challenges. I am striving to eventually become a veterinarian and provide companion animals to students and adults who need support. It will be a “train the trainer” model, where people from all over can come and just pet and groom animals. An affordable and accessible option available in schools, daycares, airports, and other public settings where the public congregate. Studies show that companion animals are being used to help treat people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism as well as depression, stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Creative strategies using animals should be incorporated and I hope to advocate for students to learn about the importance of recognizing the need for mental health counselling and resources. They may not have a parent that is going to do it for them at a young age, and my goal is to attain my degree so I can provide this contribution to people in my community and replicate the model across the world. This is my passion that I wish to share with the world by majoring in animal science and eventually becoming a veterinarian. You can overcome challenges, because I have. This is my experience, and I know it can work.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations and sometime with my peers? I could not understand and put together all of these thoughts that ran through my mind when I was a child, but now as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I know why! I had no idea all through school that I had these “labels” attached to me. My mother shielded me from that, and I did not know that I had anything called an “IEP” that helped me throughout my elementary and middle school years. I just knew that I was going through something different than others. My mother did all she could to help me get to this point. There were no limits to what I could do. She did not label me at all, and neither did I because I had no idea of the “labels”. But it was in my Junior year in high school that I finally understood. The school administration said that at this age, I had to participate in the annual IEP meeting. I had no idea what that was and it was at that meeting at the age of 15 that I realized that I had what? I could not believe the labels shared at the meeting of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depressive mood, and anxiety. What on earth? But it all made sense. Now I understood the reasoning behind the early intervention therapy that I had received as a child. I thought I was just having fun riding horses but had no idea it was regulating my sensory processing disorder. I thought I was just grooming animals at the farm, and it calmed me down. But that activity was so much more. Lastly, I thought that my dog Spike was just a dog. But no, he was much more. He was my special service dog, not trained but groomed with me from the time I was 10. And I think all of that “intervention” worked. I overcame and I am now a fully functional young adult, ready to pursue college with an above average GPA. I am striving to eventually become a veterinarian and provide companion animals to students and adults who need support. It will be a “train the trainer” model, where people from all over can come and just pet and groom animals. An affordable and accessible option available in schools, daycares, airports, and other public settings where the public congregate. Studies show that companion animals are being used to help treat people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism as well as depression, stress, anxiety, and PTSD. They are also being used in crisis interventions and in assisting people with dementia and people in hospice. In addition to assisting in treatment, animals are being incorporated to help prevent illness and to strengthen resilience factors during times of trauma. Not only will this be a mutual benefit for animals without owners, and for those animals in animal shelters, but it will be one that will improve the overall mental health of everyone who comes in contact. My goal is to attain my degree so I can advocate for mental health and share this contribution to people in my community and replicate the model across the world. This is my unique contribution that I will share with the world because it is my experience, and I know it can work.

Why does my heart race when I think of going out in public? Why did I have to hold books in my hand while I was in between my elementary school classes? Why do I feel so awkward in social situations and sometime with my peers? I could not understand and was unable to put together these thoughts that ran through my mind when I was a child, but now as I reflect on these questions as a rising senior, I know why! I understood the reasoning behind the early intervention therapy that I had received as a child. I thought I was just having fun riding horses but had no idea it was regulating my sensory processing disorder. I thought I was just grooming animals at the farm, and it calmed me down. But that activity was so much more. I am striving to eventually become a veterinarian and provide companion animals to students and adults who need support. It will be a “train the trainer” model, where people from all over can come and just pet and groom animals. An affordable and accessible option available in schools, daycares, airports, and other public settings where the public congregate. Companion animals can be used to help treat people with ADHD and autism as well as depression, anxiety, PTSD and helping people with dementia, I will provide this contribution to people in my community and replicate the model across the world. I know it can work, because it has for me.

It was May 17, 2017, and the first time I had seen such a huge campus. I was 9 years old and screamed and embarrassed my brother as he received his dual degree from Stetson and University of Madrid. I was not aware of everything at the time, but it had a profound impact on me. Currently, I am a High School Junior and striving to attend college as an animal science major on my quest to become a veterinarian. I wish I had my brother to cheer me on, but sadly he passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm at age 27, My brother passed away on March 14, 2021. I was on my way to start High School and was devastated. My grades suffered greatly, and I felt a hole in my heart. I know that my brother is not with me physically and I feel hurt, but I am not defeated. My brother and I loved animals. If I had the chance, we would jointly own a pet sitting and walking business. We both cared for our dog named Spike. According to witnesses at the house, Spike, our black lab that cried for 2 weeks after my brother passed away, and also sat in front of the window for more than two hours not moving looking out our bay front window to the sky the day and within the time that my brother transitioned at the hospital. I know as I continued my animal science degree this would motivate me to carry on achieving my veterinary degree. Once I achieved that goal I could open a practice in my brother’s name- Julius love of life animal practice. This year after receiving much emotional support from my dog Spike and my mother, I am well on my way to finishing my last semester in my Junior year with a 4,0 average. By recognizing this goal of partnering with my brother in his memory I will be able to pursue my long time goal and be able to honor his name and care for not only animals in pain, but also the families who are experiencing the trauma of losing a pet or caring for an injured one. I feel that I would have direction in my life by having this business with my brother in his honor. Thank you for allowing me to express my desire and hope for continuing to live with grief, and a sense of direction.