I believe I am a "You Got It Girl" because I've learned to be resilient, dependable, and a true team player. As captain of my high school varsity soccer team, I wasn't just responsible for motivating teammates; I was accountable for creating an environment where everyone felt supported. Off the field, I've shown the same drive, balancing a 4.0 GPA, leadership roles in Student Government, Beta Club, and Ladies of Distinction, while also working part-time on weekends. I don't allow setbacks to hold me back; instead, I use them to push harder. This Scholarship will help me continue to pursue my education and athletic career while relieving some of the financial pressure on my single-parent household. It will give me the freedom to focus fully on building a future in medicine and inspire other young women to see what's possible when you preserve. I've played soccer since I was 5 years old and it has been the foundation of my personal growth. At Tri-Cities High School, I earned Best Defensive Player and serve as team captain. Outside of school, I compete with Albion SC Atlanta and attend multiple combine camps, where I connected with coaches from around the country. I was apart of a Unified Soccer team with the Special Olympics this past summer, where I learned the deeper meaning of teamwork and inclusion. Each of these experiences strengthen my love for soccer and prepared me to play at the collegiate level. One of my biggest challenges was balancing school, sports, and work while living in a single-parent household. There were nights I stayed up late finishing assignments after practice and weekends spent working as a hostess while still making time to train. It was exhausting at times, and I often questioned how I could manage it all. But those challenges taught me discipline, time management, and perseverance. Instead of breaking under pressure, I learned to grow stronger. Today, I know I can handle adversity while still succeeding in both academics and athletics. a lesson that continues to push me towards my goals. I admire Dr. Melody T. Cloud, an OB-GYN who became the first Black woman to establish an OB-GYN practice in DeKalb County, Georgia, and only the third in metro Atlanta. She is the founder and medical director of Atlanta Women's Health Care and lectures nationwide on women's health and social issues. Despite her humble beginnings, she has received numerous awards, including Emory University School of Medicine's Distinguished Alumni Award. Her trailblazing career inspires me to pursue medicine with the same resilience and commitment to women's health, showing me that it is possible to break barriers and serve my community. This scholarship would provide more than financial support; it would give me the freedom to fully embrace my journey as a student-athlete and future health care provider. The transition to college brings new challenges, and having this support would lessen the financial stress on my family while allowing me to focus on excelling in soccer and academics at Shaw University. Most importantly, it would validate my story of resilience and perseverance, reminding me that obstacles I've overcome matter. With this scholarship, I can continue to build a future in medicine where I advocate for equity and representation in health care. What I want you to know is that my identity as a student-athlete has shaped me far beyond the field. Every setback, from injuries to personal struggles, has fueled my resilience and taught me that leadership is about how you respond when things aren't easy. My dream is not only to succeed for myself but to inspire younger girls, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to believe that no obstacle should keep them from pursuing their goals. I am determined to use every opportunity, including this one, to create change for myself and for others watching my journey. I will continue my athletic journey at Shaw University, an HBCU in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I have earned an athletic scholarship. Being a student-athlete means more than competing; It's about discipline, sacrifice, and representing something bigger than myself. For me, it is about using the sport I love to inspire others while preparing for a career in medicine. Soccer has taught me resilience, time management, and teamwork. As I compete at the collegiate level, I plan to carry those lessons into every classroom, every practice, and eventually into my profession.

My grandmother's hands tell the story of a life filled with sacrifices and tireless work. Those hands, weathered and worn, managed a bustling household of nine children with grace and perseverance. She rarely allowed herself rest, always hoping her efforts would secure a brighter future for us. My mother inherited that same responsibility, working long shifts at unstable, low-paying jobs. She often came home late, her uniform stained and feet aching, yet she always asked about my day, reminded me to finish my homework, and ensured I wasn’t hungry. I’ve worked since middle school, juggling a hostess job on weekends with school and soccer. I learned to greet customers with a smile, even when I was exhausted or missing out on games. After long shifts and practices under the hot sun, I finished homework late at night. Despite our efforts, my family still struggled; hard work did not guarantee prosperity. Watching my family pour everything into labor, only to see their dreams deferred, revealed the contradiction between hard work and success. Helping my mother with her community work shaped me deeply. At health fairs, I helped set up tables and distribute flyers about HIV prevention and free screenings. My mother knew nearly everyone, listened to their stories, and guided them to support, despite the stigma surrounding the disease. These moments taught me that real change comes from small acts and persistence, fueling my drive to make a difference in STEM. Sometimes I grow weary of the endless grind. In my family, hard work is an inherited expectation, not a choice. It has ensured our survival and allowed me to pursue opportunities my family could never imagine. But it has also meant chronic exhaustion, missed milestones, and doubts about whether all our sacrifices will ever be enough. I wonder what it would be like to rest without guilt or fear, to have a safety net instead of just surviving. As a young Black woman from a low-income family, I see firsthand how hard work does not always lead to success. My grandmother’s sacrifices were often unnoticed, and my mother’s long hours never made the bills disappear. I’ve seen her make tough choices, always putting my needs first. I work hard in school, sports, and my job, hoping that one day things will change. Amid these challenges, my passion for STEM emerged. As a child, my chronic allergies meant frequent sick days, which sparked my curiosity about how the body works and why treatments succeed or fail. Science became a way to find answers, not just in textbooks, but by exploring my own health and imagining how I could help others find relief, too. As I grew, I became aware of health disparities in my community; people often delayed care or went without it altogether. My mother’s work in public health, addressing inequities in reproductive and HIV research, showed me that medicine is about justice as much as science. I learned that true progress means making care accessible to all, not just the privileged. These experiences shaped my vision for the future. I want to see more healthcare providers and scientists of color, and research that truly reflects our communities. Scientific studies, especially clinical and psychological research, have historically excluded or underrepresented Black, Indigenous, and people of color. The case of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used without her consent, is a stark example of how ethical considerations and representation have been ignored. I am passionate about changing this narrative. This drives my ambition to pursue a career in healthcare. Whether as a biomedical scientist or a physician, I want to unite science and service, restoring confidence and providing healing. I hope young Black women will see me and know they belong in every space, including STEM fields where we are often underrepresented. One initiative I hope to lead in the future is the “Representation Matters Database”, a digital platform designed to track which studies and clinical trials include diverse populations. This platform would enable patients and providers to view participation demographics, identify areas of underrepresentation, and access results tailored to their specific needs. I would also advocate for grant funders and research organizations to require diversity reporting in study assignments. By making this data transparent, we can push the scientific community to be more inclusive and accountable. Adversity has been my training ground. Juggling work, school, and sports taught me discipline and resilience; financial hardship taught me resourcefulness. Carrying my family’s hopes has made me a leader and fostered empathy. To me, overcoming adversity means facing setbacks and still persevering. I want to do more than survive; I want to thrive and help others with similar stories. Hardship has shaped, but not defined me. I hope to leave a legacy of hope and justice. In the future, I want my impact to reach beyond any title. I hope to expand healthcare access in underserved communities through care, outreach, and mentorship. My dream is for my grandmother’s and mother’s sacrifices to open doors for others, not just for me. I am determined to honor my family’s sacrifices, not for praise, but so future generations can dream more and struggle less. Their endurance gives me strength and purpose. I want my younger cousins to choose passion over necessity and my mother to have access to healthcare. In my story, hard work will mean change, not just survival. Through STEM, I will transform my family’s legacy of sacrifice into one of healing and progress. As I embark on my college journey, I plan to major in Biomedical Sciences and join campus STEM outreach programs. These activities will help me apply what I learn in real-world situations and advocate for diversity in science fields, building on the path I hope to pave. Finally, I envision my grandmother’s hands at peace, the wear of a lifetime fading into gentle rest. Her legacy fuels my ambition, and I am committed to fulfilling her hopes, creating a future where her story resonates as one of triumph and fulfillment.

I should’ve never played soccer. The first time I sprinted onto the field, I tripped over the ball and hit the turf. That should’ve been the end of my soccer career. Instead, it became the unlikely beginning of the story that defines who I am: a young Black woman from a single-parent, low-income background, learning to recognize her own strength. When it comes to soccer, I was never the fastest or the strongest. I worked hard, but until high school, I never felt good enough to compete with the other girls my age. Yet soccer taught me something more important than stats: how to keep showing up. After the pandemic, I missed the sport deeply. Going into my freshman year, I reached out to the high school coach. I wasn’t very skilled, and I hadn’t touched a ball in years, but somehow, I made the team. Coach Johnson told me that if I wanted to improve, I needed to join a club. So, the summer before tenth grade, I tried out for a local club. We weren’t a powerhouse; we had no sponsors and shared a field with an adult rugby team. Still, Southside Heat developed me as both a player and a person. I won my first championship, traveled to a big out-of-state tournament, and started to see soccer as more than a pastime. As one of the only teams that was primarily Black, I realized our presence mattered. Even as my skills improved, I felt I was always a step behind. No colleges were interested in me, and my highlight film was terrible. But despite everything, there was a stubborn part of me that refused to let go. By junior year, college soccer became my goal. I was late to the game, so I forced myself to outwork everyone else. I trained when others rested, sent emails to coaches, and searched for better clubs and showcases. Leaving Southside Heat, the team that raised me, was hard, but I knew I needed more. I joined a new summer league, tried out for a club I once thought was out of reach, and eventually received my first email from a college coach. Each small victory chipped away at my doubt, revealing a core of grit I never knew I had. Now, as senior year begins, I stand on the edge of something I once thought impossible. Next year, I’ll play soccer for an HBCU Division II program. Soccer is proof of my persistence and willingness to keep going when doubt screamed at me to stop. My journey has taught me that self-doubt doesn’t have to define me. I now trust the voice that tells me to try again and fight for what I want. Off the field, I serve my community by mentoring athletes, organizing health fairs, and volunteering at schools and clinics. Coming from a single-parent, low-income household, I know what it means to struggle and persevere. These roles revealed the disparities affecting Black and Brown communities, especially in healthcare. Leadership is about listening, serving, and making spaces equitable for everyone. Driven by these experiences, I want to pursue a career in healthcare to address the gaps I’ve seen in my own neighborhood. My story as a young Black woman who persisted against the odds fuels my determination to uplift and advocate for others. Whether on the field or in my community, I strive to be the kind of leader who inspires confidence, creates opportunities, and works for justice. I no longer say, “I could never,” because I know, without a doubt, that I can; and I did.

My name is Zada Staples, and I am a senior at Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta, Georgia. My journey has been shaped by love, resilience, and the unwavering support of my single mother, who has worked tirelessly to give me every opportunity despite our financial struggles. Growing up, I saw firsthand how compassion and small acts of kindness could bring hope during difficult times. These experiences have not only grounded me but also inspired my deepest desire: to build a career in healthcare, where I can be a source of comfort, healing, and support for others facing their own challenges. Despite our financial challenges, I have remained devoted to my education, maintaining a 4.0 GPA through hard work and determination. School has always been my haven, a place where I could dream of a brighter future for my family and myself. Soccer has also been a source of joy and belonging, teaching me not only discipline and teamwork but also how to find strength in community. On the field, I’ve learned to encourage others, lift them up after tough losses, and celebrate our collective victories, big or small. These moments have shown me how powerful it can be to stand together and support one another. Leadership and service are at the heart of who I am. I have been fortunate to hold leadership roles in organizations like the National Beta Club, Student Government Association, and the Ladies of Distinction, where I have been able to connect with others who share my passion for making a difference. Through organizing community service projects, mentoring younger students, and standing up for positive change, I have come to understand the unique struggles many in my community face. Volunteering with Finding Favors, organizing clothing drives, and working with Miracle League athletes have all filled me with gratitude and a sense of purpose. Each act of service, no matter how small, is my way of sharing hope, encouragement, and compassion with others who might need it most. My dream is to attend college, play soccer at the collegiate level, and pursue a degree in biomedical sciences. I am deeply passionate about providing care and support to those who need it most, especially those who feel unseen or unheard. My hope is to one day return and serve the community that has lifted me up in so many ways. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would ease the financial burden on my family and give me the freedom to focus on what truly matters: my education, my team, and my commitment to giving back. It would be both a blessing and an encouragement to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. Kalia D. Davis’s legacy fills me with hope. She reminds me that a life lived with joy, compassion, and courage can touch countless others. Like her, I try to meet every challenge with an open heart and a willingness to support those around me. I am committed to carrying her spirit forward, striving for excellence while always leading with empathy and kindness. Thank you for considering my application and for honoring Kalia’s memory by supporting students like me who are driven to make a meaningful difference.

Motivated and high-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve opportunities such as scholarships, as their achievements are a testament to their strength, perseverance, and potential. Our journeys are defined not by ease, but by the challenges we’ve had to overcome: financial, familial, and systemic. While others may have support systems in place, we often have to carve out our own paths, demonstrating initiative and resilience at every turn. Investing in students like us is not just about individual advancement, it’s about empowering future leaders who will uplift their communities and pave the way for others facing similar obstacles. Growing up in a single-parent household has shaped both my character and my ambitions. My mother, a devoted public health advocate, modeled perseverance and selflessness for me every day. Despite her tireless work, financial strain was ever-present, often forcing us to make difficult choices. To participate in activities like soccer, I worked part-time jobs, including lifeguarding and bussing tables, to cover costs and contribute to our household. These responsibilities instilled in me not only discipline and a strong work ethic but also an appreciation of the sacrifices required to pursue one’s passions. Despite these challenges, I have remained dedicated to my academics and personal growth. I currently maintain a 4.0 GPA while serving as vice president of the Student Government Association, captain of the soccer team, and Unidos Ambassador. My involvement in the National Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and Ladies of Distinction has further expanded my leadership and service experience. Juggling these commitments has not only tested my ability to manage time and stress but has also reaffirmed my commitment to never let obstacles dictate my future. My greatest motivation is my dream of pursuing a career in healthcare. Inspired by my mother’s impact and my own lived experiences, I am committed to addressing health disparities and promoting equity in healthcare. Whether I become an orthodontist, OB-GYN, or immunologist, I hope to serve others, particularly those from underserved backgrounds like my own. I am also passionate about mentoring young Black girls interested in STEM, determined to show that our voices and talents are essential in fields where we are underrepresented. Receiving the Marcia Bick Scholarship would ease the financial burdens of higher education and enable me to focus more fully on my academic, leadership, and service commitments. More than just financial relief, this support would validate my persistence and hard work, showing that my efforts matter. With this scholarship, I will be positioned not only to achieve my own goals but also to lift up others who face similar challenges, just as I have always hoped to do.