For 14 years of my life, I had been accustomed to solitude. On February 25th, 2020, during the pandemic my little sister was born. Since the ripe age of 8 I was watching myself and being left home alone because my parents had to work and it was all the same cycle with my sister. I love my little sister so much but as time progresses, I have developed this “big sister syndrome” where I feel like my presence is a task rather than relationship. I’m not discrediting my mom’s parenting but there is a blurred line between sister and mother. My sister was born in the prime of the pandemic so when she was born, she had the nurturing of my mother for about 1 month. Bills had to be paid, and food had to be put on the table so unfortunately my mother had to hop right back into work. During the pandemic there was an option to attend school online or in person. My role as a caregiver instead of a sibling began when I was a freshman having to care for a newborn while attending online school. The experience was hard. I always had enough sense to know I was not ready to be a mom let alone a teen mom is what it felt like. My sister needed constant nurturing and attention which made it hard for me to thrive as a student. Caring for her was even harder because newborns yearn for their mother, they have instincts and senses of their parents so understanding her cries that she’s not with mom was disheartening because I’m doing the best that I can but at the same time my mom has to be in work to provide for the both of us. Warming bottles, changing diapers, and giving naps felt like my school curriculum. I always felt rushed on my school deadlines because my sister came first with everything. Luckily around the age of 2 my sister was old enough to attend a daycare but even then, I held most of the responsibilities because my mom worked unrealistic hours. My sister would wake up and go to daycare and as soon as she got home it was go time bathing, cooking, and cleaning were all my responsibility when it came to my little sister. My caregiving experience has shaped my goals, journey, and identity in fluctuating ways because the outcomes lean good and bad. For my goals being a caregiver towards my sister has pushed me to succeed. I want to be good at everything I do so I can provide her many opportunities I didn’t have growing up. My sister looks up to me for validation so I make sure to be a positive influence around her so she can pick up positive qualities. Being a caregiver for my sister has affected my journey by teaching me time management. Between me and my sister’s needs I had to balance wants and needs. There would be times where I want to hang out with my friends, but I am a sister before a buddy so moments like those would be postponed. My caregiver experience has influenced my identity the most. Being the sole caretaker of my sister from an early age has made me hyper independent. Asking for help is little to none but I learned everything can’t be put on the weight of my shoulders so asking for assistance is not as bad as it always seems.

1799 first documented action of an African American going to school. 1848 the first recorded attempt to educate women. 1862 the first African American woman to attend college and receive her bachelor's degree. All of these dates are significant because I am an African American woman and at one point in time obtaining an education wasn’t considered for someone who looked like me. I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because people in the past broke boundaries for minorities to be allowed a chance. Also based on my character I deserve the future that I am working hard towards. I am able to achieve the dreams I aspire because people in history executed a change to enable a difference. School wasn’t intended to be for everyone. History had a way of hindering education from specific minority groups because they knew if more people were educated less people were ignorant. Education is the solution to ignorance and without a solid foundation for learning more people walk around lacking comprehension of themselves and the world. I have always valued my education because it has introduced me to opportunities to excel. I attend Nova Southeastern University in Broward County Florida and throughout my first year I was able to gain so much knowledge that will support me in the working world. For example, resume building classes, mental health workshops, and even having a job on campus that exposed me on how to interact in a more formal work environment. On a smaller scale, the past has broken boundaries for me to obtain an education was my parents. As soon as my parents knew they were having me they knew it was vital for me to go to school. My parents worked hard and did all they could do to make sure I was prepared and allowed to attend college. While they didn’t have all the money in the world, they made sure to save their last so I could experience college just like how they did. In continuation, I am not worth only my dreams, but I am worth my present. I interpret dreams as a future waiting to be accessed. It is better to live in the moment. I emphasize that statement because there were many experiences in my life where I was not supposed to have a chance, but I still made a way to get it. Growing up experiencing poverty, domestic violence, and anxiety these are all nightmares that wanted to take away my dreams, but I say NO. My family and friends have always characterized me as a determined person because whenever I make a serious decision it is set, and I don’t detach until that decision has been acted upon. I want to graduate from college with my degree and to be certified as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I deserve my future because I have worked hard for it. The early mornings and the late nights I sacrifice are a testimony to my dedication. I want my hard work to pay off and, in a society, where everybody wants the easy way out, I am worth my dreams because it is not just a vision of hope but a gateway to support my future. I am not worth only my dreams but a purpose in life. I want to create legacies while appreciating history. I know when my hard work pays off it will make the past, present, and future proud.

As a kid you’re constantly asked the same introduction questions on the first day of school. What is your name, when is your birthday, and what do you want to be when you grow up? The options were endless! I always picked ambitions that involved helping people, but I wasn’t quite sure in what way. In 8th grade this same question was presented to me again but I was stumped. I felt a wave of embarrassment because my peers seem to have their lives all put together at the age of 14 and I didn’t. I knew I had a passion for helping people, loved science, and was interested in technology. After much research that is what started me on the journey of becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. My goals with becoming a sonographer are split into two ideas: personal and professional. The personal aspect of becoming a sonographer is so that I can be the first healthcare worker in my family. My family is derived from 9-5 desk jobs, but I want to break that cycle to show them the family is capable of much more. Also, there is no denying that healthcare jobs pay very well, and I want to be able to support my family and build a better life for my siblings by having a CAREER and not a JOB. I feel like work is a better place when you're passionate about it. Healthcare is a genre of job you have to be passionate about because it involves people's health/lives and at the end of the day you want people to be satisfied with their wellbeing. Now leading to the professional aspect of why I want to be a sonographer, the representation and purpose. Majority of my essays I preach about how healthcare needs more representation, and this is the outlet to do so. I am grateful to say growing up I had a black pediatrician, black dentist, and received care from black nurses. The unfortunate part was you had to drive almost 30-45 minutes to reach the suburban side of town to get access to them. The drive and traffic were a trek, but it definitely made the clinical experience more welcoming knowing I had professionals who respected my boundaries and took my pain seriously. Being a sonographer with brown skin and coiled hair is what more minority patients need to see so they feel more involved in their health. Also being a sonographer serves my purpose of helping my community. When I get certified as a sonographer, I don’t want to be like my providers stationed all the way across town but being located locally so people who look like me have access to me. Overall, my future career goals are to have someone like me in the healthcare field because alleviates the stress of ethnic patients and encourages them to take medical advice seriously. Unfortunately, we are in times where being a politician equates to being a doctor, I guess. Patients need advocacy. A role like mine where I’m trying to be a sonographer, women, especially African American women need reproductive support. More children and women are dying at the hands of the hospital and that could all be avoided if the cries of ethnic women are taken more seriously. We need less stereotypes and more stethoscopes. I want to be the change I see!

When I was in 8th grade, I had a teacher once quote “In order to be successful you have to suck”. I thought to myself why would my teacher want us to be failures, in reality that statement holds truth. Some of my achievements have come about from me failing but failure to me is not a reason to quit but as a factor to achieve. I am a rising sophomore who attends Nova Southeastern University in Broward County Florida. Currently on a track to pursue a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. With my degree I want to be able to support my family. I grew up with the principle to always value family. I have been blessed with the experience of living to see 4 generations of my family. My family holds a special place in my heart and without them I wouldn’t be on the journey I am today. An inspiration to my journey is my great grandmother Veronica Sands. My great grandmother was everything to me, no matter what ambitions I had she always supported me. As time went on the family learned my great grandmother had stomach cancer. It was disheartening to my family learning this news because my great grandmother was the glue of the family making sure we all know where we come from and support one another. My great grandmother shaped my aspirations by pouring into me and believing in me. What really sparked my interest in this career was visiting my grandmother in the hospital and watching the staff use the doppler device on her to assess her stomach. Seeing that I can pursue a career that combines my passion for helping people and using technology in the same aspect that supported my grandmother influenced me. Unfortunately, in my sophomore year of high school my great grandmother passed away from her tough battle. During my stages of grief, I almost wanted to give up because it felt like my purpose wouldn’t hold any sentiment if my great grandmother wasn’t here to witness it. I used my great grandmother's death as fuel. I want to honor my great grandmother by obtaining my degree and becoming a certified Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. She doesn’t have to be here physically but as I keep pursuing my goals, I can feel her faith covering me and pushing me towards greatness. Moving along another reason I want to obtain my degree is to give back and support my community. The professional aspect of why I want to be a sonographer, the representation and purpose. Majority of my essays I preach about how healthcare needs more representation. I am grateful to say growing up I had a black pediatrician, black dentist, and received care from black nurses. The unfortunate part was you had to drive almost 30-45 minutes to reach the suburban side of town to get access to them. The drive and traffic were a trek, but it definitely made the clinical experience more welcoming knowing I had professionals who respected my boundaries and took my pain seriously. Being a sonographer with brown skin and coiled hair is what more minority patients need to see so they feel more involved in their health. Also being a sonographer serves my purpose of helping my community because when I get certified as a sonographer, I don’t want to be like my providers stationed all the way across town but being located locally so people who look like me have access to me. It’s important to increase racial diversity in healthcare because it encourages more ethnic people to take their health seriously. Coming from the African American community some citizens are more afraid than welcomed by health care providers because they perceive their pain as dramatization. Having somebody like me in the field alleviates the stress of ethnic patients and encourages them to take medical advice seriously. Also, in the times we are in now where being a politician equates to being a doctor I guess, patients need advocacy. A role like mine where I’m trying to be a sonographer, women, especially African American women need reproductive support. More children and women are dying at the hands of the hospital and that could all be avoided if the cries of ethnic women are taken more seriously. We need less stereotypes and more stethoscopes. As a college student we always consider the beginning and the end of a journey but never the middle. When I attended my great grandmother’s funeral the preacher highlighted the dash that was on the obituary. The dash highlights all that a person has done throughout their life and the experiences they gained. The dash doesn’t only have to be referred to in death but in life of how people start a journey and must apply themselves throughout to complete that journey. That is how I see my college experience. I want everything within my dash to have meaning and purpose so that when I graduate and obtain my degree the choices I made at the beginning of my journey can show the value of the ending. This scholarship will assist me with my tuition, books, or maybe even ensure I have a roof over my head. I made it to college but now the challenge is staying. The challenge is not within me because I know this is something I want and WILL complete, but the challenge is life. I come from a 2-parent household and it is me and my sister. Bills have to be paid, my sister has to attend her schooling, and a roof must still be put over my family's head at home. While my parents do their best to support me as a growing adult they won’t always be here. If applying to as many scholarships as I can means I stay in school and take a burden off my parents back it doesn’t mean much to me because they have sacrificed a lot. A few weeks before I returned home to college my dad had lost his job. I am currently taking classes, working 2 jobs, and selling some of my valuables just to make sure my mom doesn’t feel the burden of supporting the house. My little sister makes me go even harder because I don’t want her growing up knowing what “not having” feels like. Children should be allowed to be children and not understand what poorness feels like. Looking towards the future when I obtain my degree and pursue my career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, I want to give to my family like how they always gave to me. I also want to establish legacies within my family such as being the first healthcare worker. Writing this essay allowed me to be vulnerable and see all the potential that I have because while many doors may slam in my face the right opportunity will welcome me with open arms. As I conclude my essay I want to leave this here “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you he will never let the righteous be shaken!” Psalm 55:22.

As a kid you’re constantly asked the same introduction questions on the first day of school. What is your name, when is your birthday, and what do you want to be when you grow up? The options were endless! I always picked ambitions that involved helping people, but I wasn’t quite sure in what way. In 8th grade this same question was presented to me again but I was stumped. I felt a wave of embarrassment because my peers seem to have their lives all put together at the age of 14 and I didn’t. I knew I had a passion for helping people, loved science, and was interested in technology. After much research that is what started me on the journey of becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. My goals with becoming a sonographer are split into two ideas: personal and professional. The personal aspect of becoming a sonographer is so that I can be the first healthcare worker in my family. My family is derived from 9-5 desk jobs, but I want to break that cycle to show them the family is capable of much more. Also, there is no denying that healthcare jobs pay very well, and I want to be able to support my family and build a better life for my siblings by having a CAREER and not a JOB. I feel like work is a better place when you're passionate about it. Healthcare is a genre of job you have to be passionate about because it involves people's health/lives and at the end of the day you want people to be satisfied with their wellbeing. Now leading to the professional aspect of why I want to be a sonographer, the representation and purpose. Majority of my essays I preach about how healthcare needs more representation, and this is the outlet to do so. I am grateful to say growing up I had a black pediatrician, black dentist, and received care from black nurses. The unfortunate part was you had to drive almost 30-45 minutes to reach the suburban side of town to get access to them. The drive and traffic were a trek, but it definitely made the clinical experience more welcoming knowing I had professionals who respected my boundaries and took my pain seriously. Being a sonographer with brown skin and coiled hair is what more minority patients need to see so they feel more involved in their health. Also being a sonographer serves my purpose of helping my community. When I get certified as a sonographer, I don’t want to be like my providers being stationed all the way across town but being located locally so people who look like me have access to me. It’s important to increase racial diversity in healthcare because it encourages more ethnic people to take their health seriously. Coming from the African American community some citizens are more afraid than welcomed by health care providers because they perceive their pain as dramatization. Having somebody like me in the field alleviates the stress of ethnic patients and encourages them to take medical advice seriously. Also, in the times we are in now where being a politician equates to being a doctor I guess, patients need advocacy. A role like mine where I’m trying to be a sonographer, women, especially African American women need reproductive support. More children are dying at the hands of the hospital and that could all be avoided if the cries of ethnic women are taken more seriously. We need less stereotypes and more stethoscopes. I want to be the change I see!

I grew up with the principle to always value family. I have been blessed with the experience of living to see 4 generations of my family. My family holds a special place in my heart and without them I wouldn’t be on the journey I am today. A person that had a significant impact on my life is my great grandmother Veronica Sands. My great grandmother was an immigrant who was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. While experiencing gang violence and domestic violence from her upbringing she was able to pursue a prosperous life in Florida as a flight attendant. My great grandmother was everything to me, no matter what ambitions I had she always supported me. As time went on the family learned my great grandmother had stomach cancer. It was disheartening to my family learning this news because my great grandmother was the glue of the family making sure we all know where we come from and support one another. My great grandmother shaped my aspirations by pouring into me and believing in me. I’m currently a rising sophomore that attends Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida on a track to pursue Diagnostic Medical Sonography. What really sparked my interest in this career was visiting my grandmother in the hospital and watching the staff use the doppler device on my great grandmother to assess her stomach. Seeing that I can pursue a career that combines my passion for helping people and using technology in the same aspect that supported my grandmother influenced me. Considering a career in sonography is something I have been adamant about since the 8th grade. The early mornings and the long nights my great grandmother have witnessed and been supportive along the way. Unfortunately, in my sophomore year of high school my great grandmother passed away from her tough battle. During my stages of grief, I almost wanted to give up because it felt like my purpose wouldn’t hold any sentiment if my great grandmother wasn’t here to witness it. I used my great grandmother's death as fuel. I want to honor my great grandmother by obtaining my degree and becoming a certified Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. She doesn’t have to be here physically but as I keep pursuing my goals, I can feel her faith covering me and pushing me towards greatness. Pursuing a path in this field will allow me to support people who were just like my great grandmother. In the introduction of my essay, I emphasized the importance of family, for some the hospital can be a hopeless place but I want to be that temporary family people yearn for and treat them as if they were in my great grandmother’s shoes. With the support of the Sewing Seeds scholarship, I can make a difference to my community and make my family proud. People always highlight the start and end of the journey but not the middle. I want to be allowed the chance to thrive from my educational endeavors so that I can reach my end goal.

I’m grateful to say I come from a home where both of my parent's graduated college. Being in college to me is a sign of success and legacy. I’m currently on a track to pursue Diagnostic Medical Sonography. My first purpose of college is success. I’m currently on a track to pursue Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This was a career choice that I made while in the 8th grade. Sonography combines my passion for helping people and using technology. With a career like Sonography, I will be the first person in my family to pursue a role in the healthcare field and on average sonographers in Florida make a salary of 80,298 dollars annually which will help me support my family in the future just as how they always supported me. My family didn’t always have much but they always made sure of one thing and that was getting me into college. Success isn’t an option but a requirement because my success validates my parents' hard work of putting me through school paid off (no pun intended). My second purpose of college is legacy. I have a little sister, and she looks up to everything that I do. Whether my sister is tying her shoe, cleaning up a mess, or picking up her toys she always looks at big sister for validation. My sister doesn’t fully understand what college is yet, but she gets very excited to see me when I come home and talks about how she wants to attend college one day like me. Going to college is bigger than me but for the generations to come after me. Maybe one day when I have children of my own, I can share with them the beauty of higher education and why it’s so important. Being African American and a woman, education wasn’t even considered for someone like me, so growing up in a time where I can obtain as many degrees as I desire is a huge opportunity I want to take advantage of. While I’m in college I want to receive my degree and be certified in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. When approaching college, I thought it was only about academics which should definitely be prioritized but I have learned there is more you can obtain from a college experience. I want to be a part of a sorority, hold leadership in clubs, and make the Dean's list at my school. With all these small accomplishments they make up my one big accomplishment of leaving an impact on my campus. I’m a rising sophomore at Nova Southeastern University which is a private university in Broward County Florida the school is also predominantly white students. Race has not negatively affected my experience as a person on campus but as an African American student I have to jump over more hurdles and work 10 times harder to achieve the goals of my white counterparts. People always focus on the beginning and end of their stories but not the middle. With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to continue my education, purchase books, and make sure I demonstrate my two purposes to my family. College is a complicated journey of independence but wondering how expenses of school will be paid should be the last consideration on any student's mind.

Me and my best friend have been friends since the 7th grade. My best friend is the most quality, caring, and nicest person I can count on. No matter the circumstances she experienced personally she always displayed a loving side to her. Growing up my house was always a safe house. My house was a little tight and there may have been a mess some of the time, but my home was an extension to my best friend's home, and she was always welcomed. My best friend grew up with a complicated life and had strained relationships with her parents. At the time she was living with her mother. My best friend would tell me some of the verbal abuse she encountered with her mother because I was her only safe outlet to vent too and felt like if she retaliated the conflict would grow worse. One day my best friend had enough… She got into a fist fight with her mom. All of this is happening on a day where I have dance practice so when my practice is over, I check my phone and see I have multiple missed calls and texts. My mind came too worse when I saw many missed messages from my best friend because the missed calls reached double digits and I wasn’t answering for her. My best friend was on the phone crying saying how an altercation occurred with the mother and essentially the mom kicked my best friend out. My best friend stated her mom gave her 30 minutes to grab her belongings and get out. Since I was in dance practice my best friend had been sitting outside with a suitcase for an estimated 60 minutes before, I finally answered. I didn’t question anything at the time, luckily during this time I just obtained my license, so I drove across town to go pick up my best friend (we stay 45 minutes away from each other) and take her to my house. I was pestering my best friend wondering if she needed medical help or to contact the police, but she just needed somebody to listen to her. So, for a week straight that is what I did. Me and my best friend shared a bed, woke up super early to ensure me and her made it to school on time, I even went about finding her affordable counseling because at the time she didn’t have a job but as a friend I believed the support was necessary. After a week my best friend contacted her mom to make amends, and she felt comfortable moving back home. Even after my best friend moved back home, I would do weekly checks at her home as if I was a social worker just to see if her environment was getting better. All these events occurred while we were juniors in high school but as I reflect now as a rising sophomore in college my best friend is living a meaningful and prosperous life. She has displayed boundaries with her mom, and they know how to better communicate with each other. Throughout this essay I keep saying “best friend”, but this person is honestly a sister to me. We experienced so many highs and lows together and while herself growth involved her, I believe I played a role in starting it and stepping in to show my sister that I’m always here to support her even if the world is against her.

As a kid you’re constantly asked the same introduction questions on the first day of school. What is your name, when is your birthday, and what do you want to be when you grow up? The options were endless! I always picked ambitions that involved helping people, but I wasn’t quite sure in what way. In 8th grade this same question was presented to me again but I was stumped. I felt a wave of embarrassment because my peers seem to have their lives all put together at the age of 14 and I didn’t. I knew I had a passion for helping people, loved science, and was interested in technology. After much research that is what started me on the journey of becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. My goals with becoming a sonographer are split into two ideas: personal and professional. The personal aspect of becoming a sonographer is so that I can be the first healthcare worker in my family. My family is derived from 9-5 desk jobs, but I want to break that cycle to show them the family is capable of much more. Also, there is no denying that healthcare jobs pay very well, and I want to be able to support my family and build a better life for my siblings by having a CAREER and not a JOB. I feel like work is a better place when you're passionate about it. Healthcare is a genre of job you have to be passionate about because it involves people's health/lives and at the end of the day you want people to be satisfied with their wellbeing. Now leading to the professional aspect of why I want to be a sonographer, the representation and purpose. Majority of my essays I preach about how healthcare needs more representation, and this is the outlet to do so. I am grateful to say growing up I had a black pediatrician, black dentist, and received care from black nurses. The unfortunate part was you had to drive almost 30-45 minutes to reach the suburban side of town to get access to them. The drive and traffic were a trek, but it definitely made the clinical experience more welcoming knowing I had professionals who respected my boundaries and took my pain seriously. Being a sonographer with brown skin and coiled hair is what more minority patients need to see so they feel more involved in their health. Also being a sonographer serves my purpose of helping my community. When I get certified as a sonographer, I don’t want to be like my providers being stationed all the way across town but being located locally so people who look like me have access to me. It’s important to increase racial diversity in healthcare because it encourages more ethnic people to take their health seriously. Coming from the African American community some citizens are more afraid than welcomed by health care providers because they perceive their pain as dramatization. Having somebody like me in the field alleviates the stress of ethnic patients and encourages them to take medical advice seriously. Also, in the times we are in now where being a politician equates to being a doctor I guess, patients need advocacy. A role like mine where I’m trying to be a sonographer, women, especially African American women need reproductive support. More children are dying at the hands of the hospital and that could all be avoided if the cries of ethnic women are taken more seriously. We need less stereotypes and more stethoscopes. I want to be the change I see!

Every 4 years, people all around the United States congregate together to display patriotism through the Olympics. No matter the race, religion, or gender, people find unity within the Olympics because we are the country that includes ALL countries. The Olympics are a 16-day span of sports ranging from basketball, swimming, and even breakdancing. The sport that brings the most joy to me as a viewer is the track and field events. Unlike other sports demonstrated, it has the most diversity, hosting multiple events in one setting. As a supporter of team USA, you want anybody from your country to simply just win, but an athlete I have grown a liking for is Sha’Carri Richardson. Aside from her outstanding athleticism, she is a role model for females and people of color.  Sha’Carri Richardson is an incredible athlete, accumulating 2 gold medals, five state titles, and securing brand deals with many well-known sports brands. There is no denying her athletic success. What makes me admire Sha’Carri as a person is that she is a source of representation. Not even on a sports level but at a life level where black women can unapologetically be themselves. I wear full wigs, rock the colorful nails, and bat my eyelashes and, for some settings, it makes people uncomfortable because it comes off as “ghetto”. When I see Sha’Carri during races or acting in a commercial, she presents as her authentic self, seeing qualities of myself within her. Having a person like Sha’Carri relevant in sports culture makes society more comfortable with the attributes of black women. Rules in sports should be created to protect athletes, not protect images. Individuals can thrive while still being themselves. Another quality I admire Sha’Carri for is her grit. Grit is a term used to acknowledge an individual who has passion and perseverance. At the peak of Sha'Carri's track career, she took one hit, which was losing her grandmother, then another hit due to a cannabis scandal. While experiencing a multitude of emotions, Sha’Carri was able to focus her mind on the main goal and that was to be successful at her sport. Sha’Carri’s adversity reminds me of one of my own. I experienced the death of my grandmother sophomore year of high school. My grandmother was my biggest supporter of school but yet left too soon to not see me achieve high school. While emotions were high, my grit always stuck with me. The passing of my grandmother made me stronger instead of weaker. I was able to flourish and surpass some of my goals because I had an infection of pain that needed to be released.  Overall, Sha’Carri Richardson is an athlete I can relate to on a personal level. She’s a stellar athlete but an honorable person off the track.

The four core pillars are ethics, hungry, humble, and smart. I have exemplified all these traits within my life, but what I can most resonate with is the core pillar hungry. Now, if this was an essay about being big back, the term hungry would be a piece of cake to write about (no pun intended). Seriously, from my upbringing, I have always been determined and strived for the things I wanted in life, because I don’t envision myself being without the things I aspire for.      A recent choice that I made this summer was attending a summer class while being employed at 2 jobs for the summer. This is a decision I had to ponder, not because I didn’t want to do it, but the effects it could possibly have on me physically and mentally. First I registered for 1 summer class (anatomy and physiology) so that I could be ahead of my requirements for enrolling for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Sonography was a career calling that has sparked me since 8th grade and I have done everything in my power to ensure that I’m accepted into the program. I also considered this decision that anatomy takes focus and application, so taking the class over the summer instead of bombarding the material with 4 other classes would be beneficial to my learning. Second, obtaining 2 jobs was an unexpected but quick decision I had to make. I initially was going to work at the popular fast food chain Wendy's. It was the first job I ever worked for. Some weeks prior to me coming home from college, I learned that my father had been fired from his job. My dad was the sole breadwinner of the household, providing for 2 girls, my mom, and himself. When the scholarships and grants were through, my dad was the person responsible for me going to school. My dad experienced college and wanted me to experience it too. School was a bit more expensive because I attended a private university, but my dad didn’t complain he just always said to make him proud.My dad was loyal and held a managerial position at his job for 17 years. The loss of his job had greatly affected him. My dad feels like he failed me and my sister, but I believe this is a time for me to step up and show him he’s made a HUNGRY daughter and that I’ll do anything to achieve my goals. So, obtaining a second job is not petty money to buy Shein carts and Doordash, but I need a way to feel secure about the fall semester, knowing that I have a way to pay for my tuition, books, and dorm. My mother is doing the best she can to keep the roof over our heads, but there are many more responsibilities that come with being a parent. The family needs food, my sister is about to start kindergarten, and bills must be paid. My dad may be experiencing hardship, but he still smiles.      In all honesty, these decisions have had some slight effects on me negatively, as I don’t interact with my friends as much and isolate myself at work. Hunger is exactly the phrase it was designed to be. You sometimes have to sacrifice to feed the people around you. Don’t get me wrong, I'm maintaining balance in this process, but there are certain components of my life I had to cut out to make sure I thrive as a student and individual.

1.I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. I graduated ranking 17 out of 395 students from Jones High School. I decided to continue my educational endeavors at Nova Southeastern University to study Diagnostic Medical Sonography. As an incoming freshman I have accomplished being the dance captain of my team, working as an office assistant, and serving my newfound community. Hobbies that I’m passionate about are dancing and baking. Overall, I’m a determined and hardworking person who always strives for their goals and doesn’t stop until I reach my end goal. 2. This scholarship would greatly help offset the cost of my tuition. My institution is private and offers the best teachers, services, and infrastructure and these things come at a cost. With the support of aid, grants, and even other scholarships it is still challenging to cover college expenses. I greatly appreciate my family for all they do to keep me in school, but I feel like I have a sense of responsibility for alleviating that burden by using my wit and personality to get as much scholarship and opportunity as I can to pay and pave my way. 3.My academic goals are to graduate top of my class/program. My career goals I strive to pursue my sonography career. I want to pursue sonography in my hometown because I live in a predominantly minority community who doesn’t have much minority representation within the healthcare system. I want to make people who look like me feel comfortable asking and seeking help. 4.I greatly contributed to my community by involving myself in community service. As a college student I moved to a new city addressing new needs. Residing in south Florida my most impactful project SO FAR… has been the beach cleanups. The beach is a refuge to many citizens and many native animals. With community service it’s about addressing the needs of the community and learning about the community you are serving that is why I enjoy the opportunities so much. Also on an educational level I serve my academic community by being a part of clubs that pride themselves on service. I’m captain of my majorette team Sapphires and aside from dancing we go around campus performing at many social and awareness events to keep students engaged and informed about the many growing things surrounding the community. 5.In school everything came so easy I rarely knew what it felt like to fail because many of the opportunities came handed to me. While I worked hard for them, they were still handed to me. When I entered college the most devastating failure, I encountered was failing my first math test. This was not my first time failing a test but what made this feeling so different is that my grade not only dropped but so did my ego. Failing my test made me feel like I failed my parents because they are the ones putting me through school and I don’t want them feeling like their money is going to waste. Learning from this experience is to use my resources and ask for help. I studied and went to the office hours. Before I knew it I had a good grade on my next test. 6.My greatest strength is determination. I don’t get knocked down so easily. If there is a goal I want to reach, I will take many noes to reach my yes. Being determined has gotten me many opportunities because I believed I could get them. I work hard and pride myself on giving my 110 percent and that all came with the strength of my determination.

This is not my first time being asked this question. When I have to answer, I always say the same person because she holds that much inspiration in history. Not only is the figure black, but she is a woman, a pioneering entrepreneur, and most well known for being a millionaire. I admire Madam CJ Walker. Madam CJ Walker, coming from a family of slaves, was born free on December 23, 1867. While she was born a free person, she was still a woman, a woman in a time when they were still recognized as objects and not people. Walker became a mother at just 14 years old. As she got older, she worked as a laundress, did choir with her church, and even became a member of the National Association of Color Women. What Walker is most established and known for is her hair care company. Walker had a scalp condition that affected the growth of her hair, so she reflected on her own self-image and started thinking of ways to reclaim herself and essentially her femininity. She started making and selling products, even developing her own method known as the “Walker Method”, which included different techniques on how to use her products. What separated Walker’s business from others is that she had a personal door to door sales approach that allowed her to establish a rapport with her customers. Walker was, of course, a black woman millionaire, but I’m inspired by the work she does for women and the black community. For example, when Walker first established her business, she hired a team of women to assist in door sales, calling themselves “beauty culturalists”. As the brand grew, there was the employment of nearly 40,000 people with a large population being predominantly black women. Many articles recognize Walker formally as a philanthropist, but she was genuinely just an individual who cared. She instilled female leadership roles in her company, funded scholarships for HBCU, and donated to black organizations such as the NAACP. Walker is a historical role model of mine because she is living proof that anything is possible. I share similar stories and experiences to Walker. I grew up watching my parents' struggle. Sometimes I couldn’t include myself in certain things because bills had to be paid. I never let my struggle define me. I always partook in activities I could make my parents proud. Also, serving the community is free, which I take pride in because I want to give to a community who once gave to me. Service is not solely about giving but creating an influence. The projects I participate in. I hope they challenge people to get up and do the same. Overall, Walker was the blueprint for black history. She's a woman, a black woman, a millionaire black woman. The list will just become longer and longer because she’s done so much to create a name for herself and set a precedent for black women.

Confident, determined, hardworking, and creative are some of the adjectives my peers use to describe me. I consider myself to be a nurturing person. I am willing to throw myself in situations to help my family and friends. From a very young age, I always prioritized education. My parents always enlightened me about the opportunities I would have with my intellect. With the combination of my character and knowledge I’m able to be a positive influence in my future career. I have always been fascinated by the medical field, but some aspects made me feel queasy. In high school I did dual enrollment for Licensed Practical Nursing. I did reap some of the benefits by expanding my knowledge and gaining experiences at many facilities, but I personally felt like I wanted something different. I personally suffer from anxiety so I was under the impression that if I “give up” on nursing my family would be disappointed in me. I had to come to a realization that this is my life, and I should do things that bring me true happiness. While I was passionate about helping people this wasn't an approach I was comfortable with. In the end I found something that works for me and the biggest takeaway I took from high school and brought into college is that all decisions I make should be in my best interest for me and no other people. College can either be a place of devotion or distraction and I choose to devote my hard work towards my degree so I can do what I love and have a fulfilling career. My educational goals for the future are to graduate from my university, Nova Southeastern, while obtaining my degree to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. A sonographer is someone who produces and analyzes sonograms (an image that is produced non-invasively with high frequency sound waves to observe internal organs or soft tissue). I’m passionate about patient centered care, fascinated with the medical field, and enjoy using technology. It’s contradictory because I don't like blood but this career appeals to my professional desires. I can help people, while being alongside technology, and still avoid the gory site of blood. Also, when I reach my field, I want to give back to my community by serving them. Coming from a predominantly black community, I would see my people every day… except for the prestigious spaces you would expect them in. I would have to go across town to the “nice area” for my doctor's appointments, and there was only 1 black doctor (luckily, she was my doctor). Growing up, not recognizing my people in important spaces inspires me to be a part of that statistic. The statistics of black healthcare providers. Skin color shouldn’t determine the level of care, but if it encourages more black people to seek help and not stay silent, then so be it!

Want to hear something crazy? I somehow always included myself in spaces I didn’t belong. For example as a kid I loved playing sports basketball, soccer, and even flag football even if I was the only girl. Or in my present life now being the small black population at my PWI. I’m saying all this to show sometimes uncomfortable situations force us to grow. With my skills of reflection and my determined attitude I’m able to lead my way to success. Adversity can’t be avoided! I definitely can’t as a black female. My greatest adversity I had to combat so far was navigating college life. The balance of school and work is much greater now. There is no one to reassure me about my responsibilities. It's up to me to ensure I do all my duties such as cooking, cleaning, and even submitting my assignments on time. It’s not easy but I make sure to implement different methods of self care to keep my mind, body, and spirit in check. A step I take is reflection. When I faced adversity in my past I would get angry and isolate myself. I realized my reason for that was I had no time to reflect and think about why. Bottling up my emotions did me no good not only did it bring me down but the people around me. Reflection is a vital step in facing my adversity because it allows me to think about a situation and what I can do to rebound. Which leads me to determination. Determination is cohesive with reflection, when I ponder on how I want to better my future it encourages me to strive towards my goal. This reminds me of my college application process. I would wake up early and stay up late to build a name for myself. I had a persona I wanted to display to my college showing them I’m a hardworking and well rounded student. This wasn’t something I could build overnight. I had to sacrifice my time and leisure to get me to a greater position. When writing my essay I could highlight all the interesting things about my life and dive into my adversities because I had all these stories to tell through my eager mindset. I’m attending college so I can pursue being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The field of medicine is not easy. I will face adversities and it’s ok because it allows me to grow into a better individual. When I reflect on the things that can make me better and dedicate myself to my work I know I’ll have the capacity to be successful.

From a very young age, I always prioritized education. My parents always enlightened me about the opportunities I would have with my intellect. I never really knew what I wanted to do with my future, but after much research and many experiences, I understand what my calling is in life. My educational goals for the future are to graduate from my university, Nova Southeastern, while obtaining my degree to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. A sonographer is someone who produces and analyzes sonograms (an image that is produced non-invasively with high frequency sound waves to observe internal organs or soft tissue). I’m passionate about patient centered care, fascinated with the medical field, and enjoy using technology. It’s contradictory because I don't like blood. This career appeals to my professional desires. I can help people while being alongside technology, but still avoid the gory site of blood. Also, when I reach my field I want to give back to my community by serving them. Coming from a predominantly black community, I would see my people every day… except for the prestigious spaces you would expect them in. I would have to go across town to the “nice area” for my doctor's appointments, and there was only 1 black doctor (luckily she was my doctor). Growing up, not recognizing my people in important spaces inspires me to be a part of that statistic. The statistics of black healthcare providers. Skin color shouldn’t determine the level of care, but if it encourages more black people to seek help and not stay silent, then so be it! An obstacle I faced in my life was living in fear. My junior year of high school I was at a football game and, long story short, there was a shooting. Friday night lights weren’t the same anymore; cheers of excitement turned into screams of terror. I was curled under the bleachers, wondering if it was my time. I didn’t know how to feel or could barely move, just adrenaline pushing me to safety. I’m grateful to be alive and that nobody I was close to got injured, but I couldn’t see school the same. When walking to my classes, it’s like the situation played over and over again in my head and I just didn’t feel safe in a place that’s supposed to nurture children. After a while, I grew from the situation. It has taught me to not take life for granted and to appreciate people while they're still here. That football game could’ve made my dreams become obsolete, and I have no shot of seeing my future. Also, there were casualties, and it did affect some of my peers. Seeing the pain they endured during this time made me realize to appreciate the support and community I have around me. My support system was with me every step of the way, making sure I got into college and doing the best they could to get me the resources I needed to be successful. The obstacles of my past have shaped the determination of my future when I get overwhelmed with work or feel like I’m not capable of something. I always remind myself of how I survived a tragedy. Things could have been different, but life had other plans for me, and it was to see me achieve.

Rugrats, Bluey, and Inside Out are animations that people can find comfort in but also have characters that depict anxiety. The popular movie Inside Out specifically has the character anxiety, an orange frazzle of enthusiasm who depicts anxiety in a way that can’t be put into words. From the outside looking in, the public acknowledges anxiety as panic attacks but personally it’s just a moment of having many emotions conflicting at once. When I was younger I didn’t realize why I was so hard on myself. It would be nights I did my homework and cried myself to success thinking that it was ok. In reality it was my anxiety I just haven’t realized or understood yet. It was my first day of sophomore year that I experienced my first panic attack. The transition from online to in person classes was not something my mind was prepared for, especially the transition from middle to highschool. I had no friends, I was going to school in a different city, and my introverted personality all jumped my mind at one time and made me feel like I wasn't ready. Anxiety made me into this person who couldn’t operate by themselves. I had a strong sense of independence and could apply myself, but little things like speaking to people or joining a team I felt comfortable with someone around me. Anxiety is not always meant to be a bad thing. Anxiety has influenced me to perform at my highest level. With my fear of failure and desire for success my anxiety drives me to want more. I can always remember my old dance coach telling me “When you feel like you gave it your all there is still more within you to give”. My level of anxiety makes me more aware of my situation, not in a way to be apprehensive but to be prepared to put forward my best. Anxiety is projected to hinder you but nothing about my anxiety will hinder my college experience and journey to receive my degree. I’m in college to study/learn Medical Diagnostic Sonography. Receiving my degree is important to me because I want to be a piece of representation that my community doesn’t often see. Also I want to fulfill my personal mission of making my grandmother proud. Sophomore year of high school my grandma passed from stomach cancer. I was determined while she was alive but with her passing it encourages me to go harder. Unfortunately nursing is not a career path I’m interested in anymore but the concept of healthcare and helping people is something I’m passionate about. I know there will be times throughout my college journey that will get hard and my anxiety will want to take over but I say “IT WON'T”. Techniques I use to relieve my anxiety and stay focused are allowing myself time to breathe, venting with a friend, and my favorite listening to music. By keeping these key things in mind I know I can get my degree and be the change I want to see within my community.

You know how in the art world they say “Earth without art is Eh”? I have my own saying “Dance is my CAN”. Since the age of 3, I have been in the studio performing. Dance has influenced my emotions and developed my character as a young woman. Many performers can relate to me when I say dance is their outlet. Whenever I feel a sense of emotion (good or bad) I am compelled to just dance because that’s what the art is to me a form of expression. Growing up I was very standoffish I was nervous to engage with my peers and never felt comfortable telling my parents how I felt growing up. It was just an internal battle with me and speaking to people. When I attended my first professional dance class at 7 it pushed me out of my comfort zone I had to interact and converse with my teachers and peers, this is vital in the dance community as it makes the routine successful. I can now say I’m at a point in my life where I appreciate talking to people especially in a dance setting as I am now the Co-Captain of my high school dance team. In many situations I encounter I dance it out rather than explaining my true feelings. For example, when I get a good grade on my test I do a quick move to express my excitement. Something more dear to me is my great-grandmother passed from cancer during my sophomore year of high school. She lived a very long and beautiful life, the bond between me and my grandmother couldn’t even compel me to cry but instead, I danced. I dedicated a whole praise dance to my grandmother because the moves, flow of the beat, and the lyrics of the song just evoked a feeling that crying couldn’t. Dancing is bigger than just a hobby. Being a dancer has influenced my womanhood. I have encountered many inspiring people who not only taught me steps to a routine but steps to life. One flaw of mine is that I don’t like change, I feel like once I learn something a certain way it has to stay that way forever. Dancing has allowed me to break those barriers I’ve engaged in hip-hop, ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, African, and even silk lyra/ariel. Being a part of so many genres has opened me up to change. The foundation of dance is to be adaptable because you never know what can happen even in the moment of dancing, that’s how I apply the same concept to life. I can recall that junior year of high school my dual enrollment course did not have a teacher for a whole semester, yet I was still responsible for completing work and maintaining my grades. I could have complained and done nothing about my grade, but I adapted and did everything in my power to succeed. In all transparency, it was hard teaching MYSELF material I did not know but I did and finished the first semester with a passing grade. Dance has been my influence for life the skill has opened many doors for me and helped my character development. I use every chance I get to talk about my dance career because my passion for it keeps me going.

My expectations overwhelmed my reality! I never thought the steps to getting into college would be easy. I thought I would lose sleep about where I wanted to go and how I was going to get there. To be transparent, I only applied to one college and that’s because it caters to all my educational needs. After much research and seeing what college best supports my ambition, I’ll be attending Nova Southeastern University in the fall of 2024, studying to get my degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Also, on my college journey, I want to pursue the same clubs I did in high school, such as the Honor Society and being on honors courses. Growing up, I would always change my ambition. I was interested in many different things, and it was hard to pick the one I would be doing for the rest of my life. One of my traits is service. I enjoy supporting and helping people, so I knew for sure my job growing up had to involve that. Also, I like technology. I love how I’m in a generation where technology is evolving in front of our eyes because many lives are being changed. After many career quizzes, I learned what a sonographer was and found it interesting. My passion for helping people and my interest in technology influence my choice to make this a lifelong career. Another career goal I’ve been putting on the back burner is taking my confectionary business more seriously. I currently make treats for my family and friends as a hobby, and many of them say I should consider serving and making my talents known to the public. I know this is something I want, but many factors and considerations go into having a business. I one day hope to get my LLC, so I can make my dreams into a reality and let the world know about my delicious delicacies. The William A. Stuart Dream Scholarship will benefit my goals because each goal achieved is another step into my future. This scholarship can cover many necessities I need to be a successful scholar. Books, uniforms, and part of my tuition can be taken care of. I consider scholarships as a way to help my family more than me. Any dollar that doesn’t come from my family can help them further support my sister and themselves. My father was just recently diagnosed with pneumonia and the treatment expenses are already a burden on him, which forces my mom to be the primary person to handle bills. I grew up with 2 loving parents who always went above and beyond for my education, but I want to be able to take a lift away from my family and get the support I need for college. College is not the end! Just like Bill, I always set a standard for myself and goals to achieve. I want to be able to complete college and be the change I want to see in my community.

Mental health is not a trend! Mental health is not a personality! Mental health IS a diagnosis, a cry for help, a disturbance to personal well-being. I was first introduced to mental health in middle school when the district implemented a mandatory class that all students must take. In all honesty, I thought it was boring, but as I got older and started experiencing uncomfortable situations, I realized that mental health needs to be prioritized and taken seriously. I believe mental health is important because it’s the basis for simple human functioning. I do dual enrollment for nursing, and we learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. It’s a concept of what is most important to human needs. The priority is living, but as the research continues, the psychological needs come next. All of this is to say I disagree! I can recall times when me and my family didn’t have the “basic needs of living” but with love and compassion for each other, we thrived and were happy to be around one another. Mental health is also important because it creates a positive community. I live in the middle of an urban and suburban community, and the difference in activity is very visible. When I’m in the urban community, the people are more disoriented and not aware of their reality. When I’m in the suburban community, the people are more natural acting. It’s very sad to say, but the people in the suburban community reach out to help the urban community, but the people are so oblivious to help and don’t want any. Communities can only help so much, but it all starts at home. If we as people support ourselves and make sure our household is loved and nurtured properly, we can avoid adding more people to the statistics. Throughout my years of schooling, 7th grade was the worst. I was a hardworking and involved student, but somehow, when I took home a bad grade, my mom would always yell and scold me. I could slowly see myself declining. I was so adamant about being “perfect” that I was burning myself out. I can testify I cried 5 out of the 7-week days. It was getting draining trying to be “perfect”, especially when you think you did all you could have done. My anxiety was at an all-time high. I was avoiding my friends and isolating myself from childhood. One way I would calm myself down was by listening to music. Even now listening to music is my outlet for stress. The beat just flows through my body and the lyrics resonate with how I feel, acknowledging my feelings. Now that I’m older, some of my favorite ways to maintain positive mental health are dancing, doing self-care, and taking drives to the park where I can just enjoy nature. It’s a fun saying on TikTok that says “I have to put me first” and the creator is absolutely right. Mental health is all about being selfish. I make sure to evaluate my well-being first before I help anybody else.

It’s kind of hard to name the next phase of my life because the next steps are unexpected. With so much unexpectancy, I would name my chapter “The Start of the Beginning”. I chose this name for my chapter because the years of childhood are soon to end, and I will now have to transition into adulthood. How do I file taxes? How long do I cook the pot roast? Why does the car sound like that? While there are so many questions that need to be answered, graduating from high school has brought me many cool experiences and pushed me to my limits. If there is anything senior year has taught me, it’s that you have to do things yourself if you want them done. With that being said, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and now I’m learning how to navigate through my future. Nobody is perfect in life. There isn’t a guide on how to navigate life, but there are experiences in my past that teach and humble me on how to be an asset to society. For example, I’m currently in dual enrollment for nursing. Volunteering is a part of our curriculum. My class goes to a nursing home every week. I have catered to many different people and even had to care for the ones who moved on. With all this being said, I may face some very scary and different situations, but that is life, and it’s officially going to start. If I can be honest… I am scared to grow up, not because of wrinkles and bad eyesight, but because I’m unsure if I’ll succeed. Yes, I can have good schooling, a good job, and all the things parents preach about, but our society is becoming harder to live in, especially with me as an African American female. I’m part of the minority who have to deal with unwanted tribulations. The fear of failure has been ingrained in me because I have seen too many people I love go the wrong path and I want to be the one in my family to prove we can do right and make something of ourselves. Aside from the negatives, I’m excited to see what life has to offer. I want to put myself in a position where I can be successful and provide for my family. After high school, I want to major in diagnostic medical sonography using my degree to help people, especially minority patients, because we are often overlooked and unseen. My parents are my biggest supporters, always going the extra mile to make sure I succeed in school, so to be wealthy financially and intellectually, where I can support them, is what keeps me going.

College is a milestone for many, it's something you look forward to growing up and look back on as you go through life. Growing up I was always a knowledge-driven student I was always at the top of my game when it came to my academics and it's paying off for me now as a current senior and upcoming college student. When I graduate from high school I'm going to pursue my study at Nova Southeastern University majoring in diagnostic medical sonography and minoring in leadership. After my studies, I want to earn my bachelor's so I can be a sonographer and use my minor to push me as a community leader and be productive in volunteering. I also run a small treat business where I cook and sell to close family and friends so I hope I find the resources to make my small hobby into a big reality. What encourages me to work so hard is my great-grandmother who passed away my sophomore year. My grandma left too soon so I want to work hard to establish a win for both of us. I grew up in a religious family and I always think of the quote “God gives his toughest battle to his strongest soldiers”. I can resonate because I have done a lot of things that contributed to my character development. It was my junior year of high school and my dance team was present at the football game ready to perform. We did such a wonderful show and got a standing ovation. I came off the field feeling so proud of what I'd just done but yet something seemed off about the atmosphere. My team sat down in our spots observing the game when moments later shots were fired by the football field. To make a long story short 1 person dead, 2 injured, MANY disturbed. While I didn't know anybody that was hurt I still suffered my issues. The football game made me very paranoid even to this day I get very anxious in loud and wild settings. School is not the same for me any more drills are no longer drills. This incident made the school a very uncomfortable place to be. With the support of my friends, the admin, and my family I push through and live my senior year to the fullest but I just can't get over the fact that a place that many kids see as a refuge has turned into 8 hours of uneasiness. Overcoming adversity has pushed me towards my goals because it made me want for my life. The city I live in doesn’t want to see people win and I have to make it my mission to move and create a new life for me. I want to take myself to a place where I can trust my community and go to events in peace. Also not only for me but I want to be a provider for my family and show them we don’t have to be a product of our environment.

Everybody is born with a fear. It can be something innocent such as clowns or something a bit more serious such as car crashes. I could go all day long about what scares me but that would take up half of this essay. One significant event in my life that has scared me was a football game. It all happened mid-fall the air was cool and the leaves were crisp. Our school was hosting one of its weekly football games (this was an especially big game because it was against our rival school). I was in attendance at the game because I’m a part of a dance team that performs with the band. The game was going pretty swell in the beginning. First quarter we were up, second quarter we were still holding on to the win, I got to perform half-time with my team, and third quarter is where everything came to a halt. The band was playing a crowd favorite and all I can remember was sitting down in my chair and hearing loud pops, the realization finally settled in that a gun was being fired. It was chaos people were screaming and running everywhere, I quickly jumped a fence to reach safety. My mind was clouded trying to gain understanding in the middle of an uproar. If I hadn’t understood the definition of fear before I sure knew of it that day. Fear shouldn’t be seen as a barrier but as an approach! Some days I feel paranoid or feel obligated to look over my shoulder, but that is not how I want to live. This tough experience has presented me with a new outlook on life. I embrace my knowledge, resiliency, and my ability to support others. The role that fear has played in my life is that it encouraged me to not take things for granted. Unfortunately, 1 person died and a few people were injured from the situation, 1 of the victims being a close relative to my teammate. Seeing the pain she felt made me realize how grateful I am for life and opportunity. There are people my age who won’t get to graduate, celebrate prom, or live their life to the fullest but I’m appreciative to see another day and be able to make the most out of it. Fear has encouraged me to be a haven for others. For example, there are people on the streets who FEAR how they will support and feed their children, people like me go out and provide relief to these families so there are no fears or burdens. There are kids who FEAR they’ll fail/struggle with school, however, I come and provide the guidance and structure students need to be successful. With all this being said having a fear is a traumatic situation one experiences so they can reflect and do better for themselves or the next person. Now oftentimes times fear is seen as a reason to hide. For example, I could have quit the dance team and not want to attend any more school sporting events, but then I would be hindering myself from opportunities and experiences throughout life. I remember my fourth-grade teacher telling me a really inspiring quote “Today is a good day to have a great day”.The quote really stuck with me because it influences you to have a positive outlook on your day rather than let one bad scenario influence the whole flow of productivity. Don’t get me wrong fear is inevitable, there will be uncomfortable situations to come but I am the dictator of my life, and living in fear will only hinder me from seeking asylum for my mental health and peace. All in all, fear has given me a drive it didn’t suppress me from living life but instead instilled resilience in me wanting to provide and be a change for my community. The aggressor is the only fearful factor in this situation but I live on to face my fears.

The dream version of my future self will be the example my past self always wanted (strong, successful, and confident).

The sport of soccer is so underrated. It’s a sport that competitively brings friends together. I first started playing soccer in the 4th grade as an afterschool activity, but as the years went on, I started to take it more seriously and enjoy it. My favorite part about playing soccer is learning new skills. I’m always open to learning new techniques on the field because it will help me grow as a player. With anything you do in life, there will be haters and there will be supporters. One bad experience that I encountered while playing soccer was that a soccer parent was bullying me and my teammates on the sideline. The parents mocked our playing skills, called us slurs (because we are a predominantly Black/Hispanic team), and even had the audacity to criticize my teammate's weight. Me and my team were frustrated, causing us to make silly mistakes during the game. What I learned from this bad experience is how to conduct myself and ignore ignorance. In this instance, we let the parents win because all they wanted to do was get into our heads and cost my team the game. This experience shaped me as a person because it made me realize the world I live in. Everybody envisions what kind of utopia they want but mine is just not gonna happen, people are gonna call me things and disrespect me because of things I can’t control, but it’s OK because I take that negative energy now and put it on the field. Soccer is a very competitive and high-energy sport. Besides winning games, my favorite experience with soccer is bonding with my team. My team and I did summer conditioning, bus sing-alongs, and even had a team dinner to celebrate our season. My favorite memory with my team is playing a game where we had to pass a soccer ball using our feet only while sitting on the ground. The game really challenged us and motivated us to work as a team. I enjoy the moments spent with my team because it develops teamwork. It’s one thing to have a soccer team, but it’s another level when you have a soccer family. Spending time together and getting to play with such a mixed group of individuals allows us to learn from each other and makes an impactful team. Soccer can bring the best or worst out of people, but in the end, it’s all for the love of the sport. I appreciate how soccer has molded me not only into a better player but a better person. I’ve developed self-discipline and created sisters for a lifetime.

There are many perceptions of being a leader. A leader, in my eyes, is someone who is responsible enough to efficiently guide a group. Sometimes, people can be leaders but they don’t make the best decisions. What makes me a leader is that I stay on top of my game and don’t let my colleagues who I govern pull me down. For starters, all good leaders start off as a student. Being thrown into a position without any experience is a hypocritical leader in my eyes. I believe starting from the bottom instills a sense of humility so that when put forward as a leader, this aura of cockiness doesn’t rub off. Also making me a good leader is my independence I’m not the person to seek answers but more so the person to lean on. Showing independence is a good trait to have, because when in tough situations you have to conduct yourself appropriately and know what to do even when nobody else has a clue about what to do. It’s no coincidence that leaders have to lead. I’m also an exceptional leader because I’m always at the forefront of my group, but there is a balance you must maintain to lead the way and also make sure nobody is left behind. Being a leader can sometimes be overwhelming, but that’s why I’m a good leader I don’t fold under pressure but instead take what’s dragging me down as a source to build me up. To move forward, I’m a strong authority figure. I enjoy the aspect of providing help to those who need it. Some of my experiences of being a leader started as far as elementary school. In elementary school, I was inducted into the National Honor Society and was elected secretary, in middle school I was inducted into the National Honor Society and elected chaplain, and currently I’m on my school’s dance team JHS Elite and I’m the Co-Captain. I pride myself on always being involved with any organization I’m in because it displays my dedication to the program. It’s not just a title or popularity game but an actual position to provide services to others. There have been times when I ran for positions and came up short, but what makes me a leader without actually being one is knowing I’m a leader at heart and that I can have an impact without actually having the leadership role. For example: speaking up on the leader's behalf, executing tasks, and providing assistance for the leaders. Adding on, being a leader has its challenges. My biggest challenge as a leader is separating leader and friend. While I want to befriend my teammates and colleagues and not come off as mean, a certain part of me has to instill structure and productivity. I combat this challenge by intertwining work with fun. For example, since I’m Co-Captain of the dance team we review the dance routine by doing fun dance battles, but to still give the team a sense of work ethic if we mess up the dance routine we collectively do a workout together while encouraging each other. There’s a hierarchy of leadership. A leader can be like a dictator or in some cases be Laissez-faire but I keep it right in the middle making me a quality leader. In the end, what makes me a leader is my determination and resilience. Leaders have to lead even in the toughest situations and, while it may seem hard with a sense of courage and autonomy anything is possible.

Everybody has a story. Sometimes when doing these scholarships it’s often the battle of the saddest who can make the most sobbiest and sympathetic story. Well here is my honest story. I am a black female from Orlando, Florida. I attend Jones High School the first historically black school in Orlando. My hobbies are dancing, baking, and doing community service. If anybody who knew me could describe me in one word it would be determined. I’ve grown up a perfectionist There is this cortex of my brain that doesn’t allow me to leave something unfinished I always have to put forward the best work. When I complete high school I want to go to college to get my Bachelor In Diagnostic Medical Sonography. What’s so interesting about the profession is that you can help people with the power of technology the power of computers has really evolved healthcare and saved so many lives. How would money better your life? If many were faced with this question they would talk about the materialistic side of things buying the fanciest cars, jewelry, and the biggest house. From a very young age, my mother always told me “You can be rich with knowledge” being the most educated and least ignorant will put you farther than any sum of money. If I was faced with a large sum of money I would put it towards my education. College is a business tuition, books, dorms, and many other amenities must be paid for. Using the money for my education will put me through college and be able to put me in the right direction to fulfill my ambition. Also receiving the money would benefit my life temporarily but thinking long term it would better other people’s lives. I’ll be able to receive my degree and provide help to others. My biggest inspiration is my great grandma who had stomach cancer and it really opened my eyes to how a whole team of people from different professions can gell together to support one person. I want to give people the same support and care my great-grandma received. Another long-term goal is you have to expand the money you already have, I would also use money to better my life by finally fulfilling my passion for designing clothes. My friends and family have observed my talent for designing and I think with the proper funds I can turn my dreams into reality. Fashion is the best way for anybody to express themselves and there are some times fashion has changed my life so if I can provide that gift to others it would honestly make me feel good. To finalize my thoughts, I was instilled with humbleness from a young age and was always grateful for what I had. While I do want to have a better life I always embrace what I have because you never know anybody’s predicament.

I am a black female student from Jones High School (not to mention the first historically black high school in Orlando). My hobbies are dancing, baking, and volunteering within my community. A few of my many achievements are that I was inducted into honor society at all 3 school levels, an active member of Beta Club, and I’m currently in my last year of dual enrollment for licensed practical nursing and WHEN I finish and pass my exam I will be a certified LPN. When I finish high school I want to attend college to receive my Bachelors in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. With all that being said, I plan to impact the world through my career by giving back to the people who look like me. I believe that to get the most optimal care it must be from someone who understands you, kind of like mother and child, the mother will always know what’s best for their child. Black people need care from black professionals because we better understand each other. College is the time when people find themselves. It’s a thin line between teen and adult. One obstacle I’m anticipating for college is how I'll navigate responsibilities in college. Everything is self-sufficient. It will be all on me as a student to get prepared on time, transport to class, and provide myself with meals. The things I’d expect when I get home will not be easily accessible when I’m off to college. To overcome this obstacle is simply asking for help, many things I can do and learn on my own, but it never hurts to ask for help. Growing up, I was a perfectionist. I wanted to do everything myself and have it right on the first try, but as I’ve grown up I realized that I will not always have the answers and it’s better to reach out to somebody who does. Another obstacle I anticipate for college is keeping up. People who attend college always have a story about how they were a broke college student and, while things do happen, I want to avoid that at all costs. I’ll overcome college poverty by maintaining a source of income. Having a job is always the first option, but sometimes classes and extracurriculars can interfere with one’s work schedule. Even now, in high school, my schedule conflicts. If there’s one thing I know, people need services and tasks done. The easiest way to make some money is doing simple tasks for people, for example: doing hair, cooking meals, and designing school spirit to name a few. Simply doing what you love makes an income. My passion is dance. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old, diving into any genre you could think of tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and my personal favorite is majorette. What I love about dance is that it’s an all-around art form. You paint, design, and choreograph all in one sport. My ambition is to be a diagnostic medical sonographer, what gravitated me towards sonography is the cross between technology and healthcare I can use powerful tools to provide people with help. I specifically want to provide care to people who look like me, because black people should be more comfortable going to the doctor. White doctors often see us as money, but when providing care to people like me, I will always acknowledge them as a patient.

Many students around the globe are aware of the acronym STEM but times have changed and a new letter has been added to create STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics). After high school, I want to earn my associate's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) which involves all of the STEAM elements, I shall use my skills to improve the health of minorities. How though? I want to inspire and provide the necessary help minorities need. Everybody in school has at least once experienced the famous “what do you want to be when you grow up” question, but every time I would do research and look for information it would always be white doctors, white nurses, and black people who would have no significance unless they were the patient. Thankfully I’m living in a generation that preaches inclusivity so finding anything black is the norm now… but minorities can’t only be seen on TV and social media we have to apply ourselves to the world so the up-and-coming little boys/girls with darker flesh know black brilliance is out there. I would pretty much put it as a positive domino effect if a black child sees a black adult doing something they will want to lead and follow because they see somebody like them doing something interesting. Also, the coined term minority has been associated with black people but it doesn’t only have to be black people involved in the change we need more people of Latin, Caribbean, Native American, etc ethnicities to dominate all fields. Another way I would use my degree to help out minorities is by providing proper care and resources. On the site Statista we can observe that in the year 2017 white people had the highest rate of attending yearly checkups with 62% going up to 3 checkups, but if we look in the column of attending 0 checkups black people have the highest rate being at 20%. Being African American we have to encourage each other to participate in our health so that our population can thrive among the rest. Many things in the world are already killing us so we must be informed and have proper health literacy so signs don’t go unseen. Also, we must care for eachother, not in the sense of dignity but by doing the procedures on eachother. It is scientifically proven that the makeup of a white and black body is different, race is even a factor in some diseases. No matter how many studies these doctors put in some still can’t be trusted. We must get more minority healthcare providers so that we can ensure the safety of eachother, if we keep relying on these close-minded white people to operate on us we’ll just be the guinea pig… abuse of substance, loss of body parts, and denial of our pain. For example, in the story of Bruce Tucker whose heart was taken and transplanted without proper consent, those doctors saw him as a Potato head toy something that can be taken apart and picked around with but he was a MAN. There are standards to uphold and we must keep them upheld for one another. To close my thoughts, I would use my degree to have a strengthening influence and provide sufficient care to minorities. Having a degree is not just a flashy piece of paper to display your worth but it proves hard work and dedication, and I want to display those same qualities toward my people.

I am proud to be a part of an elite majority who know what their passion is after school, I’m even prouder to say I will impact the world by following my ambitions of providing to the minority public. When I graduate from high school I would like to attend a trade school to earn my degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). My way of impacting the world through sonography is by being an advocate for minorities. Where did my journey begin? I was in 8th grade completing an assignment for my STEM teacher and we received this exact same question “what career do you see yourself in?”. I love the excitement of the medical field but I always had a distaste for blood and needles, so discovering the skill of sonography opened up my world, it involves my two favorite things helping people and technology. The skill of sonography involves using sound waves to depict images of the body which can show: internal organs, soft tissues, fetal growth, kidney stones, and many more. The skill of sonography is often misunderstood for “helping pregnant women” but men also benefit from sonography as well it can check the prostate for cancer. The need for sonographers is in very high demand trailing at an increase of 14% by 2030, So by me obtaining a quality education I can and will be a part of that 14%. Impact? The word impact can be interpreted in many different ways. Impact to me is having an influence on someone or something (good or bad). I plan to make a positive impact on the world by helping minorities with the skill of ultrasound. African Americans/people of color are often undermined in healthcare whether they’re the patient or healthcare provider. People who look like me must be more present in the healthcare setting so our people can be more informed, African Americans are under the assumption that “if somethings wrong with you just eat crackers/drink ginger ale” but health must be taken more seriously because untreated diseases such as Uterine Fibroids (which is generally high in African American women) can cause death or even be spread for generations. More specifically how I want to help African Americans in sonography by utilizing my skill to detect certain cancers. Black people have the highest rate of cancer-related deaths as stated on KFF.org. Overall if more black representation is seen in the health setting more of our kind will be properly diagnosed and treated for. To close my thoughts, I am very comfortable with my career decision and how I’m going to get there. The medical field is the top field of helping people with no ifs, and, or buts. The will to provide for my kind of people and establish them with the proper health care they deserve is very touching to me. Writing for this scholarship not only gave me a chance to put myself out there but also express my passion of helping others.

Many people strive to attend a 4-year college and high-scale university but this scholarship validates to me and others that a trade school is an option. After high school, I want to endeavor more in the medical trade of sonography to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Sonography is the skill of using sound waves and high-tech equipment to form images of the body. This practice is very vital it can detect life, search for abnormalities in the body, and can even discover early signs of cancer. To begin, my ambition to become a sonographer started in 8th grade I knew I wanted to be in the medical field but plot twist… I’m scared of needles/blood. I did a bunch of research on how I can help lives while avoiding the gruesome part of it all. Sonography seemed very interesting because I enjoy technology and it mixes my passion for wanting to help people. Another reason I want to attend a trade school is to improve my self morale, as somebody who comes from a long line of colleges goers trade school is often shunned as a place for students with no other option. While I am a high excelling scholar at my school, trade school is just a more direct and efficient route in pursuing my career. If I was to attend a trade school I would be guaranteed to receive my associate's degree in 2 years compared to the 4-year college process. To reach deeper I would personally like to attend Miami Dade college. They have a great DMS program and the environment of the school still makes you feel like a big college but essentially obtaining a trade-level education. As observed on the Miami Dade College website the school DMS program as of 2020 had 27 graduates, a 96% retention rate, and 78% meaning 21 of the 27 graduates were able to land jobs. What I found interesting about the website is that the school themselves help you land work after college; people often have a degree and are left stranded to find work but being a part of a community that thrives for their students is what makes the experience even more rewarding. Trade school is often undermined but it’s proven people with trade skills make more money than a person who generally has a degree job. The yearly salary of a DMS is 75,040 dollars a year or if broken down 34.27 an hour, if we compare that to some degree jobs your making more than them. To finalize my thoughts receiving this scholarship would be a total honor for someone like me who has paved their decision in going to trade school. My route in doing trade will help me financially and it’s a quicker route to obtaining my education. People in trades are well respected and are the main aspects to provide for communities, they work from a local to the federal level.

As a 16-year-old female teenager, there is a lot of change occurring at once physically, mentally, and emotionally. I suffer from social anxiety and I’m very timid and shy when communicating with others. It was so bad I had a panic attack on my first day of sophomore year. One way that I’ve changed over the past year is by becoming more outgoing and expressive of my feelings. There are many situations that have tilted me to have a more open personality but the most inspiring was being hired for my new job. I was introduced to the workforce in April a few weeks after my 16th birthday. I’m currently hired at a popular fast food chain. The reason I sought personal growth from work was I finally experienced work and interacted with so many different people. I had trained myself to become a speaker for the company and provide good customer service. One day while I was still a trainee at the job and customers were getting so frustrated with me because I was so inexperienced. I started to shut down but the following customers told me something and changed me. The customers were an older son and dad duo immediately they could sense my new arrival at the restaurants. I took their order while stuttering and the dad goes to ask me “Are you new? Is this your first job?” I responded “Yes”. The dad proceeds to tell me “You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a good mind.”. So you keep on doing a good job.” Those words stuck with me because all the other customers were complaining and somebody finally acknowledged me aside from being a fast food worker but as a person outside of this job. So after that customer left I started taking orders with a new attitude and finally got the system of things down packed. To further highlight, I’ve changed by becoming more approachable to individuals. I usually stand off to the side and wait for help to come to me but I look for people just like me who are stuck in the corner and try to engage with them to open up. With that being said vice versa I look more approachable now many of my friends confessed they were scared to talk to me when they first met me but as time goes on people speak to me with ease. While I have CHANGED, there is still some growth to be done. Something about me that has remained constant is that I tend to let people walk over me and that’s where the anxiety comes into play I feel scared to express my true feelings because I don’t want to hurt the other person. While I’m still learning how to vocalize my point without it being interpreted as mean I’m understanding that sometimes things must be said so an outcome is achieved. In this one instance at school, I had a group project with a selection of people I didn’t know very well and as the “designated leader” I had to vocalize to my team members that we have to complete this project and get it done. To conclude, something that I learned about myself in this journey is that I shouldn’t be afraid to speak. I used to be in a sinking hole of withholding my thoughts or letting people steal my ideas but I can proudly say that I’m more verbal with the people around me. I also accepted the fact that everybody is not going to like you and it’s OK.

I remember hearing suitcases rolling on the ground early one morning, whimpering in the next room, and the phone ringing every 5 seconds with panic on the other line. It was the heartbreaking news of my great-grandmother dying. My mom had to leave early morning and drive 4 hours to Miami to grieve and prepare a service for my great-grandmother. We were aware of her condition but her health was like a wave she was up one day and down the next. My Ma, as we call her in my family has been in and out of health care facilities for a month straight and the feeling of her being released was a fresh start for all of us. No! Just a week after being out of the hospital she has gone into the hands of God. My great-grandmother was having her 3rd battle with stomach cancer yet. Her resilience with health is the same resilience I carry with me to create a successful future. My Ma has influenced me to focus more on my goals because she was always such a big supporter of me and my future. I’m enrolled in a medical magnet program to become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). Ma would always boast to her friends back home about how I was going to be a “doctor” and she would always ask me “when you finish school are you going to take care of me? I don’t want an evil caretaker.” in her soft Jamaican accent. I was already a good student at school but her loss has pushed me more I must pass this program so, I’m able to help people just like her. My Ma has been a vital part of my medical journey. There were days I would sit in the room and practice vitals/patient care on her. Seeing her enjoy being a part of the process is what makes me not quit. If I can make people smile like that in my career then it’s all worthwhile. The word fight is not about overcoming present problems but preparing yourself to overcome the future. Her fight has now become my fight I wake up every day ready to work so that I can make the lady upstairs proud of me.