I love plants, so much so that I might have a little obsession. As far as I can remember, there has never been a moment were I was not growing something; in fact, at the time of writing this, I am growing a garden right now. To me, plants aren’t just nourishing and beautiful; they have the potential to heal us. In high school, I was a dual-enrollment student, so I was enrolled in a college-level writing class. One of the assignments we were tasked with was researching ongoing global crises around the world and explaining what is being done to address them. I picked the opioid crisis because the topic of fentanyl was constantly spoken about on the news. Initially, I had only known one thing about the ongoing crisis: “Drugs are bad.” However, after completing my paper, I had a change of heart. Like every issue, there’s more than one side. Yes, some people purposefully abuse opioids, but many others become unintentionally dependent, which isn’t often spoken about, specifically, chronic pain patients. Because these individuals go through constant discomfort, they’re often prescribed opioids for relief. Opioids are extremely effective, but are also highly addictive. So, despite a patient following their prescription exactly, or even after a single use, they are still at risk of addiction, and many fall victim to the medication. This is where my idea comes into play. Medicinal plants such as aloe, elderberry, and turmeric offer powerful healing properties without the intense concentration or addictive risks of opioids. I am not claiming that plants are a perfect substitute for opioids or modern medicine as a whole. A lot of our medicine today is synthetic, and both natural and synthetic remedies have their pros and cons. However, due to their differences, I believe that combining the two can help improve pharmaceutical research, reducing harmful side effects and dependency risks. As a chemistry major, I am building a foundation that will allow me to investigate these possibilities at a molecular level. Specifically, I want to pursue a career in pharmacology or medicinal chemistry to study traditional remedies and how they can be combined with synthetic medication. By combining both worlds, I believe that we can help heal patients without putting them at any further risk. As a woman in STEM, I know the road will be challenging, but medicine should be the cure, not the problem. With this scholarship, I hope to help build the future of medicine: one that heals without harm and gives hope to those in pain.

Summer break was approaching, and I was at my local community center attending an event. Eventually, the husband of my mother’s friend approached me, saying, “How would you like to be a teacher for my Sunday school academy?” Stunned by the question, I replied, “Uhh…sure.” “Great! I'll let you know when we start.” What did I just get myself into? I had never taught a day in my life, and now I was going to be teaching children at a Sunday school. Before I knew it, Summer had arrived, and I was waiting in a small classroom for my new students to come. Fortunately, the material I was responsible for teaching them was something I already knew. However, as they say, “not everyone can teach.” But during the spring while I was waiting for the academy to start, I reflected over my impulsive decision concluding that teaching my future students how to engage with what they were learning was about more than just the material—it was about helping them feel seen, supported, and confident in who they were, so despite my nerves I took my new position seriously because I believed in the good that would come out of it even if it just impacted one individual. Students began to trickle in one by one until all of the seats were full. “Good morning, everyone, my name is Zaynab, and I am going to be your Sunday school teacher this Summer!” I could see the eagerness in some of them and the shyness in others, and in that moment, I knew I wanted each student to feel welcomed and supported no matter where they were starting from. Throughout the Summer, I worked to create an environment where children not only learned but felt included. The academy taught me that inclusion was not just about being in the classroom, but having a sense of belonging. To ensure this, I made an effort to engage with each student, listen to their questions, and celebrate their accomplishments, no matter the size. By the time the Summer was over and Sunday school was coming to an end, I realized that I had helped strengthen my community. Children who came in doubting their abilities were now leaving with confidence in themselves. Students who were afraid to meet new kids now had new friendships. Collectively, every student in my class had grown from the person they used to be in the beginning, and now they were heading out into the world with a stronger sense of self and community. However, the students were not the only ones leaving changed; I was too. I went in with no experience whatsoever and came out with a love for teaching. I developed skills like patience and clear communication, qualities that are vital not only the classroom, but in healthcare and research. That experience made me realize that my goal is to support and improve people's lives. Today, I am a second-year college student pursuing my dreams of becoming a pharmacologist with a focus on addressing the opioid crisis. The widespread misuse of opioids and their harmful side effects has inspired me to pursue research that leads to safer, more effective alternatives. By combining both worlds, of natural and synthetic medication, I believe that we can help heal patients without putting them at any further risk. With this scholarship, I hope to help build the future of medicine: one that heals without harm and gives hope to those in pain.

I love plants, so much so that I might have a little obsession. As far as I can remember, there has never been a moment were I was not growing something; at the time of writing this, I am growing a garden right now. Plants don’t just feed us, they have the potential to heal us. In high school, I was a dual-enrollment student, so I was enrolled in a college-level writing class. One of the assignments we were tasked with was researching ongoing global crises around the world and explaining what was being done to address them. I picked the opioid crisis because the topic of fentanyl was constantly being spoken about on the news. Initially, I had only known one thing about the ongoing crisis: “Drugs are bad.” However, after completing my paper, I had a change of heart. Like every issue, there’s more than one side. Yes, some people purposefully abuse opioids, but many others become unintentionally dependent, which isn’t often spoken about, specifically, chronic pain patients. Because these individuals go through constant discomfort, they’re often prescribed opioids for relief. Opioids are extremely effective, but are also highly addictive. So, despite a patient following their prescription exactly, or even after a single use, they are still at risk of addiction, and many fall victim to the medication. This is where my idea comes into play. Medicinal plants such as aloe, elderberry, and turmeric offer powerful healing properties without the intense concentration or addictive risks of opioids. I am not claiming that plants are a perfect substitute for opioids or modern medicine as a whole. A lot of our medicine today is synthetic, and both natural and synthetic remedies have their pros and cons. But because of their differences, I believe that combining the two can help improve pharmaceutical research to reduce harmful side effects and dependency risks. As a chemistry major, I am building a foundation that will allow me to investigate these possibilities at a molecular level. Specifically, I want to pursue a career in pharmacology or medicinal chemistry to study traditional remedies and how they can be combined with synthetic medication. By combining both worlds, I believe that we can help heal patients without putting them at any further risk. As a woman in STEM, I know the road will be challenging, but medicine should be the cure, not the problem. With this scholarship, I hope to help build the future of medicine: one that heals without harm and gives hope to those in pain.

From an early age, I have been fascinated by the workings of the human body and the impact that medicine has on people’s lives. This curiosity, combined with my passion for science and helping others, has fueled my desire to pursue a career in healthcare as a pharmacologist. My goal is to contribute to the development of life-saving medications and ensure that communities, especially those underserved, have access to effective and safe treatments. One of the key reasons I have chosen pharmacology is my interest in the relationship between drugs and the human body. Medications play a crucial role in disease management, pain relief, and overall health improvement. However, many conditions still lack effective treatments, and disparities in healthcare access persist. By becoming a pharmacologist, I aspire to contribute to the research and development of innovative therapies that can improve patient outcomes and bridge these healthcare gaps. Another driving factor in my decision to enter healthcare is my experience working with various communities through mentorship and service initiatives. Through my involvement with Each One Teach One Academy, the Triad Muslim Youth Council, and my role as Chairperson of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) Sisters Faith Committee, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that knowledge and support can have on individuals. I want to bring this same dedication to the healthcare field by advocating for patient education and ensuring that people are informed about their medication options, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence to treatment regimens. As a woman entering the healthcare industry, I recognize both the challenges and the unique opportunities that come with my position. Women have made significant strides in science and medicine, yet gender disparities still exist in leadership roles and research representation. I am determined to be a part of the movement that continues to break barriers, inspiring other young women to pursue careers in healthcare and STEM fields. By actively engaging in research, mentorship, and advocacy, I hope to create pathways for future generations of women in pharmacology. Moreover, representation in healthcare is critical to addressing health disparities, particularly in marginalized communities. Many patients feel more comfortable seeking care and guidance from professionals who understand their cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. As a Muslim woman in pharmacology, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive healthcare landscape where diverse perspectives lead to better patient-centered solutions. Ultimately, my pursuit of a degree in healthcare is driven by my desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Whether through groundbreaking pharmaceutical research, ensuring equitable access to medications, or inspiring future women in STEM, I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to enhance healthcare outcomes. My journey is just beginning, but I am eager to take the next steps toward making a lasting impact in the field of pharmacology.

"That's so difficult," "Wow, are you sure you want to do this?" and "Maybe consider something else." As a young woman pursuing a career in STEM, I have had my share of negative comments and doubts from others about my abilities in such a rigorous field. Unfortunately, for them; these comments only further my drive. I aspire to pursue a career in pharmacology because I believe that we should strive to reduce the harmful side effects of medication so it serves as a solution, not a problem. I'm passionate about STEM because it unlocks a new world of understanding. When you can understand, problems start becoming solutions. Therefore, by better understanding traditional pharmaceuticals, the human body, and natural substances, I aspire to create better medications with reduced side effects. My involvement in extracurricular STEM activities such as taught me to speak up and ask questions more. As a member of the Chemistry Club, I was able to attend my university's research showcase. Many students of chemistry-related backgrounds came together to show their current projects, however, as a freshman, I had no idea what anything was; it was like they were speaking a different language. Because I knew this was a great learning opportunity I spoke up. Sometimes people view asking questions as something to be ashamed of, however, I see it as a form of growth. Asking questions shows you're engaged in the material and want to learn more. By moving past my initial fear of judgment I was able to get a better idea of what I wanted to study and learn about the resources the campus had available for it. The ability to ask questions has developed my leadership skills by fostering my critical thinking and problem-solving. Asking thoughtful questions allows me to identify issues much more efficiently rather than relying solely on my limited expertise. In my career, I plan to use this skill to lead research teams effectively. I'll be able to ensure that all voices are heard and that challenges are approached from multiple angles allowing us to work diligently and functionally.

One significant challenge I face in pursuing a degree in chemistry is dealing with people's negative comments about the subject. When I tell people what I am majoring in, their faces change as if they had seen a ghost. "Why would you want to study such a hard subject," "OMG you must hate yourself," and "Majoring in chemistry is insane." While these comments may sound harmless to some, to me, they can be disheartening especially when I am being challenged with the current material. To overcome this, I remind myself that I am pursuing this degree for myself, not to please those around me. To me, chemistry is like magic. It is fascinating how combining different elements can create entirely new substances with their own individual properties. Therefore, because of this magic-like essence, I want to contribute to the development of medicine. Medicine is what we turn to when we want to be cured. However, often, the side effects attributed to the prescribed medication make us worse. I firmly believe that medicine should be the cure, not the problem. Therefore, I want to contribute to the development of medicine by researching the benefits of combining holistic remedies with traditional pharmaceuticals. With the gentleness of natural remedies and the immediacy of conventional medicine, I believe treatments can be both effective and less taxing on the human body. In the STEM field representation is essential as it leads to progress. Having individuals come together from various backgrounds brings new experiences and perspectives that would otherwise be overlooked in a homogenous group of people. This diversity fosters innovation because different viewpoints can be challenged and bring about creative solutions. For example, coming from firsthand experience as a Black Muslim woman my culture and faith influence the way I solve problems and create solutions. In chemistry and medicine I prefer not to just consider the scientific data, but also the ethical implications. Having these varying values and perspectives in STEM, like mine, not just improves the solution process, but expands the audience that benefits from these innovations. A varying perspective, however, is not the only thing I plan on brining to my field. In my field, as a chemistry major, I hope to increase diversity and inclusion by breaking stereotypes. As a Black Muslim woman, unfortunately, many people do not expect us to be in rigorous scientific fields as they are primarily dominated by the White male population. This lack of representation often leads to the assumption that Muslim women or women of color are not suited for demanding fields like medicine and chemistry. However, I plan to break stereotypes by excelling in chemistry and serve as a representative for those who may not see themselves in the field. By showing that chemistry is not limited to one demographic I hope to inspire other Muslim women and women of color to pursue their dreams and goals despite what society may think and serve as a silent voice that says, "You can do it too."

My hands-on experience with AI has been to use it as a reference for research. AI has become popular for many high school, college, and professionals as it serve as a quick go to resource for information. AI is more advanced and informative than google. However, science has always been a passion of mine, therefore, upon graduating from high school, I made the decision to attend college at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC-C). At UNC-C, I chose to major in their chemistry honors program, which is a STEM field that often lacks diversity. Although this is my first-year living on a college campus, I have embarked on learning various things as it relates to STEM in which AI has been very useful in helping me to create study plans for quizzes, providing note taking strategies and outside of school AI is creating new jobs for people. Nevertheless, while in school, AI has been instrumental in reducing my stress and anxiety levels. Upon receiving my undergraduate degree, it is my ultimate goal to obtain my doctorate in pharmacology. I see myself making a serious impact in this field by learning as much as I can while working towards getting my undergraduate degree by participating in research activities, collaborating with professionals within the industry, and utilizing my professors as resources to advance to the next level of my educational career. It is also imperative for me to continue to be active in my community, therefore, being an advocate of healthcare for those who are most underserved and underrepresented is essential to my educational journey. Once I have successfully achieved my goal in receiving my doctorate in pharmacology, the impact I would make in this field as a pharmacologist is to enhance modern medications. Perhaps, there will be times I would be able to use AI to obtain important information for my research in order to accomplish this goal. Nevertheless, the impact of improving medication would more so be to lessen the many side effects that exists in medications. When it comes to the side effects in medicines, it often create more medical problems in people over time than healing them of the issues they were dealing with originally. Often times the medications prescribed are simply part of a treatment and not a cure. Whereas, by resolving this matter, it would create a better quality of life for our overall society.

Growing up in a close-knit community in Greensboro, NC, I have always been surrounded by the love and support of my family. Despite our modest financial circumstances, my parents prioritized education and community service, encouraging me to dream big, work hard, and be of service to others when needed. However, like many others, our family faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which tested our resilience and resolve. This period of adversity not only shaped my character but also solidified my passion for pursuing a career in pharmacology—a field through which I hope to make a meaningful impact on the world. I was born into a family that has always valued education, their faith, and community service as a means to improve one’s circumstances. My parents worked tirelessly to provide for my siblings and me. Growing up, I witnessed their struggles to make ends meet, often working multiple jobs to ensure we had the essentials. Often they would get laid off and would be without work for months. Despite our financial challenges, they instilled in me the importance of resilience, faith, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge. The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point in my life. Like many families, we faced heightened financial insecurity as jobs became scarce and uncertainty loomed. My parents’ work hours were significantly reduced, and our family income took a major hit. This situation forced us to make difficult choices and sacrifices, such as cutting back on non-essential expenses and relying on community resources to get by. Watching my parents navigate these challenges with strength, positivity, and determination inspired me to confront adversity with courage and perseverance. In addition to financial challenges, I also faced personal adversity in the form of anxiety, which was exacerbated during the pandemic. The uncertainty and isolation of lockdowns, coupled with the pressure to excel academically, took a toll on my mental health. However, through therapy, mindfulness practices, and support from my family and friends, I learned to manage my anxiety. This experience taught me the importance of mental health and the value of seeking help when needed. My interest in science began in middle school, where I learned about the complex interactions between chemical compounds and biological systems. This curiosity led me to explore careers within the STEM field, where I discover pharmacology and saw the potential to make a tangible impact on people’s lives by developing medications that alleviate suffering and improve health outcomes. The pandemic highlighted the critical role of pharmacologists and researchers in combating global health challenges. I was inspired by the quick development of vaccines and treatments. This reaffirmed my desire to contribute to this important field and fueled my ambition to pursue becoming a pharmacologist. Despite the financial and personal challenges I faced, I remained focused on my academic and career goals. I took advantage of local STEM camps and fairs to supplement my education and prepare for college. My perseverance paid off when I was invited to the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists conference to receive the Academic of Excellence award and accepted into a competitive honors program in chemistry at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In college, I am determined to build a strong foundation in chemistry and pharmacology, engaging in research opportunities and internships to gain practical experience. I am particularly interested in studying drug interactions and developing innovative therapies for chronic diseases. My goal is to work at the intersection of research and patient care, using my knowledge to develop ways to lessen the many side effects found in medications to improve the quality of life for individuals around the world. As a future pharmacologist, I am passionate about addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring equitable access to medications. Additionally, I am committed to advancing research in personalized medicine, which tailors treatments to individuals based on their genetic makeup and specific health needs. By focusing on personalized approaches, I aim to contribute to the development of more effective and targeted therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. In addition to my professional goals, I am passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. I believe that representation and mentorship are crucial in encouraging young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM fields. By sharing my journey and experiences, I hope to inspire others to overcome adversity and pursue their passions, just as I have. Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the challenges and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today. The adversity I faced, particularly during the pandemic, taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, faith, determination, and the importance of mental health. My passion for pharmacology is rooted in a desire to make a positive impact on the world by developing innovative therapies and advocating for equitable healthcare access. As I embark on this next chapter of my life, I am excited to contribute to the field of pharmacology and work towards a future where everyone has access to the medications and healthcare they need to thrive. Through hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

As I embark on my new journey to college, my plans are to study chemistry at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC. While there I plan to be committed to my studies as well as educational opportunities that will assist me with building my knowledge and professional network. Also, I plan to become actively involved in campus organizations that match my career goals and interests such as chemistry club, student government, and possibly a sorority. Once I have obtained my bachelor's degree in chemistry, I plan to attend graduate school in order to earn my doctorate and ultimately become a pharmacologist. As a pharmacologist, it will be my goal to work for a prestigious company where I will be able to conduct research and collaborate with others in the field to discover a way to lessen the many side effects that exist in medication. By fulfilling this goal, I will perform an innovative act that will help individuals to heal without prolonging their diagnosed illness in addition to developing a new illness produced from the side effects of their prescribed medicine. To enhance modern medicine will be a life changing discovery for the industry as well as for our society. To receive the "Bright Lights Scholarship" would be a great honor. With the cost of tuition being extremely high, this scholarship would help to alleviate some of my financial stress of paying for books, fees, and tuition. It would allow me the opportunity to direct more of my focus on my studies with less of a worry on paying for college. With it being my goal to graduate from school debt free, this scholarship will also help to decrease my future debt. Furthermore, this scholarship will offer me an advantage by showing how dedicated and hardworking I am with my education. It also will help to boost my resume and expand my professional network which will be a crucial part of the success of my career. Overall, being awarded this scholarship will serve as an incredible source of financial assistance for me to achieve my educational, financial, and personal goals. To reduce my financial debt burden associated with my desire to further my education will help to boost my confidence. Upon graduating from college, it will give me a clean slate of an opportunity to start my career as a pharmacologist without the awful burden of student loan debt.

As I reflect on my journey through school, my mother has played an instrumental part of my life. Since the day I was born, she has worked to make sure I felt supported and encouraged. She has always been my relentless cheerleader. Through my educational journey, she has been there to celebrate every achievement, big or small. At our school awards ceremonies, I would also hear my mother yell my name as she cheered me on. When it came to her display of pride and joy there were no boundaries. Her steadfast belief in my abilities have instilled in me a sense of confidence and determination to always strive for excellence. Aside from her encouragement, my mother has been my friend and mentor. Her wisdom and experience has provided me with guidance through the challenges of school. Her advice has been a guiding light that has helped me steer through tough decisions, select right courses, and set goals that were achievable. During the pandemic when everyone was quarantine and we were subjected to learn virtually, my mother was supportive in assisting me with getting through my anxiety and maintaining my honor roll status. She taught me ways to deal with the stress of being on lockdown through breathing and physical exercises. Due to her insights, my perspective have broadened and it has equipped me with the necessary tools to overcome obstacles and take advantage of opportunities. Moreover, my mother has made countless sacrifices to ensure my educational success. From sacrificing her own desires to support and provide for my academic goals. My mother's selflessness knows no bounds. Her sacrifices serve as a constant reminder of her unconditional love and dedication to my well-being, motivating me to make the most of the opportunities that is presented to me. Overall, my mother has been the foundation of my educational journey. She is always providing support, guidance, and love every step of the way. It is through her encouragement, mentorship, and sacrifices, she has allowed me to grow and have empowered me to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals. Her influence has shaped not only my academic success but also my character, instilling in me values of perseverance, determination, and gratitude. As I continue to pursue my educational aspirations of attending college to become a pharmacologist, I am forever grateful for the profound impact my mother has had and continue to have on my life.

Mental health is an integral aspect of human well-being, influencing our goals, relationships, and perception of the world. My own journey with mental health has been a multifaceted one, marked by experiences of anxiety, resilience, and empathy. Throughout the pandemic, I grappled with heightened levels of anxiety, but through the support of a counselor, I learned invaluable coping techniques. However, my perspective on mental health deepened even further as I witnessed my mother's struggles with depression and the challenges of aging. These experiences have profoundly shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world, illuminating the importance of empathy, self-care, and advocacy. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a wave of uncertainty and disruption, triggering a significant increase in anxiety for many individuals, myself included. As social distancing measures were implemented and the world grappled with the unknown, I found myself overwhelmed by feelings of fear and unease. The isolation exacerbated my anxiety, leaving me feeling helpless and vulnerable. Everyday tasks became daunting, and the future felt uncertain. Amidst this turmoil, I sought solace and support through counseling. Working with a counselor, I learned various techniques to manage my anxiety, including mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, and cognitive reframing. These coping mechanisms provided me with a sense of empowerment and control, enabling me to navigate the challenges of the pandemic with greater resilience and clarity. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of prioritizing my mental health and seeking support when needed. However, my journey with mental health took on new dimensions as I witnessed my mother's battle with depression and the complexities of the aging process. Seeing her struggle with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and isolation was heart-wrenching, and it prompted me to reflect on the stigma surrounding mental illness and the challenges of accessing adequate care, particularly for older adults. As I supported my mother through her journey, I became acutely aware of the need for greater empathy, compassion, and advocacy in addressing mental health issues within our communities. My experiences with mental health have profoundly shaped my goals and aspirations for the future. Inspired by my own journey and the challenges faced by my mother, I am passionate about promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and advocating for accessible and equitable mental health care. Although, I am committed to pursuing a career in chemistry and ultimately obtain my Doctorate in Pharmacology, supporting individuals and communities in their journey towards healing and resilience will always be a goal. Moreover, my relationships have been deeply influenced by my experiences with mental health. Through open and honest conversations with friends and loved ones, I have cultivated a supportive network of individuals who understand and validate my experiences. These relationships have been instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance, enabling me to navigate the ups and downs of life with greater strength and resilience. Furthermore, my understanding of the world has been profoundly shaped by my journey with mental health. I have come to recognize the interconnectedness of mental health with broader social, cultural, and environmental factors. The pandemic laid bare the disparities in access to mental health resources and highlighted the importance of addressing systemic barriers to care. Additionally, witnessing my mother's struggles has underscored the need for a holistic approach to mental health that takes into account the complexities of individual experiences and the broader societal context. In conclusion, my journey with mental health has been a transformative one, marked by challenges, growth, and resilience. Through the pandemic, I grappled with heightened anxiety but learned invaluable coping techniques through counseling. Moreover, witnessing my mother's battle with depression and the challenges of aging deepened my understanding of the complexities of mental health and inspired me to advocate for greater awareness and access to care. These experiences have shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world, highlighting the importance of empathy, self-care, and advocacy in promoting mental health and well-being for all.

1. As the eldest of two siblings and a high school graduating senior, I find myself at the threshold of a new chapter in life, brimming with aspirations and dreams. My passion for science, particularly chemistry, has been a guiding light throughout my academic journey. It's this love for science that propels me towards my goal of pursuing a major in chemistry and eventually obtaining a doctorate in pharmacology to become a pharmacologist. What motivates me is the boundless potential of scientific exploration and discovery. The prospect of unraveling the mysteries of the natural world, understanding challenging chemical reactions, and developing innovative solutions to improve human health ignites a fire within me. I am driven by the desire to make meaningful contributions to the field of pharmacology, advancing medical science and enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe. If I could do anything with my life, I would embark on a journey to explore the world's historical sites while simultaneously advancing modern medicine. Traveling to ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and museums would not only fulfill my thirst for knowledge but also provide invaluable insights into humanity's past. Additionally, I would use my expertise in chemistry and pharmacology to collaborate with researchers worldwide, seeking to develop new drugs, treatments, and therapies to combat diseases and improve healthcare outcomes for all. In this imagined pursuit, I see myself bridging the gap between the past and the future, leveraging the lessons of history to propel us towards a healthier and more enlightened tomorrow. 2. STEM, with its boundless realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, excites me for its endless possibilities and its power to transform the world. What draws me most is its potential to solve complex problems and improve lives through innovation and creativity. In the field of Information Technology (IT), particularly, I see a platform ripe for positive change. Through a career in IT, I envision leveraging technology to enhance modern medicine, specifically by addressing the pervasive issue of medication side effects. By employing advanced data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, I could contribute to the development of personalized medicine solutions. These solutions would aim to tailor treatments to individual genetic profiles and health conditions, minimizing adverse reactions and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Imagine a world where medications are precisely tailored to each patient, mitigating side effects and maximizing efficacy. With a job information technology, I believe I can make a tangible impact on global healthcare with this vision. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies, I aim to pioneer innovative approaches that revolutionize how we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Furthermore, my passion for improving human health extends beyond technological solutions. I aspire to advocate for ethical and equitable healthcare practices, ensuring that advancements in IT benefit all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. By combining my technical expertise with a commitment to social responsibility, I believe I can contribute to a world where healthcare is not only advanced but also accessible and inclusive for all. 3. Navigating the transition to virtual learning and coping with limited socialization during the pandemic presented one of the greatest challenges I have had to face. As someone who thrives on in-person interactions and cherishes the dynamic exchange of ideas in a classroom setting, adapting to remote learning induced a sense of isolation and anxiety for me. Despite these hurdles, I remained steadfast in my commitment to academic excellence. Maintaining a spot in the top 10% of my graduating class required resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to self-care. I implemented strategies to mitigate the negative effects of isolation, such as establishing virtual study groups, and participating in online forums to maintain a sense of connection with peers. Additionally, I prioritized my mental health by practicing mindfulness, seeking support from loved ones, and engaging in activities that brought me joy such as going for walks and riding my bike in the neighborhood. During this time I also discovered a new hobby of baking and crocheting. By focusing on self-care and maintaining a positive mindset, I was able to persevere through moments of uncertainty and anxiety. Ultimately, the experience of overcoming the challenges of virtual learning and limited socialization during the pandemic taught me valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. It reinforced the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support when faced with adversity. As I move forward, I carry these lessons with me, confident in my ability to overcome any obstacles that may arise in the pursuit of my goals.

Movies have the remarkable power to transcend mere entertainment, becoming profound catalysts for personal growth, introspection, and inspiration. Among the vast array of cinematic experiences, one film stands out as having the greatest impact on my life – "Dead Poets Society." Released in 1989 and directed by Peter Weir, this cinematic masterpiece has left an indelible mark on my perspective, shaping my values and influencing the way I navigate life's challenges. "Dead Poets Society" is set in an elite all-boys preparatory school, where a charismatic English teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams, inspires his students to seize the day and pursue their passions. The film explores themes of individuality, non-conformity, and the transformative power of literature and poetry. The impact of this film on my life is profound due to its ability to ignite a spark of rebellion against conformity and a desire to carve my own path. The character of John Keating serves as a beacon of unconventional wisdom, encouraging his students to break free from societal expectations and embrace the authenticity of their own voices. This resonated deeply with me, especially during a pivotal period of self-discovery in my late adolescence. One of the film's most iconic scenes features Keating instructing his students to stand on their desks, offering a new perspective on the world. This symbolic act challenges the conventional way of seeing things and encourages a fresh outlook on life. Similarly, the movie motivated me to question societal norms, expectations, and the predetermined paths that often constrain personal growth. "Dead Poets Society" also underscores the transformative power of literature and poetry. The characters in the film find solace and inspiration in the works of great poets like Walt Whitman and Robert Frost. Witnessing the characters' profound connection with literature, I was prompted to explore the world of books and poetry, discovering a reservoir of wisdom, empathy, and understanding that I hadn't fully appreciated before. This newfound appreciation for literature became a guiding force in my intellectual and emotional development. Moreover, the film's portrayal of the importance of mentorship and the impact of influential teachers left an enduring impression on me. The relationship between Keating and his students reflects the profound influence that educators can have on shaping minds and instilling a lifelong love for learning. This realization fueled my pursuit of meaningful mentorship in various aspects of my life, understanding the pivotal role it plays in personal and intellectual growth. The film's exploration of the consequences of conformity and the suppression of individuality also prompted me to reflect on my own life choices. It encouraged me to resist succumbing to societal pressures and to embrace the uniqueness of my identity. "Dead Poets Society" served as a gentle reminder that life is fleeting, and the pursuit of one's passions and dreams should not be delayed or compromised for the sake of conformity. In conclusion, "Dead Poets Society" has had an unparalleled impact on my life, shaping my worldview and influencing my choices. Through its powerful narrative, memorable characters, and timeless themes, the film inspired me to question societal norms, value individuality, appreciate the transformative power of literature, and seek meaningful mentorship. Like the characters standing on their desks in defiance of convention, this cinematic masterpiece has empowered me to embrace the extraordinary journey of self-discovery and personal fulfillment. As I navigate life's challenges, the lessons learned from "Dead Poets Society" continue to echo in my heart, urging me to seize the day and live authentically.

When I think of success, I think of a subjective concept, often molded by individual experiences, values, and aspirations. For me, success is not a destination but a dynamic, evolving process of continuous growth, learning, and fulfillment. It encompasses personal and professional achievements, emotional well-being, and meaningful connections. In this essay, I will delve into what success looks like for me and how the opportunity at hand aligns with my vision, facilitating the realization of my goals. To me, success begins with a profound sense of purpose and passion. It involves engaging in endeavors that resonate with my core values and contribute positively to the world. One aspect of success is the ability to find joy and satisfaction in what I do, transcending mere financial or material gains. Achieving this requires aligning my career with my passions and talents. The opportunity in question is a pivotal stepping stone toward this alignment, as it offers a platform for me to pursue a field that I am deeply passionate about. Moreover, success extends beyond personal fulfillment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Contributing to the betterment of society and leaving a positive legacy are integral components of my vision of success. This opportunity provides a unique avenue to channel my skills and efforts toward initiatives that have a positive societal impact. Through this, I envision not only personal success but also the empowerment of others, fostering a ripple effect of positive change. In the professional realm, success is synonymous with continuous growth and advancement. It involves pushing boundaries, acquiring new skills, and adapting to a dynamic world. The opportunity at hand is a gateway to honing my skills and gaining valuable experiences that are instrumental in professional development. It provides a platform for networking, mentorship, and exposure to diverse perspectives, essential elements for navigating the complex landscape of my chosen field. Financial stability is another facet of success that cannot be ignored. While not the sole determinant of success, financial security provides the freedom to pursue passions, support loved ones, and engage in philanthropy. This opportunity, with its potential for career advancement and financial rewards, plays a crucial role in securing my economic well-being, thereby contributing to my overall sense of success. Success is incomplete without a foundation of strong and meaningful relationships. Building and nurturing connections with family, friends, and colleagues are essential elements of a fulfilling life. The opportunity in question not only offers professional growth but also the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a supportive network that is vital for personal and career development. The collaborative environment presented by this opportunity aligns with my belief that success is not an individual pursuit but a collective journey. On a personal level, success involves achieving a balance among various facets of life. Striking this equilibrium requires a blend of self-care, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. The opportunity at hand, with its emphasis on holistic development, provides a conducive environment for cultivating these attributes. It offers resources and support systems that contribute to overall well-being, aligning with my vision of success as a harmonious integration of personal and professional life. In conclusion, success for me is a multifaceted journey encompassing purpose, passion, societal impact, professional growth, financial stability, and meaningful relationships. The opportunity before me is a key catalyst in realizing this vision. It provides a fertile ground for personal and professional development, aligns with my core values, and presents a pathway to contribute positively to society. As I embark on this journey, I am confident that this opportunity will be instrumental in shaping my version of success and enabling me to make a lasting and positive impact on both my life and the world around me.

When I reflect on what I am most passionate about it would be the opportunity to help others particularly those who are less fortunate. Throughout the duration of my childhood, my mother instilled in me and my siblings the importance of volunteering within the community. For years, I assisted local organizations by volunteering to feed the homeless, stock and organize food pantry shelves, and volunteer for a variety of tasks at local festivals and fundraising events. Having the ability to give in charity is quite rewarding and is not only a part of my morals and values but it is a major part of my faith too. Throughout my life, I have demonstrated perseverance with my education. I have always had a love for learning and exceling in all that I do in which I strive to do my best. Every school year I would make the honor roll which eventually led to my induction into the National Honor Society. Although I had experience some minor challenges during the pandemic with adjusting to the quarantine and virtual learning, I learned ways to overcome those set-backs in order for me to continue to persevere with my studies and remain a honor student. My perseverance would result in me receiving an Award of Academic Excellence from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientist at a Congress held in Boston, MA last summer. Upon graduating from high school, I intend to enroll in college in pursuit of my bachelor's degree in Chemistry. After receiving my bachelor's degree, I plan to further my education to graduate school to study Pharmacology, and possibly pursue my doctorate. It is my overall goal to further my education in order to become a Pharmacologist. A few years ago, I developed an interest in learning about medicines and how they actually work in the human body. I also developed an interest in why there are so many side effects in prescription drugs which we often see mentioned in commercials or in its literature. I always thought medicine was taken to help the issue but it seems medicines are more like a temporary fix that can possibly create more health problems for a person in the long run. With all of this in mind, as a Pharmacologist, it is my plan to positively impact the world by conducting research and discovering ways to improve modern medicine and lessen the harmful side effects that exist within them.

My mother had me to attend a Math and Science chartered school. When I entered middle school, I was enrolled in my first science class. The class different from other classes because it was very interactive with conducting research, dissecting animals, and learning the periodic table. During this experience, I would develop a love for science and all that it could do. Throughout my years in school, I enrolled in varying science courses like earth science, environmental science and chemistry and never did my love for the field waiver; instead, it grew. One summer my mother signed me up for a summer camp at UNC-Charlotte that was to prepare me for college. While I was initially reluctant to go, it would be the best decision I would make. The instructor would provide us with a STEM packet that showed tons of careers you can have in STEM. I was so shocked and excited to share this information with my mother. She would advise me to research a few of the jobs that were listed to determine the career I would like to pursue. I took the time to do so and the process was interesting in learning what the different science fields do to help our society. However, there was one field that truly peaked my interest and that would be pharmacology. Due to my interest in pharmacology, an extracurricular activity I participated in was a Pharmacy Camp which was quite insightful. I was able to visit different colleges in the area that had a pharmacy program. I was able to learn more about the STEM field as well as the perspective college and its programs. Additionally, I would volunteer to assist at a local STEM fair where I taught the youth how to make ice cream in a sandwich bag and how to make their own slime. Upon attending college, I see myself contributing to the advancement of STEM knowledge by studying to become a pharmacologist. As a pharmacologist, I would like conduct research and find a way to lessen the many side effects that exist in modern medication. The Morgan Stem Scholarship will support my goals and aspirations by providing financial means for me to attend college. The financial support from this scholarship will allow me to attend college without the worrying of paying for books, fees and materials; instead, it will help eliminate the stress of finance and enable me to successfully focus more on my academics.

Upon graduating from high school, it would be meaningful to receive the Nell's Will Scholarship to assist with the financial means of furthering my education through college. This scholarship will help to eliminate my worries about obtaining funds for school. Instead, it will provide me with comfort and ease that will allow me to focus more on my studies versus the financial aspect of things. I intend to attend college to major in Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences. It is my goal to further my education beyond receiving a bachelor's degree to become a Pharmacologist. As I establish a career as a Pharmacologist, I would like to research to discover ways to enhance modern medicine. One of the ways I would like to improve modern medicine is by finding a way to lessen the many side effects that exist in medications. Achieving this objective would be one of the ways I would pay forward with receipt of this scholarship in my future in addition to excelling in my studies while in college. When I reflect upon the adversities I had to overcome thus far, it would be the challenges I endured while in school as a result of the pandemic. I did not have the traditional experience of high school like many others before me. Much of my high school experience took place in my bedroom sitting in front of a small laptop for hours. For a while, there was a lack of in-person social interaction with my teachers and classmates. There was no opportunity to join school clubs or organizations, and there was no chance of attending school plays, dances and/or games. As a result of this worldwide lockdown, I would develop anxiety. I had a lot of fear and concerns that when I worried too much it would affect my breathing. Fortunately, I was able to receive professional help to assist me with getting through the challenge. I have always been an honor student yet this period of time was difficult for me to focus and make school a priority. However, with the help I received, I was able to overcome the adversity by journaling daily, going for walks in the neighborhood, doing breathing exercises, and obtaining a hobby which would be baking cookies, and homemade bread, and teaching myself to crochet. Throughout the odds, I also managed to keep my grades up to maintain my honor status in school. Today, things seem to be back to normal and I am looking forward to embracing the next phase of my life in college.

Throughout my years in school, I encountered being the new kid in school three times. The very first time was when my family and I relocated from North Carolina to Texas. I was attending a charter school that specialized in math and science. I was excelling, had some great friends and loved the school. As the new kid in school in Texas, I was able to attend another charter school that specialized in math and science. Although I was very shy and was trying to adjust to the new school, I was able to adapt and eventually found myself excelling in school and making some 'new' great friends. Several years passed and my family decided to relocate back to North Carolina. For the first time, I attended a public school which was very different for me in a lot of ways. Still, I managed to adapt and maintain good grades. After a semester at this school, my family decided to move to a different part of North Carolina which would be where we started before moving to Texas. While I was not able to return to the school I began years ago, I was enrolled in another public school which was much worse than the other public school I attended. However, I made the best of the situation by focusing on my studies and volunteering in the community. While I didn't make as many new friends in the public schools, I remained in touch with my friends in Texas. As "the new kid" throughout my years in school, has impacted my life in a way that I have learned the importance of adapting to change as it relates to people, environment and overall way of life. This experience has affected my life in which I am open to travel and open to new thoughts and ideas. It has allowed me to experience meeting and engaging with different people from various backgrounds and cultures too which has given me a much better respect and understanding of humanity. Additionally, having the ability to attend a school that specialized in math and science played an influential part in developing my love for science and it also impacted my decision to further my education by attending college to study chemistry or pharmaceutical science and become a pharmacologist. Due to the various changes, I endured being "the new kid", I would like to make a change to modern medicine by lessening the many side effects that exist in them.

Growing up my mother instilled in me and my two younger siblings the importance of charity. While charity should always begin at home, it is also important for it to extend out into the community. The morals and values my mother impressed upon me to give back and help those in need have become an important part of my identity. While in school, I volunteered for approximately two years at the Each One Teach One Academy as a Sunday School teacher. Additionally, I volunteered for the Muslim Youth Council as the President. In this role, I along with the other members assisted the community with various events such as food drives where we would feed the homeless and/or provide bags of groceries to those who were less fortunate. We would assist with organizing and stocking the shelves in the pantry regularly. We would assist in recruiting volunteers to assist with our large events like our community festivals where I helped with setting up and cleaning up as well as registration on the day of the event. At banquets, I would volunteer to serve the guests food during the event as well as help to set up and clean up for the event. As I reflect upon my years of service volunteering within the community, it has taught me the importance of being grateful for the things I have and also being humble. Furthermore, I have found myself being more inclined to assist those in need now that I have done it and it gives me a sense of satisfaction to have the opportunity to lend a helping hand and make a difference in someone else's life instead of my own. This experience has matured me in a way that has given me a different outlook on life where I find myself being less selfish and entitled and more giving and willing to help wherever I can. It has helped me develop skills in time management, leadership, and organizing. As for soft skills, volunteer service has taught me to be patient with others as well as with myself. From a spiritual point of view, volunteering is considered an act of performing good deeds which is highly favored by God. Having the opportunity to give back to the community has helped me grow closer to our Creator as it is a way of striving to do what is pleasing to Him and that has taught me the importance of having humility in life.

Throughout my years of school, I have been actively involved in volunteering with a few non-profit organizations. My faith as well as the morals and values my mother instilled in me drives me to want to make the time to give back to my local community. I have volunteered to do voice-overs for animation for a production company that publishes children's books. Additionally, I have volunteered to help with setup, breakdown and registration at local community festivals. At my place of worship, I served as the president of the youth council and assisted in stocking and organizing the food on the shelves within the pantry and I would often assist with any food drives they would host in feeding the community. For almost two years, I served as a youth instructor and mentor for our Sunday school. While all of the volunteer opportunities were meaningful, having the opportunity to educate and share my knowledge with the youth and have them showcase what they learned to their parents and community leaders during the end-of-the-year ceremony was priceless. As a result of my willingness to help in the neighborhood, I was honored with a Citizenship Award for my dedication and commitment to the community. Once I graduate from high school, it is my goal to attend college and study to become a pharmacologist. In becoming a pharmacologist, I would like to make a positive impact on the world by conducting research and discovering how to lessen the many side effects found in the medications people are prescribed to take for their health issues. As a younger child, I recall visiting my great grandmother and she would have so many medicine bottles on her kitchen table that she could run a pharmacy store. When I would watch television and medicine commercials come on they would always make a point to quickly give a rundown of the side effects associated with that particular drug. My mother takes a pill regularly for her blood pressure but if she continues to take it for a long time it will begin to affect her kidneys and she will be prescribed another drug to go along with her initial pill. I believe there is a way to minimize these effects that would allow people to not have to become so dependent on a series of medications. Discovering a way to lessen these side effects will give people a longer and healthier lifestyle.

Those who know me would say I am a laid-back, friendly, ambitious, and compassionate individual who knows how to get things done. Throughout my years in school, I have always been an honor student. I love to learn and I realized early on to get good grades you must put in the work and study. Still, I know it is always very important to have a balanced lifestyle of not just work but making time to do the things I enjoy such as playing video games, watching movies, crocheting, baking, volunteering in the community, spending time with loved ones and traveling when I can. Being the oldest of my two younger siblings, I learned the value of sharing as well as being a leader. Having to share various things with my siblings taught me to be patient, understanding, and unselfish. As a leader, particularly within the community, I learned to have integrity, respect, self-awareness, and open-mindedness. I served several years as the president of the youth council where I, along with its members, volunteered to help at local events like festivals, food drives, and exhibits. Being of service to my community is a part of my faith as well as my upbringing. After graduating high school, I plan to embark on the journey to college and study to become a pharmacologist. Upon graduating from college, I would like to make a positive impact on the world through my career as a pharmacologist to discover a way to lessen the many side effects that exist within the various medications people take daily to help with their diagnosed illnesses. With this breakthrough, I would hope that people will not need to be prescribed so many medications that often derive from taking one pill over some time. I recall visiting my great-grandmother and she would always have a table full of pill bottles that was to help with her different health issues. While having people in a society dependent on so many medications is more beneficial to the pharmacy industry, it would take a lot of research to lessen the side effects in medicines. Still, this positive impact on the world would improve healthcare and it would enhance the lives of people by lessening their chances of developing additional ailments and possibly adding years to their lives. To create such a solution would be an amazing achievement within the medical and pharmaceutical industry.

As I reflect on what inspires me to get involved in my community, I would have to say my faith along with the morals and values my mother instilled in me in giving back to those in need. Growing up, my family was always actively involved with volunteering at community events. They would make sure me and my two younger siblings were helping too. Whether it was a festival, clean-up day for an organization, or a local walk for a cause we would make time to lend a helping hand to ensure the success of the event while paying it forward. At my place of worship, we consistently host food drives in the community to provide those in need with bags of groceries and toiletries. When I am not assisting with the food drive, I volunteer time to stock and organize the pantry shelves of food. Additionally, I have been involved in the community as a Sunday school youth teacher for several years. Occasionally, I would serve as a mentor to young girls teaching them life skills like cooking, sewing and self-care. On a smaller scale, due to the many elders that attend my place of worship, often I would offer to assist some of the ladies to their car or into the building if they were carrying a lot of items or having trouble walking. To give is better than receiving and any time I can give in charity is inspirational as I know it is very pleasing to God and will be considered as a good deed. Also, being able to contribute to a cause and have fun, positive experiences is quite satisfying. As the president of our youth council, I influenced change in the community when I suggested that we have a day in September every year that we collaborate with other places of worship at one location and host a 'Day of Dignity' where we provide food, toiletry items, clothes, toys, shoes, free blood pressure and dental check-ups for the local community. As a result of this event, other nearby cities began to host a "Day of Dignity' too. This change helped thousands of less fortunate people and it also united a community that is comprised of different backgrounds, races, genders, and cultures for the common good. At our end-of-year ceremony, I was given a citizenship award for my dedication to the community and willingness to always help when needed.

Upon entering high school, I was quite excited to embark on this journey. A few months into my freshman year of high school, the world we once knew would come to an abrupt pause due to the pandemic known as COVID-19. Businesses and schools everywhere would be closed and people would be confined to their homes. I am a person who loves to learn in person. I had imagined my high school experience being filled with going to games, participating in school activities and clubs and making new friends. Instead, my experience would be subjected to sitting in my room in my pajamas focusing on a laptop daily. Over time I would begin to develop anxiety as it was a challenge to learn virtually and for socialization to be limited. Everyone in my home was annoying from being couped up in our home day in and day out. My mother would try to create fun activities for all of us to do and sometimes we would go for walks in the neighborhood or parks to get fresh air but nothing was like actually being in the classroom. Eventually, my anxiety increased and my mother had me meet with a therapist who would allow me to address my fears and concerns of going through this pandemic and I would also learn various breathing exercises that would help me get through the episodes. While I always took my schoolwork seriously, I would find myself not as engaged as normal. After a conversation I would have with my grandmother via Zoom, she advised me that this would pass and no matter what to stay focused on my well-being and education as those were things no one would be able to take away from me. After a few days, I began to take my grandmother's advice to heart and developed a routine of going for walks and doing yoga stretches before and after virtual class. I began to watch crochet tutorials on YouTube and developed the habit of crocheting which relaxed me. Additionally, I was able to maintain my status as an honor student by continuing to excel in school and not letting the challenges I was experiencing from adjusting to the new norm of the pandemic. Currently, we are back in the classrooms and it is my senior year of high school. Looking back over the past couple of years, the pandemic experience taught me the experience of making self-care a priority and how without doing so everything else could crumble around you.

For a few years, I lived in a rural area of eastern North Carolina where I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with my great-grandmother affectionally known as 'Mama". Her home was like my second home. Time spent with her was priceless as she would read books to me and teach me how to cook. One of the main things I enjoyed cooking was homemade bread and rolls. While some of our time was spent watching the soap operas and the Price is Right, we were able to share many conversations about her life and how things were different in the era she grew up in versus now. During this time I would learn so much about our family history too which included stories about my grandmother and mother. Eventually, my family and I would relocate miles away from my great-grandmother to Texas. The adjustment was slow but I managed to adapt and continue to excel with my studies. I met quite a few friends but my best friend would be my great-grandmother. She came from a period of writing letters so she would write me letters and would also call me every Sunday to see how I was doing. A few years ago, we were preparing for Winter break and the one phone call I will never forget turned into the most painful communication I could experience. My great-grandmother had passed away. I felt we had talked about every life topic but never talked about how to prepare for or deal with her leaving me. She was my best friend who truly understood me and who I could confide in. Over time, I got used to not receiving letters from her and anytime the phone rang on Sunday I would run to answer with the hope of hearing her voice one more time. I went through a period of feeling numb. My mother advised me to journal which I found to be therapeutic. For a while my schoolwork became meaningless. A few years had passed before I could overcome the loss of my great-grandmother. Time I would be alone I could reminisce on the many conversations we often had and she always would tell me to do good in school because an education is one thing no one could take from you. Hence, my education is one thing I take seriously and have maintained an honor student for years. As I embark on continuing my education to college after high school the life lessons my great-grandmother shared with me will always be a part of me too.

Throughout my years in school, my mother has always instilled in me and my two younger siblings the importance of volunteering and helping others in need. My mother would always sign up the family to participate in local charity events such as food drives that fed the homeless, organizing and stocking the shelves in food pantries and helping to set up and break things down at festivals. For several years, I also volunteered four hours to teach at Sunday school to the youth. I embody selflessness by being compassionate, understanding and kind to those I meet when helping with feeding the homeless. There was a time while serving food when a mother and child came through the line. I happened to have one of my stuffed animals in a box I was to sell at a community yard sale. I stepped away to get the stuffed animal and handed it to the little girl. She was so happy and the smile on her face was priceless. Another time my family and I were out driving around and we would see the same mother and child standing on the corner with a need food sign. I asked my father who was driving to take us to Kentucky Fried Chicken to get them some food. He agreed and we purchased a family meal and gave it all to the mother and child. Another time I assisted someone in need was when a classmate was struggling with math. In our math class, I heard him tell another student how he was struggling in the class and needed to pass our upcoming test to stay on the football team. Once class was over I approached the student and let him know I would be available to tutor and help him study for the test so he would not fail. We would meet in the library daily during lunch until the day of the test. On the day of the test, we did a short review before class and when we received our grades back he told me he had passed. It was such a great feeling to know I was able to help him understand the math and to also stay on the team. My faith as well as my mother speaks a lot on the importance of charity and helping others so I feel it has become of my life. I foresee it being something I will continue to incorporate in my life in college and when I have my own family. As we go through life, not a day should go by without some act of charity.

Upon entering my freshman year of high school, I decided to become more dedicated to my Islamic faith. In doing so, this entailed dressing more modestly and wearing a hijab, which is a scarf that covers my hair. While this was different for me, it was even more different for my peers who at one point saw me as the 'norm' at school. Regardless, I remained steadfast in my faith as well as my studies. My friends would eventually realize while my appearance had changed I was still the same friend they had come to know. Throughout the school year, curiosity would get the best of some of my peers and they would ask me lots of questions about the hijab and my faith which created some intelligent conversations and strengthened our friendship. Despite the love I would receive from some of my peers, there would be one who decided to call me a terrorist in class. This was very hurtful and it was at this moment I realized the importance of dispelling the myths that people often gravitate to as they relate to Islam and the woman. Of course, I would report this classmate to the teacher and principal and he would get suspended from school for 10 days. Later, I learned other Muslim students were attending the school. I met with a teacher who was knowledgeable of the religion to inquire about starting a Muslim Student Association (MSA) at the school and they obliged. The first MSA was created at this school and it provided an opportunity to educate the community on Islam. Through the organization, we would host Q&A information sessions, and provide literature and during Ramadan, we created a fast-a-thon to educate and encourage others to join us in fasting. After a few months, my family and I would relocate from Texas, where this took place back to North Carolina. This would present a very different audience in which I would be the only African American and Muslim in many of my classes. Still, I did not let the stares and weird looks affect me. Whenever an opportunity presented itself for me to participate in an activity or to help at the school with a project, I would assist to not just help but to give the much-needed representation. I would later become president of a Muslim Youth Council at a local place of worship and help plan the first NC Muslim Festival to promote diversity and civic pride. This brought people of different races, religions and backgrounds together and gave people the opportunity to meet their Muslim neighbors who they would learn are our teachers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc. This was a very successful, peaceful and fun-filled event that had over 1000 people throughout North Carolina attend.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), since 2022, the pharmaceutical industry has grown to become a trillion-dollar worldwide industry. In our society, the pharmaceutical industry has played a significant role in researching, developing and producing various medications to assist in temporarily relieving a person from a specific health condition. Usually, it begins with a person starting with one small pill for something that may be minor that was prescribed by their doctor. While this medication does not serve as a cure for their ailment, it certainly helps in some way. Over time, other issues begin to develop as part of the side effects from the initial pill start to set in and eventually their table, counter and/or cabinet is now filled with a variety of medicines for their different ailments which they now look like a pharmacy themselves. When people are prescribed a medication rarely do they take the time to review the many side effects that come with their medications. We trust the doctor and the prescribed medicine to make us feel better and for everything to go back to normal but that does not always happen when Father Time plays his part along with the side effects that come with each different medicine a person may take. Years ago, I recall watching television and a commercial advertising a medication. Of course, the commercial was joyful and everyone appeared happy. When it comes to mentioning the side effects, the voice in the commercial sped up. I was able to catch a few of it and remember thinking this was not a medicine I would take cause it seemed to do me more harm than good. After attending a few STEM camps and doing research on what type of career I would like to pursue after college, I decided to study pharmaceutical sciences to become a pharmacologist. I intend to study medicines and discover a way to enhance the ingredients of medications so that their side effects have less of an impact on people. Accomplishing this goal will help turn the science fiction perception that medicine will heal a health condition into a scientific fact that it may not be an actual cure but the medication will not create other ailments over a period of time. Creating a solution to this issue will provide people with much better healthcare as well as a much better quality of life.

As the President of the youth council, one of our projects was to work to make sure we promote the importance of recycling and ensure recycle bins exist throughout our local neighborhoods at both homes and businesses. Members of the organization created a brochure that we would hand out to people in parks, events and malls. We would also place brochures in businesses like medical offices, stores, and salons. Our primary focus was to educate the community. Afterward, we connected with the city office to obtain recycling bins to pass out to those who may not have them. Our goal was to ensure we gave out 350 bins within our city and successfully we reached the goal. When I have reached the top of the mountain and have planted my flag, the message I would like to convey would be about humanity. It would say: As a part of mankind, we all have a responsibility to care for our planet and its resources. The extension of care would need to be of benefit to our planet as well as to each other. When caring for the planet in which we live we must not abuse it by causing all types of pollution, deforestation, and ozone depletion. Our positive impact on the environment could be as simple as turning off the lights when we exit a room or recycling our plastic bottles. Make an effort to reduce your carbon footprint by only consuming local and seasonal products, make it a priority to buy from sustainable businesses, avoid greed and put an end to buying more than you need. Consider investing in environmentally friendly products, carpool, and commit to zero-waste meals. While for some this will be a drastic lifestyle change but it will be a huge benefit to our environment in the long run. In addition to caring for our planet, we must also learn to care for one another through kindness, humility and avoiding bias and prejudices. Despite our gender, race, background and faith, the human race share more in common than differences. To put aside any differences and unite towards the common good we can achieve so much more. When all is said and done, we must always remember that we are a part of something greater than ourselves. We must continue to nurture and strengthen our bonds with one another and strive to be the peace we seek and a light to the world.

When I reflect upon the phrase, 'Once upon a time in Hollywood,' what comes to my mind is the lack of representation when it comes to African American actors and actresses, positive and uplifting stories being produced and portrayed as they relate to African American history and culture. Instead, the majority of storylines in Hollywood have presented African Americans negatively as drug dealers, prostitutes, slaves and criminals while Whites are placed in these stories as heroes. There is a sense of prejudice taking place in Hollywood when it comes to salary, acting roles, awards, and overall treatment. As we embark on the phase of life where diversity has become the new buzzword in many spaces, like many corporations, Hollywood creates its definition of diversity without truly understanding and implementing diversity in its movies, award shows and such. For years, society has looked to Hollywood for stories and the stories told, especially when it comes to African Americans, are not told accurately nor truthfully. Therefore, you have people in the world thinking bad thoughts of African Americans when in their presence. Better yet, when you have youth who never see themselves in animation or movies portrayed in a leadership role or main character, it affects a person's self-esteem and perception of their culture. I often think of 'Once upon a time in Hollywood' issues of bias and prejudices being reversed to give those who are more privileged and entitled than others a chance to experience what it feels like to endure mistreatment in this society. To reverse this matter it would consist of creating movies that portray White men and women as drug dealers, addicts, prostitutes and slaves while African men are always seen as the main characters and heroes in the given situation. When awards are given for the roles played in movies, the awards are given to the majority of actors and actresses who are African American or of another culture while White Americans are nominated but not rewarded for their stellar talents. When historical movies are made the characters are African American when history tells us they are European. Hollywood and many other platforms that reach many are working to whitewash much of African and/or African American history by changing photos found to white people and movies depicting prominent African and/or African American historical figures are being changed to white people too. We see this done in movies about Nefertiti, and Hanibal just to name a few. Overall, the phrase 'Once upon a time in Hollywood' sparks an unjust and prejudiced analysis for me. The narrative they have displayed for years towards African Americans has shaped a negative image of this beautiful race and culture.

In my early years of school, I attended a math and science charter school in Texas. It was in middle school that I discovered my true love for science. My science class was different from the other classes I was taking as it allowed us to research various topics. I was able to dissect an animal and study its makeup which I found to be so amazing. We would later create different solutions that involved measuring, mixing and pouring. Learning the table of elements was another favorite of mine. To be able to go from mostly lectures to a class where we were able to learn through hands-on activities was terrific. I loved how it kept us engaged and the information was very interesting. As I progressed to high school, I started thinking more of careers I could do that I would enjoy but would also provide me with a good salary. The majority of my family members have a STEM career so hearing conversations surrounding computer science, math, civil engineering and arts influenced me to want to become a chemical engineer in college. For years, I was on the path to pursue this dream and even shadowed a friend of my mother's who is a chemical engineer for an oil company one summer. It was quite impressive and I love how they wore the white lab jackets too. My mother was always finding ways to engage me and my two younger siblings in STEM camps and programs. I participated in a Girls Coding Camp hosted by AT&T and American Airlines one summer and won an iPad. This was a fun event with different stations set up that gave you different hands-on experiences with STEM. In my sophomore year of high school, my mother enrolled me in a college prep class at a local university. They had different professionals come and talk to us about their jobs and one day we had someone to talk to the group about STEM and they brought a poster for everyone that listed careers in STEM. My mind was blown because many of the titles I had never heard of. When I shared it with my mother, she told me to research some of the titles so I did. Upon my research, I learned about pharmacology. It was at this point, I would change my interest from being an engineer to becoming a pharmacologist.

Throughout my life, faith has been the center of my well-being. It has taught me the value of being disciplined and focused on my goals in life. As a young person, there are so many temptations thrown at you from drugs, drinking alcohol, premarital sex and crimes. It is the true understanding and practice of my faith that has kept me grounded. While most people claim to have faith, most may claim a religion through inheritance without really taking the time to study their religion and develop a love and understanding for it. Early on my parents instilled routines of reading, reciting and memorizing chapters from our holy book, praying daily, fasting, participating in volunteering within the community as a means of charity and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is bad. Holding tight to my faith throughout life has guided and blessed me in being an excellent student, and being a positive role model to my younger siblings and other young people I mentor in the local community. When it comes to taking tests and dealing with stress, and/or temptations of the world, praying regularly helps to make me focus on doing things that are pleasing to God. Prayer keeps me connected with the Almighty and helps me maintain my faith throughout any adversities. When I leave home to embark on leading an independent life in college, my faith in God will be my priority in helping me to achieve my career. I know there will be challenges with courses I will take in college in addition to people I meet, and possible challenges within myself as I learn more about myself and grow. I believe I will continue to use my faith for guidance, protection, and solutions to any issues I may endure. I am sure there will be times I will miss being home but I will rely on my faith for comfort and find ways to communicate more with my family when they are missed. Overall, my faith will be the main tool in assisting me through life and with my career. I will solely lean on my faith to keep me righteous and grounded in doing what I need to do to excel in life which will consist of regular prayer attending worship service, and participating in community service. While my faith is very important to me, realistically I will always strive to maintain a balance life.

The importance of giving back to the community was instilled in me early on by my mother as well as through my faith. Throughout my years in school, my mother always had my family as a whole volunteering for an organization in the community. When I became the president of a local youth council, I exemplified daily a spirit of excellence that consisted of recruiting student volunteers and finding volunteer opportunities for us to do. As a part of my local community, I have assisted with organizing and participating in food drives which is identical to feeding the homeless or less fortunate. I also helped numerous times with organizing their food pantry along with setting up and cleaning up at various banquet events they would host. Additionally, I served as a youth teacher in which I shared my knowledge of our faith with those wanting to learn and at the end of the term we would host an end-of-year ceremony for the students to showcase what they learned to their parents and community leaders. I received a citizenship award for my dedication for consistently being of help to the community. Another means I exemplify daily a spirit of excellence and consistently give back to the community is by always displaying good behavior. My faith speaks of how something as simple as a smile to another person is a form of charity. So, whenever I am among my peers at school I make a point to smile at others and provide a nice compliment to them. When I learn of my school having a new student, I make a point to help them get adjusted by introducing myself and giving them directions on how to get to their classes. Within my peer groups, I always make a point to command us to do good things for others and oppose any bad thoughts or actions. Overall, exemplifying a spirit of excellence daily and giving back to my community consistently has been demonstrated throughout my life in various ways from volunteering with projects, to always administering good behavior in school and within society by being kind and treating others with respect. Additional acts of giving back daily would be done at home by completing my chores without being asked and often helping out my mother by cooking dinner for the family. Lending a helping hand to others has been etched into my day to day life.

Through my time volunteering with the Muslim Youth Council as the President, I have used my passion for STEM by planning career fairs within the community for the youth. A variety of professionals would attend and speak to the youth about careers in STEM. As an introduction at the fair, I gave a short speech about how I came to love science through the early years of my education. I explained how I went to a math and science charter school in Texas and was first introduced to research and lab work in the seventh grade and was hooked. I loved the hands-on activities. From that point on, I shared with the group I knew I wanted to further my education after high school in science. In my latter years of school, my mother had me attend a STEM camp at a local university where I was given a list of jobs in STEM. Some of the titles I had never heard of so my mother encouraged me to research them. While I had my mind set on studying to become a chemical engineer after graduating from high school, once I researched some of the titles on the STEM career list, I found becoming a pharmacologist to be more appealing. It is my goal to study medications and try to discover ways to lessen the many harmful side effects that exist in them. Another way I have used my passion for STEM is by inviting some of my young mentees to my home to teach them how to bake things like cookies, cupcakes and bread. Once I learned to cook, I saw how baking uses STEM concepts. Whether it is baking treats or cooking a meal, it is a great way to engage and educate kids. It is also one of many important life skills to learn. While cooking, I found creative ways to bring math and science concepts into the kitchen. There was plenty of hands-on activities as opposed to me lecturing and doing the work so they could get a feel of what to do and gain a better understanding. This activity would become quite popular in which they would the youth would develop a taste for learning to match their taste for sweets. Parents would tell me their children love to cook or love to help out more with preparing meals which I found to be quite rewarding.

During the pandemic, while we were all on lockdown, one of my favorite series on Netflix was "Resurrection: Ertugrul". While it was several seasons with over 100 episodes, every single episode was worth it as it would always end with you wanting more. The series is a Turkish period drama that tells the story of the famous 13th-century warrior Ertugrul Bey, the father of Osman Gazi who would go on to establish the Ottoman Empire. The storyline showed the importance of community life and leadership. Ertugrul, who was the leader of the community, would always have to battle the evil person who was often trying to take reign of what he had inherited. There was so much deceit among family and friends who were on his side one day and the next day plotting how to steal or manipulate the community for the leadership role. This movie is full of drama and action that consists of riding on beautiful horses and witnessing the good and bad fight it out on horses with swords and arrows; there were many incidents of a person's head being cut off as a punishment or during a brawl but the bloody scene would always be blurred out for censor or sensitive viewers. The movie was very tasteful too as it did not show any nudity or signs of affection throughout the movie. Married couples would be very modest and innocent with their affection; which I guess was another censor for the young viewers. The beauty of Ertugrul was how he would be placed in these tight situations where he had to make a major decision or he would learn of a loved one betraying him and whatever challenges he embarked upon he relied heavily on his faith. No matter if he was placed against his wife, father or close friend, he never proceeded with any advice given unless he got it as a message from God. The practice of faith was impressive and quite beautiful. Family life along with the roles of men and women was highly respected and simple. The functions of community life were very organized too. This movie captures you from the very first episode. You will not be able to watch just one as each episode pulls you in for more and before you know it you have watched episode after episode. When I got to the very end of the 100th episode I cried because I had been pulled into the movie to where I felt like they were family that I would not see anymore.

Throughout the years of my life, I have always been a studious person and my hard work would result in me being inducted into the National Honor Society and receiving a Certificate of Excellence award from the National Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Academy this past summer. Outside of my academia, I love to engage in giving back and helping within the local community. In some of the organizations I participated in, I demonstrated leadership. When I assisted with the local food drives, I assisted in organizing the day of the event to ensure it ran smoothly. I took the lead in recruiting students from my school to serve as volunteers and provided them with training. I also led a group of students and members of the organization in cleaning and organizing food within the pantry. I would participate in local festival events as a volunteer recruiter and took the lead with marketing and recruiting help for the event. There were times I would take the lead to go on some of the local campuses and post flyers or make arrangements to speak at club meetings to spread the word about events and the need for help. Every Sunday for almost two years, I led a Sunday school class that taught youth to read and memorize short chapters of the Qur'an in Arabic. In one of our staff meetings, I shared the idea of hosting an end-of-year ceremony for the students to showcase what they learn to their parents and community leaders. This would be a successful event in which one year I received a citizenship award for my dedication to the community. Exemplifying leadership in my everyday life seems to come easy. At home it is demonstrated by me taking the initiative to do my chores and any other things around the house that need to be done like cooking dinner, taking out the trash and/or cleaning just to name a few. My family and I host a monthly family meeting which sometimes I lead as my two younger siblings listen and participate as needed. At school, my leadership is displayed often in team projects as I will delegate the various tasks to my peers, and determine a deadline for the tasks to be completed so we can put the project together. Overall, being a leader is not an easy task but I make a point to always do what needs to be done which is how I exemplify my leadership daily.

Throughout my years of school, I have witnessed many of my family members attend and graduate from college, including my parents. I hear various conversations about how important an education beyond high school is to the career you intend to embark on and how it is essential to obtaining a good-paying job. Some of these conversations I find interesting when it is done with friends who may have not gone to college or went to college and did not do well with establishing a career within their field of study. They will tend to say a college education will lead you to debt and most successful people in the world did not have college degrees; they failed or dropped out like Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook), Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) and the late Steve Jobs (founder of Apple). Then there is the debate of attending a community college that is often less expensive and studying a trade to become an entrepreneur has been a successful choice for many too which they may make more money and be debt-free than someone who may have attended a 4-year university drowning in student loans for years. Despite the many different views of attending college, I have chosen to pursue higher education to further my knowledge beyond high school academics. I intend to major in Chemistry and go beyond getting my undergraduate degree to become a Pharmacologist. To attend college and discover a way to lessen the many side effects often found in the many medications people take to maintain their health. I believe only through pursuing higher education would I be able to achieve this goal I have in mind. Furthermore, as I embark on this new phase of life, pursuing higher education would help me to become more independent than continuing to live with my parents. It will also help me to enhance my socialization, and network skills and assist in my overall self-development as a person. While I have attended schools where brown people were the minority, it is my hope to be accepted to and attend a Historical Black College and University (HBCU) so any scholarship received would support those in the community who look like me. Furthermore, this scholarship would help fulfill my goals in helping to fund my education to attend an HBCU where I would study to become a Pharmacologist. The scholarship would lessen my financial worries about paying college tuition so I may focus more on my studies and being an excellent student.

My freshman year in high school I was so excited about being in the same building with the older students. It made me feel grown up while my two younger siblings remained in the elementary school building. My mother would remind me that this is where it counts as far as what is reported to colleges. There were a few clubs I wanted to join and activities I wanted to participate in and I was looking forward to making new friends and connecting with old ones. Then, out of nowhere, our country was placed on lockdown due to covid-19. Students were sent home to embrace virtual learning. It was a difficult time for many adjusting to having to stay in the home for everything. Throughout my years in school, I have always maintained good grades and enjoyed going to class and learning in person. Over some time, I would develop anxiety and it would interfere with my ability to focus on school. My mother noticed the change in me and eventually had me see a therapist where I was able to learn breathing exercises and speak confidentially about my concerns during the lockdown. I found this to be very helpful in addition to my mother's suggestion of journaling and listening to calming music. Occasionally, I would go on short walks in the neighborhood after school which also helped with my anxiety levels. During the pandemic, my family decided to relocate back to our native home of North Carolina from Texas to be near family and friends. This change would trigger some anxiety levels but I had a much better handle on how to deal with it. Once we settled in North Carolina, I attended two different schools before we were able to settle into a home. As I embark on my final year in high school, I reflect on the challenges endured through the adaptation of the lockdown due to COVID-19 and the lack of any type of socialization beyond technology and realize I persevered through these obstacles compared to many of my peers. Developing a routine that would allow me to not focus so much on what was happening in the news; I learned to redirect my focus on things that were uplifting, positive and in my control. Aside from the breathing exercises and short walks in the neighborhood, I developed a love for baking and crocheting too. Most importantly, I was able to rid myself of my anxiety and maintained my good grades to where I received awards for my academics and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Overall, this experience has taught me that life will present difficulties to you but we should never lose sight of our purpose and our goals. There is a solution to every problem and it is up to us to figure out the best solution that will work for us in order to fulfill our goals. Never give up.

When I reflect on my years in high school, the majority of my time was spent learning virtually due to the pandemic. I found this time to be very challenging as I preferred to learn in person. The pandemic seems to have disrupted the ability to have the traditional high school experience. The opportunity to enhance socialization amongst peers and teachers was limited. Through this ordeal, I found myself developing anxiety in which my mother scheduled me to speak with a therapist who assisted me with breathing exercises and allowed me to discuss personal and school-related concerns. In addition to speaking with a therapist, I would also make time to go for daily walks in my neighborhood. Eventually, the pandemic would end, schools would reopen and I would overcome my feelings of anxiety. While things were getting back to normal, I began to think more about my plans for the future. After attending a camp that was centered around careers in STEM, I determined through research that I would like to further my education after high school by attending college and becoming a pharmacologist. In becoming a pharmacologist, it will take me several years of college which will be beyond receiving an undergraduate degree. After completing school, I plan to work for a prominent company in my field of study. As a pharmacologist, I would like to study medicine and discover a way to lessen the many side effects that are found in medications. The purpose would be to eliminate the development of other ailments happening from a person taking one medication over some time. To be able to lessen side effects in medicine will allow people to live a much longer and healthier lifestyle without having to continuously take a variety of medicines for the number of issues developed from one initial pill. As a high school student preparing to embark on a new phase of life without any savings, the cost of college tuition, fees and books will be very costly. It is my goal to try and graduate from college debt-free and obtaining this scholarship will be of huge help for a twofold plan by contributing financial support towards my school expenses and by contributing towards my goal of graduating school debt-free. To receive financial support for this scholarship will also contribute to my wellness in not re-developing anxiety from worry and stress about how I will fund my education. Instead, it would assist in me being able to focus more on my studies.

Throughout my years of school, I have held various leadership roles at home, school and in the community. As the oldest of my two younger siblings, my leadership role at home consists of taking the initiative to do my household chores and being a team player to assist my family where needed. There are times I will lead our monthly family meetings too in which I would delegate chores for me and my siblings and suggest family activities and trips. In school, I have served as a group leader on class projects in which I fairly delegated tasks to my team members and followed up during our research process to ensure we were all on the same page and on track for meeting our given deadline. Within the community, I volunteered for various organizations. A few of my leadership roles consisted of recruiting and training other volunteers to help arrange and restock Halimah's Pantry Room, and assisting with planning the logistics for a community food drive. I was the volunteer recruiter for a local community festival where I served as the lead volunteer contact. Additionally, I volunteered as a youth Sunday school teacher for Each One Teach One Academy for over a year. As a teacher, I displayed leadership qualities that centered around creativity, active listening, patience, and positive influence. I suggested the idea of hosting an end-of-year ceremony for the students to present and be recognized for their hard work to their parents and community leaders. This idea was implemented and I received a citizenship award for my leadership and volunteer commitment in the community. Overall, a good leader may be characterized as one who has integrity, communication, influence, gratitude and delegation. Over time leadership qualities can be strengthened especially if you are open to growth and willing to put in the work towards any necessary self-improvement. Also, it is important to recognize that leadership is a social process. It is not so much about a single strong or charismatic individual, but it is more about a group of people who can work collectively to achieve results together. While leading a team is not an easy task, I believe the roles I have held along with the activities I have participated in have allowed me to demonstrate my self-awareness, the ability to motivate a team to take on new challenges and effectively communicate with kindness along with delegating work to others with fairness is what makes me a leader.

I am a native of North Carolina and the oldest of two younger siblings. I have been an honor student throughout all of my years of school and I continue to strive to maintain good grades as a senior in high school. I am a laid-back, ambitious, goal-oriented and friendly individual who enjoys baking, cooking, swimming, crocheting, sewing, traveling, and spending quality time with my family. I, also, enjoy volunteering within the community. Some of my volunteer assignments have been assisting with food drives, organizing food pantries, and participating in the set-up and break-down of local festivals. One of my long-term volunteer assignments was teaching the Qur'an to the youth at a local masjid every Sunday. I taught the youth how to read and memorize different short chapters of the Qur'an in Arabic. At the end of the program, we would host a ceremony where students were able to present and were recognized for what they learned to their parents and leaders in the community. I also held a leadership role as the president of the Muslim Youth Council. As a result, I would be recognized with a citizenship award for my dedication and commitment to volunteering for the community at the ceremony. Also, this summer I was nominated as a delegate to attend a congress for Future Physicians and Medical Scientists in Boston where I received a Certificate of Excellence award for my high academics in school. As I embark on a new life after graduating high school, my plan for making a positive impact on the world through my career would be to further my education by attending college. While in college, I plan to study chemistry or pharmaceutical science to become a doctor in pharmacology. In becoming a pharmacologist, I would be able to make a positive impact on the world with my career by studying medicine and its harmful side effects on people over time. I would like to research to find out ways people who are prescribed medicine for their health can heal from the drugs without incurring more health issues that may derive from the long-term use of their medicine which would lead them to take more medicines throughout their life. This impact would give people the chance to live a healthier lifestyle without being so dependent on several daily medicines that essentially serve as a band-aid and not a cure to their ailment.

The dream version of my future self would be a graduate of Howard University with a doctorate in Pharmacology. I would be employed with a prominent company like Pfizer researching the side effects of medicine. I'd have a six-figure salary that would allow me to live a good life and help my family as needed. Upon graduating high school, I plan to work on making this dream become a reality.

When it comes to mental health, I find it to be the most important aspect of a person's life. The quality and condition of a person's mental health can determine the type of lifestyle they will lead. A person's life can be good or bad based on their mental health. If a person's mental health is not in the best of shape, we may find them making a lot of bad and irrational decisions that lead them to spiral out of control and their actions may consequently lead to time in jail. Whereas, a person who has good mental health may focus a lot on self-care and leading a well-balanced lifestyle that has them making positive decisions that keep them out of trouble. Additionally, mental health is important because it plays a vital role in how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress and relate to others, along with our ability to make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Different experiences within each stage of life may affect our mental health. While there is no perfect life, we all encounter some form of trauma in our lifetime. How we overcome it determines the life we lead and the condition we choose to put our mental health in. Throughout the pandemic, I developed a minor case of anxiety but overcame it with some counseling, breathing exercises and short walks in my neighborhood. Over time maintaining my mental health wellness has become important to me. I have established a routine that consists of starting my day with prayer. After prayer, I do a few stretches and then ensure I eat a healthy breakfast. Throughout my day, I make a point to make note of the beautiful nature (eg. trees, animals, flowers, clouds, etc.) the Almighty has blessed upon us. I, also, make a point to not gossip and be selective with who I hang around. As for entertainment, I do not listen to music that has negative and demeaning lyrics nor do I watch negative movies or television shows that give off negative messages. I choose to not watch the news for that reason too because rarely anything good is reported. I find myself reading and leading a well-balanced life filled with goodness and positive vibes which helps in keeping my mental wellness intact. Taking care of my mental health has allowed me to make sound decisions with clarity and to focus on my studies to where I have been recognized for high academics and can lead a peaceful life.

I read an excellent inspiring book over the summer named, "One Day My Soul Opened Up" by Iyanla Vanzant. The book provided a message of empowerment for both women and men. It encouraged readers to tap into their strengths and make their dreams become a reality. Through a forty-day and forty-night program of exercises and readings, Iyanla guided us through our daily challenges toward greater emotional and spiritual health. After completing the book, I learned how to tap into my strengths and discipline myself to work towards my personal and future goals. It helped me to provide a foundation for my emotional and spiritual health too. The book taught me how to be more confident in myself and what I wanted and needed in relationships as well as out of life. Reading this book helped to shape my future goals by establishing the confidence in me to apply to colleges outside of my hometown, engage in more public speaking events, volunteer in local events, and obtain leadership positions in organizations. It helped me to overcome my fears that were deeply rooted in my personality. I found myself growing with clarity and taking leaps and bounds throughout my young life. Reading the book, nurtured me with its morning and evening exercises and important concepts to carry and explore throughout the day. It taught me about self-love, nurturing oneself, recognizing and healing old wounds, all in the name of honoring the divine within. In addition to the self-development I learned, the book helped me in deciding on what I would want to study in college. I began with an interest in chemical engineering because I figured that would make a lot of money and it sounded impressive to others. The book taught me the importance of being true to yourself and honoring your emotions. I was able to reflect on what mattered to me and drown out the noise of others advising what I should and should not do with my future. When you are young everyone has the most to say because they want to see you succeed; however, some gave advice that was not good but more based on their fears and jealousy. Nevertheless, one day I was able to take all that I had learned from this book and apply it to myself and determine I would want to further my education to become a pharmacologist in the future.

To me, leadership is about inspiring people and always striving to lead by example to reach a common goal. A quality leader is a person who can encourage and enable people to reach their full potential while providing support every step of the way. A quality leader can provide directives but will not allow their title to keep them from participating in working with the team as needed. I perceive the qualities of a leader to be of good character, open, resourceful, organized and knowing when to lead and when to encourage others to lead. Many leaders exist in various roles in society whether it is within a company we work for, your family, the government, a school or a religious institution. It is known that some leaders may obtain leadership roles that are not deserving because of their inability to lead or having poor character but when there is success within a company or institution more than likely it is due to a good quality leader and the team they have established. A leader faces many challenges yet having the ability to lead with confidence, good communication, and motivation will allow any leader to overcome the challenges they may endure. When it comes to leadership it is very essential in many facets of life because leaders have the opportunity to introduce change to those around them. Change isn't something that naturally happens and if it did we would not need leaders. For change to take place, a leader has to provide direction on what needs to take place while setting goals to achieve. Leadership is also important because they can help people fulfill needs with personal connections with others. If a person feels their leader understands their concerns and feelings they are more likely to follow that leader. Another reason leadership is important is because leaders can resolve conflicts which is vital in any institution or company. Helping people feel like they are heard can prevent future issues. Lastly, leaders are important because they are the ones to establish a vision to give an understanding to others as to why they are doing something. Overall, leadership develops and manages the establishment of the tone of the company by guiding team members on how to think, act, and behave. This requires constant adaptation as different needs arise and the landscape of a company or organization changes due to leadership being an ever-evolving position.

My mother always expressed to me and my two younger siblings the importance of helping others and giving back to the community. Whereas, my faith teaches how volunteering in good and giving in charity is favored by God. Therefore, my volunteer experience has had a very influential impact on my core values. Anytime my mother would volunteer within the community she would bring the family along to help out. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with community festivals assisting with setting up, breaking down and checking in participants. I also have volunteered with food drives and organizing food pantries. My longest volunteer opportunity was teaching Sunday school to youth and participating in the end-of-year ceremony where students were recognized and celebrated for their hard work. During this ceremony, I would be presented with the citizenship award for my dedication to always being willing to volunteer in the community. The influence of my volunteer experience on my core values will impact my career and life goals in furthering my education to become a pharmacologist. Currently, many people are prescribed to take medications daily for various reasons to feel better. These medications often have serious side effects over some time that will eventually cause additional problems with a person's health. The side effects usually happen gradually but they lead to a person being on more and more medications rather than having the initial medication curing their health issue. Rarely is there a discussion or plan in place to avoid these side effects when medicines are prescribed. In my role as a pharmacologist, I would like to study medicine and find ways to improve the many side effects that exist within medications to help those in our society live healthier lives. While in college, I intend to participate in the school clubs and organizations that will allow me to be active in giving back to the community. While studying, I intend to participate in research within my school's department to understand how the ingredients of certain medicines work and how to improve them to lessen their harmful effects. In conclusion, my overall experience in volunteering in the community as a teen stemmed from core values that were instilled in my upbringing along with the teachings of my faith about the rewards of giving in charity in which I see this act of good always being a significant part of my career and life goals.

After reading the Ode to Millenials-Gen Z text I find myself torn between the two perspectives. Despite the challenges of an era, every generation can be labeled as great in its own right. Certainly, the Great Depression was a difficult time for those of that era. Resources and knowledge were very limited yet they managed to still overcome it and flourish. The perspective of the millennials will seemingly be viewed differently by an older generation as their values, upbringing, and way of life are a lot different than those in this current era. However, that doesn't mean one is better than the other. If anything, if we were to truly look at the difference between the two generations, the older generation was more reserved in getting things done; with more talk and less doing whereas the current generation is more about action along with having less talk and less tolerance to foolishness. In many platforms and forums when it comes to the two different generations, there is also a sense of one judging the other on what they can and cannot do. Instead of focusing so much on the differences there should be more of a focus on the similarities as well as how to bridge the gap between the elders and youth to work more in harmony to achieve a common goal. There is much to be learned from each other so when we learn to work in harmony together we can strive to make a difference in this society.

I think it is very important that people have an understanding of the nature of our universe so that we will know how to protect and preserve it. Many people bring harm to the universe with their trash, pollution on land and water as well as the extraction of natural resources. In an effort to protect and preserve our universe, it is imperative to find ways to program the minds of people of its importance through consistent marketing; similar to what companies that sell household items do with commercials. The consistent marketing would be on television commercials throughout the day, especially during holidays and televised sporting events. The commercial would explain why and how. Additional marketing would be through social media platforms, signage around the world and radio stations. Throughout the world in every city and town, there will be recycling bins set up along with trashcans. It would be a requirement for these bins to be set up at every operating company, school, and public events like festivals, fairs, carnivals, etc. A campaign will be launched to promote the concept our our efforts with the expression of its seriousness while explaining why it would need to be done, and what would happen if it was not practiced. To ensure the participation of society, seriousness would need to be displayed by giving pricey tickets to people violating the environment with pollution, littering and/or extracting natural resources. This violation would be similar to seat belt laws in which police officers would receive training on the subject matter and what it means if someone were to break the law by abusing the universe. Education will be imperative for any city officials, companies and government to better understand our universe and to develop sincere care and concern in taking care of it. When there is a lack of understanding, selfishness, ignorance and unconcern will embody those who do not know our universe and its nature. The late great Maya Angelou said, "When we know better, we should do better". This is the concept and idea that would need to be implemented into society so everyone can work together with the understanding of the goal of caring for the nature of the universe. Extensive education, marketing and laws will have to be consistently done in various forms so it becomes second nature for society. It is then that we can say people should know better and do better cause every avenue of educating and marketing would have been done to where no one could say they did not know nor understand the nature of our universe.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, I would encourage them to read "The Overlook" by Michael Connelly. This book was amazingly well-written. It is a crime mystery in which a scientist is murdered. Throughout the book, you encounter many thought-provoking twists and turns. You think the murderer is one person only to learn it is not. The suspense and thrill of the story will keep any reader well engaged making it hard to put the book down as you are always wanting to know what will happen next. I have a love for science the plan to major in Chemistry in college, so this book would be an excellent read for those who love science. Due to the victim being a scientist, the book references many science terms and even some of the ways they go about solving the case are quite scientific. Therefore, I would encourage everyone to read this book to gain insightful meaning of terms and procedures as they relate to the world of science and toxicology. Also, this book is very entertaining with the chilling consequences national security has to embark upon through their investigations. This book is full of surprises and encourages the reader to think outside of the box when it comes to who could have committed the murder and how the solve this thriller mystery. It certainly is not who and what you think which is what makes this an excellent book that I would encourage everyone to read.

Once I have completed high school, I plan to attend college to major in either Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Science to ultimately become a Pharmacologist. While I have done a few college tours and have a few schools I am interested in attending and have applied to, I am most interested in schools that will have a thriving Muslim Student Association (MSA) as well as a quality and resourceful science/pharmacy department. When it comes to my strengths and weaknesses, I would say my strengths are being very organized, ambitious and displaying good leadership qualities. While some of my weaknesses would consist of being shy at times, fear of crowds and being an introvert, I am always seeking ways to grow. Aside from my strengths and weaknesses, I am the oldest of two siblings who have maintained being an honor student throughout my years in school. I am very serious about my education as well as my faith. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends as well as volunteering within the local community. Some of my hobbies are crocheting, swimming, drawing, cooking/baking and traveling. To receive this scholarship would be an honor as it would be a huge help in relieving some financial strain that comes with trying to cover college tuition expenses. Additionally, it would be deserving to receive this scholarship as I have worked extremely hard throughout my years in school along with overcoming the varying challenges endured through the pandemic to maintain good grades that resulted in being inducted into the National Honor Society. When I reflect on my favorites, my favorite book would be "The Overlook" by Michael Connelly because it was well written and kept me engaged; also the plot of the story was more of a thriller and suspense novel about a murdered scientist and people trying to solve the crime. The story entailed research and science which falls into the area of study I plan to pursue in college. As a Muslim, one of my greatest achievements would be being raised within a Muslim household, practicing Islam and maintaining my Muslim identity within the USA without being tempted by many non-Islamic practices and activities we often encounter from living in a (non-Islamic) Western society. Additionally, I was nominated as a delegate to receive a National Future Physicians and Medical Scientist award at a congress in Boston, MA this past summer due to my high academics which was another great achievement to receive as a Muslim.

In my earlier years of school, my mother enrolled me in a charter school that specialized in math and science. In my first science class, the teacher had us do a lot of research and lab experiments. It was through this experience that I discovered my love for science. While in high school, I would find myself more engaged and intrigued with my science-related courses because it is the one subject that provided hands-on activities and would often explain why things do what it does and how. As I began to think more about what I would do after high school, science is what continued to surface in my mind cause of my love for it. Growing up in a home with two other siblings I have a very laid-back persona but I also consider myself a leader who always takes the initiative to do what needs to be done to complete a task especially as it relates to my household chores and school projects. I recall one summer my mother enrolled me in a camp at a local university that helped students prepare for college. Initially, I did not want to go but I found the camp helpful in directing me in what I'd want to pursue in college. They provided us with a printout of many careers in STEM and I was completely blown away by the many science-related jobs. I shared it with my mother who advised me to review the list and research some of the titles to learn what they do. It was during this research that I went from wanting to be a chemical engineer to becoming a pharmacologist. To fulfill this goal, I plan to attend college and major in either Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Science. I would have to go beyond undergraduate and attend graduate school to obtain a degree in pharmacology. Therefore, to be awarded this scholarship will help a lot with the varying expenses that a college student incur not just with tuition but also books and fees. This scholarship would help minimize some of the financial strain one can develop when trying to cover a large expense that is usually needed to attend college. While I plan to attend college after high school, once I have graduated from college, I plan to work as a pharmacologist to study medicine and discover ways to lessen the many side effects that exist in various medications.

I am a goal-oriented and ambitious teenager growing up in the countryside of North Carolina with my two younger siblings and my parents. Currently, I attend Eastern Guilford High School, however, this year will be my last year as I will be graduating soon with the remarkable class of 2024. Growing up I never knew exactly what I wanted to do once I got out of high school. People would constantly tell me to do something I loved and I would never work a day in my life, however, that was hard to do since I love to do many different things. Yet, when I thought long and hard about it, I realized science was one of my passions, especially in school. I found it to always be the most interactive subject because of the labs but also because of what you could do with it. One day my mom signed me up for a summer college readiness program at UNC-Charlotte during my tenth-grade year of high school. In the beginning, I was reluctant to go, but I didn’t really have a choice. The program lasted for one week and during that week we discussed numerous college topics, such as scholarships, time management, and of course careers. When we were going over our interests and potential careers the instructor passed out a thick informational packet to each of us. The packet contained a large list of jobs that were categorized by the field you were interested in, such as technology or mathematics. Because 'science' is a passion of mine, I went directly to the “Jobs in Science” section and was immediately shocked. There were so many jobs that pertained to science that I never heard of. When I returned home I told my mom about the list and she told me to “review the list, circle the ones that interest you, and research them” and so I did. A few that stuck out to me were analytical chemist, forensic scientist, and toxicologist, and for a while becoming a toxicologist was what I had my mind set on, however, that would change when I would learn about pharmacology. This discovery was going on during the Covid-19 pandemic so medicine had already piqued my interest. I wanted to know how a painkiller knew where the pain was and how vaccines helped defeat viruses. Nevertheless, the monies received through this scholarship would be used to create a better life by it assisting me in furthering my education at a university that would provide quality resources and opportunities for me to become the best pharmacologist I could become and in return it would allow me to incorporate the knowledge and skills learned to help in solving how to reduce the drastic number of side effects that exist within many of these medications to create a better quality of life for our society.

Throughout my years in school, I attended a Math and Science institution. I found every day enlightening. When the pandemic hit, we were limited to virtual learning which removed our opportunities to do lab experiments yet I often found ways to engage in math and science whether it was through cooking, baking and/or sewing. Eventfully, I would relocate with my family to an area that did not have a math and science school. While I was very disappointed, I managed to adapt and still maintain my love and excitement for math and science in which science has become my favorite subject matter. At this new school, I stay focused and determined to maintain good grades and participate in any opportunity to learn about math and science. This would result in me being inducted into the National Honor Society and chosen as a delegate to attend the National Future Physicians and Medical Scientist Congress in Boston, MA where I received a certificate of excellence for my academics. My mother also assisted in finding programs and camps for me to participate in during the summer that was stem-related. My love for research and formulas has grown over the years and has become influential in my interest to further my education. As I further my education by going to college, I plan to contribute to the field of math and/or science by majoring in Chemistry. Upon receipt of my bachelor's, it is my goal to continue my education to graduate school in pursuit of studying pharmacology and possibly obtaining a doctorate in the pharmacology field so that I will become a pharmacologist. As a pharmacologist, it will be my goal to strive to learn as much as I can through varying opportunities and resources about the field of science and pharmacy. Through much studying and research, I plan to contribute to the field of math and/or science by discovering ways to minimize the various side effects that exist within medications that often do not cure a person's ailment it simply controls it to a degree while over some time it causes a different health issue for the person body. Generally, this lead to people being on various medications with the hopes of it resolving their health matters when overall it seems to be deteriorating their quality of health. I would like to incorporate my love for math and science to enhance the quality of medicines taken by people in an effort to give them a better quality of life.

The year I entered high school the challenge and/or obstacle I faced was having to be on lockdown due to the worldwide pandemic. I never got to experience the traditional activities of being in high school due to the need for us to be quarantined at home. This resulted in virtual learning which affected many of our school activities, clubs/organizations as well as socialization. I enjoy learning in person so this was very challenging for me. I would often experience anxiety through it all. Throughout my years of school, I managed to always have good grades and I did not want this circumstance to affect all of my hard work. To overcome the adversity, I decided to adapt to what was happening and focus more on the positives so I began to engage in meditation and would go for walks in the neighborhood for exercise and fresh air. I learned new hobbies during quarantine like how to bake cookies and cakes, drawing and I also learned to sew and crochet. I have found myself very passionate about my hobbies as they are also a way for me to relax and relieve stress. With virtual learning, I continued to work hard and remain dedicated to my education as if I were in the classroom. As the pandemic began to ease up and we were allowed back into the classrooms, I found myself excited to be amongst my peers and teachers again. While the school activities were not the same as before; many clubs/organizations and school activities were no longer existing as everyone was trying to adjust to being back in the classrooms and trying to focus on staying healthy. Eventually, we adjusted back to what we once knew in the school setting but now I am a senior in high school with the only memory of being in quarantine through the majority of my high school years. Still, the impact of this experience allowed me to grow by being patient and creative; developing the ability to adapt and to be open to explore new avenues such as drawing, crocheting, baking, and sewing. Additionally, my resilience and determination displayed through my schoolwork resulted in my being inducted into the National Honor Society and selected as a delegate to attend the National Academy for Future Physicians and Medical Scientists conference in Boston, MA, for which I was awarded a certificate of excellence for my academics. This experience also builds up my confidence to show, despite the odds, I can achieve anything I set my mind to do. Therefore, it is my goal to further my education after high school by successfully becoming a pharmacologist and improving the harmful side effects that exist in many medications. Overcoming the adversity endured during the pandemic also made me a lot more grateful and humble about many things. I easily could have allowed the stressors from the pandemic to affect me negatively and simply gave up but instead, I embraced the adversity of it all as a stepping stone to greatness.