Life is not about how many obstacles you face, but instead about how many times you fight and come back stronger. As a first-generation college minority, I have had my fair share of obstacles throughout my life. From watching the stress my parents encounter to provide for our family, to watching medical bills pile up, and having to mature at a very young age, I have discovered the importance of education. Not simply for money or a title, but to grow in knowledge and help society thrive.  Unfortunately, my parents never had the opportunity to earn an education, so they have worked from a very young age. My dad has worked laborious jobs since he was sixteen years old, and my mom has been at the same job for twenty-three years. Although we have never lived without access to food or basic life necessities, I have lived every day anxious about our future, my dreams, and my parents’ inability to fulfill their dreams. So, from a young age, I have worked toward academic excellence with the hope that this will open the door to the education I need to help families who have struggled like my own.   My dream to enter the medical field has been heavily influenced by my parents. When I was in fourth grade, my mother was faced with the most gruesome 6-letter word an individual can hear –cancer. My world shattered, and my mind raced as I tried to wrap my head around this reality. By God’s grace, my mom beat her cancer, and she is still here to support me today, but looking back, I cannot help but notice the systemic inequity experienced by minority patients. When she was diagnosed, my mom struggled to explain her situation to us, and an immense fear ran through my family. From there, I realized the importance of bilingual providers within healthcare and have pushed incredibly hard to one day become the bilingual provider my family needed.  A few years later, my father endured a traumatic leg injury that required intense surgery and left him unable to work for months. Once again, God’s mercy shone through, and despite most odds, my dad’s leg healed almost perfectly. However, these experiences tainted my childhood as I was forced to mature rapidly and became an incredibly anxious girl in the process. Despite the pain I have faced, I am very grateful for the obstacles I encountered in my life because they have made me stronger. I have become deeply interested in medicine, graduated as valedictorian of my high school class, and have held a summer medical internship at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science for the past four years. I utilized the helplessness I felt during this time to empower me to fight for the education I dream of, and the fruits of my labor are starting to blossom.   In a few weeks, I will begin my first semester of nursing school at Loyola University Chicago. Upon obtaining my education, I plan to practice patient care for a few years and then return to school to earn my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With this degree, I plan to continue caring for my patients while also entering the administrative side of medicine. Here, I will work to create programs, scholarships, and resources for minority students and families who want a healthier, happier future. I firmly believe healthcare and education are two incredible gifts we are all entitled to, and I intend to ensure everyone I meet has the resources they need to live their healthiest lives and fulfill their dreams.

Across all borders and continents, there is one universal language that humanity shares. A language so strong that it deters all barriers. A language so true that one needs no words at all, and that language is the language of love. Throughout my life, I have experienced the beauty of this dialect within my own family. Whether through their everyday sacrifices or the death of their dreams, I have learned that there is no love stronger than that of an immigrant parent.  From before I was born, my parents have been pushed to shun their dreams to help our family succeed. My dad began working before age sixteen, and my mom has been at the same job for twenty-two years. Stagnant, unable to move, they push mentally and physically each day with hopes of a better future for my sister and me. So, realizing our reality, I decided at a very young age that I would fight tirelessly to accomplish my dreams and make my parents’ sacrifice worth it.   One characteristic that I deeply admire about my parents is their dedication to humility and community service. Even in the hardest times of their lives, they have never let down the opportunity to help someone in need. Whether through support, prayer, or the few dollars in their grasp. They give everything they can to make a difference in the world.  Their humility and generosity have taught me the value of serving others and believing in a mission much greater than myself. So, determined to become a vessel for change, I have dedicated my life to academic excellence for the past six years. Along this journey, I discovered my passion for medicine as my mother was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare case of thyroid cancer. I remember the pain my family encountered as they fought to understand their situation and their inability to properly explain the diagnosis. This reality left me feeling alone and anxious. To this day, I wonder how our situation could have been different if there had been more bilingual providers around. However, this difficult situation ignited a spark of grit within me, and I became engulfed by the dream of fixing our broken healthcare system and becoming a voice of advocacy for my minority peers. As a result, this coming fall, I will be entering my first year of nursing school at Loyola University Chicago with aspirations to one day become a Doctor of Nursing Practice. For me, getting an education transcends personal dreams; it is about a reality much greater than myself. My education will allow me to advocate for my community and spread the universal language of love throughout the healthcare system. After all, to be loved is to be seen.

From an early age, I knew that I wanted to work for the greater good. So, I have dedicated my teenage years to searching for opportunities to serve my community and develop my passions. The passion that I have grown most fond of is healthcare, specifically the field of nursing. My love for medicine stems from years of medical inequality, as my parents have faced numerous health challenges. Whether it's my mom's cancer diagnosis or my dad's traumatic leg injury, I cannot help but wonder how different my life would be if we had the guidance to thrive. Starting in middle school, I have fought to succeed academically and look for summer programs to enrich my knowledge. The program I am most proud to be a part of is the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Through this internship, I have gained patient care experience through translating for minorities in physical therapy, researched the topics of lifestyle medicine and atherosclerosis, and studied medical lectures. From this opportunity, I learned that I have a voice within the field of medicine and that I can make a difference in the lives of my minority peers. People who, like my family, suffered from feeling silenced while getting medical treatment. Individuals who wish to lead a more balanced life, and dream of becoming professionals in medicine, as well. One of the life goals I have put in place for myself is to develop programs for hardworking, underserved communities who dream of pursuing a medical career. Through various pipelines, scholarships, and networking, I hope to bring educational access to all those hoping to make a positive difference in society. My experience as a part of the INSPIRE program, along with the personal hardships I faced during my parents' health hardships, has taught me the importance of fighting for an education and serving those in need. Though my life has not always been easy, it has always been beautiful because without the thorns of inequity, fear, and confusion, I would not have the rose of medical passion. The calling I have developed for my field runs deeper than for my happiness because it stems from the sacrifices of my family and community. It is a dream created by the pain of my people and dedicated to their well-being and future. If I could be remembered for anything in this life, I wish for it to be that I selflessly helped make the world one percent better each day.

From an early age, I knew that I wanted to work for the greater good. So, I have dedicated my teenage years to searching for opportunities to serve my community and develop my passions. Throughout my journey, I have discovered that my greatest passion in life is to join the medical field to become a registered nurse and future nurse practitioner. My love for medicine stems from years of medical inequality, as my parents have faced numerous health challenges. Whether my mom's cancer diagnosis or my dad's traumatic leg injury, I faced countless instances where I felt overlooked and lonely. So, I dream of becoming the resource I so greatly needed in my childhood. Starting in middle school, I fought to succeed academically and looked for summer programs to enrich my knowledge. The program I am most proud to be a part of is the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Through this internship, I have gained patient care experience through translating for minorities in physical therapy, researching the topics of lifestyle medicine and atherosclerosis, and studying medical lectures. From this opportunity, I learned that I have a voice within the field of medicine and that I can make a difference in the lives of my minority peers. People who, like my family, suffered from feeling silenced while getting medical treatment. Individuals who wish for a better life and people who dream of obtaining an education. Specifically, I hope to conduct this outreach work by developing programs for hardworking, underserved families. Through various pipelines, scholarships, and networking, I hope to bring educational access to all the students hoping to make a positive difference in society and share preventative knowledge throughout my community, especially to the older populations. My experience as a part of the INSPIRE program, along with the personal hardships I faced during my parents' health hardships, has taught me the importance of fighting for an education and serving those in need. Though my life has not always been easy, it has always been beautiful because without the thorns of inequity, fear, and confusion, I would not have the rose of medical passion. The calling I have developed for the medical world runs deeper than personal interest because it stems from the sacrifices of my family and community. It is a dream created by the pain of my people, for their well-being and future. If I could be remembered for anything in this life, I wish for it to be that I selflessly helped make the world one percent better each day.

My greatest dream in life is to become a valuable asset to my community, serve those who are frequently overlooked, and fight for equity among minorities. From a young age, I learned that to make a difference in my community I must educate myself. So, during middle school, I began to look for opportunities within my hometown and by God's grace was offered the chance to join the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Since my freshman year of high school til the present moment I have worked within the program for eight weeks during each summer. For the past two years, I have focused on translating for various patients in physical therapy while delving into lifestyle medicine research. Before that studied atherosclerosis and foam cell formation within the body.  However, my interest in medicine did not have a fairy tale origin story. My passion for medicine began with the agony of discovering the concept of medical inequity at the young age of ten. When I was in fourth grade, I was forced to digest one of the most gruesome 6 letter words a person could hear - cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, I felt helpless and alone. I remember the anger that fueled my body as I felt my world crumble, and tackled the fear of the unknown. It seemed as if no one could give us the peace and guidance we needed and that led an already painful reality to sting deeper. Due to this experience, there were many times in my childhood when I questioned my worth and identity as a minority. My childhood was taken from me at a very young age and as I shifted from being giggly to an anxiety-filled, I realized the medical treatment we receive as minorities had to change.  A couple of years later I faced another medical disparity as my dad navigated traumatic leg surgery and recovery.​ This time I faced fears that trespassed medical care. My dad is the primary provider of my family, our rock during hardships, and an incredibly faithful man. Apart from the medical struggles encountered such as the language barrier, I was forced to mature as I had to take the lead of my house and care for the man I believed was indestructible. My reality as a whole shattered and I was left with nothing but hope for a better future. Thanks be to God my dad is now fully healed and apart from the metal pole in his leg he can now provide and care for us again.  My passion for medicine is ultimately inspired by my family and the Latino community. From the beginning, my family has done everything in their power to see me succeed in life. Whether giving up their own dreams, learning to live in a different country, or simply supporting me in times of hardship. They are my rock in life and have taught me to see the beauty in the difficult. I am a proud cradle Catholic and I believe that God had a plan for me all along while we faced these difficulties. He formed me and gave me the strength to come out stronger in the end and find a purpose in my life greater than myself. Everything I have done and will do is because of my community's sacrifices, for those suffering inequity, and to make society one percent better each day. I found out about this scholarship through the BOLD.ORG website.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. When I was in fourth grade I had to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear -cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program alone taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to help patients who yearned to witness all their children's milestones, just like my mother. I want to be the nurse who puts patients' minds at ease, just like the providers who put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. I want to be the person who gives my patients hope in their darkest times in the same manner that the nurses supported my family. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against and discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting on the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me.       Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. My most vivid encounter with these diseases was in fourth grade upon being forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear- cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible.       As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to put patients' minds at ease and give them hope for a better future during the most frightening times of their lives.      My ultimate dream quickly became to be an Obstetric Gynecological nurse. Obstetric Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers in the world. They have the privilege of supporting patients on the happiest or saddest day of their lives and creating a lifelong impact on their families. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure all women have access to their innate right to equal and equitable healthcare. No matter their story, I will listen to my patients and help them thrive.

Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that no medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me.       Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. My most vivid encounter with these diseases was in fourth grade upon being forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear- cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible.       As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to put patients' minds at ease and give them hope for a better future during the most frightening times of their lives.      My ultimate dream quickly became to be a nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter who they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Mexican-American, first-born, female, what more could you ask for in a society built against minorities? Growing up, I never envisioned myself having much importance in life and figured that if I attained a speckle of success, it would be due to my academics. After all, what more could I depend on? I did not have mommy and daddy's money, I had no talents, and I certainly did not have friends. So, with that in mind, I decided from a very young age to dedicate my life to academic success, constantly fighting to stay one step ahead of the pack. It was not always this way. As a young elementary schooler, I wanted nothing more than to play tag with my peers and collect rocks to trade, but I soon learned my path through life would not be this easy. School had always been hard for me: I was bullied extensively through elementary school, struggled with my grades, and always felt like the chubby outcast of the group. I feared standing out and often role-played to fit in. Fourth grade rolled around, and I thought it would be my year: I was a big kid, had a new teacher, and finally had a friend. When I finally began to believe life was looking up, I was forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear -cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she shared the diagnosis with me and tried to explain what was to come, the room spun, the noises my sister produced penetrated my mind, and my body felt crushed. That was the first time I felt alone and hopeless in this vast world. My role model for life had cancer. I could see the world ending before my eyes as all the thoughts unstoppably raced through my mind. Would my mom get better? Would she see me make it to 5th grade? What about graduation? Would she be around? I was ten years old and felt my life would end. I continued through the year while suffering in silence and wondering if I would be alone in the world. I tried incredibly hard to act as if this did not impact me; however, no matter how hard I tried, my mom's cancer changed my life forever. Life is not always as beautiful as people paint it to be. Upon this realization, I matured faster than I would have liked and learned that there is pain, struggle, and hardship among families, even when they seem perfect. The harshness of this world pried my 10-year-old body from the privilege of childhood, and as I changed my attention from glitter and tiaras to bills and doctor's appointments, I mourned the death of my childhood. Money and doctor appointments had always been important topics in my house, but I never realized that these two factors that seemed so insignificant before would now determine the life I would have. It was not rare to hear conversations about how there was just enough money to eat and go to the doctor. Yet, these conversations seemed to become a daily occurrence in my life. Through grown-up talk, I learned how valuable understanding your provider is. My mom spoke some English and somewhat understood her diagnosis, but I soon began to think about other families who could not comprehend what was happening to them. How could they possibly manage such a scary time? To this day, Mom still visits her oncologist, and although money is tight, she has had to add even more doctors to the rotation as other conditions arise. Through the struggle, we have learned to work around our limitations and make the most of every situation. I am blessed to say that my mother has been cancer-free for almost 8-years now, but had it not been for God, the doctors, and the nurses who led her along the way - I do not know if I would be here today. My mommy is my rock and my strength. She has taught me the importance of being the best I can be and helping all those around me. Even though we have struggled financially, they never gave up on my dreams, and through hard work, I have attained many opportunities to lead me along these dreams. The most noteworthy of these opportunities is the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program alone taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to help patients who yearned to witness all their children's milestones, just like my mother. I want to be the nurse who puts patients' minds at ease, just like the providers who put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. The spark of dreams was re-lit in me. I could achieve my dreams of crushing fears and bettering my community as a nurse. As a nurse, I would be the light at the end of a treacherous tunnel for families and ensure that there is always a rainbow after the storm. I am passionate about nursing because I understand how much it means to patients to receive support and understanding when it feels like their world will end. I want to be the reason people go to the doctor's office with ease, knowing they will get the care they deserve. I dream of being a nurse and hope to one day inspire and support the future generation to aspire to reach their dreams as I am. I am Zeltzin Monserrat Zepeda-Solis, a proud first-generation Mexican-American female fighting to achieve her dreams and give her people hope and peace.

The trait I am most grateful that my parents have instilled in me is my ability to be completely selfless without seeing my actions as a sacrifice. My family is very religious so showing mercy, empathy, and selflessness quickly became like second nature. From activities such as feeding the hungry, packing food, helping with fundraisers, and much more I was taught the value of helping those in need and the joy it could bring into my own life. One of the events that I have participated in the longest is my church Summer Fiesta. This is an event in which the whole church community comes together and raises bigger sums of money for the church. Behind the scenes a lot of work has to be done such as designing and selling t-shirts, planning what is to be sold, preparing the food for selling, and working the stands the day of. I was not even 10 years old when I first started helping with this fundraiser and I have continued working in it ever since. Working with my family and the ministry within the church to raise money brings me joy as I feel I am making an impact in the community around me. Furthermore, through the funds, we can keep the church afloat so the community can continue to delve into their faith.  Apart from this fundraiser, I have also taken part in our church's annual mission trip for the last two years now going on three. In this mission trip, teens are sent to raise money for the camp and all expenses that come with getting there. Our fundraising includes anything from a 50/50 raffle to a taco sale where the teens volunteer to collect as much funds as possible. The location of the trip has varied slightly from year to year but it is always held by Catholic Heart Work Camp. I have gone to both Michigan and Tennessee as a part of these missions so far. The overall goal of these missions is to provide services to the community whether that be cleaning a hoarder's home, repainting walls, or even helping out at an Alzheimer's center for the week, these teens strive to make a change. During this week our mornings start at 6 in the morning and often end around 10 pm and we work for about 7 hours a day. Although the work is hard at times this volunteer effort has helped me understand the importance of lifting the community and always helping those in need.  Embodying selflessness is one of the most beautiful qualities a person can embody as it allows them to be there for all those around while feeling joy in the process. Through acts such as volunteering at church I have grown my quality of selflessness and I am eternally grateful for that gift. Helping others brings joy nothing else in this world can replace.

Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. My most vivid encounter with these diseases was in fourth grade upon being forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear- cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to put patients' minds at ease, just like the caring providers put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. My ultimate dream quickly became to be a nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting on the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter who they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. When I was in fourth grade I had to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear -cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program alone taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to help patients who yearned to witness all their children's milestones, just like my mother. I want to be the nurse who puts patients' minds at ease, just like the providers who put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. I want to be the person who gives my patients hope in their darkest times in the same manner that the nurses supported my family. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting on the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. My most vivid encounter with these diseases was in fourth grade upon being forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear- cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to help patients who yearned to witness all their children's milestones, just like my mother. I want to be the person who puts patients' minds at ease, just like the caring providers put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. All dreams come with their fair share of obstacles. Unfortunately, as a first-generation Hispanic college student, these obstacles are frequently magnified. These fears include constant overthinking of whether or not I will be good enough to fulfill my dreams and whether or not I will seize the opportunities my family never had the privilege to grasp. As a minority with dreams of becoming a nurse, I dream of going beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. However, none of my dreams will be possible without support. There are massive financial barriers against first-generation students and higher education, however, I believe that there are good people out there who want us to succeed. With their help, I will one day become a bilingual nurse who breaks down barriers and ensures everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter who they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

There is a common misconception in society that people must conform to societal expectations and lose their authenticity to thrive. This need to fit in constantly overshadows our lives and we become numb puppets for society to play with. This unfortunate reality is especially prevalent in the world of pop culture where artists consistently morph their character to fit society's taste. However, there are a few artists such as Sabrina Carpenter who go against the norm and strive to maintain the same genuine character they started their career with. I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because of her good heart and authentic nature. She has a character capable of shining on any stage, whether that be on a show such as Girl Meets World or in a concert, as she sings Please, Please, Please and the world marvels at her lyrics. Sabrina is what I would consider a girl's girl. She has a fearless personality in which she showcases herself unafraid of what other people think especially through her music. One way in which she remains authentic is by constantly changing the endings of her songs to match her mood such as in her hit Nonsense. Another one of the traits I admire about Sabrina is her patient rise to fame. Although she has been known since before the 2014 show Girl Meets World, her true fame did not arise until 2023-2024. Throughout this whole time, she demonstrated the resilience, patience, and tenacity of a true artist. She did not try and hurt other people to rise to fame but instead prepared herself for the perfect moment on stage. Sabrina patiently practiced her self-fulfilling prophecy and reached her goals in the end. As a female, it is not uncommon to feel like the weight of society rests on your shoulders. The constant need to fit fluctuating expectations of how to dress, think, and behave becomes exhausting and it leaves you constantly feeling insufficient. Therefore, looking toward a role model such as Sabrina who goes against societal expectations and lives for herself, allows us as women to feel that part of the burden is lifted off our shoulders. Sabrina makes me feel like there is no need to be perfect. All I must do is be joyful, live for myself, and work on myself and the rest will follow.

When listening to Billie Eilish I feel as if I am the one being sung to. Her music is so emotional and raw that it reaches into parts of my soul that I did not know even existed. She is proof that lyrics are the key to the heart and soul. Although Billie has many top hits, my favorite song by her is WILDFLOWER, this song reaches deep into my soul because I feel like I have grown so much as a person throughout the last couple of years of my life, yet, there is always a little girl in the back of my mind wishing I could enjoy life to a deeper extent. I took Eilish’s lyrics to represent our past selves and how we often fail to meet our innermost needs. I also interpreted this song as demonstrating how often we block out our inner voice and go through life unable to let go of the hurt we have faced. My second favorite song by Billie Eilish is Birds of a Feather. This song made me extremely emotional because it talks about how you should stick to those closest to you and hope it lasts forever. Personally, this song puts my life into some perspective because I feel like I frequently conform to please everyone around me yet I fail to love on and appreciate my pack who has been there for me through thick and thin. Listening to these lyrics proved how blessed I am to have my pack. Finally, my third favorite song by Billie is, What Was I Made For, the first time I heard this song I remember my heartstrings being tugged as I wondered what my purpose in life was. As a senior in high school, it is not uncommon to wonder about what our purpose in this fleeting life may be. After all, there is so much unknown in our future and there will be huge decisions we have to make to figure out our place in this world. What Was I Made For resonates with me because it reflects the struggles I often face to find my place in the world and even my community. Billie Eilish is an incredibly talented artist who reaches out into our innermost souls and allows us to ponder on what we want out of our lives. So whether you need to forgive your past self, learn to stick with your pack, or determine your place in the world, Billie Eilish will resonate with your soul.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me.       Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. My most vivid encounter with these diseases was in fourth grade upon being forced to digest the most gruesome 6-letter word anyone could ever hear- cancer. My mom had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As she fought to put together the words and explain the diagnosis to me, I mourned the death of my childhood. She could not even understand her case herself, how was she to explain it to me? After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible.       As a freshman in high school, I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I discovered that patients often faced adversity because they looked like me and feared for their families well being. I had the opportunity to help patients who yearned to witness all their children's milestones, just like my mother. I want to be the person who puts patients' minds at ease, just like the caring providers put my family's minds at ease during our most frightening times. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse.      All dreams come with their fair share of obstacles. Unfortunately, as a first-generation Hispanic college student, these obstacles are frequently magnified. These fears include constant overthinking of whether or not I will be good enough to fulfill my dreams and whether or not I will seize the opportunities my family never had the privilege to grasp. As a minority with dreams of becoming a nurse, I dream of going beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. However, none of my dreams will be possible without support. There are massive barriers against first-generation students and higher education, however, I believe that there are good people out there who want us to succeed. Winning this scholarship would change the financial fears with which I view college and prove that society is willing to support dedicated young women in STEM on their journey to higher education. Only with your support will I be granted the opportunity to break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with.

People often treat me like a lump of coal between the gold, someone too loud, honest, and focused to be worthy of having friends. They have the misconception that I have my whole life put together and hate me for it. It seems as if when one does their best to excel academically and respect those around them, they end up alone. Olivia was right in All American Bitch, when singing, "I pay attention to things that most people ignore." Teen hatred is a real struggle, and although I try to forgive and forget, no one seems to realize I am still yearning to be a 17-year-old who fits in with the teens around me.  Growing up, people always hated my integrity and loving nature, so I had to learn how to make light of the darkness. I realized that no one would ever be there for me besides my family, so I began to shut myself down. I decided that if my light was too bright for everyone around, I needed to change myself into someone more acceptable. The first part of this process was mental punishment. I drilled myself into believing I was a failure unworthy of love and that I would amount to nothing in life. I then decided to physically punish myself, after all, what could taste better than fitting in? I went from being confident to unsure who the skeleton staring back at me from the mirror was. The starvation drove me insane, and I could feel the strength leaving my body through each nutrient-deprived bone. I made the mistake of taking it upon myself to deal with the insecurities of those around me and hid my true self from the world. My middle school years were gone, and I gained nothing from losing myself besides hair loss, weakness, and more anger. Moving on to high school, I hid for a while but soon realized it would change nothing. When I masked my identity I was still hated, at least when I was myself I could enjoy the sunshine I hid in my pocket for so long. I followed Olivia's lyrics at school, "I don’t get angry when I’m pissed, I’m the eternal optimist. I scream inside to deal with it.” People made me conform to hiding my emotions like Olivia out of fear of being judged, and I soon felt the emotion most teens encounter in their lives -hatred. The idea of thriving in a world where people are everywhere but on your side is incredibly daunting and scary. The fear paralyzes you into conformity and prevents you from unleashing your full potential. Senior year of high school came around, and I finally bid farewell to the idea of fitting in. I hated the behaviors of the people I used to idolize and felt lost when I pretended to be someone I was not.  I was over the role-playing and done with the drama. It was my time to live, and I had to use up every second of my time and every centimeter of my space. I finally realized I am perfect, "With perfect all-American lips. And perfect all-American hips”. I do not need to and never will fit into society's standards for life, but who wants to anyway? Olivia and "I make light of the darkness", we bring happiness into the world, and we are worthy of greatness.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind. Whether due to language barriers, price tags, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. As a minority, I understand the struggle of attaining the medical help your family needs to thrive. My ancestors walked the path of this struggle so I could run with open arms to help those who face this daily struggle such as they did. Empowered by the possibilities I have to be a part of the change I decided to join the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine as a freshman in high school. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patient's lives as a billingual medical professional. I want to be the person who gives patients hope in their darkest times. I want to show them that leading a better life is not as hard as society has made them believe. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers in the universe. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting on the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse, I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind.Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. That is why I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine as a freshman in high school. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I want to be the person who gives patients hope in their darkest times. I want to show them that leading a better life is not as hard as society has made them believe. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind.Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. That is why I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine as a freshman in high school. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I want to be the person who gives patients hope in their darkest times. I want to show them that leading a better life is not as hard as society has made them believe. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind.Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. That is why I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine as a freshman in high school. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I want to be the person who gives patients hope in their darkest times. I want to show them that leading a better life is not as hard as society has made them believe. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

Red roses are so habitual that people often forget the beauty white roses add to a bouquet. Growing up as a minority with dreams of becoming a healthcare provider is much like being a white rose. You face intimidation, doubt, and fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I was so used to seeing only red roses around me that it took me years to understand the value of diversity in healthcare. Whenever I stepped foot in a doctor's office and noticed that none of the medical professionals looked like me, I never questioned, "Why?" I just got my prescription and left. Over time, I realized how this lack of diversity in healthcare affected those around me. Although the doctors and nurses I saw were nothing short of impressive and intelligent, it seemed impossible for my family to avoid developing non-communicable diseases. After some reflection, I realized the reason why there is an increased correlation between people of color and these preventable diseases is because of patients' inability to attain proper health guidance that keeps their culture in mind.Whether due to a language barrier, price tag, or mistrust, millions of people are falling sick and dying of preventable diseases. Upon this realization, I felt a strong calling to help prevent these diseases as much as possible. That is why I joined the INSPIRE program at Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine as a freshman in high school. This program taught me the value of diversity in healthcare and how I could make a difference in patients' lives. I want to be the person who gives patients hope in their darkest times. I want to show them that leading a better life is not as hard as society has made them believe. I want to be the light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, my dream is to be their nurse. Nurses are the kindest, most compassionate, and understanding healthcare workers ever. They stick with patients through all their struggles in life and teach them how to lead a healthier life. As a minority in medicine, I dream of getting to know my patients and offering them resources in any area they need. My goal is to go beyond serving my people as a provider; I want to embrace their culture, understand their way of life, and protect them against any discrimination they may face. I plan on making a difference in my community by reflecting the values of positivity, equality, and unity the white rose represents. As a bilingual nurse I will break down barriers and ensure everyone has access to the innate right of equal and equitable healthcare they were born with. No matter what type of rose they may be, I will help my patients thrive.

One technological development that makes me believe technology can help make the world a better place is Health Apps. Although they have been around for years, health apps are now more effective and efficient than ever. These apps have transitioned from random platforms for health information into a vast platform and leader of health handled by health professionals themselves. Through the use of these apps, patients have developed the ability to directly communicate with physicians, record their medical history, attain consultation results, and more. Patients' ability to contact their healthcare provider directly is crucial as this direct line of communication prevents patients from unnecessarily coming to the doctor while at the same time making sure critical patients get where they need to be as soon as possible. The added features of tracking vitals and keeping a patient's health history on hand can be incredibly beneficial in an emergency. For example, if a patient is found in an unresponsive state the health tracking feature of health apps could provide a physician with the data they need to treat the patient. In a more individualistic manner, the usage of health apps is incredibly impactful on a person's life as it gives individuals the ability to see how the decisions they make impact their lives. Seeing how sleep, sugar, and physical activity affect their vitals patients may feel empowered to take control over their life and fight to keep their health in line. There is a vast array of technologies that have been developed to improve healthcare and make the world a better place, but of all of these technologies, the one that brings the most hope has been the availability of health apps.

My name is Zeltzin Montserrat Zepeda-Solis, I am a first-generation Mexican American college student with dreams of pursuing a career in healthcare. If I could do anything with my life it would be to ensure all people have their basic life needs met. Ever since I was little I have been incredibly moved and saddened by the fact that not all people are fortunate enough to choose their meals, nevertheless eat a whole meal a day. In elementary school, I decided to take some action against this devastating fact and spend my birthday money to make sandwiches and gather snacks to feed people along the streets of Chicago. This was a truly eye-opening experience as I got to see the joy I could bring to those around me through the simple act of gifting them a sandwich. While this brought me an incredible amount of joy and fulfillment, the people's kindness also helped show me how important it is to help all those around us and how a greater movement is needed! From then on I have greatly pondered how to help the less fortunate get their basic needs met and determined that one day I would like to be a part of a greater movement to help these people. If it were possible I would create an organization that takes restaurants extra food and donations to feed those in need! Everyone deserves a meal and a happy face willing to lend them a hand. I dream of one day being able to be this face. The most exciting aspect of STEM is the ability to understand the world at a deeper level and the opportunity to help all those around us. STEM is an ever-changing field that provides students with countless opportunities to continue learning. As a health nerd, this is incredibly exciting as this never-ending research will allow me to continuously be able to help educate people on how to lead a fulfilled life. Through a job in information technology, I would have access to up-to-date research on diseases, understand patients' needs, and provide patients with the best modern treatment possible. Information technology is incredibly important in healthcare as it ensures patient equity and equality. When information is available for all to see, it becomes quite complicated to be biased with patient treatment. Ensuring that all patients are treated equally according to their needs is incredibly important in healthcare because it is one of the fields that holds the greatest levels of inequality in the present day. With the help of information technology healthcare will continue to make a positive impact in the world by ensuring proper treatment to a vast array of people with varying needs. The greatest challenge I have had to overcome in my life is coping with my mental health. When Covid began and we became constricted to our homes I saw my mental health significantly deteriorate. I went from a student who was happy to be crowded by people and extremely outgoing and fun to an individual scared to touch others without washing her hands. I felt as if I was a threat to everyone around me and everyone around me was a threat to my safety. I pulled myself far away from my family and feared the big emotions I felt. All I wanted was for everyone to be safe and my greatest fear was to get sick or for someone to end up hurt. To deal with this I talked to my parents, exercised, and studied incredibly hard to keep my mind off of everything I could not control in the changing world. Through talks with my parents, I realized that even when I felt like there was nothing left in life I would always have my family and education. Due to this I quickly focused my efforts on trying to be the best student I could be. I took education to another level and continue to work toward expanding my mind more and more every day. There have been plenty of ups and downs on the way to healing and I still find myself preferring to be alone sometimes, but I now understand the importance of education and family. If it were not for my parents I would probably still be crying through my workouts and frantically washing my hands out of fear and frustration. Luckily, this is not so and by reaching out and being vulnerable I now lead a very happy life filled with great emphasis on education and minimal fear.