Who am I? Acquaintances say that I am a seventeen-year-old woman from Augusta, Georgia, who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Although this answer is true, it only skims the surface. My past, obstacles, and goals characterize me as resilient and compassionate. Here is my story. My childhood was tough. My mother was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer far too late. In adolescence, I did not understand what cancer was or what it even meant, but I did know that it was a force to reckon with. I observed how everything was changing. Her long, thick locs became brittle and weak. Her body became frail; she could no longer walk. Her smile became overshadowed by tubes and drains. How could such a good person have to endure such change? I frequently asked myself this question. On January 27, 2018, she passed away in her sleep, peacefully. Surprisingly, life didn’t stop once my mother passed. If anything, it went faster. Instead of worrying, I embraced her tragedy. Everyone has obstacles, but that leads us one step closer to our goals. I asked myself, “What could I learn from this?” I came up with an answer: I should achieve maximum potential as our days on Earth are limited. My newfound growth mindset made me work harder. I would wake up, go to school, ace my tests, and study repeatedly. Why aim for a 90 when I can get a 100? I noticed the more I challenged myself, the less I focused on my mother’s tragedy. I was truly healing. I embody this same mindset today, not only with academics but with volunteer work. I volunteer at the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. I love being in a high-capacity environment that entails plentiful tasks: answering calls, delivering and retrieving medical supplies, and assisting nurses and patients. It challenges me, but it is rewarding to bring joy to children and nurses by being patient, compassionate, and empathetic. I also adore volunteering because of my dream career: plastic surgery. As a child, I was fascinated by the roles of plastic surgeons and how they could transform bodies. I watched “Botched” daily and became hooked on the surgeons’ abilities to give anyone their dream body or face. Additionally, my mother’s doctors inspired me; they uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I decided to become a plastic surgeon and provide that same experience to others. I want to make a difference by sprouting confidence in individuals with low self-image. Too many people are unhappy with their appearance, but this problem is understandable as we live in a world where social media reigns supreme. Whenever we browse social media, we see acclamation of women with hourglass frames, small noses, and perfect skin. As for men, social media praises six packs, a muscular build, and facial symmetry. My surgical skills will enhance self-esteem as everyone deserves their ideal appearance. My past formed an outstanding woman who will build a legacy as a plastic surgeon. My legacy derives from making people happy- a necessary impact. I greatly appreciate your consideration.

Jim Rohn advised, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” Once my mother passed, my father became a single parent. This abrupt change was unfortunate but led me to persevere, desire to impact the world, and pursue my goals. As a result of my mother passing from breast cancer, my father had to explore uncharted territory: being a single parent. His struggle with financial instability and depression led me to persevere by inducing a desire to flourish. I craved financial stability, excellent grades, and positive well-being, which guided me through challenges. I intend to become a plastic surgeon, create my practice, and expand worldwide. My execution of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery will enhance any look and remove deformities, boosting self-esteem. Additionally, I will aid minority communities globally with financial and educational programs as they are more likely to have single-parent households. I actively engage in completing scholarships and volunteering to pursue my goals. Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine are expensive, as they are private colleges. Scholarship grants contribute to my schooling and goals. Moreover, I am a youth volunteer in the American Red Cross and the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. By volunteering, I improve my chances of fulfilling impactful goals in the future. My experience in a single-parent home has created perseverance, a desire for a positive impact, and the pursuit of goals. Thank you for presenting an opportunity to achieve success despite hardships.

“Mind over matter.” This is what my mom used to say to me. Back then, I was unsure of how I would overcome obstacles: my mother’s cancer and mental issues. Amazingly, I reigned supreme by embracing obstacles, diligence, and devotion to goals, forming my gritty mindset. My childhood was tough. My mother was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer far too late. In adolescence, I didn’t understand what cancer was or what it even meant; but I did know that it was a force to be reckoned with. I observed how quickly, everything was changing. Her long, thick locs became brittle and weak. Her body became frail and she could no longer walk. Her smile became overshadowed by tubes and drains. How could such a good person have to endure such change? This was a question that I frequently asked myself. Cancer did not only affect her but me as well. Streams of obsessive thoughts began to run through my mind such as “Ruin your life.” I felt as if I could not control my mind and as if I was going insane. This led to destructive behavior. I avoided people at all costs. I didn’t enjoy interacting with others or going outside. My mother was concerned, so, one day, she pulled me to the side and told me, “Mind over matter.” Two days after my birthday, she passed away in her sleep, peacefully. Surprisingly, life didn’t stop once my mother passed. If anything, it went faster. Instead of worrying, I embraced her tragedy. Everyone has obstacles, but that leads us one step closer to our goals. I asked myself, “What could I learn from this?” I came up with an answer; I should achieve maximum potential as our days on Earth are limited. This new mindset made me work harder. I would wake up, go to school, ace my tests, and study. I would do this repeatedly, because why aim for a 90 when I can get a 100? I noticed the more I challenged myself, the less I focused on the negative. I embody this same mindset today, not just with grades, but with volunteer work. Instead of solely volunteering at the American Red Cross, I volunteer at the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. I love being in a high-capacity environment that entails plentiful tasks: answering calls, delivering and retrieving medical supplies, and assisting pediatric nurses and patients. It is a challenge for me, but I enjoy it immensely. My dream is to be a plastic surgeon. After my mother’s death, I re-evaluated my goals; I decided to make them bigger as I can achieve anything. Instead of becoming a teacher, I decided to become a plastic surgeon. After all, doctors surrounded me my entire life. I was always in awe of the doctors who took care of my mom. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to work in the medical field, become a plastic surgeon, and provide that same experience to others. These goals have not changed and never will. In conclusion, my gritty mindset formed from embracing obstacles, diligence, and devotion to goals. I learned you can either succumb to your wounds or heal from them and become greater; the choice is yours.

Jim Rohn advised, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” Once my mother passed, my father became a single parent of two. This abrupt change was unfortunate but shaped my educational journey positively. I developed future goals, many of which pertain to helping my community. In 2018, my mother passed from stage four breast cancer. My spirited mother endured constant pain, hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. Her disease progressed, as well as her drinking and my anxiety. My emotions became hard to control, and I was pained to see her go, but I was relieved that she would no longer be in pain. After her passing, my father had to explore uncharted territory; he was now a single parent with double the responsibilities. My mother lacked life insurance, causing my family to suffer financially. The financial burden went to my dad, and funds had to be dispersed between sustaining the lives of 3, bills, and more. My experience as the child of a single parent impacted me and my educational journey. My father’s struggles caused two of my desires: to live a life free from financial instability and to become successful as a plastic surgeon. As for my education, a single-parent household made me strive to excel academically. I have won many awards, including the African American Scholar Award, the National African American Recognition Award, and more. Currently, I possess a 4.0 GPA and plan to attend Spelman College. Experiencing a single-parent household made me excel, and I will continue to transcend. I will restore my community by creating educational programs and providing funding. I aspire to become a plastic surgeon who performs reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. I plan to start my practice, expand worldwide, and create programs to educate and inspire the youth, specifically targeting women of color who wish to work in the medical field. I will assert that anything they want to achieve is possible, using my life as concrete evidence. Additionally, I intend to allocate a portion of funds from my company to my community, as it deserves to thrive. This money will help improve the quality of living, decrease poverty, and motivate children to pursue skill-based careers. In conclusion, my experience growing up in a single-parent home has positively affected my academic journey. It produced many long-term goals that will aid my community. Confidently, I will in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration.

What defines a virtuous leader? I have been searching for the answer my entire life. Recently, I made a discovery; the answer was within me. An important aspect of a leader is not succumbing to temptations and self-destruction. With that being said, I refuse to follow the crowd. As a seventeen-year-old female, I can confidently say that I do not smoke, drink, party, or participate in any behavior that most teens deem “fun.” Instead, I wake up, do schoolwork, volunteer, study, and repeat. Yes, this may seem “boring” to the average teenager, but it is a fundamental practice that contributes to my adamant character. On Wednesdays, I have lunch with a friend. Regarding her character, she differs from me in that she procrastinates. Last Wednesday, we discussed writing college and scholarship essays and she told me she has yet to write either. I encouraged her to begin and showed her my completed statement, supplemental essays, and scholarships. All she needed was a little motivation and within a week she completed her supplemental for UGA and two local scholarships. I’m so proud of her for taking my advice and myself for inciting her maximum potential. I love volunteering at the Doctors Hospital of Augusta where our lunch takes place. I owe much of my leadership skills to the nurses I observe. As I’ve watched them multitask, communicate effectively, and cater to the ill, I’ve modeled their traits; I run errands simultaneously, behave courteously with patients, and inspire those I encounter. My experience has taught me a valuable lesson; I must surround myself with leaders to be a leader. Leadership comes with responsibility, and I want to be accountable for increasing confidence through plastic surgery. Too many people are unhappy with their appearance, but this problem is understandable as we live in a world where social media reigns supreme. Whenever we browse social media, we see acclamation of women with hourglass frames, small noses, and perfect skin. As for men, social media praises six packs, a muscular build, and facial symmetry. We live in a Western society that admires these features, and this causes low self-esteem. To solve this confidence crisis, I will become a plastic surgeon who enhances looks and deformities. Good leaders inspire others, fulfill obligations, and produce positive change. As you can see, I embody the mindset of a good leader and will continue to do so throughout my career.

“Mind over matter.” This is what my mom used to say to me. Back then, I was unsure of how I would recover from my mother’s death. Amazingly, I reigned supreme by embracing obstacles, diligence, and devotion to goals, successfully recovering from grief. My childhood was tough. My mother was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer far too late. In adolescence, I didn’t understand what cancer was or what it even meant; but I did know that it was a force to be reckoned with. I observed how quickly, everything was changing. Her long, thick locs became brittle and weak. Her body became frail and she could no longer walk. Her smile became overshadowed by tubes and drains. How could such a good person have to endure such change? This was a question that I frequently asked myself. Two days after my birthday, she passed away in her sleep, peacefully. Surprisingly, life didn’t stop once my mother passed. If anything, it went faster. Instead of worrying, I embraced her tragedy. Everyone has obstacles, but that leads us one step closer to our goals. I asked myself, “What could I learn from this?” I came up with an answer: I should achieve maximum potential as our days on Earth are limited. This new growth mindset made me work harder. I would wake up, go to school, ace my tests, and study. I would do this repeatedly, because why aim for a 90 when I can get a 100? I noticed the more I challenged myself, the less I focused on my mother’s tragedy. I was truly healing. I embody this same mindset today, not just with grades, but with volunteer work. Instead of solely volunteering at the American Red Cross, I volunteer at the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. I love being in a high-capacity environment that entails plentiful tasks: answering calls, delivering and retrieving medical supplies, and assisting pediatric nurses and patients. It is a challenge, but it keeps my mind busy and pleases me. In the future, I will acquire a medical degree to become a plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. To cope with the pain, I reminisce on the positives: the laughs we shared, my mother’s wedding before she passed, and the affectionate doctors. Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances, the doctors had always lightened up the room; They inspired me. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in cold hospitals, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to work in the medical field, become a plastic surgeon, and provide that same experience to others. In conclusion, my recovery journey embraces obstacles, diligence, and devotion to goals. I learned you can either succumb to your wounds or heal from them and become greater; The choice is yours.

Jim Rohn advised, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” Once my mother passed, my father became a single parent of two. This abrupt change was unfortunate but impacted me and my educational journey positively. I developed many future goals, and this scholarship will help me achieve them. In 2018, my mother passed from stage four breast cancer. My spirited mother endured constant pain, hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. Her disease progressed, as well as her drinking and my anxiety. My emotions became hard to control, and I was pained to see her go, but I was relieved that she would no longer be in pain. After her passing, my father had to explore uncharted territory. He was now a single parent with double the responsibilities. My mother lacked life insurance, causing my family to suffer financially. The financial burden went to my dad, and funds had to be dispersed between sustaining the lives of 3, bills, and more. My experience as the child of a single parent impacted me and my educational journey. My father’s struggles caused two of my desires: to live a life free from financial instability and to become successful as a plastic surgeon. A single-parent household made me strive to excel academically and I won many awards, including the African American Scholar Award. I possess a 4.0 GPA and plan to attend Spelman College. Experiencing a single-parent household made me excel academically, and I will continue to transcend. With this in mind, I desire to accomplish many long-term goals. I plan to start my surgical company and expand worldwide to distribute funds to minority communities. This will be used for financial and educational programs. Likewise, funds from my company will be granted to mental health centers in St. Lucia, as it lacks proper mental health services for my grandmother and elders. Lastly, I wish to uplift men and women with low self-image. To increase confidence, I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to enhance any look and remove deformities. These goals are easier to fulfill with this scholarship, as it provides financial relief. The first step towards accomplishing my long-term goals is to finish school. Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine are extremely expensive, as they are private colleges. Financial relief from this scholarship will assist in my schooling, contributing to the fulfillment of my goals. In conclusion, my experience growing up in a single-parent home has positively affected me and my academic journey. It produced many long-term goals that are easier to reach with this scholarship. Thank you for presenting this opportunity.

Albert Einstein asserted, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” To live life to the fullest, you must help others. I volunteer with the American Red Cross and the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. I support civilians, nurses, and patients and plan to help others in the future by aiding minorities, the mentally unstable, and those who have a low self-image. I am a youth volunteer at the American Red Cross. My job is to advise the youth about disaster prevention. Since I cannot stop the inevitable, I spread knowledge of prevention from crisis and provide care for those affected. My team supplies necessities, such as clothing, to communities impacted by hurricanes, floods, and more. I learned that together, we can accomplish anything. At the Doctors Hospital of Augusta, I assist patients, answer calls, and help the pediatric nurses. My most notable assignment is to be friendly, positive, and uplifting to everyone. You would be surprised how much a smile or a compliment can uplift someone’s day. Volunteering has made me empathetic, understanding, and patient. I realized how rewarding it is to put a warm, fuzzy smile on the faces of others and how my actions can affect their lives. I plan to become a plastic surgeon, start my surgical company, and expand worldwide. Donations from my company will support those in minority communities, improving the quality of living and decreasing poverty. Likewise, funds from my company will be granted to mental health centers in St. Lucia to improve the lives of my grandmother and elders with mental illness. Most of my service will be with men and women who lack a positive self-image. Social platforms broadcast models with beautiful bodies, causing a decline in confidence. To increase assurance in physical appearance, I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to enhance any look and remove deformities. To conclude, I assist others by volunteering and impacting their lives. I hope that my actions will cause a chain effect of goodness to spread in the future. Ultimately, I want individuals to desire to help others after seeing their lives changed through my assistance.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Throughout my life, I experienced challenges beyond the imaginable: my mother’s battle with cancer and mental illness. To overcome them, I persevered, prioritized success, and made it a goal to make her proud. Adversity shaped me and influenced my pursuit of a medical career. My mother suffered from stage four breast cancer from 2015 to 2018. For years, I watched her endure constant pain, hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. She battled alcohol; Her drinking led to fights, arguments, and outrageous behavior. Cancer was eating away at not just her but also me. I kept quiet and wore a “mask” every time I left the house. Not only that, but I had obsessive thoughts and depression. Help was crucial, so I endured therapy; I was diagnosed with OCD and PTSD. My emotions became hard to control, and I was pained to see her go, but I was relieved that she would no longer be in pain. Fortunately, I overcame the adversity by making my mother proud. My mother had one worry before she passed; She was afraid that I would go astray. Worriedly, she told me, “Mind over matter.” To overcome the pain, I made it a priority to make her proud using this philosophy. Shortly after her passing, I received the Johns Award, created an anti-bullying club, and joined the environmental expansion club. Today, I excel academically, socially, and mentally. For example, I have the African American Scholar Award, 50+ hours with the American Red Cross, and a positive well-being. My dedication to satisfying my mother helped me overcome adversity, which made her proud. Resilience shaped me by forming my character. Before my mother’s passing, I avoided people at all costs. I didn’t enjoy interacting with others, going outside, or speaking up for myself. My attention was on my mother, and nothing could change that. Due to resilience, I have become a different person. I socialize heavily by volunteering at the American Red Cross and the Doctors Hospital of Augusta. My friends consider me a confident, intelligent, and responsible young black woman. I outgrew my “shell” and became the person I dreamed of becoming. Thank you, resilience. Strength formed my medical interest. To cope with the pain, I reminisced on the positives: the laughs we shared, my mother’s wedding before she passed, and the affectionate doctors. Regardless of the circumstances, the doctors had always lightened up the room; They inspired me. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in cold hospitals, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I decided to become a plastic surgeon and provide that same experience to others. In conclusion, I experienced challenges that scarred me: my mother’s battle with cancer and mental illness. I overcame them, enhanced my personality, and desired a medical profession. Thank you for presenting an excellent opportunity to showcase my determination.

Anne Sweeney advised, “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” Success is not always about obtaining stardom or wealth. It is about reaching self-actualization through redefining success. To me, success is the ability to create a positive impact and to make my mother proud. This opportunity will help me achieve success by aiding me with school expenses. My victory is to create a complimentary impact on communities and individuals. I intend to become a plastic surgeon, start my practice, and expand worldwide. Granted funds from my surgical company will create financial and educational programs for minority communities. This is bound to improve the quality of living, decrease poverty, and motivate children to pursue skill-based careers. Furthermore, I will distribute funds to mental health centers and hospitals in St. Lucia. My grandmother is in a mental home that will be turned into a forensics lab. St. Lucia lacks proper mental health services, thus my grandmother receives indecent care. The granted money would improve her life and the lives of others. I wish to impact those with low self-image to define my success. When we browse platforms like Instagram, we see models with hourglass frames, contoured faces, and sculpted abs. We compare our bodies with those being broadcast, wondering how to obtain similar features. To increase confidence, I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to enhance any look and remove deformities. My service boosts self-esteem and happiness, illustrating my triumph. Most importantly, success is making my mother proud. In 2018, my mother passed away from stage four breast cancer. She endured constant pain, hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. Her fight was primarily motivated by me and my two sisters. She wanted to see us excel and used us as a reason to keep living. As a result, I made it a priority to demonstrate to my mother that her fight was worth it. She would not have died in vain, and my success would be proof. I want to go to college, become a plastic surgeon, and prove to my mother that those years of suffering would result in motivation. Surely, this will make her proud. This scholarship will help me successfully by aiding with school expenses. The first step towards accomplishing my success is to finish school. Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine are extremely expensive, as they are private colleges. My father is a single parent, and the financial help from this scholarship will ease the burden. Relief from this scholarship will assist in my schooling, alleviate monetary stress, and contribute to defining my success. In conclusion, success is subjective. To many, success depends upon fame and riches, but to me, it relies on creating a positive impact and making my mother proud. If I stay focused on my education, those above will come true. Thank you for presenting such an amazing opportunity to help me achieve success and assist me in my educational journey.

According to Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop." In my life, I experienced hardship beyond the imaginable: the loss of my mother. To overcome it, I prioritized success, made it a goal to make her proud, and desired to help my community. My mother suffered from stage four breast cancer from 2015 to 2018. She endured constant pain, hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. Her battle with alcohol led to fights, arguments, and outrageous behavior. Cancer was eating away at not just her body and mind, but also mine. I kept quiet and wore a “mask” every time I left the house. Not only that but I was diagnosed with PTSD and OCD. My emotions became hard to control, and I was pained to see her go, but I was relieved that she would no longer be in pain. Fortunately, I have overcome adversity by making my mother proud. My mother had one worry before she passed; she was afraid that I would go astray. After her passing, I received the Johns Award, created an anti-bullying club, and joined the environmental expansion club. Today, I excel academically, socially, and mentally. I have an African American Scholar Award, 50+ hours with the American Red Cross, and a positive well-being. My future success will surely satisfy her. My dedication to fulfilling my mother helped me overcome adversity. Educational programs and funding will help my community. I aspire to become a plastic surgeon who performs reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. I plan to start my practice, expand worldwide, and create programs to educate and inspire the youth, specifically targeting women of color who wish to work in the medical field. Using my life as concrete evidence, my programs will assert that anything they want to achieve is possible. I intend to allocate funds from my company to my community, as it deserves to thrive. Donations improve the quality of living, decrease poverty, and increase awareness of social problems. I overcame adversity through its unintended effects: hunger, drive, and motivation to succeed. It even caused a desire to help my community improve through educational programs and funding. I am honored as proof that one can excel despite hardship, as the reaction to it matters most. Thank you so much for this opportunity to show my determination.

Phil Mickelson once said, “I think a college education is important no matter what you do in life.” From young, the importance of college has been instilled in me. My parents taught me its importance, and I developed its meaning. College means making my mother proud, enhancing confidence and happiness, and improving minority communities. I am trying to accomplish those above, which will define my success. First, college symbolizes making my mother proud. In 2018, my mother passed away from stage four breast cancer. My spirited mother endured constant pain, doctors' hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. Her fight was primarily motivated by me and my two sisters. She wanted to see us excel and used us as a reason to keep living. As a result, I made it a goal to demonstrate to my mother that her fight was worth it. She would not have died in vain, and my success would be proof. I want to go to college, become a plastic surgeon, prove to my mother that those years of suffering resulted in motivation, and make her proud. Secondly, college signifies enhancing confidence and happiness in the world. I plan to attend Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and work in a residency program to become a plastic surgeon who increases confidence in those with low self-esteem. Social media’s picture-perfect models cause many to dread their appearance, so I want to perform surgery to craft their dream looks. To me, plastic surgery is an art, one which takes years to perfect. I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to craft any look and remove deformities. Everyone deserves their dream body. Lastly, college means affecting minority communities, positively. After residency, I plan to start my practice, expand worldwide, and allocate a portion of funds from my company to minority communities. This is because people of color in minority communities are not given sufficient opportunities to succeed. Granted money will help improve the quality of living, decrease poverty, and motivate children to pursue skill-based careers. A college education will bring me closer to achieving this significant goal. In conclusion, college means making my mother proud, enhancing confidence and happiness, and improving minority communities. If I stay focused on my education, those above will come true. Nothing is impossible. Thank you for presenting such an amazing opportunity to help me achieve my dreams.

According to Roy T. Bennett, “To shine your brightest light is to be who you truly are.” Everyone is different, but that is what makes a person distinct. My name is Zyia Jean, and I am a confident, intelligent, empathetic, and responsible young woman. I am full of passion, and I want to live a life that inspires others. I am also a devoted Christian. You might ask, “How did you obtain these traits?” and “Is there any obstacle you had to overcome along the process?” Unfortunately, my life is not picture-perfect, and I have experienced much hurt to become who I am today. Uniquely, this pain developed a desire to obtain a science degree and many goals post-graduation. My mother’s experience in hospitals fueled my passion to acquire a science degree, and ultimately become a plastic surgeon. My mother passed away from stage four breast cancer in 2018. We were constantly in and out of hospitals, but despite that, I was always in awe of the doctors who took care of my mom. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to achieve a degree in biology, work in the medical field, and provide that same experience to others. With this in mind, I desire to accomplish four goals post-graduation: starting my practice, aiding minority communities, improving the lives of the mentally unstable, and uplifting those who lack self-confidence. After residency, I plan to start my surgical company and expand worldwide. I intend to allocate funds from my company to create financial and educational programs for minority communities. Furthermore, I will distribute funds to mental health centers and hospitals in St. Lucia. My grandmother is in a mental home that will be turned into a forensics lab. St. Lucia lacks proper mental health services, thus my grandmother receives indecent care. The money would improve her life and the lives of others. Lastly, I wish to uplift men and women with low self-image. Often, this is caused by social media where models with beautiful bodies are broadcast. To increase confidence, I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to enhance any look and remove deformities. Thankfully, this scholarship would help me fulfill these goals. Since my father is a single parent, college expenses are a financial burden. To achieve such goals, I will need financial relief from scholarships to complete school. Ultimately, this scholarship will contribute to my success. Overall, tribulation fueled my aspiration to become a determined woman, pursue a degree in science, and achieve my goals. This scholarship will help me achieve such goals by subduing financial obstacles. Thank you for creating an opportunity to further my education, alleviate stress, and become successful.

According to Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Throughout my life, I experienced hardship beyond the imaginable: my mother’s battle with cancer. To overcome it, I persevered, prioritized success, and made it a goal to make her proud. Moreover, adversity made me who I am today and formed my goals. Thus, I have much advice for anyone facing similar circumstances. To begin, my mother suffered from stage four breast cancer from 2015 to 2018. For years, my spirited mother endured constant pain, doctors' hospital visits, needles, and tubes with non-stop hope and faith. As time passed, she battled alcohol and her drinking led to fights, arguments, and outrageous behavior. Cancer was eating away at not just her body and mind, but also mine. I kept quiet and wore a “mask” every time I left the house. Not only that, but I had obsessive thoughts and depression. Help was crucial, so I endured therapy, where PTSD and OCD were my diagnoses. My emotions became hard to control, and I was pained to see her go, but I was relieved that she would no longer be in pain. Fortunately, I overcame the adversity by making my mother proud. My mother had one worry before she passed; she was afraid that I would go astray. Confidently, I would not. Shortly after her passing, I received the Johns Award, created an anti-bullying club, and joined my school’s “Environmental Expansion Club.” Today, I excel academically, socially, and mentally. For example, I have the African American Scholar Award, 50+ hours with the American Red Cross, and a positive well-being. Dedication to satisfying my mother helped me overcome adversity, which, certainly, has made her proud. Positively, adversity shaped me by making me who I am. Due to hardship, I have become a better person than I was before. Today, I am a confident, intelligent, empathetic, and responsible young black woman. I am full of passion, and I want to live a life that inspires others. I have always been a Christian, but hardship made me more devoted. I’ve learned to value loved ones since they can be alive one day, and dead the next. Moreover, adversity formed my future goals. As a result of my mother’s experience with doctors, I was incredibly inspired to work in the medical field. I plan to become a plastic surgeon, start my practice, and expand worldwide. Using my experience, I want to educate and inspire the youth, specifically targeting women of color who wish to work in the medical profession. I intend to spread positivity and encourage people with similar stories to persevere and strive for better. To anyone facing the same circumstances, you will survive. A bright future may seem unachievable, but it is not. Focus on bettering yourself and making those around you proud. Do this not only for them but for you. Use all of your weaknesses, obstacles, and challenges as motivation. There is always light following the storm. Remember, as my mother would remind me, “Mind over Matter.” In conclusion, I experienced adversity that scarred me: my mother’s battle with cancer. I overcame it, changed myself and my future for the better, and developed advice for those under similar circumstances. Thank you for presenting this opportunity.

Confucius advised, “Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” When you choose a field of interest, your life and its values are enhanced. Hence, I have chosen the medical field to create an impact on minority communities, the mentally ill, and people with low self-esteem as these will add significant value to my life. Ultimately, my primary goals are to make my mother proud and to be successful. As a child, I was fascinated by the roles of plastic surgeons, and how they could transform bodies. I watched Botched daily and became hooked on the surgeons’ abilities to give anyone their dream body or face. Additionally, my mother’s experience in hospitals fueled my passion to be a plastic surgeon. My mother passed away from stage four breast cancer in 2018. We were constantly in and out of hospitals, but despite that, I was always in awe of the doctors who took care of my mom. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to work in the medical field and provide that same experience to others. With this in mind, I desire to create an impact in three ways: aiding minority communities, improving the lives of the mentally unstable, and uplifting those who lack self-confidence. After years of performing surgery, I plan to start my practice and expand worldwide. I intend to allocate funds from my company to create financial and educational programs for minority communities. Furthermore, I will distribute funds to mental health centers and hospitals in St. Lucia. My grandmother is in a mental home that will be turned into a forensics lab. St. Lucia lacks proper mental health services, thus my grandmother receives indecent care. The money would improve her life and the lives of others. Lastly, I wish to uplift men and women with low self-image. Often, this is caused by social media where models with beautiful bodies are broadcast. To increase confidence, I will perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including liposuction and skin cancer extractions, to enhance any look and remove deformities. Importantly, two goals will help me achieve my dreams: to make my mother proud and to attain success. Her cancer battle was primarily motivated by me and my sisters. She wanted to see us excel and used us as a reason to keep living. Consequently, I prioritized demonstrating to my mother that her fight was worth it. She would not have died in vain, and my success would be proof. In conclusion, my childhood and a desire to create an impact through goals contributed to my field of interest: the medical field. Thank you for presenting such an incredible opportunity to pursue my dreams.

There are 1,440 minutes in each day. And according to Les Brown, “That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.” With this in mind, I plan to maximize my time in my future career as a cosmetic plastic surgeon to positively impact the self-confidence of those who want to alter their appearance. Cosmetic surgeons are comparable to artists who use various mediums to create beautiful projects. In my field, the results are accomplished through the process of surgery and the tools of needles, scalpels, and forceps. As a child, I was fascinated by the roles of plastic surgeons, and how they could transform bodies. I watched “Botched” daily and became hooked on the surgeons’ abilities to give anyone their dream body or face. Additionally, my mother’s experience in hospitals fueled my passion to be a plastic surgeon. My mother passed away from stage four breast cancer in 2018. We were constantly in and out of hospitals, but despite that, I was always in awe of the doctors who took care of my mom. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to work in the medical field and provide that same experience for others. Social media has played a prominent role in making women and men feel less confident about themselves. Every time we browse platforms like Instagram, we see models with hourglass frames, contoured faces, and sculpted abs. We compare our bodies with those being broadcast, wondering how we can obtain these features so we can look like them. I will perform cosmetic surgery, including liposuction and Botox, to craft any look that someone wants, since I believe everyone deserves their dream body. I plan to expand on my aspirations to positively impact local communities and the world at large. After graduation, I plan to start my own practice and eventually expand worldwide. Additionally, I want to create a program to educate and inspire youth, specifically targeting young women of color who wish to work in the medical field. I will assert that anything they want to achieve is possible, using my life as concrete evidence. Finally, I will allocate a portion of funds from my company to minority communities, as they deserve to thrive. Practicing as a plastic surgeon will allow me to make a significant positive impact on my patients and youth around the globe by using my skills as a surgeon and aforementioned program to instill happiness and assertiveness into them. The money I donate from my practice will also help minority communities. I hope that these actions will cause a chain effect of goodness to spread. Ultimately, I want my patients to desire to help others after seeing their lives changed through my assistance.

There are 1,440 minutes in each day. And according to Les Brown, “That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.” With this in mind, I plan to maximize my time in my future career as a cosmetic plastic surgeon to positively impact the self-confidence of those who want to alter their appearance. Cosmetic surgeons are comparable to artists who use various mediums to create beautiful projects. In my field, the results are accomplished through the process of surgery and the tools of needles, scalpels, and forceps. As a child, I was fascinated by the roles of plastic surgeons, and how they could transform bodies. I watched Botched daily and became hooked on the surgeons’ abilities to give anyone their dream body or face. Additionally, my mother’s experience in hospitals fueled my passion to be a plastic surgeon. My mother passed away from stage four breast cancer in 2018. We were constantly in and out of hospitals, but despite that, I was always in awe of the doctors who took care of my mom. They uplifted her, never pitied her, and treated her with the respect they showed to each other as doctors. Despite being in a cold hospital, the doctors always made it feel warm with their positive attitudes and pure dedication to their job. As a result, I was deeply moved to work in the medical field and provide that same experience for others. Social media has played a prominent role in making women and men feel less confident about themselves. Every time we browse platforms like Instagram, we see models with hourglass frames, contoured faces, and sculpted abs. We compare our bodies with those being broadcast, wondering how we can obtain these features so we can look like them. I will perform cosmetic surgery, including liposuction and Botox, to craft any look that someone wants, since I believe everyone deserves their dream body. I will also perform reconstructive surgery to uplift patients suffering from low self-image because of birth defects they possess or deformities they gained later in life. One type of reconstructive surgery that I am especially passionate about is skin cancer extractions. I plan to expand on my aspirations to positively impact local communities and the world at large. After graduation, I plan to start my own practice and eventually expand worldwide. Additionally, I want to create a program to educate and inspire youth, specifically targeting young women of color who wish to work in STEM. I will assert that anything they want to achieve is possible, using my life as concrete evidence. Finally, I will allocate a portion of funds from my company to minority communities, as they deserve to thrive. Practicing as a plastic surgeon will allow me to make a significant positive impact on my patients and youth around the globe. By using my skills as a surgeon and aforementioned program to instill happiness and assertiveness into them. The money I donate from my practice will also help minority communities. I hope that these actions will cause a chain effect of goodness to spread. Ultimately, I want my patients to desire to help others after seeing their lives changed through my assistance.