Imagine yourself in a circumstance where your only thought is playing with your barbies, but everyone is constantly warning you that tomorrow may not come. Or being denied access to healthcare due to both your race and gender. I started getting stomach aches frequently when I was around five years old. It started off as simple stomachaches, which a young child of that age could readily ignore. Eventually, the excruciating pain I was going through got to the point that I couldn't even stand up straight. With even the slightest movement, it felt as though a shockwave was being sent through my entire body. To determine what was wrong, we sought the advice of numerous medical experts, but nobody could explain it. When I got to that point,! was traumatized not just by the countless exams I had to go through at such a young age, but also, by the constant uncertainty I was given. However, I was becoming sick and worse as the days went by. I had started to doubt that I would ever feel better again at that point. In addition, that nothing seemed to be getting better, the assurances that "it will get better" that were made repeatedly by a variety of different people didn't seem genuine. It was then my mother found out they were refusing to do another test on me when she walked into yet another appointment. They had not yet conducted this specific test, but they did not see the "point" in doing so, thus they told my mother no as they didn't think it would help figure out what was going on. At that moment, my mother had to speak up for me appropriately and let the medical staff know that she wouldn't be leaving the room until the test had been completed. I learned very early on that this country is not always fair and that it is crucial to always believe in oneself and fight for what you believe is necessary. I too discovered this lesson when I was a very young child. The test that they delayed giving me until my mother put pressure on them to do so ended up being the exact thing that saved my life because she pushed for me when I couldn't. They wouldn't have given it to me if she hadn't put her foot down. We were able to determine that the reason I had much less blood than I should have had in my body was because I was experiencing internal blood loss. I was diagnosed with juvenile polyposis syndrome after being evaluated, and the proper care was given for it. But if my mother had listened to the doctors' instructions and ceased treating me when they advised it, this would never have happened. The doctors told my parents that I would have only had a few weeks to live if they hadn't discovered it when they did. When I was younger, hearing that made it easier for me to realize how fragile and transient life is. What I do during my life matters, and it may even cost me the remainder of my time on earth. Because of this, one of the most significant effects it has had on my life is that I now speak up for other people as well as for myself. It is very essential to me to stand up for what I think is right and for those who are unable to do so on their own. My mother stood up for me, and I want to do the same for other people.

Greetings, my name is Arion Malone and my life journey has been a dance of resilience and growth, a symphony of experiences that have shaped me into the young woman that I am today. I am a fusion of my Wisconsin roots and the vibrant energy of Washington DC where I spent my high school years at Duke Ellington High School of the Arts. As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life at the #1 HBCU in the country, Spelman College, I am fueled by my passion for dance that has been a constant rhythm in my life since the age of 5. From the graceful movements that paint stories on stage to the discipline and dedication that underpin every step, dance has been both my sanctuary and my canvas. It is through dance that I learned the power of expression and the beauty of perseverance. It also taught me the importance of kindness and how words and actions impact people. This is why I will be majoring in psychology and minoring in dance. Psychology captivates me with its complexity and depth. My desire to understand the human mind and its response to the things said and done to them, specifically within the realm of athletics, is fueled by my personal experiences and those around me with similar backgrounds. Growing up it was hard for me to branch out as a young black girl in a predominantly white area. It was imperative to me that when I got older I would be able to grant myself the opportunities I needed to explore myself out of that setting. That is one of the main reasons that I will be attending Spelman College. I am excited to grow into an amazing black woman surrounded and supported by other black women for the next four years. Studying Psychology and dance will give me the opportunity to help athletes and give them access to mental health services which is something that I didn’t have growing up. As a dancer, I was taught how to look, act, and behave throughout my entire youth. The title of "dancer" came with a significant amount of responsibilities that were expected of the individual receiving it. My overriding goal in life is to facilitate the provision of aid to athletes who are struggling with their mental health and who are under the impression that they are supposed to behave in a particular manner as a result of the profession that they do. I am poised to carve a path that harmonizes my love for movement and athletics in general to my dedication to mental well-being. My life so far has been a testament to the strength forged through adversity, the melodies of perseverance and the choreography of a life lived unapologetically. Spelman College awaits, and I am prepared to dance to the rhythm of my dreams and make a lasting impact on the world around me.

In light of the fact that I am extremely curious about the connection that exists between mental health and physical performance, I have made the decision to major in sports psychology. The field of sports psychology presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to assist athletes in reaching their full potential by focusing on the psychological aspects of performance, such as the treatment of motivation, confidence, and resilience. My curiosity is piqued by the role that mental skill training plays in enhancing both general well-being and physical performance for individuals. Wanting to become a black woman who works in the healthcare industry and specializes in sports psychology is what I strive to be. My goal is to have a positive impact on the mental health and overall well-being of athletes of color, particularly black female athletes. As a result of the fact that mental health issues in sports have traditionally been discriminated against and ignored, I am committed to bringing attention to issues related to mental health and removing the stigma associated with seeking treatment for psychological issues, particularly among members of underrepresented groups. It is essential that we have someone to represent us and that we are able to feel at ease enough to discuss our problems with another person and ask for assistance. My intention is to make it possible for black women to make their mental health a top priority, to improve their resilience, and to acquire coping mechanisms that will allow them to deal with the specific demands that the sports industry places on them. If I am successful in providing treatment that is culturally competent and gender-sensitive, I will have accomplished my goal of creating an environment that is welcoming and encouraging, one in which athletes feel appreciated, acknowledged, and understood. In addition, I will make a concerted effort to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion within the field of sports psychology professionals. If we give women and other underrepresented groups a voice, I believe we will be able to create a sports culture that is more accepting and equitable, that places a high value on diversity, and that looks out for the well-being of all athletes. It is of the utmost importance that we pay attention to the diversity that exists within the STEM field and that we make certain that our community is being recognized and heard. In summary, obtaining a degree in sports psychology presents me with the opportunity to combine my passion for sports, and more specifically, dancing, with my commitment to bringing about change in the healthcare industry as a black woman.

My decision to pursue a degree in sports psychology was prompted by my curiosity in the connection that exists between one's mental health and their physical performance. The field of sports psychology presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to assist players in reaching their full potential by focusing on the psychological aspects of performance, such as the treatment of motivation, confidence, and resilience. My curiosity is piqued by the role that mental skill training plays in enhancing both general well-being and physical performance for individuals. Being a woman who works in the healthcare industry and specializes in sports psychology, my goal is to have a positive effect on the mental health and general well-being of athletes, particularly upon the mental health of female athletes. As a result of the fact that mental health issues in sports have traditionally been stigmatized and ignored, I am committed to bringing attention to issues related to mental health and removing the stigma associated with seeking treatment for psychological issues. An additional objective of mine is to discover ways to make these services accessible to athletes from all different kinds of financial situations. It is my intention to make it possible for female athletes to place a higher focus on their mental health, to develop their capacity for resilience, and to acquire the skills necessary to cope with the specific pressures that are associated with the sports sector. Through the provision of therapy that is both culturally competent and gender-sensitive, I want to create an environment that is warm and encouraging, one in which female athletes find themselves feeling loved, recognized, and understood. In addition, I will make a concerted effort to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion within the field of sports psychology professionals. By providing women and other members of underrepresented groups a voice, I believe we will be able to create a sports culture that is more accepting and equitable, that places a high priority on diversity, and that looks out for the well-being of all athletes. To summarize, obtaining a degree in sports psychology allows me to combine my passion for sports, namely dance, and mental health with my commitment to bringing about change in the healthcare field as a woman. It gives me great pleasure to be able to assist female athletes in achieving their goals by providing them with specific training in mental skills, promoting awareness of mental health issues, and advocating for a sports climate that is more inclusive and supportive.

One of the things that most interests me about pursuing a career in the performing arts is the possibility of using the abilities I learn to benefit the lives of others. I knew the performing arts were for me the first time my feet touched a dance floor and I put my arms and feet in first position. My interest in dance has grown as a result of my own growth. Having the option to attend a performing arts high school in a rising city has greatly contributed to this. I've had numerous opportunities to work with different artists, including actors, musicians, poets, painters, and others, who have helped to advance my craft. Aside from that, I wish to use my work to benefit others. My long-term ambition is to work as a sports psychologist. I'd like to work with dancers and other artists and athletes to help them improve their mental health by utilizing their own art forms or sports. I also want to raise awareness about the substantial influence that mental health concerns may have on artistic creation. Growing up in an artistic environment, I have witnessed firsthand how your mental health affects your art. Your artistic outlet may be the one thing that saves you or the one thing that destroys you. My goal is to help people understand this better and to foster a positive relationship between what they enjoy and how they manage their mental health. I aim to not only advance in the performing arts field, but also use my personal experiences to inspire others. I've always thought that dance can help to improve the world. Dance not only connects so many people and cultures, but it is also an art form that is known all over the world to provide joy and happiness. Consider that to be the only outlet you can say benefits you. I want everyone to realize and know that they can dance even when they have nothing. Or that they can count on their art or sport when they feel as though they have no one. No matter who you are or if you have never danced in your life, something as easy as dancing can save so many lives, and it is my mission and vision for everyone in this world to understand that. It may be from my future career as a sports psychologist, or it could be from watching me perform on all of the future stages where I will be dancing my heart out. That is what matters the most to me—that kids can see and understand what it genuinely means to have your own artistic outlet. I wish to encourage others to not only believe, but to put it into action in their own lives.