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Ashley Aims

1,375

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

My name is Ashley Aims, and I am a sophomore at Howard University. My family is from Zambia, and I am a first-generation American. I am passionate about advocacy and medicine, which is why I am a part of organizations like NAACP and Howard University Health Professions Society. I want to be a voice for people who are not heard. I have always had connections to medicine ever since I was a child and had planned to go into medicine. I am open to lifelong learning in regard to multiple facets and subject areas in the future.

Education

Howard University

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • Minors:
    • International/Globalization Studies
    • Chemistry

Warren Harding High School

High School
2018 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
    • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
    • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
    • Public Health
    • Chemistry
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Doctor

    • Certified Nursing Assistant

      Stratford VNA
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Server

      River Valley Retirement Community
      2021 – Present3 years

    Sports

    Softball

    Junior Varsity
    2019 – 2019

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2018 – 20191 year

    Research

    • Public Health

      Lowery Institute — Intern
      2023 – 2024
    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences

      NeuroConnect
      2021 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Washington English Center — English Tutor- Created and executed lesson plan to adhere to student’s needs
      2023 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      Stewpot — • Organized and packed away donated food and clothing
      2023 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      be the match — • Packaged and labeled swab kits as well as canvassed for potential
      2022 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Buildon — Volunteer
      2020 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial Scholarship
    I knew from a young age that I wanted to study medicine. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal achievement, but also for the impact it will have on the black community. In healthcare, black people are often looked over and even ignored. They also may not be given sufficient time as some physicians may see patients for a short period of time before moving on to the next. Healthcare facilities in low-income areas adopt this sped up pace to increase the number of patients they receive with the ultimate intention of collecting more money. These practices come at the expense of patients and are in some cases built off of biased beliefs, such as the notion that Black people feel less pain than others. These incorrect assumptions can cause poor quality care and fatal mistakes in innocent patients. I have always been a proponent for the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to reach people who cannot be seen or do not have immediate, affordable access to medicine due to insufficient insurance coverage. Additionally, I want to educate others about their health and bodies to position them to lead healthier lives. In healthcare, depending on the socioeconomic class, many people are pushed aside and automatically handed pills and drugs to treat diseases. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I have seen the racial disparity firsthand in my own home ground, Bridgeport. Bridgeport is an old industrial city as well as an import station for ship cargo. Due to this, there is a lot of pollution in the air which causes many kids to suffer from asthma, including myself. I wasn’t diagnosed until early seventh grade. Prior to this, I suffered through winters of coughing fits and shortness of breath as I wasn’t being taken seriously about my condition until I had gotten bronchitis. The lack of medical attention that I experienced in my younger years caused me to desire to advocate for individuals who are not heard by the current healthcare system. I believe the Kayla Nicole Monk Memorial scholarship can help me achieve this goal as as it will alleviate financial stress as I attend Howard University where truth and service are emulated by the community and school. With this scholarship, I will be able to begin my journey of pursuing a biology degree on a pre-med track.
    Gloria J. Willis Memorial Scholarship
    I have never despised air as much as I did until this moment. Thick and heavy, the mid July heat wrapped around me like a heavy coat that weighted down and drenched me in sweat. My muscles ached from packing boxes for tomorrow’s vendor event for Tafika. Relief filled my body as I stepped inside the cool store. The only way to fully bask in this feeling would be with my favorite chips: vinegar and salt. Astonished, I raised my eyebrows in confusion as I noticed their usual spot is replaced with barbecue chips. A little unnerved, I glanced around hoping to spot the bright green and red logo that’s always filled me with joy. I frantically searched the aisle before I walked empty-handed to my brother. Upon my return, the clerk piped in to mention they’d stopped receiving vinegar chips awhile ago. My brother shrugging his shoulders told me to choose another kind. The simple request stunned me. How can I choose another chip? Forced into a situation I wasn’t prepared for, I became overwhelmed with choices, unsure what to do. Even though it’s as simple as choosing another brand, I felt very uncertain and disoriented. The confusion and anxiousness I felt during this exchange symbolize how lost I felt when COVID-19 first hit. Throughout the pandemic, I have been yanked from my natural environment and placed in unpredictable circumstances. My extracurriculars and outlets became inaccessible to me. My entire learning environment changed from interactive learning to online quizzes. There was no more soccer and school meetings for weekly BuildOn to attend. I found myself in a grey area, lost in limbo, trying to find my footing in the middle of the dark murky ocean of this COVID world. So disconnected, I didn’t know where to go or where to start. I had to adapt, and I didn’t necessarily have to go anywhere. I used the resources available to me to transition from real life interactions to virtual organizations. After getting home from the corner store, I spent the evening researching store locations that might have my chips. I even contemplated buying a large stock of the chips from Amazon. Luckily, I stumbled across a small grocery store about 12 minutes away, and the next day I went and finally satisfied my craving. Technology became the sole pathway for people to connect when we were told to stay apart. I researched and joined virtual organizations that allowed me to connect with students who had the same interests as me, such as OurVitals, whose mission is to educate young people around the world about healthcare and medicine. I became part of the partnerships group where I contacted and networked with healthcare professionals. My experience with OurVitals taught me the importance of networking and gave me confidence to reach out to others with no hesitation, even if it was virtually. When the pandemic hit, I was rattled to the core as it shook our world. After momentarily losing my balance, I found a way to regain my footing. Through my research, I was able to locate my chips just as I was able to gain valuable experiences joining virtual organizations. I became confident in my ability to flourish in intellectual virtual environments. My growth and newfound skills have prepared me for the path I will take to become a physician. I know it will be a strenuous journey in which I will be faced with many roadblocks. There will be times I fall, but adapting to my circumstances and reinventing myself will allow me to pick myself up and keep moving.
    Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship
    I knew from a young age that I wanted to study medicine. With my mother being a certified nursing assistant and my grandpa practicing a vegan lifestyle and herbal healing. My grandpa is extremely health-conscious in which he constantly tells me nutritional facts, such as how our blood types affect the way our bodies process certain foods and how food is digested. He frequently tells me I should relate my life to his all-time favorite surgeon, Ben Carson. My grandpa often recites the story of how Ben Carson performed surgery on conjoined twins for 28 consecutive hours. The idea that someone can operate with such precision for 28 hours, carefully cutting and prodding through the brain no less, is absolutely fascinating to me. He has reminded me that I can achieve anything if I can stay focused; that if Ben Carson can operate for 28 hours, then I can do anything. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal goal but also for the impact it will have on Black people. In healthcare, Black people are looked over and even ignored. They also may not be given enough care as a physician may see a patient for only about 10 minutes before moving on to the next patient. Facilities in low-income areas do this to increase the number of patients they receive to make more money. However, this just causes the quality of the care to significantly diminish for patients. To add on, there are very biased beliefs in this system like Black people feel less pain than others. This can cause fatal mistakes and bad quality care for the patient. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine due to insufficient insurance coverage. In addition to this, I want to be able to educate others about their health and bodies. In healthcare, depending on the socioeconomic class, many people are pushed aside and automatically handed pills and drugs to treat diseases. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I have seen the racial disparity firsthand in my own home ground, Bridgeport. Bridgeport is an old industrial city as well as an import station for ship cargo. Due to this, there is a lot of pollution in the air which causes many kids to suffer from asthma, including myself. I wasn’t diagnosed until early seventh grade. Prior to this, I suffered through winters of coughing fits and shortness of breath as I wasn’t being taken seriously about my condition until I had gotten bronchitis. I wasn’t heard at all when I was younger, and I want to be someone who advocates for those who aren’t heard.
    Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship
    Black excellence is the power that people gain to break societal stereotypes and make change for the community. Legacy to me is change, leaving a positive mark on the people around me. I want to be someone who makes a legacy and emulates black excellence which is why I spent my time pursuing extracurriculars that were able to empower the Black community like NAACP Youth Council Secretary and being a BuildOn Volunteer for my community. I faced a lot of road bumps in my journey. For BuildOn, one of the weekly volunteer opportunities included working with kids at a youth center’s after school program. I remember being placed in a room with a bunch of kids ranging from ages 5 to 12. They would rotate every half an hour, and during that time, volunteers would help them with schoolwork. It was clear that we were heavily understaffed with only four volunteers in a room full of children that needed help. We did try our best and we were able to get to most of them. I was worn out by the end of it, and through that experience, it made me come to the realization that if those kids didn’t get help from here, they may not have done the work at all. It reminded me of when I was younger and had to figure out problems by myself with no help as my mother was always preoccupied and could not understand my assignments. It made me recognize how inner-city kids struggle because funding is lowered compared to other districts with higher test scores. Education redlining promotes failure of black people in low-income communities by distributing money for schools based on test scores and location. The education system has hindered many potential opportunities for Black students including myself. I continue to push forward and succeed despite that. I have always had to go the extra mile or take that extra step to achieve my goals. However, as I have overcome these obstacles, I have simultaneously grown and learned. I will not let educational inequities block my way. I became confident in my ability to flourish in intellectual virtual environments. My growth and newfound skills have prepared me for the path I will take to become a physician.I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I know it will be a strenuous journey with many roadblocks, but I have learned that adapting to my circumstances and reinventing myself will always allow me to pick myself up and keep moving forward.
    Empowering Women Through Education Scholarship
    Coming from a low-income district, I wanted to help those around me. One of these methods includes volunteering. For BuildOn, one of the weekly volunteer opportunities included working with kids at a youth center’s after school program. I remember being placed in a room with a bunch of kids ranging from ages 5 to 12. They would rotate every half an hour, and during that time, volunteers would help them with schoolwork. It was clear that we were heavily understaffed with only four volunteers in a room full of children that needed help. We did try our best and we were able to get to most of them. I was worn out by the end of it, and through that experience, it made me come to the realization that if those kids didn’t get help from here, they may not have done the work at all. It reminded me of when I was younger and had to figure out problems by myself with no help as my mother was always preoccupied and could not understand my assignments. It made me recognize how inner-city kids struggle because funding is lowered compared to other districts with higher test scores. Education redlining promotes failure of black people in low-income communities by distributing money for schools based on test scores and location. The education system has hindered many potential opportunities for Black students including myself. I continue to push forward and succeed despite that. I have always had to go the extra mile or take that extra step to achieve my goals. However, as I have overcome these obstacles, I have simultaneously grown and learned. I will not let educational inequities block my way. I became confident in my ability to flourish in intellectual virtual environments. My growth and newfound skills have prepared me for the path I will take to become a physician. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal goal but also for the impact it will have on the people. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I know it will be a strenuous journey with many roadblocks, but I have learned that adapting to my circumstances and reinventing myself will always allow me to pick myself up and keep moving forward.
    Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship
    Out of all my years of attending high school, the only class that challenged me in an entirely different way was my double science class in freshman year. In my biology and physical science class that lasted around 2 hours, I would participate in weekly interactive labs. Presented through an independent learning style, I was ultimately challenged with having to figure out how to do things on my own and make my own choices with little to no interference from the teacher. It gave me a sense of independence that I never experienced as well as a fully immersed education into science that was never accessible to me prior. Coming from a low-income district, it is difficult to pursue a postsecondary education due to education redlining and financial burdens. However, I have been proactive in trying to break that cycle in regard to not allowing finances to be a barrier to my educational goals. I knew from a young age that I wanted to study medicine. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal goal but also for the impact it will have on Black people. In healthcare, Black people are looked over and even ignored. They also may not be given enough care as a physician may see a patient for only about 10 minutes before moving on to the next patient. Facilities in low-income areas do this to increase the number of patients they receive to make more money. However, this just causes the quality of the care to significantly diminish for patients. To add on, there are very biased beliefs in this system like Black people feel less pain than others. This can cause fatal mistakes and bad quality care for the patient. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine due to insufficient insurance coverage. In addition to this, I want to be able to educate others about their health and bodies. In healthcare, depending on the socioeconomic class, many people are pushed aside and automatically handed pills and drugs to treat diseases. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I have seen the racial disparity firsthand in my own home ground, Bridgeport. Bridgeport is an old industrial city as well as an import station for ship cargo. Due to this, there is a lot of pollution in the air which causes many kids to suffer from asthma, including myself. I wasn’t diagnosed until early seventh grade. Prior to this, I suffered through winters of coughing fits and shortness of breath as I wasn’t being taken seriously about my condition until I had gotten bronchitis. I wasn’t heard at all when I was younger, and I want to be someone who advocates for those who aren’t heard. I believe that my STEM education can help me achieve this goal with its wide variety of opportunities and experiences that can prepare me to become a physician. I will use this education to amplify people’s concerns and issues in disadvantaged, low-income communities.
    Ms. Catherine Gipson Scholarship
    Out of all my years of attending high school, the only class that challenged me in an entirely different way was my double science class in freshman year. In my biology and physical science class that lasted around 2 hours, I would participate in weekly interactive labs. Presented through an independent learning style, I was ultimately challenged with having to figure out how to do things on my own and make my own choices with little to no interference from the teacher. It gave me a sense of independence that I never experienced as well as a fully immersed education into science that was never accessible to me prior. I believe that an HBCU can give me that same independence and access that I haven't been able to reach since freshman year through their environment. I would be able to explore a more in-depth scientific topics in a space made for me. I believe I would be able to flourish in intellectual environments such as HBCUs. I joined the NAACP Youth Council during my freshman year of high school with the hope that I would be able to change some of the things at my school as well as in the community. I wanted to discuss the issues of inner-city schooling, such as how inner-city kids struggle because funding is lowered compared to other districts with higher test scores. Education redlining promotes failure of people of color in low-income communities by distributing money for schools based on test scores and location. The education system has hindered many potential opportunities for students as it systemically places them on an unequal playing field that does not allow them to succeed. I wanted to change that, and I believed I could do it with the NAACP Youth Council. As I grew in this organization, I found my voice and improved my ability to advocate for not only myself but others as well. I want to be someone who advocates for those who aren’t heard.
    Rho Brooks Women in STEM Scholarship
    I have always had a connection to medicine with my mother being a certified nursing assistant and my grandpa practicing a vegan lifestyle and herbal healing. My grandpa is extremely health-conscious in which he constantly tells me nutritional facts, such as how our blood types affect the way our bodies process certain foods and how food is digested. He frequently tells me I should relate my life to his all-time favorite surgeon, Ben Carson. My grandpa often recites the story of how Ben Carson performed surgery on conjoined twins for 28 consecutive hours. The idea that someone can operate with such precision for 28 hours, carefully cutting and prodding through the brain no less, is absolutely fascinating to me. He has reminded me that I can achieve anything if I can stay focused; that if Ben Carson can operate for 28 hours, then I can do anything. I knew from a young age that I wanted to study medicine. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal goal but also for the impact it will have on Black people. In healthcare, Black people are looked over and even ignored. They also may not be given enough care as a physician may see a patient for only about 10 minutes before moving on to the next patient. Facilities in low-income areas do this to increase the number of patients they receive to make more money. However, this just causes the quality of the care to significantly diminish for patients. To add on, there are very biased beliefs in this system like Black people feel less pain than others. This can cause fatal mistakes and bad quality care for the patient. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine due to insufficient insurance coverage. In addition to this, I want to be able to educate others about their health and bodies. In healthcare, depending on the socioeconomic class, many people are pushed aside and automatically handed pills and drugs to treat diseases. I strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. I have seen the racial disparity firsthand in my own home ground, Bridgeport. Bridgeport is an old industrial city as well as an import station for ship cargo. Due to this, there is a lot of pollution in the air which causes many kids to suffer from asthma, including myself. I wasn’t diagnosed until early seventh grade. Prior to this, I suffered through winters of coughing fits and shortness of breath as I wasn’t being taken seriously about my condition until I had gotten bronchitis. I wasn’t heard at all when I was younger, and I want to be someone who advocates for those who aren’t heard through healthcare as a physician.
    Lillian's & Ruby's Way Scholarship
    Medicine has always been a central theme in my life. My mom works in the healthcare field as a certified nursing assistant, and my grandpa is extremely health-conscious in which he constantly tells me nutritional facts, such as how our blood types affect the way our bodies process certain foods and how food is digested. He frequently tells me I should relate my life to his all-time favorite surgeon, Ben Carson. My grandpa often recites the story of how Ben Carson performed surgery on conjoined twins for 28 consecutive hours. The idea that someone can operate with such precision for 28 hours, carefully cutting and prodding through the brain no less, is absolutely fascinating to me. He reminded me that I can achieve anything if I can stay focused; that if Ben Carson can operate for 28 hours, then I can do anything. I’ve always had a keen interest in general surgery. To be able to diagnose and treat people based on their symptoms is amazing to me. However, the fact that you can physically change someone’s life with just two hands and a few instruments is what intrigues me the most. General surgery is a broad-spectrum, in that you are not focused solely on one part of the body. You can remove a gallbladder one day and operate on the small intestine another day; the nature of the work is ever-changing. Further, general surgery encompasses so much more than performing surgery. You're there before the surgery, researching and diagnosing the patient. You’re also there following the operation, making sure your patient is recovering well and advising them on how to ensure a quick and sound recovery post operation; this includes what medications they should be taking as well as when they should return for a follow-up assessment. Not only am I moving towards this goal for my personal interest but also for the impact it will have on the people. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate access to medicine. Through books like Michelle Obama's Becoming and Center of Life by Antonio Javar Hairston, I have been able to find myself and continue to push past my limits. I was also able to look deep within myself and learn how to continue moving despite any failures that may come my way. These lessons have helped me and given me the confidence to pursue a career as a physician. I strive to continuously learn, grow, experience, and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients overlooked in the healthcare system.
    Bold Gratitude Scholarship
    I had the ability to reinvent myself every year before school started with the amazing opportunity to visit family every summer. Going to Africa was a reset for me. I remember the feeling of community I felt every day I went outside. Whether it be when passing stands and interacting with vendors or going to the barber shop to watch my brother cut his hair while bursts of laughter filled the room as the boisterous barbers told tall stories— that was community. I enjoyed going around town after stopping by my friends’ homes and picking them up before going down to “the ground,” a large field with dead grass and sand. We would play games and sometimes adults or high school students would join us as they left school. These little tidbits that exude a sense of community is something I longingly seek in every new environment I am immersed in. Although I was able to go outside and play in the U.S., it wasn’t the same as going to Zambia in which I was able to do and see things that I couldn’t in the U.S. During my time in Zambia, we would help my friend’s family sell popsicles as it was their only source of income. Seeing this type of poverty isn’t too far off from what’s happening in the U.S. When I came back home, this pushed me to volunteer at a men’s homeless shelter during my freshman year of high school. I was given a privilege to see both sides of the world, the good and the bad. I have acknowledged that everyone has their own story. I am willing to help and support those around me, and I know that this core value of mine will be a key part of my future.
    Bold Selfless Acts Scholarship
    I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others, especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I want to be able to reach people who can’t be seen or don’t have immediate, affordable access to medicine, strive to continuously grow and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system like in my city. Bridgeport is an old industrial city as well as an import station for ship cargo. Due to this, there is a lot of pollution in the air which causes many kids to suffer from asthma, including myself. I wasn’t diagnosed until early seventh grade. Prior to this, I suffered though winters of coughing fits and shortness of breath as I wasn’t being taken seriously about my condition until I had gotten bronchitis. I wasn’t heard at all when I was younger, and I want to be someone who advocates for those who aren’t heard.
    Black Students in STEM Scholarship
    Out of all my years of attending high school, the only class that challenged me in an entirely different way was my double science class in freshman year. In my biology and physical science class that lasted around 2 hours, I would participate in weekly interactive labs. Presented through an independent learning style, I was ultimately challenged with having to figure out how to do things on my own and make my own choices with little to no interference from the teacher. It gave me a sense of independence that I never experienced as well as a fully immersed education into science that was never accessible to me prior. I believe that Black Students in STEM Scholarship can give me that same independence and access that I haven't been able to reach since freshman year through their biology department. I would be able to explore a more in-depth scientific topic in research labs and facilities offered by the university or college I would be attending in the fall of 2022.
    Bold Perseverance Scholarship
    The Summer of 2020 proved to be life-changing. I was selected for National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine, a program offered by University of California Berkeley for students to work with health professionals and professors, participate in clinical workshops, and observe surgeries. I would be taking the first step into career of medicine. But due to the pandemic, the program was cancelled for the summer. I was devastated that I wasn’t able to have an in-person experience to explore the field that I was interested in. Nonetheless, I adapted to the circumstances and found BRAINterns, an online community and webinar series created by the Lenox Hill Department of Neurosurgery. I participated in their summer series where everyday different health professionals ranging from neurosurgeons to medical researches would discuss various medical topics. This opportunity provided me with a new perspective regarding health careers and a confirmation that this is the field I want to pursue.
    I Am Third Scholarship
    Medicine has always been a central theme in my life. My mom works in the health care field as a Certified Nursing Assistant and my grandpa is extremely health-conscious in which he constantly tells me nutritional facts such as how our blood types affect the way our bodies process certain foods, and how food is digested. He frequently tells me I should relate my life to his all-time favorite surgeon, Ben Carson. My Grandpa recites the story of how Ben Carson performed surgery on conjoined twins for 28 consecutive hours. The idea that someone can operate with such precision for 28 hours, carefully cutting and prodding through the brain no less, is absolutely fascinating to me. He has reminded me that I am capable of achieving anything if I can stay focused; that if Ben Carson can operate for 28 hours then I can do anything. I’ve always had a keen interest in General Surgery. To able to diagnose and treat people based on their symptoms is amazing to me. But the fact that you can physically change someone’s life with just two hands and a few instruments is what intrigues me the most. General Surgery is a broad-spectrum, in that you are not focused solely on one part of the body. You can remove a gallbladder one day and operate on the small intestine another day; the nature of the work is ever-changing. Further, General Surgery encompasses so much more than performing surgery. You're there before the surgery, researching and diagnosing the patient. You’re also there following the operation, making sure your patient is recovering well and advising them on how to ensure a quick and sound recovery post operation, including what medications they should be taking and when they should return for a follow-up assessment. But not only am I moving towards this goal for the interest but also for the impact it will have on the people. I have always been in support of and strongly involved in the advocacy of others especially when some voices don't have the opportunity to be heard. I take this role very seriously that even my family jokes sometimes that I am the speaker for my cousins and siblings. I'm even involved in several clubs and organizations in my school and my community centered around advocacy. I am the Secretary of the Bridgeport Connecticut Youth Chapter of the NAACP, which is an organization based on ensuring and advancing equity, equality, and advocacy for all. The NAACP orchestrates and participates in various community events to spread the word about the message and movement. I hope to continuously learn, grow, experience, and expand my horizons as well as be a voice for patients not heard in the healthcare system. If I pursue General Surgery as a profession I will continue to learn and experience new things every day and touch the lives of those around me.
    Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
    Showing up and being supportive is my nature. As the oldest girl in a family primarily of boys, it was inevitable that I became a figure of support and guidance. Additionally, the few women that were in my family displayed themselves as a strong unbreakable force for others to naturally rely on. So, with that I always found myself diving headfirst to help and blurting out agreements to be there before I can even process the information. It’s like my body reacts before my mind because showing up and being supportive is my nature. There was one time though, that my instincts fell silent, and I hesitated. This was a few weeks ago on June 19th, my family was preparing to go to a vendor’s event to sell products for the family business. Conveniently the club I was in was also at the same event, so I figured I could support my club’s booth after I helped my family set up their booth. Everything was going as planned until my club advisor called me asking to meet with her to set up the club’s booth. As I get ready to agree, I stop myself, words that were ready to burst from my mouth disappear as I look over my family members trying to squeeze the last few boxes into the trunk of the car. I was met with a predicament in which two situations needed my attention. I had to decide and quickly since my family was almost done packing. I go over to my uncle who was the driver and explain the situation hoping for more time and sweep through the facts in my head. On one hand, two younger family members of mine were already at the location holding down a spot for us to unload. On the other hand, the youth advisor was an adult with a car and had another advisor as well as the whole adult branch. But my uncle also expressed that he needed my help setting up. With all that information in mind, my decision was made. When I explained to my advisor why I couldn’t meet with her, she stressed her need for help, but I stood firmly on my decision. Towards the end of the call, she finally reveals she’s alone explaining that everyone had become busy or was running late, unable to help set up and leaving her by herself. After the call ended, I sat down in the car looking down at my phone, contemplating if I made the right choice. I remember trying to ease my mind by looking around the car at my family members to remind myself why I made my decision. That’s when it hits me, my family had each other for support and she had no one. With that, I dialed my advisor back to tell her I was coming. At first, she refuses, very surprised with my sudden change in decision but I shake my head with my mindset telling her “No it’s ok I am coming now”. That morning was spent running around stores with my advisor to get things for our booth and setting the booth up. Looking back, I realized that she didn’t need my help, but she needed my support. It made me aware of the deeper meaning in support. Through that experience, I learned support can be as simple as just being present and that anyone can feel alone and need support even adults. Now when someone asks for my support, I can help them accordingly knowing the significance it will have.