My name is Cavel Cunningham, and I am a freshman at the prestigious Bethune Cookman University, majoring in Psychology. I have chosen to pursue a degree in healthcare because I am deeply passionate about understanding the human mind and helping people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Growing up, I have always been fascinated by how our thoughts and emotions influence our behavior and overall well-being,and always gravitated to crime documentaries,reading serial killer related books and things of that nature. This curiosity led me to the field of psychology, where I hope to make a significant impact by supporting individuals in their mental health journeys and educating others on the topic. As a woman in the healthcare field, I believe I bring a unique perspective and empathy that can foster trust and understanding between healthcare providers and patients and a sense of compassion.In many communities, particularly among people of color, there is often a stigma associated with seeking mental health support. I want to help break down these barriers by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges without shame or embarrassment. My goal is to work as a psychologist who specializes in community mental health.I want to tackle the differences in mental health care and results that often affect minority groups.As a Black woman, I understand the importance of representation in healthcare. Seeing someone who looks like you and understands your cultural background can make a huge difference in the process. I aim to be that person for others, and lessen fear of ill treatment. In addition to providing direct patient care, I am also interested in advocating for systemic changes in the healthcare system. I hope to work on initiatives that promote mental health awareness and education, particularly in schools and community centers. By educating people about mental health from a young age, we can reduce stigma and encourage more individuals to seek help when they need it. Furthermore, I want to contribute to research in the field of psychology, focusing on the mental health needs of diverse populations. By conducting research and sharing my findings, I hope to inform policies and practices that lead to more equitable healthcare for all. Being a woman in healthcare not only means being a part of a community that is dedicated to caring for others but it means using my voice to advocate for those who may not have one and working to create a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare system. I am committed to making a positive impact by supporting individuals in their mental health journeys, advocating for systemic change, and contributing to research that advances our understanding of mental health. Doing so as a woman, in this day and age ought to be the most rewarding and powerful thing to me.

My name is Cavel Cunningham, and I am a freshman at the prestigious Bethune Cookman University, majoring in Psychology. My future goals revolve around becoming a clinical psychologist or a forensic psychologist. I want to help people navigate their mental health challenges and improve their quality of life. I have always been passionate about understanding human behavior and always tend to gravitate towards the serial killer mind topics. I believe that a career in psychology will allow me to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. To work towards my goals, I have taken several steps. The obvious and first step was to major in psychology, of course. Secondly, I am actively involved in campus activities and psychology groups that allow me to learn more about mental health issues and advocacy. By participating in seminars, workshops, and discussions, I am gaining valuable insights and skills that will be crucial in my future career. Additionally, I am seeking volunteer opportunities where I can work directly with individuals who need mental health support, which will provide practical experience and deepen my understanding of the field. Pursuing a college education has its challenges, especially as a first-time college student from a minority background along with being an immigrant. One of the biggest hardships is financial strain. My family and I have made sacrifices to afford my education, and I am constantly seeking scholarships and part-time work to help cover expenses. Balancing work and studies is challenging, but I am determined to succeed and make my family proud. Another challenge is being away from home and adjusting to a new environment. As I was and embarrassingly still am dependent on my dad, it can be overwhelming, but I am learning to adapt and find support among my peers and mentors. This transition has taught me resilience and independence, which are essential qualities for my future career. Despite these hardships, I remain focused on my goals and motivated by the belief that my education will enable me to make a difference in the world. Receiving the John J Costonis Scholarship would be a tremendous help in alleviating some of the financial burdens, allowing me to focus more on my studies and continue working towards my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. This scholarship would not only ease my current challenges but also empower me to pursue internships and research opportunities that are crucial for my career development. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute to the mental health field in meaningful ways, ultimately striving to make the health system and even the world a better place.

Born and raised in Jamaica, the land of wood and water, a lot was expected of me at an early age. Raised in a household where men were said to be the money makers and women degraded to cooking, cleaning, and tending to children, I was “force grown.” Instead of watching Disney Channel or playing with toys, many days whether weekday or after school, I was either cooking, watching someone cook or doing more work on my tablet. I was expected to pass all my classes with excellence or even score higher than the maximum score because I was “smart enough to do so";I was placed on a pedestal. When I moved to America, living up to the standard was not difficult considering that during my 7th and 8th grade year, I had already learnt the topics and was getting high honor roll quarterly. When I entered high school however, all my motivation and interests in school decreased terribly but following the path set for me, I focused on cooking and decided my career path would be culinary. With all that lost motivation I started making terrible decisions and picking up unpleasant habits, one of which was giving up the moment I felt stressed. Giving up so easily encouraged me to start skipping classes and using my phone to cheat instead of learning the material. During this unmotivated phase, I came across a cold case YouTube video and got hooked on forensics and crime ever since. Discovering something I am interested in, I signed up for both forensic science and psychology my junior year, steering away from the path set for me. I was motivated again but I continued to give up easily and started to skip classes again which ended up hindering my chances of graduating.Disapointed in myself I took a makeup class and extra credit classes to not only ensure my graduation, but to graduate with an above average grade and honors. Being in the situation that I am and my lack of papers,the college application process and even simple loan applications are not yet available to me yet.I am applying for as many scholarships as I can to not only show that nothing can hold you back from your education but to fulfill my future career path. I plan to study psychology and possibly double major in criminology or even forensics in hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist in the future.