Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time

Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time

Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time

Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time

Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time

Navigating life as a black woman in a low-income community presents a myriad of challenges, compounded further by the burden of parental verbal abuse fueled by alcoholism. These circumstances, while daunting, have fueled my determination to pursue a career in dentistry, driven by a passion to elevate hygiene standards in impoverished areas. Growing up, the confines of our neighborhood often mirrored the struggles within our household. As the daughter of a single parent grappling with alcoholism, I encountered verbal abuse regularly. The words hurled in moments of intoxication cut deep, leaving scars that went unnoticed by those outside our four walls. Despite the turmoil, I found solace in books and education, which became my sanctuary and my pathway to a brighter future. From a young age, I became acutely aware of the disparities in dental care available to my community. Many of my peers suffered from preventable dental issues due to limited access to care and education. Witnessing this injustice ignited a fire within me to pursue dentistry not merely as a career, but as a means of empowering my community with knowledge and improved healthcare. The journey towards a career in dentistry has been arduous. Balancing academics with the emotional turbulence at home demanded resilience and unwavering focus. There were moments of self-doubt, when the weight of familial expectations and financial constraints threatened to derail my ambitions. However, each setback strengthened my resolve to defy the odds stacked against me. My pursuit of dentistry is not just a personal ambition; it is a commitment to serve as a catalyst for change. I envision a future where every child in my community has access to dental care and oral hygiene education that can break the cycle of neglect and disparity. This vision propels me through late-night study sessions and weekends spent volunteering at local clinics, where I witness firsthand the impact of compassionate dental care. As I navigate the complexities of being a black woman in a low-income community, I am reminded daily of the resilience woven into my identity. The challenges I face have shaped me into a compassionate advocate and a determined scholar. They have instilled in me a deep empathy for those who, like me, strive for a better tomorrow against formidable odds. In the face of adversity, I have chosen not to be defined by circumstances beyond my control. Instead, I am driven by a purpose larger than myself: to transform hardship into hope, one smile at a time.

Everything starts with the words you say. Traditionally, we have always spoken and responded to language. Because of this, the words we hear, pre-determine the values that we will make useful in the future. I have been a teacher’s assistant for two years and it has tremendously turned around my language experience. Each year I aid seventh graders in math. Because of the impact of Covid, some of the children that I assist missed essential skills that were the building blocks of their future math lessons. Each year I walk into the classroom and eagerly introduce myself with the purpose I am here to fulfill. One day, I noticed that one of the students was struggling with the algebra lesson. By then, she and I had developed a close relationship, where each day she felt comfortable enough to inform me about the struggles that she was experiencing at home. Crying, she asked me if I could stay after school for a couple of days and tutor her. Without question, I wanted to say yes but I had conflicting obligations. That night, I went home with a heavy conscience. I knew we were both suffering but she would suffer more in the future if the one person she trusted let her down. The next morning, I emailed her mom and asked if it would be okay for her to stay after school for a few days so that I can tutor her. Thankfully she agreed, and with enough tutoring sessions, she won an award for the “Most Improved Student”. At this moment, I realized that my language has power. Being that positive language wasn't enforced in my household, it is of great importance for me to provide it to the same youth that will one day live their life with a purpose. I started to ponder how I can somehow use this life experience to become impactful to the youth of my community through my love for biochemistry. I then discovered my love for Dentistry. I am very passionate about health and hygiene and having the ability to positively impact lives daily through my work is important to me. Many of the students I’ve tutored have financial difficulty, however, they dream of going to college. I see myself in these students because just like them, my family’s income would otherwise not allow me to go to college. This scholarship as well as the African American college culture will help me sharpen my research skills to address challenges in the health and wellness of the people living in poverty where drugs are most likely to be abused. Poor oral health serves as the national symbol of social inequality, which is why the experience of immersing myself in these opportunities will allow me to do transformations. My experiences have allowed me to put myself in the shoes of others where I can share my knowledge and my journey to motivate these students.

What is a generational curse? It is a habit or behavior that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Parents find themselves striving to make sure that the life they lead will help their children's lives be better. Children practice what they have learned on their own and what they have gathered from generations before them. All four of us lie on one king bed with the privacy of a single bed sheet, with our grandma on the couch, and our jobless uncle on his twenty-year-old screeching bed, nourishing off of our jobless mom. After she lost her job, I watched her struggle to make the deadlines on the bills. I watched the bags on her eyes double. The constant amount of times I only saw one George Washington in her wallet. Some mornings I went to school feeling sad because I knew that my mom didn't have any money to support her family. Then I would see the girls at school with a fresh new hairstyle every two weeks. The boys with the new Jordans were released every Saturday. Knowing that I didn't have access to the same things that my peers had access to, whether that be money, better parents, or anything of that matter, I began to feel hopeless. Since I didn't possess these luxuries it made me feel like I wasn't capable of anything in life, like these people around me with these luxuries will be far better off in life than me. My mom’s failed attempts to get us out of this substandard living situation continued through my high school career. Always having the burden of money. Always having to miss out on fun adventures with my friends because I didn't have the money. Soon enough, I felt like I had to stop blaming my mom, therefore, I started to take actions into my own hands by researching job opportunities that accepted people as young as myself. Although having to financially rely on myself and this job caused my physical and mental well-being to deteriorate drastically, I believe that it is vital to turn this negative perspective of sacrifice into strength and utilize it as fuel to push forward the acquisition of that long-sought college degree. No one in my family has completed college, except my sister and brother. They’ve had forces from every direction telling them what path they should take. From people telling them college would be a waste of time, to family members saying that they would not be anything in life. In the black community, oftentimes people have goals, but they don't have the necessary resources to achieve those goals, as well as the fanciful support from family members. I understand that I shouldn't have blamed my mom for everything as she was doing the best she could with the resources she had; the best with what her parents left behind. My mom’s journey in putting me in a position to be in better opportunities may not have been perfect, but the method worked. Seeing my brother and sister come from the same environment as me, our single mom not having any money to support our dreams, yet, still being able to maximize the knowledge and opportunities around them. I believe that grit, hard work, and perseverance will contribute to the college experience necessary for my growth as a future businesswoman. By doing this, I can combat the generational curses that I have been entrapped in. When they say “It runs in the family, you tell them “This is where it runs out”.

What is a generational curse? It is a habit or behavior that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Parents find themselves striving to make sure that the life they lead will help their children's lives be better. Children practice what they have learned on their own and what they have gathered from generations before them. All four of us lie on one king bed with the privacy of a single bed sheet, with our grandma on the couch, and our jobless uncle on his twenty-year-old screeching bed, nourishing off of our jobless mom. After she lost her job, I watched her struggle to make the deadlines on the bills. I watched the bags on her eyes double. The constant amount of times I only saw one George Washington in her wallet. Some mornings I went to school feeling sad because I knew that my mom didn't have any money to support her family. Then I would see the girls at school with a fresh new hairstyle every two weeks. The boys with the new Jordans were released every Saturday. Knowing that I didn't have access to the same things that my peers had access to, whether that be money, better parents, or anything of that matter, I began to feel hopeless. Since I didn't possess these luxuries it made me feel like I wasn't capable of anything in life, like these people around me with these luxuries will be far better off in life than me. My mom’s failed attempts to get us out of this substandard living situation continued through my high school career. Always having the burden of money. Always having to miss out on fun adventures with my friends because I didn't have the money. Soon enough, I felt like I had to stop blaming my mom, therefore, I started to take actions into my own hands by researching job opportunities that accepted people as young as myself. Although having to financially rely on myself and this job caused my physical and mental well-being to deteriorate drastically, I believe that it is vital to turn this negative perspective of sacrifice into strength and utilize it as fuel to push forward the acquisition of that long-sought college degree. No one in my family has completed college, except my sister and brother. They’ve had forces from every direction telling them what path they should take. From people telling them college would be a waste of time, to family members saying that they would not be anything in life. In the black community, oftentimes people have goals, but they don't have the necessary resources to achieve those goals, as well as the fanciful support from family members. I understand that I shouldn't have blamed my mom for everything as she was doing the best she could with the resources she had; the best with what her parents left behind. My mom’s journey in putting me in a position to be in better opportunities may not have been perfect, but the method worked. Seeing my brother and sister come from the same environment as me, our single mom not having any money to support our dreams, yet, still being able to maximize the knowledge and opportunities around them. I believe that grit, hard work, and perseverance will contribute to the college experience necessary for my growth as a future businesswoman. By doing this, I can combat the generational curses that I have been entrapped in. When they say “It runs in the family, you tell them “This is where it runs out”.

In the movie, ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Tony Stark saved the universe as well as his forces from Thanos by using all six of his infinity stones. The use of all six of his infinity stones took an extreme toll on his body in which he died. Tony Stark is one of the best superheroes as he made a lot of sacrifices, including his health, for the sake of protecting the universe. With that being said, I have to make the same sacrifice being a black woman who wants the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to be successful as well as be able to use my degree to fill the gap of poor dental hygiene in underprivileged drug-abused communities. This year, I filled out a job application to gain more financial stability for myself. With time, this job became a dark body of water for me. My education, mental health, my relationships with my family and friends were sinking looking for a way above water. The heartache that you feel when you can no longer identify with a family member or a close friend due to a demanding academic and work schedule pulls you away from having time to socialize or take time for yourself. However, I believe that it is vital to turn this negative perspective of sacrifice into strength and utilize it as fuel to push forward the acquisition of that long-sought college degree. From 8 am to 3:30 pm, I am at school. From 4 pm to 11 pm, I am at work. As soon as I get home I lay in my bed surrounded by darkness, my consciousness being a tunnel for my deepest and most depressed thoughts. I get up the next morning, only by pressing snooze 3 to 5 times. Each time I’m telling myself “5 more minutes”. I don’t do much to my hair as I don’t have the time or the energy. I don’t put much effort into my outfit because I don’t have the time or the energy. I don’t eat much in the morning because I don’t have the time or the energy. But with sacrifice, I have learned to become more independent and I’ve learned to make my own decisions in situations that require me to think critically. With the financial support I have gained from my job, I have been able to pay for my senior fees, prom, and phone bill promptly. Additionally, I have been able to donate some of my earnings to the women of my community who don't have the resources to buy themselves feminine hygiene products. I sacrificed the luxury of having a “happy” life because my family’s income would otherwise not allow me to go to college. However, income should not be a factor to keep education from black youth, which is why receiving this scholarship is so important to me. Allowing the negative to penetrate one’s mind and heart will only turn away from the fight. Perseverance and the ability to cope with stress are distinguishable and commendable qualities to possess while traversing long distances in hopes of walking the stage one day.

In the movie, ‘Avengers: Endgame’, Tony Stark saved the universe as well as his forces from Thanos by using all six of his infinity stones. The use of all six of his infinity stones took an extreme toll on his body in which he died. Tony Stark is one of the best superheroes as he made a lot of sacrifices, including his health, for the sake of protecting the universe. With that being said, I have to make the same sacrifice being a black woman who wants the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to be successful as well as be able to use my degree to fill the gap of poor dental hygiene in underprivileged drug-abused communities. This year, I filled out a job application to gain more financial stability for myself. With time, this job became a dark body of water for me. My education, mental health, my relationships with my family and friends were sinking looking for a way above water. The heartache that you feel when you can no longer identify with a family member or a close friend due to a demanding academic and work schedule pulls you away from having time to socialize or take time for yourself. However, I believe that it is vital to turn this negative perspective of sacrifice into strength and utilize it as fuel to push forward the acquisition of that long-sought college degree. From 8 am to 3:30 pm, I am at school. From 4 pm to 11 pm, I am at work. As soon as I get home I lay in my bed surrounded by darkness, my consciousness being a tunnel for my deepest and most depressed thoughts. I get up the next morning, only by pressing snooze 3 to 5 times. Each time I’m telling myself “5 more minutes”. I don’t do much to my hair as I don’t have the time or the energy. I don’t put much effort into my outfit because I don’t have the time or the energy. I don’t eat much in the morning because I don’t have the time or the energy. But with sacrifice, I have learned to become more independent and I’ve learned to make my own decisions in situations that require me to think critically. With the financial support I have gained from my job, I have been able to pay for my senior fees, prom, and phone bill promptly. Additionally, I have been able to donate some of my earnings to the women of my community who don't have the resources to buy themselves feminine hygiene products. I sacrificed the luxury of having a “happy” life because my family’s income would otherwise not allow me to go to college. However, income should not be a factor to keep education from black youth, which is why receiving this scholarship is so important to me. Allowing the negative to penetrate one’s mind and heart will only turn away from the fight. Perseverance and the ability to cope with stress are distinguishable and commendable qualities to possess while traversing long distances in hopes of walking the stage one day.

The greatest relationship a girl will have in her life is with her father. He is there to nurture, provide, and protect their daughter from any and everything. This is how I viewed my dad and i’s relationship before he suffered from a train accident at his job. My dad and I had the best relationship. We never lived together, so he would travel from the suburbs of Chicago to the city to come and pick me up. We would go and get ice cream, go out to eat, and take strolls down Oak Street Beach. After the accident, though I was a little too young to understand what was happening, I saw my dad lose himself as well as lose our relationship. Of course, this was very saddening to me as a little girl because a girl’s relationship with her father is important. From then on, we never saw each other as much as we used to, which caused our existing father-daughter relationship to diminish. About four years ago, my father purchased a new home in Arizona. He asked me to come visit but I was skeptical and afraid because I felt like I didn't know and understand my father like I used to. But I took a leap of faith and went to visit him. During that visit, I saw a different side of my father, a side that I have never seen before. A more closed-off side but also a more hopeful side. As the days went on, I could see our relationship starting to get better and better like how it once used to be. When it was time for me to return to Chicago, I immediately got sad. I missed what my father and I had, and I didn't want that to quickly go away because of our distance. A couple of months go by, and my father and I are on the phone discussing what I want to do with my future. I was still a freshman in high school, so my answer was to become a famous YouTuber. On the other side of the phone, I heard laughter, which brought me laughter as well. As the conversation went on, he started to talk about his time in the service. He explained to me how lost he was at 18, how his mom had just kicked him out of the house, and the Marines were his only option. He expressed how scared he was but also how the Marines were the best thing that ever happened to him. The Marines taught him discipline, the importance of traveling to different locations and trying new foods, cleanliness, and how to quickly pass an inspection test when you’ve been out partying with your friends all night. His testimony made me look at the holiday, “Veterans Day” a lot more differently. I now understand the sacrifice and obligation a lot of the people had to adhere to. Building a new relationship with my dad and understanding how the Marines have impacted him within his community has taught me that sacrifice can amplify my future as well. It will teach me to become more independent and disciplined, just as it taught him. I believe that it is vital to turn this negative perspective of sacrifice into strength and utilize it as fuel to push forward the acquisition of that long-sought college degree.