Throughout most of my life, my aunt Tracey was dear to me. Despite having a disability, she defied expectations. We spent hours dancing and singing along to Michael Jackson-memories I will always cherish. As time went by, Tracey began to change. She spent most of her days bedridden with illness. I often reassured her, saying, "You won't be sick forever. We'll dance together once you're better," while extending my finger for a pinky promise. Soon after, my aunt entered a hospital for respiratory problems. Initially, we relied on her nurses and doctors, who gave us hope. However over time an eerie dullness settled within the walls of her hospital room. The persistent beeping of machines drowned out the sounds of Michael Jacksons music. They neglected her care, and her illness worsened. Healthcare professionals overlooked her simple needs, like proper nutrition. The same nurses and doctors who initially gave us hope became completely apathetic towards Tracey's condition. Eventually, Tracey passed away at the hands of these trusted providers. I've always wondered why it happened. Could it be that they couldn't see beyond her natural 4C hair texture, her dark skin, or her intellectual challenges? Beyond my academic record, what truly sets me apart is my deep determination to honor Tracey's memory. I aspire to work with and treat patients like her with the very most care and dignity, ensuring they receive the compassion they deserve. My experience with people with intellectual disabilities has shown me the need for change. I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives of marginalized individuals who often go unnoticed and to contributing to this transformation by becoming a healthcare professional, specifically a nurse. Furthermore, I am passionate about advocating for policies that prioritize public health infrastructure and equitable access to healthcare resources. I'm actually running for Student Visionary of the Year for LLS that raises money for cancer and I'm campaigning for seven weeks as a co-candidate. I've currently made $4,000 in the span of 4 weeks and I plan to make way more. With my campaign, I hope to help marginalized communities and provide support to those who don’t have access to essential resources, ensuring they receive the care and assistance necessary to their well-being– and create a more inclusive and supportive environment in the fight against cancer. During this campaign, I've been challenged to speak with business leaders like In-N-Out, Chipotle, and Disney to potentially get a sponsorship. By advocating for increased funding for research, healthcare workforce development, and community-based healthcare initiatives, we can strengthen our collective capacity to respond effectively to future health crises Additionally, one of the ways to prevent future pandemics is by empowering individuals with knowledge about infectious diseases, proper hygiene practices, and the importance of vaccination in low-poverty areas, we can build resilient communities capable of mitigating the spread of illness. Nursing represents more than just a career path for me—it is a calling to serve humanity with compassion, competence, and unwavering dedication. With this scholarship, I'm dedicated to acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the medical field and serve underserved communities, ensuring no one feels invisible. The pinky promise with Tracey remains significant, symbolizing this commitment.

Throughout most of my life, my aunt Tracey was dear to me. Despite having a disability, she defied expectations. We spent hours dancing and singing along to Michael Jackson-memories I will always cherish. As time went by, Tracey began to change. She spent most of her days bedridden with illness. I often reassured her, saying, "You won't be sick forever. We'll dance together once you're better," while extending my finger for a pinky promise. Soon after, my aunt entered a hospital for respiratory problems. Initially, we relied on her nurses and doctors, who gave us hope. However over time an eerie dullness settled within the walls of her hospital room. The persistent beeping of machines drowned out the sounds of Michael Jacksons music. They neglected her care, and her illness worsened. Healthcare professionals overlooked her simple needs, like proper nutrition.The same nurses and doctors who initially gave us hope became completely apathetic towards Tracey's condition. Eventually, Tracey passed away at the hands of these trusted providers. I've always wondered why it happened. Could it be that they couldn't see beyond her natural 4C hair texture, her dark skin, or her intellectual challenges? Beyond my academic record, what truly sets me apart is my deep determination to honor Tracey's memory. I aspire to work with and treat patients like her with the very most care and dignity, ensuring they receive the compassion they deserve. My experience with people with intellectual disabilities has shown me the need for change. I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives of marginalized individuals who often go unnoticed and to contributing to this transformation by becoming a healthcare professional, specifically a nurse. Furthermore, I am passionate about advocating for policies that prioritize public health infrastructure and equitable access to healthcare resources. I'm actually running for Student Visionary of the Year for LLS that raises money for cancer and I'm campaigning for seven weeks as a co-candidate. I've currently made $4,000 in the span of 4 weeks and I plan to make way more. With my campaign, I hope to help marginalized communities and provide support to those who don’t have access to essential resources, ensuring they receive the care and assistance necessary to their well-being– and create a more inclusive and supportive environment in the fight against cancer. During this campaign, I've been challenged to speak with business leaders like In-N-Out, Chipotle, and Disney to potentially get a sponsorship. By advocating for increased funding for research, healthcare workforce development, and community-based healthcare initiatives, we can strengthen our collective capacity to respond effectively to future health crises Additionally, one of the ways to prevent future pandemics is by empowering individuals with knowledge about infectious diseases, proper hygiene practices, and the importance of vaccination in low-poverty areas, we can build resilient communities capable of mitigating the spread of illness. Nursing represents more than just a career path for me—it is a calling to serve humanity with compassion, competence, and unwavering dedication. With this scholarship, I'm dedicated to acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the medical field and serve underserved communities, ensuring no one feels invisible. The pinky promise with Tracey remains significant, symbolizing this commitment.