My most recent encounter of the time I showed up for someone is when I helped my best friend with her fundraising to be able to attend a program at the University of Oregon. The program supported diversity in education and the opportunity for higher education. I wanted to help because I have a passion for education and I understand that not many Native Americans can have access to higher education or might not think that it is possible to go to college. I helped her bake things like cheesecake, cake, cupcakes, etc. After we went to the drum group to sell the baked goods. A drum group is a place where people come together to dance and sing in my native American culture. This experience impacted me because it has shown me how my community is supportive of higher education. A strong connection to my community is very important to me because it is important to give back and support them. I believe that my connection is beyond the surface level because I am connected through my culture and historical ties to my community and heritage.

If I had the chance to win the scholarship of 1,000 dollars I would set the money aside for the cost of books in college. I realize college is very expensive and considering I want to be a doctor in the future the books I would need to acquire are expensive and this money would be able to help with the costs. I took a summer class at the University of Washington and one biology class costs around 2,000 and I realized the cost of college and the biology book was 100 dollars. I am from the Quileute tribe in la push Washington and to go to college is a big accomplishment I am grateful to get the chance to go to college but I am worried about student loans in college. Being a first-generation college student native American I am trying to navigate this process as best I can and this scholarship would help me substantially with the textbooks. I have had some experience with community college because I am taking dual enrolment classes to graduate with my AA degree one reason I chose to do dual enrollment is to have less student debt. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

A Difficult situation that I had to persevere was when I got to study intro to biology at the University of Washington, in Summer 2021. I was introduced to many new and interesting topics like the field of genetics. It has advanced my knowledge in biology and given me insights into the rigor of college-level courses. During the middle to end of my class, my dad became severely ill with stomach symptoms. He was hospitalized and needed emergency surgery. During this time, I needed to take an exam that was significant for my grade. I was so worried about my dad I could not focus and did poorly. I contacted my professor at the University of Washington and explained the circumstances and I was told that I could not retake the exam, but I got extensions on the assignments. My dad condition worsened, and he needed a second surgery during the procedure he had to be resuscitated. My dad survived but we almost lost him. Despite this I completed all my assignments. I did the best I could but all the stress and worrying was a tremendous distraction and I did not pass the course. Despite the failure of my class at the University of Washington, I was determined to take and pass college level courses. I signed up for the Running Start program at Peninsula College. I passed the three courses I took; Math in society, 78% English composition 78%, and Health 81%. I am enrolled for Winter semester and my goal is to improve my grades. My long-term goals are to transfer my credits from Peninsula College to a 4-year university and then go to medical school to become a doctor.