The life of my dreams involves empowering the dreams of my peers, especially youth of color who struggle with self-esteem issues and suicidal ideation, two common issues that I've seen in my community. I strive to use my passion for positive youth development and creative arts to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of young people who wake up daily with the daunting task of beating incredible odds because of systemic oppression. The life of my dreams is influenced by my belief systems on increasing access to community health and my experiences mentoring Black and Brown girls in elementary schools. I am someone who believes that an important way to promote radical healing in communities of color is to support the health and well-being of youth so that we are better equipped to develop into healthier adults. Currently, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 75% of mental illnesses begin by age 24 and disproportionately impact youth of color. In 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death for Black youth ages 15 to 24. The reality of our youth mental health crisis against the backdrop of an isolating time, specifically a global pandemic, moved me to work towards my dream life by working with Pretty Brown Girls LLC. I lead workshops that encourage Black and Brown girls to dream big and believe that they can achieve greatness. As a result of my beliefs and the youth mental health statistics, living the life of my dreams involves completing my graduate school education to serve as a psychologist who uses art therapy to prioritize the wellness needs of youth of color. I am motivated to promote pervasive joy and increase access to wellness opportunities, especially in the lives of youth from underserved backgrounds. While serving as a therapist, my dream life is to grow the impact of the dance school that I founded during the pandemic to provide free therapy sessions to trauma-impacted youth. My dream life looks like providing scholarship opportunities that make going to college more accessible to young people who come from low-income backgrounds similar to the one that I grew up in. Because of my experiences growing up in a low-income community, my dream life involves doing what I can to invest in the well-being of youth who struggle with access to health resources. I teach free dance workshops to youth predominately ages 24 and below in my community. Mental and physical health are interconnected so my dream life involves continuing to teach classes that promote conversations on how young people can practice self-care while healing through the practice of art. Lastly, my dream life involves serving as a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive psychologist who travels internationally to teach and learn in dance classes that remedy statistics on health inequities and encourage holistic well-being. My goal is to use the gift of dance that I have been given to improve health outcomes among youth. Thank you for providing the Dr. Jade Education scholarship opportunity as a resource for students to feel affirmed in our visions and dreams for the future.

As a Black student in STEM who is an aspiring psychologist and comes from a first-generation, African-immigrant, and low-income background, my dream is to use my education to nurture the minds of minoritized youth and make their dreams feel more accessible. This goal is important because I know what it feels like to push through the adversity of graduating from college as one of three percent of Black students who constituted my undergraduate class of 31,000 scholars. Even today, as I enter my second year as a clinical psychology graduate student, I work diligently to overcome the adversity of attending places of higher learning that were not historically designed to support students who look like me. I persevere by partnering with my peers who navigate challenges to accessing higher education. For example, as an undergraduate, I joined the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), to find creative solutions, such as study groups and low-income housing, to address challenges such as passing our classes and covering our living expenses. In short, I overcome the adversity of not belonging by investing my energy into environments where belonging is a core value so that my peers and I are equipped to thrive academically. In graduate school, however, this goal comes with greater challenges due to the competitiveness and scarcity of receiving funding support within my program. For example, I'm currently in the process of waiving my health insurance to have financial resources to cover the cost of my textbooks and school fees. The Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial scholarship is an honor that will substantially help my ability to navigate these barriers. I aspire to help my community in the future by serving as a psychologist who provides wellness services to youth from underserved backgrounds. This aspiration fuels my volunteer experiences. I provide free yoga and dance classes to youth from underserved backgrounds that connect students to resources to support their longer-term mental health care. I have worked with over 1000 students who remind me of my peers growing up. For example, I attended public schools all of my life and observed how socioeconomic status and the lack of access to higher education impact a young person’s ability to dream. I know this because I attended a predominately Black and Latinx middle school with my peers who, similar to me, navigated feelings of imposter syndrome. Our environment did not have sufficient resources, such as a higher teacher-to-student ratio, to support our academic success. I transitioned into college and experienced how gaps in educational resources fueled self-limiting beliefs on what I was capable of achieving as I struggled through science classes and financing my education at the same time. I overcame these adversities by rigorously applying to scholarship opportunities and joining study groups throughout the week and weekend. Upon gaining acceptance into my graduate program, I felt academically prepared for the life transition yet financially short without a plan. The Henry Bynum Jr. Memorial Scholarship is connected to a developed plan that can help me overcome the adversity of accessing higher education as I pursue the goal of supporting my peers to achieve this goal through my professional pursuits. I strive to serve as a psychologist and as someone committed to opening doors for students to feel that their dreams are more accessible. Thank you for providing the Henry Bynum Memorial Scholarship as an investment opportunity for students who aspire to uplift our community.

Volunteering for a suicide prevention hotline is one important aspect of how I embody selflessness. I have supported close to 200 individuals throughout my two years of serving as a certified crisis counselor. Because people are suffering in silence and dying from suicide, a preventable cause of death, I am motivated to remain involved in opportunities that advocate for suicide prevention and intervention throughout my career. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is one of the twelve leading causes of preventable death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that in 2015, there were approximately 575,000 people who were hospitalized due to this public health crisis. These numbers existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, a widely isolating experience that global communities have had to endure. Through serving as a crisis counselor, I have supported multiple young people who have contemplated suicide attempts due to feelings of isolation. I volunteer through the Crisis Text Line and help individuals during their critical time of need. I have spent an average of four hours per week hearing the detailed plans for suicide of young people who have been victims of being bullied online. In these conversations, people have shown me just how serious the issue of cyberbullying is. I ask four important questions at the start of every conversation because research shows that talking about suicide is essential to the prevention of it. I ask each individual if they have had any thoughts on suicide, their plan for ending their life, the tools that they would use to do it, and the timeframe that they are contemplating ending their life. Based on their response, I am required to send an immediate active rescue to their home to help preserve their life as I continue the conversation to ensure that they get the support that they need to be well. My volunteer experience in this role led me to provide free dance classes, throughout the pandemic, that normalize conversations on mental health. Our program connects individuals to therapeutic resources, such as local organizations, to support their longer-term care. Because 75% of mental illnesses begin by age 24, I use my 19 years of professional dance training as a tool to connect with young people and normalize conversations that have the potential to save a life. I embody selflessness through community service opportunities that serve as a beacon of hope for people who are tired of living. I hope that the work I volunteer creates a ripple effect that empowers people to support their peers. This is my approach to selflessness that promotes positive change in the lives of individuals struggling with suicide. Thank you for providing the Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship as an invaluable award that honors the legacy of Michael while encouraging us to embody selflessness. I hope to use the funds provided to continue his legacy of giving back to people who need support the most as I embark on my academic journey of serving as a therapist.

My experience as a first-generation Nigerian immigrant is deeply intertwined with my experiences as a Black woman in the United States. I was raised in Southern California under the tutelage of Nigerian Civil War survivors. Every Sunday, my siblings and I accompanied my parents to visit our local cultural church and commune with community members who experienced their coming-of-age as youth in Nigeria. My elders shared stories of their childhood and surviving unimaginable circumstances, as a symptom of the war. Poverty was the common thread that united their experiences and desire to leave our native land. Coming to America, they felt, was the golden ticket. My elders have always underscored the importance of education. Their push for my academic pursuits is connected to their immigration experiences. Immigrating to the United States was only possible for them through an F-1 visa. Education was quite literally their passport into a future on this soil. I have access to certain privileges, such as being enrolled in a clinical psychology graduate program in the United States, because of the sacrifices that were made before me. My elders saw how valuable education was in altering their lives; they secured employment opportunities that supported the livelihood of our families in this country. While attending UC Berkeley, there were times when I wanted to throw up my hands and give up on classes. I majored in Public Health and had difficulties understanding how I could graduate as the valedictorian of my predominately Black and Latinx middle school yet barely pass science courses in college. I did not understand how I could love science, win my eighth-grade science fair, and yet have to retake my college-level biology course to be considered for entry into my major. I accepted that success does not come easy, a lesson that I learned from my family's immigration story. In college, I would have to work twice as hard as I ever had before. There were times when I wanted to quit due to academic challenges. Being raised by a resilient community of immigrants, however, gifted me with the ability to remember where I come from. Overcoming barriers is so much a part of my family history that I knew deep down that I would one day walk across my graduation stage and claim my diploma. It didn't matter that I had to retake classes and scour extra credit opportunities to make up for failed exams. My desire to succeed was so much greater than the challenges presented. I continued on my academic path by remembering the sacrifices that were made by elders on my behalf. I had access to the place of privilege that I occupied because of their toil. Eventually, I graduated from UC Berkeley as a Public Health major and a Dance Performance Studies minor. I am now enrolled in graduate school wth the goal of serving as a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed psychologist who supports immigrant communities. My success reflects the hard work that mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, cousins, and mentors poured into me. My lifelong goal is to use the privileges that I have garnered throughout my academic career to mentor students and promote health in underserved communities. I want to give back to immigrant and underserved communities in similar ways that my elders have given back to me, through being an example that encourages the next generation of youth leaders.

Children of Blood and Bones” may sound like an ominous title that foreshadows the tale of a dark story but this novel transformed my life. If everyone in the world reads just one book, I emphatically recommend delving into the world of this novel because I believe in its potential to change a person’s outlook on overcoming adversity. For example, this book by critically acclaimed author, Tomi Adeyemi, transformed my life by showing me powerful examples of what happens when women lead. We transcend adversity and inspire others to do the same- a goal that this book inspires me to work towards as a STEM student. This book inspires me to overcome academic challenges as I navigate being an underrepresented student in a clinical psychology graduate program. Through this novel, I embarked on a mythical journey with the protagonist, Zélie. She proved herself to be a powerful leader who saves the fate of magic in her community of diviners who experience oppression by a royal caste of monarchs. Zélie’s tenacity is easily admirable. Rather than wallow in the pain of being discriminated against she taps into her personal power. She uses magic to transform her lived experiences and protect her community. Zélie also mentors other diviners who want to uplift their community in the face of oppression. She teaches her peers how to use their magic for the common good. I highly recommend reading this book because it is life-altering and awe-inspiring. This book transformed my life by encouraging me to defy expectations of what people who look like me and come from low-income backgrounds are capable of achieving in the field of STEM. This book influences my volunteer, mentorship, and research experiences. Through an afterschool program, Scientific Adventures for Girls, I collaborated with elementary-aged girls to conduct science experiments with the goal to make science fun. This work is important to me because the field of STEM is predominantly represented by men. The afterschool program empowers students to pursue a career in STEM regardless of their gender. Overall, I recommend the novel “Children of Blood and Bones” because it can empower people from all walks of life to empower others and transcend adversity. In the words of Zélie, “They took our magic. They tried to bury us. Now we rise.“ Thank you for providing this opportunity to support bibliophiles as we rise above challenges as students.

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” These words spoken by Marian Wright Edleman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, describe the beliefs that guide my career goals. I am someone who is passionate about incorporating service into my career goals as an aspiring mental healthcare provider. As a first-year graduate student in the field of clinical psychology, The VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship will be an immense help in remedying the financial load associated with my cost of attendance specifically with the cost of my books that aren’t currently accessible online. My books on child and adolescent psychology will give me the enhanced knowledge necessary to treat individuals who deal with intrusive thoughts such as suicidal ideation. I chose the career field of mental health because I know what it’s like to navigate barriers to seeking mental health support. My former challenges of feeling misunderstood by a therapist who did not reflect my cultural background as I lacked the financial means to cover the cost of consistent sessions led me to gain training that increases access to mental health care in my community. As I strive towards my career goals in school, I am reminded of the experiences in the mental health field that led to my motivation to serve as a psychologist. I serve as the director of a dance school with the mission to normalize conversations on mental illness especially among youth from underserved backgrounds. I also serve as a certified crisis counselor who volunteered two hours per week to assist individuals in distress during their darkest hours. These acts of service have taught me how necessary it is to make sure that people feel supported especially during challenging moments in life that bring up thoughts on suicide. According to the Crisis Text Line, talking about suicide has been proven to decrease instances of death. This motivates me to initiate conversations on the topic of suicide even though it is regarded as a culturally taboo topic. The motivation towards my career goals also stems from my experiences observing the impact of mental illness in my college community, these individuals identified as being low-income and first-generation college students one of whom had been a dear friend of mine. I distinctly recall a vigil that was held for an international student from Ethiopia who jumped in front of the local BART train. Students who were close to her mentioned how she had experienced challenges with adjusting to the workload in her classes alongside being so far away from her family. Her story as well as the stories of other students on campus informs my commitment to engage in community service activities that uplift individuals who struggle with their mental health as I serve as a therapist who supports these individuals one day. I have learned through my experience as a crisis counselor that having uncomfortable conversations can be the difference in someone choosing to live another day. I hope to continue offering similar services as a licensed psychologist and therapist who uses dance as a tool to promote conversations on mental health. Thank you for the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship-- an opportunity to be financially supported in pursuit of my long-term goal. Overall, I am driven to use these funds to serve my community as a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed psychologist who encourages young people through the arts. I appreciate your philanthropy and act of service in giving this scholarship so that more people have the resources to boldly go after their dreams of helping others.

The power of an individual’s impact, as depicted by the legacy of Dmitriy Kapelkin, continues to fuel my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations in the field of mental health. As someone who recently lost my father last month to a rare autoimmune disease, I recognize how important mental health support is now more than ever. The description of Dmitriy’s role as a brother and lover of fishing-related activities makes me think about my dad and his fascination with nature-related activities especially the sound of rain. The common theme between these two deeply loved individuals is that their presence inspires the loving actions of those they left behind such as this scholarship opportunity that has been provided on Dmitriy’s behalf and my pursuits in the field of psychology that is inspired by my love for community well-being. My work is motivated by love. My experience with mental health in this season, specifically in processing the emotion of grief and the act of acceptance, influences my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. I believe that mental health exists on a spectrum and that all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexuality should receive quality care. This belief has led me to build relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds, learning more about their mental health stories as I explore ways that my work as an aspiring psychologist can remedy gaps in healthcare services, especially for those who struggle with substance use issues. My career aspiration is to serve as a psychologist who, similar to the life of Dmitriy in his passion for fishing and my father in his passion for being nature, empowers others to live healthier lives that prioritize their mental well-being through creative activities. I have worked in a substance use recovery center through the Fred Brown Recovery Services that showed me the importance of encouraging extracurricular activities as a wellness tool which reminds me of Dmitriy’s love for fishing. As a result of my work and life experiences, I am motivated to serve as a psychologist who teaches dance classes as a way to normalize mental health conversations and enhance the well-being of youth so that they are more likely to grow into healthier adults. I believe, through my experiences as a professionally trained performer, that art and nature have healing properties that I want to encourage others to engage in consistently. I am motivated to use this scholarship in my first year of graduate school to focus on my studies with less stress on covering my tuition fees, as I simultaneously provide free wellness workshops in my campus community. Thank you for providing the Fishers of Men-tal Health Scholarship as an imperative resource that pours into mental health care leaders of tomorrow.

I lead by example. I lead because my life’s purpose is to uplift the well-being of young people so that they are better equipped to self-actualize into healthy adults who leave a positive imprint on the world. I lead because I am motivated to do my part in promoting a world that is both equitable and sustainable for subsequent generations to inherit. This goal is what I hope to achieve in the future through my leadership skills of active listening, forward-thinking, and empathetic support. I demonstrate leadership through the impact and sustained accomplishment that I have achieved in service opportunities that have reached more than 10,000 youth throughout my career in youth engagement, all while attending classes as a woman in STEM. Because of my experiences growing through challenges, such as the fear of public speaking in national conferences that supported my ability to operate as a high-impact leader, I actively engage in service opportunities that allow me to change the hearts and minds of young girls who grow up in underresourced communities so that they feel like that their dreams are within reach. For example, I served as a facilitator who led workshops through Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAFG). SAFG is a nonprofit organization that provides interactive science workshops to young girls in K-12 through an afterschool program while inviting powerful women scientists from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in STEM careers. I had the opportunity to co-lead 75 workshops for 64 elementary school girls as I reminded them that there is room for their dreams as future changemakers. Our team promoted diversity and inclusion by increasing the confidence of young girls who are interested in STEM careers so that they thrive in male-dominated fields and shatter the glass ceiling. Teamwork and leadership go hand-in-hand. I currently demonstrate leadership through the dance school that I direct and founded during the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who grew up experiencing the power of healing arts, especially through the art of dance, I noticed the growing need for therapeutic outlets during periods of isolation that characterized our global pandemic. I decided to take my leadership role to an entirely new level by founding a dance school that incorporates activities and conversations on mental well-being. I led virtual dance classes that brought people, hundreds of miles away, together for healing experiences. I continue this work through in-person workshops in my community. My goal is to one day provide scholarship opportunities to promising students who strive to express their leadership potential while in school. Overall, in the future, I hope to continue encouraging young people to take an active step in the direction of their greatest dreams. Thank you for providing the Scholarship Institute’s Annual Women’s Leadership Scholarship as a resource to pour into women who are committed to changing the world through leadership.

“Because of you, I feel that I can…” are words that characterize my greatest achievement to date which is positively impacting the lives of hundreds of young girls that I have supported through community service opportunities. This feat is a glimpse of the legacy that I seek to leave in this world. This achievement is important to me because I came from a background that made it challenging for me to graduate from college as I now seek resources to culminate from graduate school. While growing up as a young Black girl who comes from a low-income community, there were many times when I felt like my dream of serving as a college graduate who supports underserved communities was elusive. I attended a predominately Black and Latinx middle school with my peers who, similar to me, navigated feelings of imposter syndrome. Our environment did not have sufficient resources, such as a higher teacher to students ratio, to support our academic success. We struggled to pass our state test as evidenced by the lowest scores that we received compared to the state average let alone our school district’s. I transitioned into college and experienced how gaps in educational resources fueled self-limiting beliefs on what I was capable of achieving as I struggled through science classes and financing my education at the same time. As a student in STEM, I overcame these adversities and graduated from college by working multiple jobs, rigorously applying to scholarship opportunities, and joining study groups throughout the week and weekend. Because of my experience overcoming challenges, I actively engage in service opportunities that allow me to change the hearts and minds of young girls who grow up in underresourced communities so that they feel that they can achieve their dreams, my greatest achievement to date. Specifically, through my experience working as a youth facilitator through Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAFG), I had the opportunity to co-facilitate 75 workshops for 64 elementary school girls and I reminded them that there is room for their dreams as future changemakers. SAFG is a nonprofit organization that provides interactive science workshops to young girls in K-12 through an afterschool program while inviting powerful women scientists from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in STEM careers. We promoted diversity and inclusion by increasing the confidence of young girls who are interested in STEM careers so that they thrive in male-dominated fields and shatter the glass ceiling. In short, my greatest achievement to date is every young person who has felt encouraged to take an active step in the direction of their greatest dreams through the interactions that I have had with them. These experiences have taught me that my life purpose is to uplift the well-being of young people so that they are better equipped to self-actualize into healthy adults who leave a positive imprint on the world that subsequent generations will be inheriting. In the future, I hope to achieve the feat of serving as a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed psychologist who bridges resources, such as scholarship opportunities, to young people who experience challenges in accessing higher education. I believe that galvanizing support towards philanthropic initiatives will create greater opportunities for young people to dream without limits while making a positive difference in their communities. In order to achieve my dreams, it is necessary that I graduate from graduate school. Throughout this journey, I have made hard decisions in order to overcome the adversity of accessing higher education. I deferred my first year of graduate school in 2022 due to the cost of attendance. To overcome this barrier, I worked four different jobs concurrently in order to prepare myself for the financial demands of being a student during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time characterized by inflation and annual tuition increases. Upon gaining acceptance into my program, I felt academically prepared for the life transition yet financially short without a plan. The WC & EJ Thorton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship is connected to a developed plan that can help me overcome the adversity of accessing higher education as I pursue the goal of supporting my peers through my professional pursuits. I strive to serve not only as a psychologist but also as someone committed to opening doors for students to feel that their dreams are more accessible. Thank you for providing the WC & EJ Thorton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship as an investment opportunity for students who have aspirations to uplift our community.

As an aspiring research scientist in the field of applied clinical psychology, I am inspired by the potential of stem cell technology to treat neuromuscular diseases, such as dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. I believe that stem cell technology is a life-saving technology that paves the way for leading treatments in the field of bioengineering that support the psychological well-being of individuals who struggle with chronic pain. I am inspired by stem cell research because the technology that comes from stem stell scholarship enhances the quality of the world we live in by enhancing the experience of life itself. Stem cells are cells that can be derived from bodily organs, such as bone marrow, and differentiate into tissues. This science is groundbreaking because it provides opportunities for regenerative body processes that restore motor functions. Stem cells can also be manipulated in laboratory trials to produce specialized cells, such as blood cells, that typically do not replicate on their own. This is significant because medical diseases that affect the brain, such as strokes, can now utilize implanted stem cells to renew damaged cells. As a woman in STEM who is the founding director of a dance school, I strive to teach free monthly classes to students who come from low-income communities and have personal experiences with chronic pain. We discuss methods for supporting our well-being through the arts and technology. Stem cell technology is my favorite scientific discovery because of the potential of this cutting-edge biomedical research to one day cure debilitating diseases that improve the quality of life for patients with movement disorders. This technology inspires me by strengthing my faith in the power of medical technology to remedy pain and heal individuals. As a first-year clinical psychology student, I look forward to deepening my understanding of how to use medical technology to improve health outcomes in historically marginalized communities. Thank you for providing the Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship as an investment opportunity for women who are committed to leading innovations in STEM that promote global well-being.

"I'm fine." were two words that I had grown accustomed to repeating like clockwork even when my back was against the wall. I was always the student who got good grades in my classes, maintained a consistent job to pay for school, and didn’t show my true feelings for protection. Being honest about the weight of serving as a caretaker for my father who had become chronically ill would mean that I was weak because struggling to cope with the pain of grief meant that I was unable to thrive as a student let alone in life. I associated my ability to do well in school with my worthiness so I resorted to the words “I’m fine” as my grades slowly oscillated. This became a preliminary recipe for my challenging expereince with mental health specifically with grief and stress. My experience with mental health shape my goals to be honest wth my peers about the challenges I have grown through and share mental health resources, such as free counseling services with my peers, so that people know they are not alone and have a community that they can reach out to. Learning how to be honest about my healing process with my peers has shown me the strength in vulnerability as we exchange stories of our mental health experiences. I understand that everyone is going through something and it is okay not to be okay. Mental health conversations shape my goal of one day serving as a psychologist who provides affordable and culturally relvant therapy to young people. I'm learning how to be okay with not being okay. It took me time to adopt this language into my vocabulary because I grew up in Black and Brown communities, through the Los Angeles Unified School District, that avoided topics on mental health. Healing from my experience with grief, denial, and anger over the struggling health of a loved one taught me how to be patient with myself. I took more time to appreciate the moments that I have left with the people that I love, including myself. I began carrying my journal with me everyday, while in the hospital and at work, because capturing my feelings gave me room to cry when needed instead of bottling up my emotions. My experience with mental health shape my desire to love a little harder, cultivate healthier relationships, live life to the fullest, and become a highly skilled mental health professional through my academic pursuits. I will be entering a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program this Fall with the goal of helping young people practice tools for self-care and healing that makes living on this Earth more bearable. Thank you for providing this Ethel Hayes Scholarship as an opportunity for students to gain the financial resources necessary to promote quality mental healthcare through our academic pursuits as we collectively heal.

The dream version of my future self creates a ripple effect of positive impact on the lives of young people as I strive to provide opportunities, such as scholarships and mentorship, to youth who come from underserved backgrounds so that they are encouraged to become changemakers who express their inherent potential, attain their own dreams, and thrive in higher education.

There are many times when I faced rejection throughout this year; losing my job was the most challenging experience to grow through. The most impressionable way that I have grown over this past year is in self-trust. The trust that I have in my ability to find creative solutions to life challenges is deeply rooted in my trust in God. This year, I have learned how to view rejection as an opportunity to lean into my spiritual faith as a tool; it keeps me focused on achieving my career goal of serving as a psychologist who overcomes financial barriers to accessing higher education so that, I can direct a dance school that provides scholarship opportunities to young people who aspire to serve as mental health professionals too. I, unexpectedly, lost my job towards the end of November. This is the event that recently inspired my personal growth in the area of self-trust. I lost my job in the midst of an economic recession as I prepare for the first year of my doctoral program in the field of psychology. It was difficult for me to share this season of my life with my family and friends because of feeling ashamed. I had always been the person who got good grades, maintained a consistent job, and referred the people I know to work opportunities. Now, I found myself as the one in need of support. Work is one of the ways that I envisioned fully funding my doctoral degree outside of acquiring scholarships, grants, and fellowships. Losing my job changed me and the way that I view rejection. Rejection and loss are a part of the climb to greatness. They are necessary aspects of life that have changed the way that I talk to myself in order to rise above self-limiting beliefs. Every morning, I use mindfulness tools, such as meditation and journaling, to practice positive self-talk that nourishes my spirit. I remind myself that my value is not reliant on a job but rather on a higher purpose in my life to uplift my peers and the health of my community. My faith in God helps me to see the bigger picture of who has control in my life; this helps me stay the course in finding creative solutions to unexpected life events. Simultaneously, I remain steadfast in accessing financial resources to fund my doctoral education by consistently applying for new grants and scholarships. This is the aspect of me that has remained the same. Throughout my journey of self-discovery, I have learned that I can always trust in my ability to overcome challenges. I have been blessed with the creativity to find solutions, such as the exploration of side hustles, that helps me transcend financial setbacks while still giving back to my community. Now, I serve as a dance instructor and avid scholarship applicant who is driven to one day serve as a psychologist. My main goal is to use the power of art therapy to improve the lived experiences of young people who are forced to beat incredible odds. Thank you for providing this opportunity in support of students and our collective growth journey.

The song "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles has a significant and uplifting message that motivates me to remain consistent in fulfilling my scholarship goals. My goal is to win scholarship opportunities that cover the cost of my doctoral education. The most important message that I take away from this iconic tune is that there are always opportunities on the horizon even if there are rejections experienced along the journey. As referenced in this song, when cold and lonely winters visit, the sun is always present somewhere in the distance. I have applied to more than 200 scholarships and, so far, I have won a fraction of them and feel focused on winning more. I still remain encouraged to maintain a positive mindset that helps me to restrategize my writing approach for scholarship essays because of the words and feelings that this song evokes. I believe that remaining positive will yield more awards to cover the cost of my doctoral expenses. Listening to “Here Comes the Sun” inspires me to shine my light during moments when I may feel discouraged from graduating from school with a fully-funded education. Thank you for providing this opportunity for students to thrive, while in school, and achieve our career dreams that ultimately uplift our communities.

“Children of Blood and Bones” may sound like an ominous title that foreshadows the tale of a dark story but this novel literally transformed my life. This book by critically acclaimed author, Tomi Adeyemi, transformed my life by showing me powerful examples of what happens when women lead. We transcend adversity and inspire others to do the same- a goal that this book inspires me to work toward as a student in STEM. This book inspires me to overcome academic challenges as I navigate being an underrepresented student in the field of STEM. For about a month, I embarked on a mythical journey with the protagonist, Zélie. She proved herself to be a powerful leader who is well-equipped to save the fate of magic in her community of diviners who experience oppression by a royal caste of monarchs. Zélie’s tenacity is easily admirable. Rather than wallow in the pain of being discriminated against, through the use of derogatory terms that are used to make her feel small, she taps into her personal power. She transforms her condition of poverty through the use of magic and protects her community. Quite literally, Zélie’s powers remind me of “Black Girl Magic”-the ability of Black mothers and daughters to alchemize pain into joy. The protagonist also finds a way to mentor other diviners who want to uplift their community in the face of oppression that their loved ones face. She teaches her peers how to use their magic for the common good. This book transformed my life by reminding me to defy expectations of what people who look like me and come from low-income backgrounds are capable of achieving in the field of STEM. I actively engage in research and work opportunities that uplift underserved communities. This book also influences my volunteer experiences. Throughout my academic career, I engage in mentorship opportunities that support young girls. For example, my favorite memory involves spending time with elementary-aged girls in an afterschool program. We conducted science experiments with the goal of making the topic fun. This work is important to me because the field of STEM is predominantly represented by men. Through the afterschool program, students feel encouraged to pursue a career in STEM regardless of their gender. Overall, I am inspired by the novel “Children of Blood and Bones” to mentor the next generation of brave leaders. This book inspires me to practice being one as an aspiring scientist as well. In the words of Zélie, “They took our magic. They tried to bury us. Now we rise.“ Thank you for providing this opportunity to support bibliophiles as we rise above challenges as students.

My favorite scientific discovery is stem cell technology. As an aspiring research scientist in the field of psychology and dance, I am inspired by the potential of stem cell technology to treat psychosomatic disorders, such as dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. Stem cell technology is my favorite scientific discovery because of the potential of this cutting-edge biomedical research to one day cure debilitating diseases that improve the quality of life for patients with movement disorders. Stem cells are cells that can be derived from bodily organs, such as bone marrow, and differentiate into tissues. This science is groundbreaking because it provides opportunities for regenerative body processes that restore motor functions. Stem cells can also be manipulated in laboratory trials to produce specialized cells, such as blood cells, that typically do not replicate on their own. As a result, this technology could enhance the life of someone who struggles with sickle cell disease. In addition, medical diseases that affect the brain, such as strokes, can now utilize implanted stem cells to renew damaged cells. The future of scientific discovery in transforming the health outcomes of critically ill patients is stem cell technology.