Growing up in a single-parent household has profoundly shaped my journey and my determination to pursue a career in medicine. The challenges I have faced financial struggles, uncertainty about the future, and the emotional weight of navigating life’s obstacles, have all contributed to a resilience and perseverance that fuel my commitment to becoming a compassionate and effective healthcare provider. My family’s experience echoes the very foundation of this scholarship. Like the founder, I have witnessed firsthand how adversity can forge strength and purpose. The passing of a beloved family member recently intensified my financial uncertainties and deepened my resolve to continue on the path toward medical school despite the mounting costs and obstacles. This loss brought both grief and clarity: it reinforced my desire to serve others, to bring healing not just physically but emotionally, and to be a beacon of hope in times of hardship. As a pre-med student, I understand the demanding nature of this journey. The long hours of study, the emotional toll of clinical experiences, and the financial burdens that often accompany this path. Yet, I also recognize that my background equips me with a unique empathy and determination. Growing up in a household led by a single parent, I learned early the values of hard work, sacrifice, and the power of perseverance. These lessons are not just abstract ideals to me, they are lived experiences that have prepared me to face the rigorous demands of medical training and to connect meaningfully with patients who come from diverse and challenging backgrounds. My commitment to medicine is deeply personal. I want to make a difference by improving access to quality healthcare for underserved populations, those who often face barriers similar to those my family has encountered. I am motivated by the belief that every patient deserves dignity, respect, and compassionate care regardless of their circumstances. My experiences have taught me to listen deeply, to approach challenges with resilience, and to advocate fiercely for those who cannot always advocate for themselves. Receiving the RELEVANCE Scholarship would not only alleviate financial stress but would also affirm the value of my journey and struggles. It would empower me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experiences, bringing me closer to my goal of becoming a healthcare leader who embodies the resilience and purpose this scholarship honors. The challenges I have faced have been difficult, but they have also been formative. They have inspired a commitment to growth, empathy, and service that I carry forward into my medical career. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my story and hopeful that I can honor the legacy of resilience this scholarship represents by making a positive impact in healthcare.

Becoming a healthcare professional has never been just a career plan for me. It is a calling that has developed from personal experience, mentorship, and a deep desire to bring healing and dignity to those in need. Growing up in a single-parent household, I watched my mother stretch every dollar to support my dreams. Her sacrifices taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of pursuing a purpose that benefits others. My first glimpse into the world of healthcare came through internships at local hospitals. From the moment I walked through those doors, I felt a sense of belonging I had never experienced anywhere else. The atmosphere, the teamwork, and the quiet strength of the professionals around me inspired something in me. I saw patients being comforted during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. It was not just about medicine. It was about making people feel safe and seen when they are at their most vulnerable. Currently, I work as a home health aide, providing care and companionship to individuals in their homes. I help them bathe, eat, take medications, and feel heard. These experiences have shown me the human side of medicine and have only deepened my commitment to a future in healthcare. I have learned to be patient, compassionate, and attentive to both spoken and unspoken needs. I have also realized that small acts of care can have a powerful impact. While I pursue my degree in psychology, I am involved in mental health clubs, mentorship programs, and student leadership positions. Balancing work, academics, and leadership has been challenging, especially with the financial strain that comes from being a low-income student. Still, these responsibilities have made me more resilient and more focused. I am passionate about mental health, trauma-informed care, and healthcare equity. I know from personal experience how financial hardship, lack of representation, and limited access to quality care can negatively affect outcomes. I want to help change that. My goal is to become a pediatric anesthesiologist and eventually open a nonprofit rehabilitation center that supports individuals struggling with mental health and addiction. I want to create spaces where families feel supported and patients feel safe, no matter their background or income level. I believe healthcare should be accessible, inclusive, and grounded in compassion. Receiving this scholarship would help lift some of the financial burden off my family and allow me to continue focusing on my education and service. It would also serve as a reminder that my efforts matter and that there are people who believe in my ability to make a difference. I am committed to using my education and experiences to improve the lives of others, and I am grateful for any support that brings me closer to that goal.

From a young age, I’ve felt called to care for others, but it wasn’t until I stepped into a hospital during my first internship that I truly felt at home. The beeping monitors, the steady rhythm of the halls, the quiet but powerful dedication of each staff member, it all felt right. That sense of belonging was something I had never felt so deeply, and it became the spark that lit my path toward healthcare. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of completing internships in local hospitals and clinics where I’ve witnessed the impact healthcare workers make every day. I currently work as a home health aide, supporting patients with daily needs, emotional reassurance, and consistency when they feel most vulnerable. These experiences haven’t just taught me clinical skills; they’ve taught me patience, humanity, and the importance of being present. What has stood out most along this journey are the mentors who believed in me, encouraged me to ask questions, and modeled compassion in every action. Their guidance has shaped my desire to not only enter the healthcare field but to stay in it long term, making an impact not just through care but through mentorship and innovation. Pursuing higher education in healthcare is more than a goal; it’s a commitment to a lifelong mission. I plan to major in psychology and pursue a career as a pediatric anesthesiologist while simultaneously advocating for mental health awareness and access. I’ve seen firsthand how underserved communities, especially children, suffer when access to care is limited or delayed. I hope to help fill those gaps by creating inclusive, trauma-informed spaces in both hospitals and community settings, especially for those who feel unseen or misunderstood. In addition to clinical practice, I also want to launch a nonprofit rehabilitation center that focuses on drug, alcohol, and mental health recovery, especially for low-income families. Healthcare is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about understanding the whole person, their environment, and their story. For students like me, cost is one of the greatest barriers. Scholarships like this one make it possible for passionate, community-driven future healthcare workers to continue their education without being held back by financial strain. With support, I know I can grow into the kind of provider who not only heals but advocates, listens, and leads. I’m grateful for every opportunity to learn and serve, and I am determined to carry the heart of healthcare with me into every role I take on. The hospital once felt like a place I belonged. Now I want to help others feel that same sense of care and belonging wherever they are.

“All alone.” Those words have echoed in the lives of so many children, including my own. At just 12 years old, I began battling depression. I struggled with school, friendships, and the emotional weight of my parents’ divorce. Overwhelmed, I stopped trying. I fell silent, muted by hopelessness and the belief that my life had lost its meaning. For nearly a year, I lived in that silence, paralyzed by internal voices convincing me to give up. But everything changed when a friend confided in me that he, too, was struggling. I desperately wanted to help him, to offer the comfort I had been searching for myself. But I couldn’t find the words. A few weeks later, I saw his face again, this time on a suicide prevention poster. That moment shattered me and shaped me. I realized I could no longer allow myself or others to be victims of stigma, silence, or misunderstanding. I began to study emotional intelligence, talk with mental health leaders in my community, and research what depression really is, especially in children. I wasn’t just looking for answers. I was trying to rebuild hope, both for myself and for others. That experience ignited a lifelong passion for mental health. I’m currently majoring in psychology, and my long-term goals include becoming a health professional, mental health educator, and founder of a nonprofit rehabilitation center that supports individuals struggling with addiction and trauma. My focus is on underserved communities, particularly those that are historically excluded from mental health care and representation in the field. I plan to help boost diversity and inclusion in mental health care through trauma-informed, culturally responsive treatment models and by creating spaces where people of color feel seen and respected. I want to integrate community-based education, youth mentorship, and advocacy to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness in Black and low-income communities. Too many people go without care because they never see someone who looks like them or understands their story. Beyond my academic path, I mentor students, lead two campus mental health clubs, serve on our Honor Council and Student Board, and run a summer program that teaches mental health awareness to youth. These roles have shaped my commitment to being both a resource and a leader. They’ve also shown me that small actions can create lasting change, especially when they come from someone who’s been there. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden I face as a low-income student, enabling me to continue focusing on my mission. I am determined to become the person I once needed and to build systems where no child, no matter their background, feels alone, unsupported, or unseen.

“All alone.” Those words have echoed in the lives of so many children, including my own. At just 12 years old, I began battling depression. I struggled with school, friendships, and the emotional weight of my parents’ divorce. Overwhelmed, I stopped trying. I fell silent, muted by hopelessness and the belief that my life had lost its meaning. For nearly a year, I lived in that silence, paralyzed by internal voices convincing me to give up. But everything changed when a friend confided in me that he, too, was struggling. I desperately wanted to help him, to offer the comfort I had been searching for myself. But I couldn’t find the words. A few weeks later, I saw his face again, this time on a suicide prevention poster. That moment shattered me and shaped me. I realized I could no longer allow myself or others to be victims of stigma, silence, or misunderstanding. I began to study emotional intelligence, talk with mental health leaders in my community, and research what depression really is, especially in children. I wasn’t just looking for answers. I was trying to rebuild hope, both for myself and for others. That experience ignited a lifelong passion for mental health. I’m currently majoring in psychology, and my long-term goals include becoming a health professional, mental health educator, and founder of a nonprofit rehabilitation center that supports individuals struggling with addiction and trauma. My focus is on underserved communities, particularly those that are historically excluded from mental health care and representation in the field. I plan to help boost diversity and inclusion in mental health care through trauma-informed, culturally responsive treatment models and by creating spaces where people of color feel seen and respected. I want to integrate community-based education, youth mentorship, and advocacy to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness in Black and low-income communities. Too many people go without care because they never see someone who looks like them or understands their story. Beyond my academic path, I mentor students, lead two campus mental health clubs, serve on our Honor Council and Student Board, and run a summer program that teaches mental health awareness to youth. These roles have shaped my commitment to being both a resource and a leader. They’ve also shown me that small actions can create lasting change, especially when they come from someone who’s been there. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden I face as a low-income student, enabling me to continue focusing on my mission. I am determined to become the person I once needed and to build systems where no child, no matter their background, feels alone, unsupported, or unseen.

“All alone.” These words have been plastered to the walls of lives like mine and many children. I've come to see that this is how lots of children describe their battle with depression. At 12, I started to feel the same. I struggled to make friends, keep my grades up, and with my parents' recent divorce things were far from peaceful at home. Growing tired of dealing with my daily hardships, something arose inside me. An unfamiliar voice telling me just to give up, and that my life was meaningless. I listened to that voice and stopped trying at everything and went mute for nearly a year. Throughout that time I sat idle in my mind, letting those voices control and tear me down until I had no will to do anything. Only thinking, “What happened to me? Will I ever be free from this?” Until one day I talked with a friend who declared he felt the same. I’d never wanted to comfort and empathize with someone so desperately. I began to fight the negative voices in my head in hopes of finding the words to help him. But, I couldn’t find them and the next time I saw him was on a suicide-prevention poster. Thenceforward, I refused to allow myself to be a victim of the voices and negative emotions that plagued me. I started researching and speaking with many emotional intelligence leaders in my community about my experiences and discovered depression, mental health, and its importance, especially in children. Leaving me with only one question: “Why didn’t anyone help me?” I asked my family and was constantly met with, “We didn’t realize,” or “We were afraid.” I’ve reflected on this experience so much since and it’s helped me realize who I want to be, my passion, and how I want to impact the world through education. I want to study psychology to learn how we form mental illness, warning signs, and how we can help others, and use this information to develop new methods of improving the way we identify mental health disorders as a health professional and support others through their times of need. This is why this scholarship would support me in doing so by allowing me to focus on my goals instead of my financial burden. I believe that I can make a huge impact on the lives of every patient I see by considering their physical health and the health of their minds so I can help them receive all the care they truly need. Using my findings to reconstruct our education system into one that focuses more heavily on the mental health of students and families. I’m working towards being a figure that children can look up to for future inspiration and guidance on their journeys. I want to take action and for others to as well so I’ll share my discoveries with the world so that one day no child will be left to feel “all alone.”

“All alone.” These words have been plastered to the walls of lives like mine and many children. I've come to see that this is how lots of children describe their battle with depression. At 12, I started to feel the same. I struggled to make friends, keep my grades up, and with my parents' recent divorce things were far from peaceful at home. Growing tired of dealing with my hardships every day, one day something arose inside me. An unfamiliar voice told me to give up, and that my life was meaningless. I listened to that voice, stopped trying at everything, and went mute for nearly a year. Throughout that time I sat idle in my mind, letting those voices control and tear me down until I had no will to do anything. Only thinking, “What happened to me? Will I ever be free from this?”Until one day I talked with a friend who declared he felt the same. I’d never wanted to comfort and empathize with someone so desperately. I began to fight the negative voices in my head hoping to find the words to help him. But, I couldn’t find them and the next time I saw him was on a suicide-prevention poster. Thenceforward, I refused to allow myself to be a victim of the voices and negative emotions that plagued me. I started researching and speaking with many emotional intelligence leaders in my community about my experiences and discovered depression, mental health, and its importance, especially in children. Leaving me with only one question: “Why didn’t anyone help me?” I asked my family and was constantly met with, “We didn’t realize,” or “We were afraid.” This experience has taught me how I want to leave an impact on the world. I want to go to college to study in mental health programs to learn how we form mental illness, warning signs, how we can help others, and use this information to develop new methods of improving the way we identify mental health disorders as a health professional. I believe that I can make a huge impact on the lives of every patient I see by not just considering their physical health, but the health of their mind so I can help them receive all the care they truly need. I want to take action and for others to as well so I’ll share my discoveries with the world so that one day no child will feel “All Alone.”

All alone. These words have been plastered to the walls of the lives of many children. To watch the world through a barrier. Watch children play, adults walk and talk past, peers thrive in boisterous, loud classrooms. Unable to reach out and join in. Unable to call out because no one will hear your voice. I've come to see that this is how lots of children view their battle with depression. At the age of 12, I started to have the feeling too. I struggled to make friends and keep my grades up, and my situation at home was far from peaceful. I grew tired of having to get up every day and deal with my hardships. All of this suffering piled on me until an unfamiliar voice developed inside me and told me that I should give up, to be silent, and that my life was meaningless. Unfortunately, I listened to that voice and gave up in school, stopped trying to make friends or make things better at home, and went mute for nearly 2 years. Throughout that time I sat idle in my mind, letting those voices control me and tear me down until I had no will to do even something as simple as get out of bed. No matter how much I wanted out of the captivity of my mind. That was until I had a small interaction with an old friend who was going through something similar. One day among the voices, I made out the sound of a friend known for his smile now crying in front of me. Declaring that he felt he could no longer continue with his battle. I’d never wanted to reach out to someone so desperately and fought my voices that told me there was nothing I could do for him and continually degraded. In hopes of being able to reach him, but not in time. The next time I saw my friend was on a suicide prevention poster in school. Nearly 45% of children commit suicide in a year in North Carolina. Nearly 20% in the US. The memories of my friend was just the inspiration I needed to fight my depression and find my passion for helping other children fight their battles with depression. I started talking more with my fellow youth who confirmed that these feelings of being alone were real and common amongst us. Which gave me an even bigger desire to to win my battle and help others win theirs. I started to teaching my self more about the wonders of mental health and wrote down all my experiences with depression. And from there I started to teach others my findings. Anyone who would listen I would teach them all I could and have them talk as well until I could then begin the battle of defeating their depression, which was the start of my non profit “Heal Before Hurt”. My goal in college is to study the way mental health affects all of us and teach my findings to families all over so no other child has to feel "All Alone".