Hello

    I am of Caribbean descent. Growing up, my family instilled in me the values of hard work, gratitude, and faith, which have formed the foundation of my educational and personal journey. I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by successful black women in my family who worked in healthcare and achieved the "American Dream" despite their humble beginnings. Although I was never directly pressured to be the best, I was encouraged to try my best.

    I enjoyed learning and found it fun and exciting from a young age. However, when I reached middle school, my perspective was challenged. As I took more advanced classes, my family was unable to help me with the complex concepts that I didn't understand. I didn't have the support that was familiar with the American education system, and as a result, I experienced my first failure. The first time I failed a test, it was devastating. I felt weighed down, and I thought it would impact the standard of perfection I had set for myself. That was when my father shared some wise words with me. He said that if I tried my best, there was nothing to be ashamed of. Those words have stayed with me on my education journey. With every setback, I know there is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I hope that it draws me closer to achieving my goals. 

   During my time at Hagerty High School, I participated in a program called Early Childhood Education (ECE). The ECE program enabled me to obtain certifications in CPR and Food Service, as well as my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Through this program, I honed my skills as a preschool teacher, creating weekly lesson plans and meeting with parents to discuss their child's progress. Being a reliable source of support for those around me brings me immense satisfaction, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.

    Outside of school, I expanded my passion for teaching and guiding children by volunteering at my local church. When asked to help teach the preschool and early elementary school children, I jumped at the opportunity. Using my creativity and resources, I designed engaging Sunday school lessons complete with thought-provoking questions and fun arts and crafts projects. Witnessing the children grow and learn was a joy that I will always cherish.

   As an educator, I desired to instill in children the same excitement for learning that I had. However, my interest in medicine was sparked when one of my students sustained an injury and turned to me for assistance. I knew what was needed to alleviate their discomfort, and it felt gratifying to be the source of their comfort. This experience prompted me to focus on pediatrics, as providing comfort to children became my primary objective. My love for learning and exploring my interests, combined with my passion for nurturing children, made this profession the perfect fit for me.

   In my first semester at the University of Central Florida, I took a course titled "Medical Sociology." In one of the lectures, we discussed the various healthcare professions, including their salaries and the length of schooling required. I knew my destination, but the gravity of that journey did not dawn on me until I heard a lesson in medical sociology comparing the different health fields. I began to see all the challenges that pediatricians face and the advantages of other alternatives, such as being a physician's assistant (PA). That week was restless for me. I was constantly comparing careers, looking for differences in years of schooling, earnings, work-life balance, and other factors. But I couldn't shake off that desire to be a doctor. I know the stereotypical stressors of having immigrant parents, but the pressure I had didn't come from them. It was intrinsic and stemmed from the unrealistic expectations of "making it" that I placed on myself.

 
   I've had the same dream for years, but the reality of that dream only hit me after I took the medical sociology class. This is real, I want this. I needed to commit, so I met with counselors and developed a plan, which I will continue to pursue until I reach my current end goal. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else. The thought of another field doesn't bring the same excitement and warmth that I feel when planning out the next five years of my life. Of all the things I'm uncertain about in my future, this is one thing I'm sure about, and I've weighed the cost and moved past the outdated "dream" of being a physician. I solidified it that week, and I committed to going all out. Trying my best and putting in the effort to make my dream a reality. I am grateful for how far God has brought me, and as I continue on this path, I know that I can lean on Him and rest in Him in any situation I face.

    My father told me that whatever I choose, I should make sure to have a plan and follow through on it. These words of encouragement carried me through my extracurricular activities, volunteering, shadowing, academics, studies, and faith, and I know they will continue with me in the future.