Congratulations to all of the 2019 graduates especially our chosen 2019 PACE scholars, Trinity Mitchell and Kyrah Williams! Both students will be receiving a $500 scholarship to help pursue their careers in medicine. Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this possible!! These scholars not only stood out because of their academic achievements and involvement in the community, but because they have CONQUERED adversity. Through their essays, I realize that these students have said YES to their dreams when the world have told them no, you can not achieve them. I am inspired by you! Continue to push forward towards your goals!! Meet our scholars below and read their winning essays.
Ms. Trinity Mitchell
You aren’t the typical black girl, Trin,” a classmate once told me. He then implied that I am where I am because I’m not like “them”—no bad attitude, enrolled in honors classes, and talked “white.” His explanation for my academic success, was that I acted more white than I did a stereotype. In that moment, he didn’t realize that he fueled something in me. At North Side High School, I am in the top five percent of the 2019 graduating class. I am also the only African American female in the top five percent. Being the only one is incredibly discouraging, and in some ways empowering. I became more determined to see those like me succeed. I wanted to prove to people who think people of color can’t be successful wrong. I started study groups, academic group chats, and gave positive encouragement. I push my peers to not be complacent with where they’re at, and to not settle with the role society has given us.
This scholarship will not only aid me in continuing my education, but my personal growth as well. It’ll allow me to gain a new experience and with it, memories that I will look back on and value for a long time. To be awarded this scholarship would be a blessing that I would continue to pass forward.
As I pursue my post-secondary education, I plan to earn my bachelor’s in exercise science in the School of Health and Human Services at IUPUI or Ball State University and minor in psychology. After I’ve completed my undergraduate studies, I intend to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy program at a historically black college and partake in internships that better prepare me for my future occupation. After finishing my college education, I plan to become a physical therapist and work with military personnel. I’ve always wanted a career where I’d help others, give hands-on aid, and be useful to my community. I have a multitude of family members who have served and are still serving in the military, as well as friends who have just enlisted this year. The brave men and women in uniform who serve our country do so much for us and I feel as though not many people realize that anymore. So, this is my way of giving back. I want to be a person who takes care of the caretakers and provide the support they need with the energy and positive that consumes me.
Ms. Kyah Williams
Hello! My name is Kyrah Williams from North side High school. I am a multiracial female pursuing a degree in pre-med. growing up was always kind of rough. Me and my siblings have been in and out a foster care, but I never let it define me. If anything it motivated me to become everything my parents weren’t. I did have one role model my sister, Keyana Williams. At the end of the ninth graded I took this test that determined careers that fitted me. When I finished taking that test it gave me a list of choices so I picked 3 that I liked and they were a detective, a dentist, and a nurse. My first choice was a detective I really like all that mystery and problem solving.
So in the tenth grade I was into all the types’ of shows that had to do with criminal justice. I found that very interesting and fun. I remember my sister going to nursing school for a vocational nurse, but I never mind her or asked her anything about it. She was always studying and was always at school. She was so busy with it that I hardly even got to see her. When I was in the eleventh grade I remember she graduated from vocational nursing program, we were all proud of her. After she graduated I remember seeing her studying more and more and I asked her, “Why are you still studying didn’t you graduate already?” and she said, “I need to passed my boards exam in order to earn my license.” After she took her test a couple of weeks passed and she received a letter on the mail and it was her license. I remember the joy n happiness in her face.
That summer I remember I would go with her to her job, she used to do home visits. The first day I went I was observing everything as the moment we walked in there she was very nice to the patient like if he was family. I remember she asked the patient if it was okay if I watched the wound care and he said yes. I was a bit scared I really didn’t want to watch but I did it anyways. When my sister removed the old dressing I was grossed out but managed to keep a straight face. When we left I asked my sister how was she able to do and that I don’t think I would be able to do that. So then my sister started to explain to me how much she loved nursing. I was amazed in how she expressed herself towards nursing. So since that day it opened my eyes. I decided to go with my sister to her home visits every other day or whenever I was able too. I started realizing that I was growing this passion for it and was becoming more interesting in nursing. I was very curious in the nursing career and I was just repeatedly asking my sister questions about it.
I started to grow this huge love towards nursing the way you are able to care for a patient and give them comfort and help them in any way you could. I saw it as a super hero being there care for them as much as possible. So at that moment I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I thank my sister for giving me the experience she gave me. Because of her I had finally decided what I wanted my career to be. I also learned that it I okay if u are undecided and don’t know want u want to become. I believe there is a moment when you will realize what u want to become, and now I follow me sisters foot prints and will succeed in becoming a nurse just like her.
Thank you for the opportunity