July 2024 Winner, Stony Brook University
“'There’s only been 20,000 diagnoses of this in the United States.' When my doctor said this to my mother and me, I sat there in disbelief. It was the middle of the day and I was being poked and prodded by tools because I had lost the ability to walk out of nowhere."
Read Erika's essay

“I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in activities or go to parties like other students because I was responsible for basically being like a parent in my family. There were times when I felt resentment for my family obligations, but after reflecting on it, I would never trade my experience.”

“When I was 10 years old, I was rushed to the emergency room after having a seizure. While it turned out to not be a serious health issue, I decided that day that I wanted to work in the health field. On one of the scariest days of my life, the doctors and nurses I saw that day demonstrated the highest level of care and comfort.”

“The sight of the expanse of the Grand Canyon literally took my breath away. I imagined the millions of years that passed to create such a majestic scene, and I imagined that millions of years from now it would still be there for others to enjoy. It inspired me to want to study natural resources management.”