Meet the 2017-2019 Rosa's Angel Scholarship Winners
Breanna
2019 Winner
Most young people don't realize their beliefs early on determine the rest of their life; what you
believe today has a direct impact on who and what you become in the future. Beginning at a
young age, I was taught to believe in myself, strive for greatness and reach for whatever my
stars might be.
Although neither of my parents had an opportunity to complete their college degree, I was
lucky enough to be raised in an environment that emphasized the importance of education,
encouraged self-reliance, and above all, promoted the tenacity needed to be successful in life.
Since the age of 6, and death of my grandmother, I've dreamed of becoming a doctor. I was
incredibly lucky to have nurturing and empowering relationship with my grandmother. It is her
final year of life that sparked my interest in becoming a doctor. Her aliments, congestive heart
failure and interstitial lung disease, caused her health to rapidly decline and I spent a lot of time
in the hospital with her.
Upon her death, I told my mother "I wanted to be a doctor and help people feel the way the
doctors made grandma feel." It has been 11 years since her passing and not once has my desire
wavered. During high school, I endeavored to make the most of every opportunity available to
further my dream. I've participated in The Cass Tech Medical Career Club (President), the
Michigan State OsteoChamps Program, the DMC Project Genesis Summer Youth Employment
Program, Doctors of Tomorrow, and volunteering at William Beaumont Hospital in the Family
Birthing Center
No matter how challenging the obstacles may be that veer in my path, my determination, belief
in myself, and drive to excel in all endeavors are what keeps be striving toward my dream. I
understand that every choice we make has a consequence and it's up to us to choose how the
outcome will play out.
With the continued support of my powerful support network, which reaffirms my hopes and
dreams, and belief that success is the only possible option; I know I'll one day achieve my goal
of becoming an OBGYN with a specialization in Perinatology. It is my objective and passion to
serve as a physician, researcher, and public health advocate who will make a lasting impact on
the lives of many women.
An excerpt from her winning essay:
Johari
2018 Winner
An excerpt from her winning essay:
"In my 8th grade year, I joined my schools Leadership Team where we often completed
service projects within our community in order to make our city a better place. I continue to
serve my community in whatever capacity I can and it brings me great satisfaction to know that I
am making a difference. Often we assisted manage school functions and many other projects
such as the Flint Water Crisis and donating handmade coloring bags to the children of the Detroit
Receiving Hospital. Through each of these projects, my most impact occurred the summer before
my senior year of high school. My team was invited to represent Detroit at a youth philanthropy
camp, although we were invited as a group I was asked to be a key presenter at the event. During
my workshop, I taught peers how to "map" their communities and how to properly use their
resources not only did I present this idea but also the introduction of dream boarding service
projects (essentially a picture board that shows your vision). With doing these many of my peers
said they began to view service differently. Currently months later I am still getting messages
and letters from those who attended my presentation about how much better their service
planning has gotten along with the growth of their community partnerships. This has helped
shape me in the way of understanding my role in society. It is my responsibility to care for others
and foster a better future for those who are younger than me by mentoring and sharing
uncommon knowledge for the betterment of communities. Whether it be donating items or
volunteering at hospitals service is the most impactful to me because it helps others believe
things can be better and even promote kindness amongst communities."
Breanna
2018 Winner
An excerpt from her winning essay:
"Before accepting any leadership position in school or in the community, I was told that with leadership comes a great responsibility. At the time I would dismiss it, thinking “this is going to be easy” or “I don’t have much to worry about”. However, after facing adversities, overcoming them, and really understanding what being a leader is, I set that childish mindset aside and took responsibility for the leadership that I accepted. Michelle Obama once said, “You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.” Throughout my leadership experiences, I have found this quote to be true. From 2014 to 2017, I have held a leadership position in 3 clubs, and in every one of those clubs I have faced adversities.
One of the most difficult obstacles I faced was this year as Vice President of Red Cross Club. As Vice President, my biggest responsibility is to assist the President as she works on conducting meetings, organizing community service events or donations, and distributing information to members, as well as communicating these thing with the secretary, treasurer, and other group leaders. She and I work well together, so I never had a problem with correctly executing my role as VP, until her mom passed away. She was absent from school for a few months, so to keep Red Cross Club running smoothly and correctly was on me. Initially, I was nervous about stepping up and taking over. I constantly worried if I did something wrong or forgot to do something. Our sponsor assured me that I was doing a great job and had no reason to worry. The pep talk was brief, but it gave me the confidence to execute every single one of Red Cross club’s needs with pride. Our club continued to flourish and we were able to continue to serve the community.
The experience taught me that when dealing with adversity, sometimes all that is needed is a hard work and a little reassurance to get the job done. Perhaps that is a lesson all of us need to learn: in life, hard work is a necessity, especially in adverse times. To me, success is measured by overcoming obstacles and moving forward in spite of them."
Jasmine
2017 Winner
An excerpt from her winning essay:
"Although I have not yet declared my major, I have future goals I intend to achieve pertaining to the court of law and my interest in psychology. As a young African American woman, I want to push for equality with a career in Forensic Psychiatry. The field of Forensic Psychiatry is small, and not often recognized for the role it plays in the court system. Forensic Psychiatrists are hired to determine if the defendant is mentally stable to handle a trial or harsher punishment. I want to use my career to help people that, due to their mental disorders, are being charged as criminals instead of getting the psychological and medical attention they need. After having experience with family members that suffer from mental illnesses, I am familiar with the trouble they often get themselves into with the law due to their abnormal mental state. I would like to contribute my career to helping people that suffer from mental illnesses in the world, when they are unable to help themselves. These are also times when race may come into play, and defendants are not being treated equally. I want to dedicate my career to creating equity in the world. I want everyone to be to be treated and tried fairly while being provided the same opportunities for leniency. My contribution to the world, while focusing on Forensic Psychiatry is to be a force that pushes for the end of discrimination in the court system pertaining to mental illness and race. The evidence provided by a Forensic Psychiatrist in a case has great value, and my education will take me far in my efforts to change the world."