Scholarship Finalists 2022

1. Edward Kutsar

I remember this one particular moment in my life that truly changed my whole life. My grandpa was at the hospital for Covid and my parents gave me a gift to give to the nurse that was treating him. As I was on my way to deliver the gift, I was driving a route I had never taken before. The ETA showed about 30 minutes and when I was about 5 minutes away, I passed a stoplight when a car that failed to yield flew into the driver's side of my car. Luckily, there was no one else in the car with me, but the damage was great! Unfortunately, the gift couldn't be delivered, but what I didn't know was that this was the least of my concerns. I reached a low shortly after this incident and life was dark. Then one morning, there was someone who had done a lot for me and I wanted to give them a gift. It was a couple of weeks from when the incident occurred, and I felt like I had forgotten how to smile, but after I gave the small gift to my friend to show my appreciation, their face started to glow. In that single moment, I felt more happiness and joy than my friend did. It didn't matter how small that gift was, but showing just your gratitude or appreciation to someone can truly change someone else's day - or who knows, even your own.

2. Sayler Reynold

Acts of kindness are all around us. From paying for someone’s coffee to simply giving a smile, it does not take much to impact someone’s day. And although every kind gesture is influential, some tend to stick with you, which is the exact kind of act I will be writing about.

Growing up, I was the epitome of health, so when I was rushed to the hospital on a random Monday afternoon, it was definitely a shock. The night before, I had noticed a deep, purple bruise going down the length of my arm. Over the next day, my arm became numb, and the bruise began spreading toward my neck. After a frantic call to the doctor, I was rushed to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. To say I was merely scared would be an injustice to my story and the act of kindness I am ultimately writing about. I was beyond nervous; I was petrified! Around 2 am on my first night in the hospital, I was frantically woken up by nurses and pushed into a wheelchair. They told my mom to stay behind while I underwent a CT Scan. My veins gave out when the doctor ran the contrast through my IV, and it exploded, which is still, to this day, the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I began screaming out in pain and bawling for my mom. Without hesitation, my nurse immediately took me under her wing and comforted me. She held my hand tightly and whispered encouraging words to calm me down while putting in a new IV. When it blew again, I became utterly hysterical and threw a fit. But while the doctors held me down, the nurse hugged me tightly and didn’t let go until the pain was gone. She may not have realized the significance of her act, but she gave me the courage to keep fighting through the pain. She went above and beyond by showing kindness during such a dark time. I went home that week with 5 blood clots, but I left with a new lifelong passion for nursing.

3. Tatiana Shield

Since a child, I have always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. For some time, it was just a food for thought. I became sure of this when I witnessed how kind my aunts nurse was to her at the most vulnerable time of her life. In august of 2021 while pregnant, my favorite aunt caught covid and had to give birth early. From there things went downhill, she was placed on a ventilator and was restricted from speaking to the family. She got to hold her son, that she anticipated on meeting for so long, once before she passed. Due to my aunt previously having covid she was in quarantine and no one could visit her nor the baby. Her nurse would video call and send pictures of her and the baby to keep the family updated and give my aunt some sort of comfort as her condition worsened. Although my aunt did not make it, the kindness of her nurse always sticks with me and I would like to return the favor to someday.

4. Madison Goodman

One week after being born via emergency c-section due to the umbilical cord being wrapped around my neck, my parents found themselves at my grandparents house. As a first time mom with a newborn, my mother was more than happy to stay with them and utilize the extra help in taking care of me. My mom, having just fed me early that morning, placed me into my crib and went to say goodbye to my dad and grandpa before they left for a hunting trip. After she told them goodbye and wished them luck, she walked towards the bedroom where I laid. It was then she heard funny noises coming from her room. Walking into the room to investigate the sounds, she looked into the crib and realized the noises were coming from me. I was struggling to breathe. Helpless and in a state of panic, she grabbed me up and began screaming for dad. Arriving at the room, my dad noticed I was turning blue. Bolting into action he immediately took me from my mom and began administering CPR. Despite his attempts, I was still struggling to breath. He then told my mother to hand him the nasal aspirator, which was sent home from the hospital with me. My dad was able to use the tool to suction and extract the fluids blocking my airways. I began to weakly cry as the ambulance arrived on scene and rushed me to the emergency room. I was later admitted and monitored for a few days before being released with the diagnosis of aspiration. Doctors and EMTs both raved that my fathers quick thinking may be the one thing that saved my life that day.
Stories like this of my family's fear and lack of medical experience in emergency situations but willingness to do whatever it takes, is what has driven me to seek a career in the medical field and wanting to help others.

5. Zaria Gouthier

During my freshman year of college, my parents and I packed two cars worth of my belongings and drove to Clark Atlanta University. We spent hours cleaning and decorating what would be my new home. Being the firstborn child, this was an emotional experience for all of us. I was a first-generation college student setting forth on a new journey. While I was blessed to have both of my parents with me, I noticed that some of my peers lacked one or both of theirs. The thought of either of my parents' absence was unimaginable, and it made me even more grateful to have them by my side. After a long day of decorating, praying, and taking me out for lunch, I was left alone in my dorm. Overcome with emotion, I cried and looked around my room, thinking to myself, “What do I do now?” I sat on my bed, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a letter hidden on my desk. Inside was a handwritten note from my mom. She wrote how proud she was to be my mom, what inspiration I had been to my little sister, and that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.

I kept that note throughout my undergraduate years as a reminder to persevere through challenges that crossed my path. My mom is one of my biggest supporters and her act of kindness has left a long-lasting memory. Thank you, Mom and Dad.

6. Othello Kwaku

As the gun goes off I feel myself pushing every muscle within my body passing my competition with ease one by one, I just turned my last curve and I can hear my heart pumping, beating faster. My head is telling me to push harder, you can win this! Running against an opponent is not an obstacle, it is an opportunity to run faster. When life hits you with an unexpected challenge don’t slow down, keep pushing forward and run against “All” odds.

I am Othello Kwaku Amo Adjepong, a 18 year old Ghanian American academic scholar-athlete. I was told that out of all my siblings I was the only child that entered the world not making a single sound, as if I was waiting to be born. My parents did their best to expose me to different sports and culture. Infact, my existence began on Howard University’s campus at the College of Fine Arts, where my parents met. You’ve guessed it, I was a theater baby hence the name “Othello.” The expectations were always there for me to do something amazing. On one hand I was considered a visual arts genius and gifted runner but in school I struggled with math and understanding abstract concepts. Why was this happening to me?

The mental and emotional anxiety I would get when having to confront exams especially in math. I was aware that my academic struggles would be a race in life that I would not allow to get the best of me. Although the race of life gets tough I managed to get scholarships for my first year of college. I understood what is required to study hard and run faster to win.

This past fall I attended Howard University majoring in Biology. I am doing everything in my power to be on the dean's list, and maintain (DDC) Discipline, Dedication & Concentration. Although these past years have caused many challenges for the entire world, it forced me to grow and be able to advocate for myself, stay on task, with my assignments, and I even managed to work for the Dean in HU College of Arts & Sciences. I also had the opportunity to join some campus organizations like the HU Pre-Dental Program and the HU African Association. I also volunteered at Howard University hospital, I participated in the Howard university sickle cell run and was a Howard University disease control volunteer.

Improving oneself and constantly evolving as a person is important to me as a young black male.

Having a learning difference and having to prove my intelligence along the way makes me work harder. My overall objective is to pursue a career in Pediatric Dentistry. I understand that I must always work harder than the average student, welcome obstacles as opportunities and set new records in life. My destiny first began on Howard University’s campus 25 years ago where my parents met. I am continuing the legacy and living my life’s motto: "Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do!"

7. Luis Gutierrez-Urquidez

When I was 10 years of age, I had to undergo surgery for an avulsion of my left leg when I ran into a brick wall. My mother and the healthcare professionals comforted me for hours until the surgical procedure was finished. When I was subsequently discharged, I had approximately 40 surgical sutures stitched in my left leg. I had minimal physical pain during the surgery; however, I was anguished. Despite my anguish from my terrible situation, the healthcare providers strived to thoroughly alleviate my situation to the best of their ability. The healthcare professionals cordially spoke with me through the entire surgery. I have remembered that altruistic act from the healthcare professionals and had strived since then to become a physician. As a first-year nursing student, I plan to become a healthcare professional so that I may inspire others to commit benevolent acts.

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