If you had unlimited time and money, how would you use what you've learned in school to create a positive impact on the world? by LaTina

If you had unlimited time and money, how would you use what you've learned in school to create a positive impact on the world? by LaTina - May 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I had unlimited time and money, I would dedicate my life to transforming healthcare access and education for underserved communities—especially for children and families with disabilities. What I’ve learned in school has shown me the power of knowledge, compassion, and advocacy. My academic journey, combined with personal experiences, has shaped a vision much larger than myself: a world where no one is denied care, dignity, or hope because of where they live, what they look like, or what challenges they face.

My passion for healthcare began long before textbooks and science labs. I was born with a serious heart condition and lost the function of one kidney as a toddler. I’ve grown up knowing what it means to be vulnerable in a medical setting—and to be saved by it. At the same time, I’ve seen my middle sister, who has cerebral palsy, navigate a world that wasn’t built for her. My love for her—and my desire to help people like her—fuels everything I do.

In school, I’ve taken every opportunity to study biology, health science, and human anatomy. I’ve participated in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and the Science Honor Society, and I plan to pursue a nursing degree and become a Nurse Practitioner. I’ve learned how the body works, how diseases affect it, and how treatment and care can restore not just physical health, but human dignity. But more than facts and charts, school has taught me how to lead, how to advocate, and how to never underestimate the value of empathy.

If resources were no barrier, I would build mobile health clinics and wellness centers in rural and impoverished areas around the world. These centers would not only offer basic medical services, but also provide specialized care for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. I would hire diverse teams of compassionate healthcare professionals and ensure that families receive not just treatment, but education on how to care for themselves and their loved ones. No paperwork. No fees. Just care.

I would also invest in training programs and scholarships for young people—especially students of color—who want to become nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers. In school, I’ve learned that representation matters. When children see someone who looks like them wearing a white coat or scrubs, they believe they can do it too. I want to create a pipeline of future healers who are as passionate about equity as they are about medicine.

Beyond healthcare, I would use my time and money to build safe, inclusive learning environments where all students, including those with special needs, feel valued and empowered. I’ve seen the gaps in our education system and how they hurt students who learn differently. With unlimited resources, I would fund innovative schools and after-school programs that meet students where they are and help them thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Ultimately, everything I’ve learned in school—from science and language to leadership and service—has taught me that change begins with action. It begins when one person says, “I can do something.” If I had unlimited time and money, I would make sure that no child grows up believing they are a burden. I would use every lesson I’ve learned to build a more compassionate, healthier world—one patient, one student, one family at a time.