Hi my name is Carmen Chen. I am a junior at The Phillips Academy. I have been nominated to represent my community to attend National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine in the summer of 2016.  Upon attending the program many obstacle has act as a hindrance along the way.  I am from a in a low income, four member household.   Since a young age, my parents have taught me to value every single bit of education I received. So I grew up acknowledging education as the foundation to my success. Everyone deserves the chance to get educated and I believe that money shouldn’t act as a barrier for an individual to receive a good education. However with our economy changing every day, it’s hard for my parents to not put money in the back of their mind. My parents have always tried their best to provide my sister and me with a good education, but I want to take this opportunity to take the boulders off their shoulders.  With the help from sponsors my parents can worry less about financial problems for me to attend NYLF medicine.  Thus I would truly be thankful if you would put my story into consideration. My journey to medicine starts here! Thank you!