Angelia Zeigler Gibbs Book Scholarship

While I was young my mother would come home every day expressing to me the many experiences she has had while working as a nurse. Every time she told me the events it inspired me. While joining the cna program at Oakleaf High School it allowed me to have an insight on what it would be like for me as a nurse. I never felt as if I was being forced to do the work that was needed to stay in the program, it came to me natrally . I enjoy helping others in need as well as motivating them to get healthier and stronger. I have noticed nurses have a big impact on many people, just by being there for their patients. Waking up each day knowing that I will be able to bring a patient joy just by having conversations with them, giving them items they may need, or assisting them always motivated me to continue with the future career path I have chosen which is a nurse practitioner. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and being exposed to health care opportunities showed me how much I enjoy helping others. With the opportunity to volunteer at St Vincent's Hospital in the summer of 2024 , I was able to help out around the hospital. I met patients and got to talk with them and give them the company they needed , also handing out items they may have needed such as drinks, and I made thoughtful cards for the patients who may need something to brighten their day. Being able to do those things made me excited and it was enjoyable for me to make someone happy who may be going through a rough time while trying to heal in a hospital or any facility. I want people to heal, to feel better about themselves, and allow them to conquer what they may be going through and let them know it is okay. I aspire to be that person to help people heal and go home to their families. Wanting to be a nurse can come with a lot of difficulties, but I am willing to go to work and deal with the obstacles that may come in order to protect patients and make them feel comfortable. I hope to continue my path with the cna program and go to a university to pursue nursing.

I am an artist, a dreamer, and a science enthusiast. I am able to be all of these things because my parents raised me to believe that there is nothing I cannot do. They have supported my exploration in hobbies and activities. In fact, they are my biggest supporters. It is through their encouragement that I have chosen a career where not even the sky is my limit. Looking back, there is no one personal experience that has influenced my decision to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. My decision is a combination of different experiences. The first of these is my experience as an artist. As an artist, I'm able to take images and concepts out of my head to create beautiful pieces of art. To me, this is the foundation of engineering -- to have an idea and make it happen. Another personal experience is my affinity for science, technology, engineering, and math. I have always loved STEM, but I didn't think I would be good at it. I was blessed to have an amazing teacher for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. He encouraged me to think and to ask questions. Because of that, I built confidence, and I thrived. Since then, I've had other great teachers in Precalculus, AP Calculus, and Physics. Each of them supported my talent and curiosity. The other experience that has inspired me is stargazing with my parents. We've done this since I was a child. They gave me my first telescope when I was four years old, and we'd spend clear evenings looking up. Other days, we would watch documentaries about space. Wanting to be a part of space exploration has been ingrained in me from the earliest of ages. A career in Aerospace Engineering combines my art, my love of STEM, and my passion for space. There are other reasons why I am going into this field, but these three experiences built the foundation of my decision.

My interest in mechanical engineering has been inspired by my love of machines. From a very young age my mother read books to me of all kinds. I remember having a very strong interest in aircraft and all of their different parts. My family visited war museums, naval museums, a battleship museum, and also an aircraft carrier museum during my childhood. I also had several Hot Wheels cars. I was familiar with the names of them and was fascinated with how each one worked. I also remember going to the library and checking out books about construction vehicles and heavy farm equipment. My dad also taught me how to work on engines throughout my childhood. I can remember breaking down the different parts of the engine in our lawnmower. Also , we had an old Toyota truck that my dad and I worked on. We planned to get it running so I could learn how to drive a stick shift vehicle, but it was very costly so we never finished it. It is still at my house so hopefully one day we can get it running. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when my passion for machines that led to my decision to major in mechanical engineering began. One time that stands out in particular that helped solidify my decision to major in mechanical engineering is when I visited the airport to watch the airplanes take off. I was mesmerized with how big they were. It also amazed me how a machine that big could stay in the air that long. I already knew about the landing gear on aircraft, but it was amazing to see it in action. After visiting the airport I became even more interested in aircraft. I couldn't wait to learn and see more. Another experience I had was when my mother took my siblings and I to see the Blue Angels fly at Pensacola Beach one summer. I grew up about an hour from this beach. I will never forget seeing them fly. The sheer power, noise, and size of the jets flying overhead was amazing to me. In my head I realized that those jets are just very powerful machines. I'm very thankful for all the experiences that have inspired my desire to major in mechanical engineering. I desire to build and design aircraft or design and build weapons for our military.

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the human body and how it works. The intricate design of muscles, bones, and joints captivated me from an early age. However, it was a personal experience that solidified my decision to pursue a career in physical therapy and ultimately led me to enroll in the kinesiology program at Elizabeth City State University. The pivotal moment in my journey happened during my sophomore year of high school. My younger cousin, who was then only ten years old, suffered a severe sports injury while playing soccer. He sustained a fractured leg that required surgery and an extensive rehabilitation process. As our family rallied to support him during his recovery, I witnessed firsthand the challenges he faced, not just physically, but emotionally as well. The pain and frustration often left him feeling defeated, and I admired his resilience in the face of adversity. As he began physical therapy sessions, I took the opportunity to accompany him, curious about the process. I remember walking into the clinic for the first time and being surprised by the atmosphere. It was a place filled with hope, determination, and strength. The physical therapist assigned to my cousin was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly compassionate. I observed how she carefully guided him through exercises, adjusting movements to match his progress and cheering him on after every small victory. Watching her transform his pain into hope made a lasting impression on me. My cousin’s therapist built a rapport with him, making him feel seen and heard, paving the way for a successful healing process. It clicked for me this was not merely a profession focused on restoring physical function but one that aimed to improve overall quality. Determined to follow this new path, I began researching kinesiology programs, looking for a university that would equip me with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a physical therapist. Since starting my journey at Elizabeth City State University, every class and hands-on experience has confirmed my decision. Every day I spend studying kinesiology reaffirms my commitment to this path, and I am excited about the prospect of being able to help others in their journeys of healing and regaining strength. I look forward to combining my knowledge and experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of future patients.

If I had to choose a name for this next chapter of my life, I would name it "A Leap of Faith." I feel that this phrase perfectly exhibits my mindset as I prepare to play college football. Recently, my family and I have decided that I will attend Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts; a college that is 1,090 miles from my home in Kennesaw, Georgia. Throughout my college search, I constantly debated if it would be worth the risk to leave everything that I know to chase an academic dream in a place I was unfamiliar with. I debated choosing safer options that were closer to home and more comfortable to me. As this decision went on, I realized that I have never truly progressed as a person when I have been comfortable. Every time God has placed me in a situation that I am unfamiliar with, I have learned valuable lessons and matured as a person. These uncomfortable situations have shaped me into who I am and created an undeniable passion to succeed in whatever I do . They have also prepared me for the adversity that is to come in the future. The term "Leap of Faith" is one that is commonly thrown around, but rarely understood for its true meaning. The power of this phrase lies in the last word, "faith." Faith is a complete trust or belief in something combined with the conviction of things not seen. As of now, I cannot fully comprehend the struggles and triumphs I will face in college, but my faith allows me to trust God and his plan for me. Attending such a prestigious university could allow me to create valuable opportunities for myself past football. High school has led me to understand that there is a plan specific for me, and that I must fully trust if I want to achieve the goals that my ambition has led me to. It should be known that I have done well so far in my life, but I am nowhere near my full potential. I am someone with an unmatched level of passion for what I do, but I also realize that my best work is yet to come. I have created positive habits of hard work and dedication that will help me achieve my goals in the future. Although I am thankful for my accomplishments so far in high school, I believe that there is a plethora of opportunities for me that are still out in the world. That is what truly excites me.

It’s kind of hard to name the next phase of my life because the next steps are unexpected. With so much unexpectancy, I would name my chapter “The Start of the Beginning”. I chose this name for my chapter because the years of childhood are soon to end, and I will now have to transition into adulthood. How do I file taxes? How long do I cook the pot roast? Why does the car sound like that? While there are so many questions that need to be answered, graduating from high school has brought me many cool experiences and pushed me to my limits. If there is anything senior year has taught me, it’s that you have to do things yourself if you want them done. With that being said, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and now I’m learning how to navigate through my future. Nobody is perfect in life. There isn’t a guide on how to navigate life, but there are experiences in my past that teach and humble me on how to be an asset to society. For example, I’m currently in dual enrollment for nursing. Volunteering is a part of our curriculum. My class goes to a nursing home every week. I have catered to many different people and even had to care for the ones who moved on. With all this being said, I may face some very scary and different situations, but that is life, and it’s officially going to start. If I can be honest… I am scared to grow up, not because of wrinkles and bad eyesight, but because I’m unsure if I’ll succeed. Yes, I can have good schooling, a good job, and all the things parents preach about, but our society is becoming harder to live in, especially with me as an African American female. I’m part of the minority who have to deal with unwanted tribulations. The fear of failure has been ingrained in me because I have seen too many people I love go the wrong path and I want to be the one in my family to prove we can do right and make something of ourselves. Aside from the negatives, I’m excited to see what life has to offer. I want to put myself in a position where I can be successful and provide for my family. After high school, I want to major in diagnostic medical sonography using my degree to help people, especially minority patients, because we are often overlooked and unseen. My parents are my biggest supporters, always going the extra mile to make sure I succeed in school, so to be wealthy financially and intellectually, where I can support them, is what keeps me going.