Linda Fontenot-Williams Memorial Scholarship

On June 19, 2022, my entire life changed. I found out I was pregnant with my first child. After reading the pregnancy test, I felt so many emotions. I immediately felt sick, dizzy, and overwhelmed. I called my mom and told her, "I don't know what I am going to do... I'm not ready. I'm scared." My mom consoled me the best she could and told me, "Sometimes God puts you in positions you believe you are not ready for, but he knows in which you are." That stuck with me for the rest of my pregnancy all the way until now. At that point when I walked out of the bathroom, I knew things were going to change... everything was. I was going down the wrong path before I became with child. My life was spiraling out of control. I had no plans for the future, and I was simply living in the now. Always waiting for the next moment of excitement and adrenaline. Whether it was going out every day or working as a bottle girl in nightclubs and brunch lounges surrounded by alcohol and bad decisions. That was all I had to look forward to, but getting pregnant forced me to buckle down and really think about who I was and who I wanted to be. I decided I wanted to be the best version of myself because that's what my child deserved and most importantly it's what I deserved. I began this journey of praying and journaling. I started to write down everything I felt passionate about. The main thing was I wanted to go back to school. I realized it was important to further my education so that I could be the example my son deserved. I wanted to make sure he knows that the sky is the limit. There is nothing he can't do and it's never too late to start. I also wanted to ensure my son has a comfortable life. As a child, I experienced extreme poverty and was not afforded many opportunities. I never want my child to feel less than others or go without anything he needs. Lastly, I decided to go to nursing school because I have a passion for caring for others and felt that nursing best fit my calling and true purpose on this earth. So, I applied to nursing school, and, by the grace of God, I got in! Since I have done my prerequisites and begin Nursing school this upcoming fall. After graduating with my associate's nursing degree, I plan to attend an RN-BSN bridge program. I want to continue to further my education by attending graduate school to receive my Master of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner License. I then hope to get my Ph.D. in Nursing so that I can eventually open my own Nurse Aesthetics practice.