Margaret A. Briller Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Going back to school to become a nurse is something I’ve thought about for a long time, and now that I’m actually doing it, it feels both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. This scholarship means a lot to me because it connects directly to people like Margaret A. Briller—someone who represents care, dedication, and helping others. Those are the same values I try to live by, especially now as I work toward becoming a nurse. I didn’t take the traditional straight path into higher education. I’m a single mom, and for years my focus was on raising my children and making sure they had what they needed. A lot of my goals had to wait while I handled responsibilities at home and worked to keep things stable. Now that my kids are older, I finally have the chance to go back to school and focus on something I’ve always wanted for myself: becoming a nurse. It feels like I’m starting a new chapter, but it also comes with real challenges—especially financial ones. Paying for school has been one of the hardest parts of this journey. Tuition, books, supplies, and everyday living costs add up quickly. Even when I’m doing everything I can to manage it, there are still moments where it feels like a lot. I’ve had to be very careful with budgeting and sometimes make tough choices just to keep things moving forward. That’s why this scholarship would make such a difference. It would take some of that pressure off and allow me to focus more on my classes and clinical work instead of constantly worrying about how I’m going to cover the next expense. My motivation to become a nurse really grew from personal experience. My best friend was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and watching her go through that changed the way I see healthcare. I saw how much she depended on the nurses around her—not just for medical care, but for comfort, patience, and understanding. Those moments stuck with me. I realized I want to be that kind of support for someone else one day. Someone who shows up, listens, and treats people with dignity when they’re going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. I’m not completely sure what specialty I’ll end up in yet, but I know I want to work with patients in a way that lets me build real connections and make them feel seen and cared for. Whether that’s in a hospital, clinic, or another setting, I want my presence to matter. I want to be the kind of nurse who doesn’t rush through people, who takes time to explain things, and who helps patients feel a little less scared and a little more supported. Receiving this scholarship would help me stay on track with school and move closer to that goal. Right now, every semester feels like a balancing act between finances, family, and coursework. Anything that eases that burden makes a big difference. It would also help me avoid having to take on extra work hours, which can take away from the time I need to study and prepare for clinicals. This journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned a lot from the challenges I’ve faced. Being a single mom and going back to school later in life has taught me patience, responsibility, and how to keep going even when things feel difficult. It’s not always perfect, but I’ve learned how to push through and stay focused on the bigger goal. In the end, I want my nursing degree to be more than just a career. I want it to be a way for me to give back, to help people in real moments of need, and to show my children and others that it’s never too late to go after something meaningful. This scholarship would help me get there, and I would truly appreciate the support as I continue this journey.