Scott Crockett Memorial Scholarship

In a hospital in Medford, Oregon, a little boy who weighed only 4lbs made me certain that I wanted to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse. When I visited him shortly after his birth, he was connected to all these different wires. He was in an incubator to help regulate his temperature, connected to a CPAP, allowing him to breathe, a pulse oximeter to monitor his heart rate, and had tiny blood pressure cuffs to make sure it was within a normal range. I was scared for him; he was so light and small that it looked like a gust of wind could blow him away. Every so often, a nurse would come in, check his vitals, and make sure he was comfortable. She told me that he was making steady progress and that there was no need to worry. Once I left, I realized that I wanted to be that nurse. This ignited my passion to provide a baby with the love and care they need to grow and overcome their challenges. I also want to be the nurse who gives a family that is worried about their infant’s health peace of mind by knowing what is going on. A NICU nurse not only impacts a baby's chance of survival, but also the well-being of a family. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help people, and I carried this vague thought with me. Then, in the summer of freshman year, I attended a camp called Academia Latina, where I toured the Oregon Health and Science University and learned about the different types of nurses and the equipment they used for their training. Before this, I wasn’t sure about what field of nursing I wanted to specialize in. I researched programs for the next year and the different careers you can enter into as a nurse, and I narrowed it down to three choices. My top three choices were the neonatal intensive care unit, labor and delivery, or the emergency room. Then Damian was born, and seeing my nephew in such a vulnerable state made me realize exactly what I wanted to do. I want to work with premature infants specifically because they completely depend on others to survive. They cannot feed, bathe, or change themselves, making them the most vulnerable patients. They need special treatment to survive, and I plan on being the person to administer it. I will become a neonatal intensive care nurse to not only help infants who need special care, but to give parents peace of mind knowing that their baby is in good hands. I plan on leaving a positive lasting impact on the families that I help. Just like the nurse who inspired me, I hope to someday inspire others to join the NICU. I always go above and beyond for my peers whenever it’s applicable, and that won't stop when I graduate. My goal is to be remembered as a nurse who went above and beyond for their patient because it's simply who I am.

I am interested in pursuing a career in the mental health field because I have always been fascinated by how people think, behave, and make decisions. I find psychology and the justice system very unique and interesting for many different reasons. Understanding the reasons behind human behavior, especially in difficult or extreme circumstances, motivates me to pursue an education and career where I can explore these questions while also helping others. My plan after high school is to pursue my interests in both as I combine them in some way. My specific educational plan is to attend the University of Oregon, as costs allow, to get a major in psychology with a minor in criminology. Pursuing a career in the psychology field either as a forensic social worker or a criminal behavior analyst will be the perfect career for me as it combines both of my interests and passions. Many individuals involved in the justice system struggle with mental health challenges, trauma, or difficult life experiences. I have always wondered why some people with childhood/past traumatic experiences use their past as an excuse to do wrong in the world. I find studying why people do what they do very interesting, especially criminals. Why do some people commit crimes? What drives some criminals to commit murder? I want to understand their reasoning and their motives. Another reason I am drawn to the mental health field is my desire to help people navigate challenges in their lives. Mental health professionals play an important role in supporting individuals who may be struggling with trauma, stress, or emotional difficulties. Being able to listen, understand, and guide someone toward positive change is something that I find very meaningful. I believe that mental health support is essential in building stronger individuals and healthier communities. My desire to understand people and their behavior better is what motivates me to go to college and pursue a career in this field. I am intrigued by the idea of helping others navigate challenges in their lives and make a meaningful change and impact on the world through supporting mental health. As I chose to continue my education at a higher level, I am determined that I will be able to use my gained knowledge for good as working in a career with mental health will allow me to follow my passions while I make a long-lasting positive impact within the world around me.