The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. At fifteen my abuser was finally charged with child sodomy and neglect. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. With all of these previous life experiences, as well as becoming a mother, my heart is pulled towards becoming a SANE nurse. This type of nurse specializes and is certified in domestic and sexual assault examinations. I am a firm believer in using your own unfortunate experiences to speak up and help those going through similar events. I wish to help people experiencing abuse know that they are not alone in this world, and that they have the strength to build any future they desire. My own traumas and experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. At fifteen my abuser was finally charged with child sodomy and neglect. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. With all of these previous life experiences, as well as becoming a mother, my heart is pulled towards becoming a SANE nurse. This type of nurse specializes and is certified in domestic and sexual assault examinations. I am a firm believer in using your own unfortunate experiences to speak up and help those going through similar events. I wish to help people experiencing abuse know that they are not alone in this world, and that they have the strength to build any future they desire. My own traumas and experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. At fifteen my abuser was finally charged with child sodomy and neglect. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. With all of these previous life experiences, as well as becoming a mother, my heart is pulled towards becoming a SANE nurse. This type of nurse specializes and is certified in domestic and sexual assault examinations. I am a firm believer in using your own unfortunate experiences to speak up and help those going through similar events. I wish to help people experiencing abuse know that they are not alone in this world, and that they have the strength to build any future they desire. My own traumas and experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. At fifteen my abuser was finally charged with child sodomy and neglect. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. Additionally, my team and I provided both physical and emotional care to children in a local special needs' orphanage. During this mission I spent countless hours simply holding children and pouring into them with love in an attempt to heal many unseen emotional wounds. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. With all of these previous life experiences, as well as becoming a mother, my heart is pulled towards becoming a SANE nurse. This type of nurse specializes and is certified in domestic and sexual assault examinations. I am a firm believer in using your own unfortunate experiences to speak up and help those going through similar events. I wish to help people experiencing abuse know that they are not alone in this world, and that they have the strength to build any future they desire. My own traumas and experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a volunteer team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. Additionally, my team and I provided both physical and emotional care to children in a local special needs' orphanage. During this mission I spent countless hours simply holding children and pouring into them with love in an attempt to heal many unseen emotional wounds. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. These experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother during the week and an abusive father on the weekends. My mother got pregnant with me her sophomore year of college right before she was set to start nursing school. She initially dropped out and worked as a waitress to pay our bills. After a couple years, she started nursing school at a community college and worked her way up from LPN to RN. She accomplished all of this while raising a toddler and her strength and ambition has not gone unnoticed to me. In fact, it is part of what has driven my own ambition of joining the field of nursing. While my mother showed me grace and courage growing up, my father centered my life around addiction and abuse. When I was eight, I called the police in my closet as he was strangling my stepmom and by the time I turned twelve the abuse shifted towards myself instead. For a long time, I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. However, the older I got, the more I began to realize that I had an opportunity to use my experiences to better the lives of people going through similar life events. Sense this realization, I have taken every opportunity presented to me to lead me toward this goal. In high school I obtained my CNA certification and have since worked on an oncology and stepdown unit for 3+ years while putting myself through college. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, compassion and drive. I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how being a light to people can positively affect their emotional and physical healing. In June of 2021 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti where I was a part of a team providing emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. Additionally, my team and I provided both physical and emotional care to children in a local special needs' orphanage. During this mission I spent countless hours simply holding children and pouring into them with love in an attempt to heal many unseen emotional wounds. At this point in my academic career, I am entering my senior year of an RN, BSN program. I also recently found out that I am expecting a child in between my third and final semester of my nursing program. Initially this news was terrifying, but with the support shown by my nursing professors and the strength instilled in me by mother, I have a firm belief that I can accomplish all of my goals. In fact, I believe that becoming a mother and having the challenge of finishing school and working all with a newborn at home will only make me a stronger nurse. These experiences have been life changing and have taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker but also how to be an even better human. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use those experiences to do the most good. Both in the healthcare field and beyond.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother who unexpectedly became pregnant with me her sophomore year of college. She initially dropped out, worked as a waitress to pay our bills, and then applied to a community college ADN nursing program. She worked her way up from LPN to Surgical RN all while raising me with strength and independence. The other part of my family however chose to raise me in a household centered around addiction and abuse. I remember being a small child and hiding in my bedroom to call the police because my father was strangling my step mom. For a long time I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. As a child, it didn't seem fair. However the older I got the more grew into the women my mother raised me to be. I realized that I wanted to use my experiences to better the lives of others who are going through similar things. Since this realization, I have taken every opportunity I have been presented with that could lead me to that goal and through those experiences have learned so much about the field of nursing and why it is my home. While in high-school I participated in a Certified Nursing Assistant program that led me to being a PCA on a Surgical Step-down unit for the last 3 years. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, and above all compassion. I have worked with many domestic abuse patients, mental health patients, and traumas. I have firsthand seen how being a light to people can positively affect not only their emotional healing but also their physical healing. My goal is to have a positive impact on the field of nursing and a positive impact on individual lives. In June of 2021, my heart was pulled to travel to Haiti where I was able to help provide emergency medical care to malnourished and special needs children. I provided physical and emotional care to children who were abandoned on the side of the road because their parents couldn't afford their medical care. I spent many hours healing physical wounds, and countless more hours holding children and showing them love in an attempt to heal their emotional wounds as well. This experience was life changing and has taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker, but also how to be an even better person. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use my experiences to do the most good. Healing adults can make a difference, but healing children can change the world. My dream is to be a world changer.

The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother who unexpectedly became pregnant with me her sophomore year of college. She initially dropped out, worked as a waitress to pay our bills, and then applied to a community college ADN nursing program. She worked her way up from LPN to Surgical RN all while raising me with strength and independence. The other part of my family however chose to raise me in a household centered around addiction and abuse. I remember being a small child and hiding in my bedroom to call the police because my father was strangling my step mom. For a long time I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. As a child, it didn't seem fair. However the older I got the more grew into the women my mother raised me to be. I realized that I wanted to use my experiences to better the lives of others who are going through similar things. Since this realization, I have taken every opportunity I have been presented with that could lead me to that goal and through those experiences have learned so much about the field of nursing and why it is my home. While in high-school I participated in a Certified Nursing Assistant program that led me to being a PCA on the Surgical Step-down unit for the last 3 years. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, and above all compassion. I have worked with many domestic abuse patients, mental health patients, and traumas. I have firsthand seen how being a light to people can positively affect not only their emotional healing but also their physical healing. My goal is to have a positive impact on the field of nursing and a positive impact on individual lives. In June of 2021, my heart was pulled to travel to Haiti where I was able to help provide emergency medical care to malnourished and special needs children. I provided physical and emotional care to children who were abandoned on the side of the road because their parents couldn't afford their medical care. I spent many hours healing physical wounds, and countless more hours holding children and showing them love in an attempt to heal their emotional wounds as well. This experience was life changing and has taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker, but also how to be an even better person. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use my experiences to do the most good. Healing adults can make a difference, but healing children can change the world. My dream is to be a world changer.

Alanna M. Phoenix 02.01.2023 Missouri Western State University Scholarship Essay The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother who unexpectedly became pregnant with me her sophomore year of college. She initially dropped out, worked as a waitress to pay our bills, and then applied to a community college ADN nursing program. She worked her way up from LPN to Surgical RN all while raising me with strength and independence. The other part of my family however chose to raise me in a household centered around addiction and abuse. I remember being a small child and hiding in my bedroom to call the police because my father was strangling my step mom. For a long time I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. As a child, it didn't seem fair. However the older I got the more grew into the women my mother raised me to be. I realized that I wanted to use my experiences to better the lives of others who are going through similar things. Since this realization, I have taken every opportunity I have been presented with that could lead me to that goal and through those experiences have learned so much about the field of nursing and why it is my home. While in high-school I participated in a Certified Nursing Assistant program that led me to being a PCA on the Surgical Step-down unit at Mosaic for the last 3 years. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, and above all compassion. I have worked with many domestic abuse patients, mental health patients, and traumas. I have firsthand seen how being a light to people can positively affect not only their emotional healing but also their physical healing. My goal is to have a positive impact on the field of nursing and a positive impact on individual lives. In June of 2021, my heart was pulled to travel to Haiti where I was able to help provide emergency medical care to malnourished and special needs children. I provided physical and emotional care to children who were abandoned on the side of the road because their parents couldn't afford their medical care. I spent many hours healing physical wounds, and countless more hours holding children and showing them love in an attempt to heal their emotional wounds as well. This experience was life changing and has taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker, but also how to be an even better person. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use my experiences to do the most good. Healing adults can make a difference, but healing children can change the world. My dream is to be a world changer.

Alanna M. Phoenix Missouri Western State University Scholarship Essay 02.01.2023 The moment I learned to walk I was thrown into the world of nursing. I grew up with a single mother who unexpectedly became pregnant with me her sophomore year of college. She initially dropped out, worked as a waitress to pay our bills, and then applied to a community college ADN nursing program. She worked her way up from LPN to Surgical RN all while raising me with strength and independence. The other part of my family however showe to raise me in a household centered around addiction and abuse. I remember being a small child and hiding in my bedroom to call the police because my father was strangling my step mom. For a long time I didn't understand why I had to go through so many traumatic experiences. As a child, it didn't seem fair. However the older I got the more grew into the women my mother raised me to be. I realized that I wanted to use my experiences to better the lives of others who are going through similar things. Since this realization, I have taken every opportunity I have been presented with that could lead me to that goal and through those experiences have learned so much about the field of nursing and why it is my home. While in high-school I participated in a Certified Nursing Assistant program that led me to being a PCA on the Surgical Step-down unit at Mosaic for the last 3 years. Through this I have learned the importance of generosity, teamwork, and above all compassion. I have worked with many domestic abuse patients, mental health patients, and traumas. I have firsthand seen how being a light to people can positively affect not only their emotional healing but also their physical healing. My goal is to have a positive impact on the field of nursing and a positive impact on individual lives. In June of 2021, my heart was pulled to travel to Haiti where I was able to help provide emergency medical care to malnourished children and their families. I provided physical and emotional care to children who were abandoned on the side of the road because their parents couldn't afford their medical care. I spent many hours healing physical wounds, and countless more hours holding children and showing them love in an attempt to heal their emotional wounds as well. This experience was life changing and has taught me not only how to be a good healthcare worker, but also how to be an even better person. I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself so that I can use my experiences to do the most good.

I was 5 when I first realized my father was an addict, I was 11 when his alcohol addiction resulted in sexual and physical abuse, and I was 13 when I was finally safe from abuse. Growing up the way I did was very challenging, but I promised myself that when I grew up I would make a difference. I would help children the way I needed help as a child. When I was 14 I began intense therapy for my post-traumatic stress disorder and at 15 I was first medicated for my PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression stemming from my abuse. I am now 20 and still see a psychologist to this day. I understand how difficult it is to manage mental illnesses in everyday life. I fight daily for the future I want to have. While my childhood was full of stress and abuse related to addiction, it has molded me into the person I am today. Without the experiences I have, I wouldn't be able to help those who go through similar life paths as my own. My dreams and aspirations would not be what they are today. The summer before I started college I traveled to Haiti to volunteer in a post-natal maternity clinic and special needs orphanage. During my time there I learned about how severely culture affects healthcare. I formed relationships with mothers who couldn't afford care for their sick infants and with children who were abandoned due to their health statuses. I formed a severe bond with a 12-month-old child born with anencephaly who was taken in after being found in a dumpster. She would lay on my chest for hours on end while I cried and dreamt of a future where she and all children like her would be safe and loved. I realized however that I couldn't wait for that future to come, I had to create it. My experiences lead me to where I am today. I am currently a nursing student at Missouri Western State University where I will graduate with my bachelor's in the spring of 2025. After graduation, I plan to further my education and become a pediatric nurse practitioner. I want to be able to use my life experiences to help heal broken children. Both broken in their hearts and in their bodies. While in school, I work as a patient care associate in a local hospital. Every time I clock into work I see patients who are struggling with their physical health and mental health health. Each day I try my best to relate to my patients and bond with them in a way that will help alleviate their pain and bring them hope that life does get better. If I can be the reason someone smiles, then I consider my day a success. My story has been shared more times than I can count and I will continue to share it and do my part in healing other people's pain for as long as I can. I know what it is like to grow up feeling hopeless and alone in this world and I will do everything in my power to take that feeling away from as many children as possible. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I went through my past so that I could help heal others's futures. The world is what you make it, and I plan on making it a better place.

I was 5 when I first realized my father was an addict, I was 11 when his alcohol addiction resulted in sexual and physical abuse, and I was 13 when I was finally safe from abuse. Safe from abuse however does not mean safe from the mental health issues that follow. I understand what it is like to struggle with mental health. But one thing I promised myself is that I will never give up. I will fight every day to overcome my adversity and create a life that my childhood self would be proud of. When I was 14 I began intense therapy for my post-traumatic stress disorder and at 15 I was first medicated for my PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression stemming from my abuse. I am now 20 and still see a psychologist to this day. I understand how difficult it is to manage mental illnesses in everyday life. I fight daily for the future I want to have. While my childhood was full of stress and abuse related to addiction, it has molded me into the person I am today. Without the experiences I have, I wouldn't be able to help those who go through similar life paths as my own. My dreams and aspirations would not be what they are today. When I was a child, I wanted to grow up and become a princess. Now, I want to become an advocate for those in need. I want to be the reason someone finds hope and my life goal is to be that reason for as many people as humanly possible. I am currently a nursing student at Missouri Western State University where I will graduate with my bachelor's in the spring of 2025. After graduation, I plan to further my education and become a nurse practitioner. I want to be able to use my life experiences to help heal others in the same situations. I currently work at Mosaic Life Care as a PCA. Every time I clock into work I see patients who are struggling with their physical health and mental health health. Each day I try my best to relate to my patients and bond with them in a way that will alleviate their pain and bring them hope that life does get better. If I can be the reason someone smiles, then I consider my day a success. My story has been shared more times than I can count and I will continue to share it and do my part in healing other people's pain for as long as I can. I know what it is like to feel hopeless and alone in this world and I will do everything in my power to take that feeling away from as many people as possible. Mental health is often viewed as a "taboo" topic of discussion but I have never been one to let that get in the way of my advocation. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I went through my past so that I could help heal other people's futures. The world is what you make it, and I plan on making it a better place.

I was 5 when I first realized my father was an addict, I was 11 when his alcohol addiction resulted in sexual and physical abuse, and I was 13 when I was finally safe from abuse. Safe from abuse however does not mean safe from the mental health issues that follow. I understand what it is like to struggle with mental health. But one thing I promised myself is that I will never give up. When I was 14 I began intense therapy for my post-traumatic stress disorder and at 15 I was first medicated for my PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression stemming from my abuse. I am now 20 and still see a psychologist to this day. I understand how difficult it is to manage mental illnesses in everyday life. I fight daily for the future I want to have. While my childhood was full of stress and abuse related to addiction, it has molded me into the person I am today. Without the experiences I have, I wouldn't be able to help those who go through similar life paths as my own. My dreams and aspirations would not be what they are today. I am currently a nursing student at Missouri Western State University where I will graduate with my bachelor's in the spring of 2025. After graduation, I plan to further my education and become a nurse practitioner. I want to be able to use my life experiences to help heal others in the same situations. I currently work at Mosaic Life Care as a PCA. Every time I clock into work I see patients who are struggling with their physical health and mental health health. Each day I try my best to relate to my patients and bond with them in a way that will alleviate their pain and bring them hope that life does get better. If I can be the reason someone smiles, then I consider my day a success. My story has been shared more times than I can count and I will continue to share it and do my part in healing other people's pain for as long as I can. I know what it is like to feel hopeless and alone in this world and I will do everything in my power to take that feeling away from as many people as possible. Mental health is often viewed as a "taboo" topic of discussion but I have never been one to let that get in the way of my advocation. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I went through my past so that I could help heal other people's futures. The world is what you make it, and I plan on making it a better place.

I was 5 when I first realized my father was an addict, I was 11 when his alcohol addiction resulted in sexual and physical abuse, and I was 13 when I was finally safe from abuse. I understand what it is like to be in a family-centered around addiction, being raised that way is not easy. Continuing life after is even harder. When I was 14 I began intense therapy for my post-traumatic stress disorder and 15 when I was first medicated for my PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression stemming from my abuse. I am now 20 and still see a psychologist to this day. I understand how difficult it is to manage addiction-induced trauma and mental illnesses. I fight daily for the future I want to have. While my childhood was full of stress and abuse related to addiction, it has molded me into the person I am today. Without the experiences I have, I wouldn't be able to help those who go through similar life paths as my own. I am currently a nursing student at Missouri Western State University where I will graduate with my bachelor's in the spring of 2025. After graduation, I plan to further my education and become a nurse practitioner. I want to be able to use my life experiences to help heal others in the same situations. I currently work at Mosaic Life Care as a PCA. Every time I clock into work I see patients who are struggling with their physical health and mental health health. Each day I try my best to relate to my patients and bond with them in a way that will alleviate their pain and bring them hope that life does get better. If I can be the reason someone smiles, then I consider my day a success. My story has been shared more times than I can count and I will continue to share it and do my part in healing other people's pain for as long as I can. I know what it is like to feel hopeless and alone in this world and I will do everything in my power to take that feeling away from as many people as possible. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I went through my past so that I can help heal other people's futures. The world is what you make it, and I plan on making it a better place.