1. What caregiving has looked like for you Caregiving has played a central role in my life in more ways than one. As a single mother, I care full-time for my child, managing everything from daily routines—like preparing meals, helping with schoolwork, attending activities—to being a consistent source of emotional support and encouragement. At the same time, I also provided care for a close family friend who was living with dementia. That experience was particularly challenging, as it required not only patience and attentiveness but also a willingness to learn and adapt to their changing needs. I often found myself researching the disease in hopes of providing better care and communication. Though demanding, it was a deeply rewarding experience that taught me compassion and gave me a new perspective on the needs of those living with cognitive decline. 2. How caregiving has shaped you Caregiving—both as a mother and as a support system for someone with dementia—has profoundly shaped the person I am today. These experiences have taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. I’ve learned how to stay calm under pressure, how to prioritize, and how to provide comfort even when I didn’t always have the answers. My time caring for someone with dementia especially opened my eyes to the complexities of healthcare, deepening my interest in medical science and my desire to support others in a professional capacity. It helped me realize my love for caregiving and led to my decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree in radiology. My goal is to continue serving others through a career that allows me to combine technical knowledge with human connection. Human connection is vital in caregiving, and I believe it is just as essential in healthcare. A strong, trusting connection between a caregiver or healthcare professional and a patient can transform how someone experiences illness, healing, and even everyday life. During my caregiving journey, I saw firsthand how a calm voice, eye contact, or simply listening could ease anxiety and create a sense of safety. That same principle is what draws me to radiology—not just the science or technology, but the chance to be present for someone at a vulnerable time, to help them feel seen and cared for even during brief interactions. 3. Why this scholarship matters Receiving this scholarship would be life-changing. As someone who has balanced school, work, and caregiving responsibilities, financial support would relieve a significant burden, allowing me to concentrate on my education and clinical training. It would bring me closer to becoming a radiologic technologist—a role where I can make a real difference in people’s lives, just as others have made a difference in mine. This scholarship isn’t just about funding; it’s about opportunity and belief. It’s a stepping stone that would help me provide a better future for my child and continue honoring the value of care, compassion, and community in everything I do.

One of my greatest achievements to date has been earning my associate degree while navigating the many challenges of being a single mother. This accomplishment is something I am deeply proud of because it represents not just academic success, but personal growth, perseverance, and a deep commitment to building a better future for both myself and my child. Being a single parent comes with a unique set of responsibilities, and adding school to that equation was not easy. There were countless days when I had to juggle parenting duties, work, and coursework all at once. There were late nights, early mornings, and moments when I questioned whether I could keep going. But I reminded myself of the reasons I started—my child’s future, my desire to create more opportunities for us, and my belief that I was capable of more. Through this experience, I learned so much about myself. I discovered that I am stronger than I ever realized. I learned how to manage my time effectively, prioritize what truly matters, and push forward even when things got overwhelming. I also learned the power of asking for help when needed and how important it is to surround yourself with people who support and believe in you. Most importantly, this journey taught me not to give up. There were setbacks and struggles, but every challenge became a lesson and every small win became motivation to keep going. It gave me confidence—not just academically, but in all areas of my life. I now approach challenges with a mindset that I can overcome them, no matter how big they seem. Looking forward, my goal is to continue my education by enrolling in a radiology program to earn a bachelor’s degree. I have always been passionate about healthcare and fascinated by the role diagnostic imaging plays in improving patient outcomes. Radiology, to me, represents the perfect blend of technology and compassion—it’s a field that not only challenges the mind but also serves a deeply human purpose. I am drawn to the idea of using my skills to help diagnose and care for patients, contributing directly to their health and recovery. This field excites me because it is constantly evolving, and I want to be part of a profession that grows with science and innovation. Earning a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences will give me the advanced training and knowledge I need to thrive in a meaningful, long-term career. More than that, it will allow me to set an example for my child—that through hard work and perseverance, you can rise above your circumstances and build the life you envision. This achievement is not the end of my story, but just the beginning. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I’m committed to continuing on this path of growth, learning, and purpose. The radiology program represents the next step in that journey—one I am ready to take with focus, dedication, and hope.

Being a mother is my greatest joy and my strongest motivation. Throughout my journey, my children have been my driving force. They inspire me daily to keep pushing forward, showing them the value of perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of their dreams. My oldest daughter, now a freshman in high school, has been deeply inspired by my work in healthcare and aspires to become a nurse. She wants to help others the way I do, and it fills me with pride to see her following this path. My son, who is 8, has also expressed an interest in becoming a nurse. Knowing that my children look up to me and want to follow in my footsteps gives me a profound sense of pride and purpose. I strive to lead by example, teaching my children that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, regardless of the obstacles. By completing my bachelor’s degree, I aim to open new doors for my family, reduce financial burdens, and most importantly, demonstrate the power of persistence. I am committed to being the best version of myself, not only for me but for my children as well. Balancing school and life as a single parent is undoubtedly a challenge, but one that I am determined to conquer. Being goal-oriented helps me thrive, and I rely on organization to keep me on track. My mom taught me the importance of implementing a schedule, and it's a lesson I’ve carried into my own life. Now, we maintain school schedules, extracurricular activities, work, and family time through careful planning. I map out my weeks in advance, allocating specific time for each task and leaving room for flexibility. Although balancing everything can be tiring, I am resolute in my desire to succeed and make my children proud. This scholarship will provide crucial support for my continued coursework. As I prepare to pay for the upcoming semester, the financial strain would be significant, especially as I am the sole income provider for my children. This scholarship would not only alleviate the burden of tuition but also bring me one step closer to fulfilling my dream—and my children’s dream—of taking a family vacation to Puerto Rico. My children want to fly on a plane and spend a week on an island. They have never flown before. I know upon graduating and securing my first job as a post graduate I will book this flight the first payday.

I am a dedicated and self-driven mother of three wonderful children. Born and raised in South Carolina, I graduated from high school in 2008, excited to begin my academic journey. I enrolled at the University of South Carolina Upstate to pursue my undergraduate studies. However, life took an unexpected turn during my second year, and I had to leave college due to personal challenges. I found myself in an unhealthy, abusive marriage, which ultimately ended in a divorce in 2017. Despite these setbacks, I never lost sight of my educational and career aspirations. In 2017, I took a step toward rebuilding my life and furthering my education by earning a diploma in Medical Assisting. This experience reignited my passion for healthcare and fueled my desire to continue my educational journey. I recently graduated in August 2024 with an associate degree in Allied Health Science from South University. This achievement is a significant milestone in my life, but I’m not stopping here. My next goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, with aspirations to become a Health Educator Specialist or Environmental Health Officer. I believe my background in healthcare, combined with my natural passion for teaching and helping others, will allow me to make a lasting impact on public health and contribute to healthier communities. Being a mother is my greatest joy and my strongest motivation. Throughout my journey, my children have been my driving force. They inspire me every day to keep pushing forward and to show them the importance of perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of their dreams. My oldest daughter, now a freshman in high school, has been deeply inspired by my work in healthcare. She aspires to become a nurse, sharing how much she wants to help others the way I do. My son, who is 8, also expresses an interest in becoming a nurse. Knowing that my children look up to me and want to follow in my footsteps fills me with pride and a deep sense of purpose. I want to lead by example and show my children that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, no matter the obstacles you may face. By completing my bachelor’s degree, I aim to open new doors for my family, reduce financial burdens, and, most importantly, demonstrate the power of persistence. I am determined to be the best version of myself, not just for me, but for my children as well.

I am a driven and self-motivated mother to 3 beautiful children. I was born and raised in South Carolina and graduated high school in 2008. I went off to pursue my undergraduate degree at University of South Carolina Upstate but life happen my second year. I left USC Upstate with the anticipation of completing my bachelor's degree but that did not go as planned. I was involved in an unhealthy abusive marriage that resulted in a divorce years later in 2017. I have taken small strides in completing my education since then. I received a diploma in Medical Assisting in 2017 and just recently graduated from South University with an associate degree in Allied Health Science in August 2024. My goal is to obtain my bachelor’s degree in public health at South University. I want to work as a health educator specialist or an environmental health officer. With my background in healthcare, I have a love for health but also, I am a natural born teacher. I would love to bring the two together and work in a field where I have strong sense of importance and being impactful. Being a mother is my highlight and pride and joy. I have learned to be more organized, plan, and allow grace. I want to be a great example to my children and provide for their needs and wants without such a financial challenge. At this present time furthering my education will help increase my income and this burden. I also want to show my children that it is important to keep striving for your dreams despite of the obstacles that may come. I have 2 daughters and 1 son. My oldest is a freshman in high school and currently wants to be a nurse. She wants to follow in my footsteps of a healthcare job. She said watching me go to work as a medical assistant and hearing what my duties and responsibilities are she wants to experience the same of helping care for someone. Our gift is nurturing, and she is nurturing even to a stranger in need. Even though I do not want to be a clinical health professional my daughter and I may work together at different capacities at some point of our careers, and this is our dream. My son is 8 and says now he wants to be a nurse as well. It makes me feel good knowing my children are looking up to me and want to model my behavior. For me to help encourage them and guide them I feel I first need to be an example. The example starts with me obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

I am a driven and self-motivated mother to 3 beautiful children. I was born and raised in South Carolina and graduated high school in 2008. I went off to pursue my undergraduate degree at University of South Carolina Upstate but life happen my second year. I left USC Upstate with the anticipation of completing my bachelor's degree but that did not go as planned. I was involved in an unhealthy abusive marriage that resulted in a divorce years later in 2017. I have taken small strides in completing my education since then. I received a diploma in Medical Assisting in 2017 and just recently graduated from South University with an associate degree in Allied Health Science in August 2024. My goal is to obtain my bachelor’s degree in public health at South University. I want to work as a health educator specialist or an environmental health officer. With my background in healthcare, I have a love for health but also, I am a natural born teacher. I would love to bring the two together and work in a field where I have strong sense of importance and being impactful. Being a mother is my highlight and pride and joy. I have learned to be more organized, plan, and allow grace. I want to be a great example to my children and provide for their needs and wants without such a financial challenge. At this present time furthering my education will help increase my income and this burden. I also want to show my children that it is important to keep striving for your dreams despite of the obstacles that may come. I have 2 daughters and 1 son. My oldest is a freshman in high school and currently wants to be a nurse. She wants to follow in my footsteps of a healthcare job. She said watching me go to work as a medical assistant and hearing what my duties and responsibilities are she wants to experience the same of helping care for someone. Our gift is nurturing, and she is nurturing even to a stranger in need. Even though I do not want to be a clinical health professional my daughter and I may work together at different capacities at some point of our careers, and this is our dream. My son is 8 and says now he wants to be a nurse as well. It makes me feel good knowing my children are looking up to me and want to model my behavior. For me to help encourage them and guide them I feel I first need to be an example. The example starts with me obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

I am a driven and self-motivated mother to 3 beautiful children. I was born and raised in South Carolina and graduated high school in 2008. I went off to pursue my undergraduate degree at University of South Carolina Upstate but life happen my second year. I left USC Upstate with the anticipation of completing my bachelor's degree but that did not go as planned. I was involved in an unhealthy abusive marriage that resulted in a divorce years later in 2017. I have taken small strides in completing my education since then. I received a diploma in Medical Assisting in 2017 and just recently graduated from South University with an associate degree in Allied Health Science in August 2024. My goal is to obtain my bachelor’s degree in public health at South University. I want to work as a health educator specialist or an environmental health officer. With my background in healthcare, I have a love for health but also, I am a natural born teacher. I would love to bring the two together and work in a field where I have strong sense of importance and being impactful. Being a mother is my highlight and pride and joy. I have learned to be more organized, plan, and allow grace. I want to be a great example to my children and provide for their needs and wants without such a financial challenge. At this present time furthering my education will help increase my income and this burden. I also want to show my children that it is important to keep striving for your dreams despite of the obstacles that may come. I have 2 daughters and 1 son. My oldest is a freshman in high school and currently wants to be a nurse. She wants to follow in my footsteps of a healthcare job. She said watching me go to work as a medical assistant and hearing what my duties and responsibilities are she wants to experience the same of helping care for someone. Our gift is nurturing, and she is nurturing even to a stranger in need. Even though I do not want to be a clinical health professional my daughter and I may work together at different capacities at some point of our careers, and this is our dream. My son is 8 and says now he wants to be a nurse as well. It makes me feel good knowing my children are looking up to me and want to model my behavior. For me to help encourage them and guide them I feel I first need to be an example. The example starts with me obtaining a bachelor’s degree.