My name is Allie Watson, and I am from a small town named Verdigris in Oklahoma. I attend Verdigris High School where I am involved in the National Honor Society, Student Government, and the Varsity Soccer team. I’ve served as Vice President of my class for four years and currently maintain a 3.7 GPA. I’m also taking concurrent classes at Rogers State University and will graduate high school with twelve college credit hours already completed. Growing up, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be. I bounced between interests and often struggled to answer the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The idea of becoming a nurse didn’t come overnight—it was a gradual realization deeply influenced by my father’s story. My dad grew up in a low-income household and dropped out of school at a young age. For the first eight years of my life, he worked without a diploma. We quietly struggled financially, though I didn’t fully understand it at the time. Eventually, my dad decided he wanted more for our family. He earned his GED, applied to college, and was accepted into The University of Oklahoma—one of just twelve selected applicants. He didn’t just graduate; he earned his master’s degree and became a nurse practitioner, finishing at the top of his class. His journey showed me the power of resilience and how even small acts—like a smile—can transform someone’s day. Seeing my father’s transformation inspired me to become a nurse. I want to be the person people turn to when they’re at their most vulnerable. I have always had a passion for helping others, which has guided me to pursue a career in healthcare, specifically in pediatrics. To begin this journey, I earned my Nursing Assistant Certification (CNA) and have been working at Emerald Care Center, a nursing home in Claremore, Oklahoma, for the past year. Helping residents with daily tasks—brushing hair, dressing, bathing, walking—has not only deepened my appreciation for life’s simple necessities but also solidified my calling. Coming from a Native American family, my mother being Cherokee and my father as Choctaw, we believe that Native Americans deserve not just health care but the best health care which is why I intend on earning my BSN and going to work for an Indian Health Service facility. This is the plan because, during a time of financial hardship, my parents turned to the resources available through Indian Health Services—and it was in one of those hospitals that I was born. Now, I intend to dedicate myself to the very community that was there for my family in the beginning. Looking ahead, I plan to attend The University of Tulsa, where I’m thrilled to say I’ll also be cheering this fall. Cheer has always been a big part of my life, and I feel incredibly blessed to continue doing what I love at the collegiate level. After college, I hope to work in the ICU to gain critical experience before becoming a traveling nurse. My ultimate goal is to work in pediatrics, using my skills to care for children and bring comfort to families—both across the country and around the world. Thank you for considering me for the Jeune-Mondestin Scholarship. With graduation approaching in May 2025, I look forward to beginning this next chapter of my life. I am committed to representing my university, family, and community with pride. I will use my platform to share my culture, inspire others to pursue their goals, and embrace who they are. This scholarship will help make that vision possible.