I chose to further my education in the STEAM field because I had been through hospital life since a young age. My continuation in the health sciences field improves my passion to help people in need, whether they are the youngest or oldest in medical care. At the age of 4, I had been diagnosed with a stage 2 brain tumor, a Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma, this would affect my balance and cognitive abilities, that is at least what the doctor's warned my family about. Today, I am pursuing a study in health sciences, my main career goal being a radiologic technologist. I spent ten years in the MRI room in order to confirm my tumor was completely gone, years following my chemotherapy treatment at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. My story inspires me to get into the feel of the medical field, with a focus in technology as it advances in today's society. This scholarship will help support my education at a high-rated 4-year school. Private loans are getting me through this year, but my continuation at Kentucky Wesleyan is not guaranteed. I am forever grateful for any support in order to continue my education at the institution I have already fallen in love with. It is a big goal of mine to be able to start my medical care journey at this school, and I have confidence that my hard work will pay off. I have always been inspired by the hospital care since I was a kid, my first goal being a doctor, like some other children's typical dream, but I soon found that my love for technology advances has a place there, too. Throughout high school, I was heavily involved in theatrical technology, I light designed all four years for the plays and musicals, along with a role in stage management. My love for theater throughout high school also had a play in my career goal. I am not continuing theater, but the talent I had developed for lighting made me want to continue in the technology field, and being in the hospital setting will seal my career goal and what I want to do as I transition into the adult field. My family and friends support me and think it is the best decision for me and what I aspire to be. I have high hopes for my life in new places and have confidence I will adapt to whatever challenges are thrown my way. Whether it's helping children or adults, I want to be a trusted individual behind the screen of diagnosis and be the best support in any way I can.

I embody selflessness through the passion I have to help people and the motivation that drives me to do so. I have served the vulnerable since I was around 9 years old, so about 10 years now I have been working hard to improve the state of living conditions for those less fortunate. I have done countless acts like helping to feed the poor in soup kitchens, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Room at the Inn, and I have sorted medical supplies for Project CURE. These acts make me feel like I am serving people while also improving myself and my selflessness. I acknowledge that I am a fortunate person with a loving family and a roof over my head, but that does not make me feel good about the state of the world. Helping people in need is a big part in improving the world and connecting with the world you were put into. One specific example of a time I helped someone in need is actually at my former job as a hostess. A homeless man came in asking for a job, and I guided him right to my manager after getting him a cup of water. It was a small act, but it shows care in the world and he ended up getting the job, so fortunate things happen to people that seek them in the right places. I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they are handed food at a soup kitchen, or even new clothes that I donated to a local thrift organization. Selflessness is not just the act of being selfless, it is the thought that goes behind what you are doing for the sake of making the world a safer place. I have done service at libraries as well, helping older individuals volunteer for the education of the younger generation. Mundane work also makes a difference, so it is important to acknowledge the work you are doing in order to make a true impact on the people you are helping. I know some people struggle to find that motivation to help the vulnerable, and I was in the same boat. It was not until recently that I really thought about the service I was doing in order to cause relief in people’s lives’. I learned a lot about the less fortunate in my Theology class, and it got interesting, inspiring me to think about the motivation I have to help people. Overall, everybody starts somewhere and it does not matter where you start as long as you have that motivation to give yourself to others.

I have been a medical child since I was a little girl, starting with my brain tumor journey at age 4. I developed a Pilomixoid Astrocytoma when I was about 3 years old until it went down, only to reach back up and cause my health issues at 4. Our finances have not fully recovered from the numerous hospital bills, but we have had family and friends to help pay it off. Now, my dad has had multiple variations of skin cancer, and we have two very old cars that break down at least once a month, one of which is the car that all of my four-person family uses. Work is difficult to get to for my sister, my dad, and I, but we manage with what we have. Anyway, the finances in my household are not the greatest, but my dad works hard as a teacher to reach back up to a good point to be able to pay off the mortgage. My finances in my education currently, fortunately, are covered at my college prep school as long as my dad has a job here, and has been for the last 4 years, so I am luckily able to complete and graduate from my school. In transitioning to college, I chose a school that I am confident will enhance my education and career goal as a radiologic technician. My transition into Kentucky Wesleyan College in the Fall will help me get out on my own without my parents to help guide me. My financial plan for the years is getting private loans, then paying it off once I start my career in radiography. My education is important to me and I want to get the best I can in order to pursue my career. As I move forward, I am looking at everything one step at a time in order for my future to be in good shape. If I feel stressed about anything, I know that it will be okay and financing can and will smooth out as long as I focus on my goal at my new school, improving the way I can help people. As of right now, my dad is in a credit program in order to build his credit score back up for himself and my family. Since I have my own job, I step back from asking for money from my parents since I know they cannot provide much, but I am grateful for anything they can give.