Ever since I was young, I’ve been drawn to helping others. Whether it was looking after younger kids in my neighborhood or helping out at school events like Field Day, I’ve always found joy in making people feel cared for. Now, as a high school student, that natural desire to help has grown into a passion for healthcare. I’ve learned that real impact starts with empathy, patience, and showing up for others even when it’s hard, and those are the qualities I still carry with me every day. My goal is to become a pediatric nurse and eventually specialize in the NICU at UF Health in Gainesville. I know this path isn’t easy, but I’m ready to put in the effort. I’ve already seen how determination can pay off in various ways. For example, in school I’ve had classes that really challenged me especially in science and biology but I pushed myself to study harder, ask questions, and improve. That taught me how to stay focused even when something feels overwhelming. I plan to bring that same persistence to my nursing career, because children and families deserve a nurse who won’t give up on them. I also believe the small things matter just as much as the big things. In art class, I spend hours redrawing professional pieces and taking my teacher’s feedback to improve my work. It’s taught me patience, attention to detail, and how to accept constructive criticism all skills I know I’ll need as a nurse. Even the experience of helping organize school events or working with classmates has shown me how teamwork and clear communication can create a better outcome. Through my medical career, I plan to make a positive impact by combining technical skill with heart. I want children and their families to feel safe and understood during the most stressful moments of their lives. I’ll stay up to date on new treatments and techniques, seek mentorship, and continue learning so that my care is always the best it can be. But more than anything, I want every patient I meet to feel like someone is truly on their side. I see nursing as more than a job it’s a way to be a light for others when things feel dark. With this scholarship, I can take the next step toward that dream and use my skills, compassion, and determination to make a real difference in our world.

Since I started thinking about healthcare, I’ve always pictured myself as a nurse who really makes a difference for kids. I want to be a pediatric nurse and eventually work in the NICU at UF Health in Gainesville. I want to be someone kids can feel safe with, and someone their families can trust during stressful times. It’s really important to me that every child feels supported and cared for, and that families know their child is getting the best care possible. I also want to be someone who helps kids feel less scared when they’re in the hospital and makes a positive impact on their experience. Being a nurse, to me, is about empathy, patience, and sticking with it even when things get tough. I imagine every shift ready for anything whether it’s a kid in pain, a worried parent, or a busy moment in the NICU. I know working with kids isn’t always easy, but I’ve learned that even hard things can be handled with focus and effort. For example, when I first transferred schools, I had to catch up on classes and adjust to new routines, which wasn’t easy, but I kept going and improved my grades. That experience taught me how to stay determined, and I plan to use that same mindset in nursing. I know that staying calm and positive during challenging times will be just as important in the hospital as it was in school. I’ve also learned patience and dedication through art class. I spend time redoing drawings, learning from professional artists, and taking feedback from my teacher seriously. It might seem small, but it’s helped me pay attention to details and keep improving, which I know will be important in the NICU. Even helping organize things like Field Day at school has shown me teamwork and responsibility, which I’ll need every day as a nurse. Each experience, big or small, has helped me practice staying focused, being reliable, and thinking about the needs of others skills I know will transfer directly to pediatric care. I’m excited to keep learning and growing in this field. Healthcare is always changing, and I want to stay on top of new treatments and ways to help kids. I hope to learn from mentors, go to workshops, and pick up every skill I can to give the best care possible. I also want to show younger students that dedication and care really matter in this line of work. My goal as a nurse is to mix skill with heart. I want to be remembered not just for what I know, but for how I care. Getting this scholarship would help me focus on school and getting better every day, so I can make a real difference in kids’ lives.

From the moment I transferred schools in ninth grade, I realized that staying focused and determined would be key to catching up with my classmates. At first, it felt overwhelming I had to learn new routines, adjust to different teaching styles, and make sure I kept up with my grades. My GPA started lower than I wanted, but I refused to let that define me. I created a system for myself, stayed disciplined, and slowly improved my grades. That experience taught me that even when things feel challenging, sticking to your goals and putting in the work pays off. I’ve carried that same mindset into other parts of my life. In school, I challenge myself not just academically, but creatively as well. In art class, for example, I spend hours refining drawings, reinterpreting pieces by professional artists, and practicing new techniques. Each time I present my work to my teacher, I take feedback seriously, adjusting and improving. It may seem like a small thing, but it requires patience, dedication, and the ability to keep going even when progress feels slow. Those qualities strength, determination, and persistence are exactly what I plan to bring to my work as a pediatric nurse. Caring for children, especially in a high-stress environment like the NICU, will require me to stay focused, patient, and resilient, even when situations are difficult. I know that every patient and family will rely on me not just for medical care, but for the support and comfort as well. My past experiences balancing school challenges ,personal growth and mindset have shown me that I can rise to meet those challenges. I am fully committed to giving my full effort, staying determined, and ensuring that every child I care for feels safe, comfort and cared for. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my education and work toward my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse at UF Health in Gainesville. It would contribute on helping me focus on learning and growing, without the added worry of financial constraints, and give me the tools I need to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. I am ready to face the challenges ahead of me with the same determination I have always shown in school and art, and I know that persistence, focus, and strength will guide me as I efficiently build towards a career helping others.