How many of us can recall, right at this moment, a time when we were in the hospital, and can still today remember the kindness of a nurse? Thank you. You call “all” put your hands down now! I’m one of those. I started my life in the NICU, a few minutes after I was born. I was hypoxic and hypovolemic. As a result, I have had several health challenges during my childhood that have caused pain for most of my life. During my medical visits, it was often the kindness, compassion and expertise of the nurses that got me through difficult situations and gave me the strength and support I needed to recover. I have firsthand experience with the deep positive impact a strong, kind nurse can make, not just during a particular clinical interaction but for life. I am inspired to be that ray of light and hope for others especially when they need it most. My own experience with health challenges has helped and will help me relate to my patients better. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a nurse myself, helping people when they need it most. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis during the height of the pandemic. The curvature of my spine was a few degrees short of what would qualify me for surgery. Unfortunately, I didn’t have many options and suffered with pain for several months. I decided I was going to provide an option to kids with Scoliosis, even if I didn’t have one. I have since used my part-time employment income to sponsor 22 braces for children in India, who needed braces. I am now a Senior in High School, and am applying to start my Associate's Degree in Nursing at the Community College while taking on a full course load at school. As a first generation American, I am proud to equip myself to give back, and make a true difference in my own way, one patient at a time, when the country needs it most. I have also volunteered by teaching art to young children because I love art. I use it as a way to express myself and refresh my mind. When I’ve spent time with young kids teaching them art techniques, it’s made me happy to see them happy. When they celebrate the completion of a project, it’s helped me recognize that I am fully capable of using my God-given talents to serve and help others. I love volunteering in Sunday School, and teaching young kids about God, the fascinating Bible stories and how they apply to our lives today. When I see my young students inspired and encouraged, it's helped me recognize that there is more to life than academic and professional success. How I use my talents and abilities to contribute to others counts. Being a light means shining that brightness and warmth to those around me. I’m glad that I began volunteering, thanks to my mom’s guidance, either as a way to help someone who was going thru’ a similar challenge as mine, or as a way to use my talents to bless others. In doing so, I thought I was giving. Yet, I have been the receiver, of love, fulfilment and blessing.

The Old Testament in the Bible has an incredibly interesting and fascinating book called Ecclesiastes. The seventeenth and eighteenth verses of the first chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes read as follows, “Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. This text has always had me perplexed as a child. I could never understand how an increase in wisdom and knowledge could have a downside to it. Wouldn’t more of a good thing be a good thing, especially if that good thing is wisdom? Recently, I traveled across the country on a domestic flight. I was sitting next to a veteran with an impressive flying record. He was quite the conversationalist and while I wasn’t quite inclined to engage initially, he fascinated me with his knowledge of what it takes for a plane to take off, and land. Since he had a wealth of technical aviation expertise, he explained the inter-relationships and dependencies between airspeed, rate of descent, thrust, drag through the use of flaps, and the landing gear, or speed brakes. Some of these needed to increase while the others need to decrease or stay constant in order to maintain equilibrium and have a smooth landing. He then went on to share that he suffers from some degree of anxiety when he travels as a passenger. He indicated that he’d always wonder if the pilots were adequately trained, and if they’d be successful with following the precise technical steps in controlling and flying the airplane. He’d often perceive, from the movements of the plane and rate of descent, what exact technical step was being performed by the pilot. He talked about the times he understood that perhaps the pilot was not as proficient or adept at maneuvering the aircraft. All in all, it gave him anxiety. This incident reminded me that while I was a happy, carefree passenger, completely trusting I’d take off and land safely, here was an expert that did not have the same experience. I recognized that it worked greatly to my advantage that I didn’t quite know what it took in terms of the mechanics of aviation, physics, engineering and navigation to land a plane. I also understood that perhaps the ancient text about too much wisdom bringing too much sorrow was indeed true. I’ve learned that there isn’t often a direct correlation between increased knowledge and increased happiness. As the ancient Biblical text espouses, ‘it is all like chasing the wind”. It is an exercise in vain. I agree with the Preacher believed to have inspired the book of Ecclesiastes in that I agree that there are things in life that seem desirable and appealing to the natural eye. However, there is a higher level of perception and wisdom in recognizing that not everything that seems desirable is indeed fruitful. It is perhaps true that too much of a good thing isn’t necessarily a good thing. That said, I believe that the pursuit of knowledge, education and expertise is a good thing when used to equip oneself to contribute positively to society. However, as with everything in life, there is joy and balance in recognizing that not everything is simple and linear. Many things are rather complex and nuanced. Awareness of these complexities provide a more realistic worldview and mental framework through which to understand life and the world in general.

The Old Testament if the Bible has an incredibly interesting and fascinating book called Ecclesiastes. It’s a short collection of chapters and verses that provide great insight and cause one to reflect deeply on this journey called life. The seventeenth and eighteenth verses of the first chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes read as follows, “Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. This text has always had me perplexed as a child. I could never understand how an increase in wisdom and knowledge could have a downside to it. Wouldn’t more of a good thing be a good thing, especially if that good thing is wisdom? I had also heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss”. It seemed to align with this ancient Ecclesiastical text. On a very simplistic level, my first foray into understanding the text started with my pre-teen experience on Netflix, the common entertainment channel most of us use and consume. It continues to expand in terms of the options that are available. There is a lot of information available to use as I please, and yet, I find myself spending a greater proportion of my time browsing through the options before I eventually settle on one. In contrast, cable television had fewer, fixed options and while the variety to choose from was limited, the ability to decide was not. I started wondering if perhaps too much information and too many options could in fact have the opposite effect where we don’t quite see them as an advantage, and where their existence has decreasing utility. Growing up, I’ve always liked observing things, making sense of them, connecting the dots and trying to look for answers. I love learning about human behavior, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, individual and social impact, and life in general. Recently, I traveled across the country on a domestic flight. I was sitting next to a veteran with an impressive flying record. He was quite the conversationalist and while I wasn’t quite inclined to engage initially, he fascinated me with his knowledge of what it takes for a plane to take off, and land. Since he had a wealth of technical aviation expertise, he explained the inter-relationships and dependencies between airspeed, rate of descent, thrust, drag through the use of flaps, and the landing gear, or speed brakes. Some of these needed to increase while the others need to decrease or stay constant in order to maintain equilibrium and have a smooth landing. He then went on to share that he suffers from some degree of anxiety when he travels as a passenger. He indicated that he’d always wonder if the pilots were adequately trained, and if they’d be successful with following the precise technical steps in controlling and flying the airplane. He’d often perceive, from the movements of the plane and rate of descent, what exact technical step was being performed by the pilot. He talked about the times he understood that perhaps the pilot was not as proficient or adept at maneuvering the aircraft. All in all, it gave him anxiety. This incident reminded me that while I was a happy, carefree passenger, completely trusting I’d take off and land safely, here was an expert that did not have the same experience. I recognized that it worked greatly to my advantage that I didn’t quite know what it took in terms of the mechanics of aviation, physics, engineering and navigation to land a plane. I also understood that perhaps the ancient text about too much wisdom bringing too much sorrow was indeed true. Consider the Enlightenment, the great 'Age of Reason', which is defined as the period of rigorous scientific, political and philosophical discourse that characterized European society during the 'long' 18th century. It’s major ideas spread across the world, and man’s quest for knowledge, and hunger to better understand the universe increased exponentially and at a fast pace. The whole idea of enlightenment was to improve one’s condition. However, we’ve observed around the world, and in our own country, that there isn’t often a direct correlation between increased enlightenment and increased improvement in one’s condition. In other words, greater knowledge has not necessarily caused greater human happiness. In fact, revolutionary ideas, from the beginning of time, have caused revolutionaries to be scorned and ill-treated. Their enlightened views have not been accepted or embraced as one would expect if one were to use it to improve the human condition. Enlightenment has brought with it a certain amount of animosity and difficulty. I can imagine it to be incredibly challenging to know more, understand more and still be shackled to current, dysfunctional and sub-optimal systems in the world. What then is the point of enlightenment if one cannot persuade or influence others easily and if one cannot change things readily? Perhaps too much knowledge brings too much sorrow. Knowledge once gained changes perspective and one’s worldview. You see the world differently and make sense of things in a way you hadn’t before. It’s hard to unlearn something that has been learned and holds true. It’s harder to live as if one has not gained wisdom, when there is no opportunity to utilize that wisdom. As the ancient Biblical text espouses, ‘....it is all like chasing the wind”. It is an exercise in vain. I agree with the Preacher believed to have inspired the book of Ecclesiastes in that I agree that there are things in life that seem desirable and appealing to the natural eye. However, there is a higher level of perception and wisdom in recognizing that not everything that seems desirable is indeed fruitful. It is perhaps true that too much of a good thing isn’t necessarily a good thing.

I will be the elegantly and brilliantly designed amalgamation of my strengths and shortcomings, victories and lessons learned, blessings and disappointments, and through it all, I will be grateful for all that is because it came from what was, and that is the incredible privilege of living this brave, unpredictable and imperfect journey called life.

I find myself on the precipice of deciding how best to use the rest of my life to contribute to the greater good. My generation is part of a revolution in the questioning of "what is", and a concurrent challenge to consider "what can be". My main observations of my experience in today's world are: 1. There is an identity vacuum in my generation, one that doesn't seem to have a strong anchor in the things that kept previous generations seemingly stable and strong. This may be, in large part, to the lack of inspirational statesmanship, and action where it matters. There is, therefore, disillusionment and disenfranchisement among the youth. Young people are looking for connection, and purpose. They will find it in the wrong places if our country doesn't establish and articulate a collective, fair vision for the people, one where young people can find their place. 2. There is a sense that perhaps things are not going to improve. This is a dark, depressing and hopeless place to be. Many of my peers have stopped caring about the greater good because they believe the situation cannot be fixed and is beyond repair. We, therefore, have a strong and immediate need for hope. While I, as an individual, cannot fix the world and all its problems, I can be hopeful about the difference I can make. There is power in determination, and individual resolve. I can develop and strengthen my identity, calling and purpose. I can then use it to improve my world and all those in it. Impact is contagious, whether positive or negative. I can choose to be an agent for positive impact and influence. I can look around me to find those positive role models. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a nurse myself, helping people when they need it most. There is nothing more vulnerable than losing one' s health. In addition to my familial predisposition to public service, I have personally been fortunate to have been cared for by some of the best nurses in the Washington DC Metro area. I started my life in the NICU, a few minutes after I was born. I was hypoxic and hypovolemic. I have had health challenges during my childhood that have caused pain for most of my life. During my medical visits, the kindness of the nurses got me through difficult situations and gave me the strength I needed to recover. I have firsthand experience in the deep positive impact a strong, kind nurse can make, not just during a particular interaction but for life. I am inspired to be that ray of light and hope for others especially when they need it most. My own experience with health challenges will help me relate to my patients better and help them meaningfully. In conclusion, I would like to note that humanity has been through challenging times. The current struggles and complexities may seem untenable, but I believe that, throughout history, there were individuals who rose to the occasion and started change. Others supported it and revolutions were created. I plan to establish and solidify my identity and use my abilities and talents to make my world a better place, one patient at a time, one family at a time.

Leadership: It begins with hope and it begins with me. I find myself on the precipice of deciding how best to use the rest of my life to contribute to the greater good. I am growing up in a generation marked by constant change. This change is evident in the societal, technological, cultural and geopolitical complexities that exist in our modern world. We have evolved in the way we access and consume information, food, commercial products, entertainment and financial resources. How we connect with each other has evolved. Our country has become increasingly polarised. There is an ongoing, deep struggle for social change and mindset evolution. The seemingly fixed aspects of society with its traditions and norms are no longer mainstream views. My generation is part of a revolution in the questioning of "what is", and a concurrent challenge to consider "what can be". To solve the problems of today, we must look to the past for an understanding of context, and contributing factors. It is not uncommon to find that while we have incredible institutional strength in this country, our public leaders often come across as out of touch with current reality. The pace of technological advancement, cultural change and social expectations is faster than the ability of the mature human mind to evolve to meet the new reality. There is a sense among my peers that perhaps things are not going to improve. This is a dark, depressing and hopeless place to be. I've observed that many of my peers have stopped caring about the greater good because they believe the situation cannot be fixed, and is beyond repair. We, therefore, have a strong and immediate need for hope. While I, as an individual, cannot fix the world and all its problems, I can be hopeful about the difference I can make. There is power in determination, and individual resolve. I can develop and strengthen my identity, calling and purpose. I can then use it to improve my world and all those in it. That's leadership. Impact is contagious, whether positive or negative. I can choose to be an agent for positive impact and influence. I can look around me to find those positive role models and use that to inspire my own path forward. That's leadership.I demonstrate this, at school, where I strive to be supportive to other girls, lending a helping hand, being inclusive and providing a listening ear without judgment. As a Scoliosis patient myself, I sponsor braces for poor, young girls with Scoliosis in India. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a nurse myself, helping people when they need it most. That's leadership. In conclusion, I would like to note that humanity has been through challenging times. History has documented that for us. The current struggles and complexities may seem untenable but I believe that, throughout history, there were individuals (leaders) who rose to the occasion and started change. They chose to focus on their individual contribution to solving a problem as opposed to the problem itself or the fact that maybe no one else was there to solve it. It's not always about others. It's about my conviction, and purpose. How best can I step in? If only I have the courage to lead, the rest will follow.

Leadership: It begins with hope and it begins with you. I find myself on the precipice of deciding how best to use the rest of my life to contribute to the greater good. I am growing up in a generation marked by constant change. This change is evident in the societal, technological, cultural and geopolitical complexities that exist in our modern world. We have evolved in the way we access and consume information, food, commercial products, entertainment and financial resources. How we connect with each other has evolved. Our country has become increasingly polarised. There is an ongoing, deep struggle for social change and mindset evolution. The seemingly fixed aspects of society with its traditions and norms are no longer mainstream views. My generation is part of a revolution in the questioning of "what is", and a concurrent challenge to consider "what can be". In order to solve the problems of today, one must look to the past for a good understanding of context, background and contributing factors. It is not uncommon to find that while we have incredible institutional strength in this country, our public leaders often come across as out of touch with current reality. The pace of technological advancement, cultural change and social expectations is much faster than the ability of the mature human mind to evolve to meet the new reality. There is a sense among my peers that perhaps things are not going to improve. This is a dark, depressing and hopeless place to be. I've observed that many of my peers have stopped caring about the greater good because they believe the situation cannot be fixed, and is beyond repair. We, therefore, have a strong and immediate need for hope. While I, as an individual, cannot fix the world and all its problems, I can be hopeful about the difference I can make. There is power in determination, and individual resolve. I can develop and strengthen my identity, calling and purpose. I can then use it to improve my world and all those in it. That's leadership. Impact is contagious, whether positive or negative. I can choose to be an agent for positive impact and influence. I can look around me to find those positive role models and use that to inspire my own path forward. That's leadership. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a nurse myself, helping people when they need it most. That's leadership. In conclusion, I would like to note that humanity has been through challenging times. History has documented that for us. The current struggles and complexities may seem untenable but I believe that, throughout history, there were individuals (leaders) who rose to the occasion and started change. They chose to focus on their individual contribution to solving a problem as opposed to the problem itself or the fact that maybe no one else was there to solve it. It's not always about others. It's about my conviction, and purpose. How best can I step in? If only I have the courage to lead, the rest will follow.

An excerpt from the text reads, "Our children are our elders in universe time". This perspective challenges the very root of traditional parenting philosophy that believes that children are an extension of their parents' identity, dreams and goals. The famous Indian Sadhguru, espouses that children are "not to be raised, but cultivated". The Sadhguru's childrearing notion supposes that children are their own entity, and are to be purposefully and strategically cultivated to develop and reflect their "own" inherent potential, not "raised" to continue reflecting the potential of their parents. My mother shared this thinking with me when I was younger, and while I admit I didn't quite comprehend it then, it has become increasingly meaningful to me as I develop my own sense of calling and purpose. I find myself on the precipice of deciding how best to use the rest of my life to contribute to the greater good. While I appreciate, and am grateful for the upbringing my parents have given me, I have grown up in a generation marked by constant change. This change is evident in the societal, technological, cultural and geopolitical complexities that exist in our modern world, things that my parents weren't necessarily exposed to in their time in the same fashion, or pace. We have evolved in the way we access and consume information, food, commercial products, entertainment and financial resources. How we connect with each other has evolved. Our country has become increasingly polarised. There is an ongoing, deep struggle for social change and mindset evolution. The seemingly fixed aspects of society with its traditions and norms are no longer mainstream views. My generation is part of a revolution in the questioning of "what is", and a concurrent challenge to consider "what can be". In order to solve the problems of today, one must look to the past for a good understanding of context, background and contributing factors. It is not uncommon to find that while we have incredible institutional strength in this country, our public leaders often come across as out of touch with current reality. The pace of technological advancement, cultural change and social expectations is much faster than the ability of the mature human mind to evolve to meet the new reality. My main observations of my experience in today's world are: 1. There is an identity vacuum in my generation, one that doesn't seem to have a strong anchor in the things that kept previous generations seemingly stable and strong. This may be, in large part, to the lack of inspirational statesmanship, and action where it matters. There is, therefore, disillusionment and disenfranchisement among the youth. Words matter but actions speak louder. Do our leaders, in America, mean what they say, and say what they mean? If our collective response is not a resounding "yes", we have some soul-searching to do. Our leaders have lost their ability to inspire trust, meaningful action and a commitment to service. Young people are looking for connection, alignment and purpose. They will find it where they can if the country doesn't establish and articulate a collective, fair vision for the people, one where young people can find their place. 2. There is a sense that perhaps things are not going to improve. This is a dark, depressing and hopeless place to be. I've observed that many of my peers have stopped caring about the greater good because they believe the situation cannot be fixed, and is beyond repair. We, therefore, have a strong and immediate need for hope. While I, as an individual, cannot fix the world and all its problems, I can be hopeful about the difference I can make. There is power in determination, and individual resolve. I can develop and strengthen my identity, calling and purpose. I can then use it to improve my world and all those in it. Impact is contagious, whether positive or negative. I can choose to be an agent for positive impact and influence. I can look around me to find those positive role models. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a nurse myself, helping people when they need it most. There is nothing more vulnerable than losing one' s health. In addition to my familial predisposition to public service, I have personally been fortunate to have been cared for by some of the best nurses in the Washington DC Metro area. I started my life in the NICU, a few minutes after I was born. I was hypoxic and hypovolemic. As a result, I have had several health challenges during my childhood that have caused pain and discomfort for most of my life. During my medical visits, it was often the kindness, compassion and expertise of the nurses that got me through difficult situations, and gave me the clarity and information I needed to recover and gain better health. I have firsthand experience in the deep positive impact a strong, kind nurse can make, not just during a particular interaction but for life. I am inspired to be that ray of light and hope for others especially when they need it most. My own experience with health challenges will help me relate to my patients better and help them meaningfully. In conclusion, I would like to note that humanity has been through challenging times. History has documented that for us. The current struggles and complexities may seem untenable but I believe that, throughout history, there were individuals who rose to the occasion and started change. Others supported it and revolutions were created. I have hope, and so do we.

I'm Anushka Segar, 17 and a High School Senior. I am strong, compassionate and motivated. When I am not studying or watching medical shows on TV, I enjoy painting and playing the piano. I worked part-time for two years as a receptionist at a nail salon and am now working part-time as a hostess in a restaurant while attending High School. I love meeting new people and helping them. As a Scoliosis patient myself, I sponsor braces for poor, young kids with Scoliosis, in India, who cannot afford braces. When I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth-generation nurse. I grew up hearing incredible stories of my mom, and great grandmom (both of whom are midwives), delivering babies in remote villages in developing countries. They changed the course of living for hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. I would like to be a Nurse Practitioner, helping people understand their illness, and how to recover from it, but more importantly how to prevent disease and live a healthy life. In addition to a strong familial predisposition to public service, especially to improving health and wellness, I have personally been fortunate to have been cared for by some of the best nurses in the Washington DC Metro area. I started my life in the NICU, a few minutes after I was born. I was hypoxic and hypovolemic. As a result, I have had several health challenges during my childhood that have caused pain and discomfort for most of my life. During my medical visits, it was often the kindness, compassion and expertise of the nurses that got me through difficult situations, and gave me the clarity and information I needed to recover and gain better health. I have firsthand experience in the deep positive impact a strong, knowledgeable, kind nurse can make, not just during that particular interaction but for life. I am inspired to be that ray of light and hope for others especially when they need it most. My own experience with health challenges will help me relate to my patients better and help them meaningfully. A November 2022 study reported in US News and World Report, projected that the "demand for registered nurses would hit more than 3.6 million by the year 2030. On top of the existing workforce, the field would have needed to add nearly 50,000 new registered nurses each year since 2014 to meet that demand". Those are staggering statistics for a health profession that makes up the critical backbone of patient care. I am determined to do my part in filling the gap, and meeting patient care needs. I also want to contribute to nursing education and advocate for workforce policies to meet the acute shortage of nurses in the US. College is expensive, and nursing is not necessarily a lucrative, glamorous career. Since it involves selflessness, sacrifice and a commitment to the greater good, I believe a scholarship will go a long way in supporting my education, and my dream of being a nurse when my country needs it most. I am preparing to begin my Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Howard Community College while I complete my Senior year of High School. I’m excited to begin my study, and start accomplishing what I need to in order to become a nurse. Last but not least, I have often heard of the amazing camaraderie among nurses, and I can't wait to be a part of a profession that cares for others while caring for their own. Thank you for considering my application.

Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and for your support of education. I’d like to outline two reasons why I believe that education is important to me. First, as a teen growing up in the United States, I’m constantly enveloped in a world of information, available readily and literally at my fingertips. There are also an incredible number of examples of young adults and teens racing their way to wealth and fame, almost overnight or so it seems. This can often make it seem like life is meant to be easy, and that perhaps success and wealth is just ‘round the corner if you're lucky enough to somehow get it. At such a time as this, I believe it takes courage, resilience and fortitude to develop a vision, set some realistic goals, and then pursue an education that requires a systematic, structured application of oneself to acquiring knowledge and experience, in order to serve society meaningfully and advance one's full potential. Many of the important aspects of living (maintaining health, treating disease, travel, technology, infrastructure etc.) require an in-depth study of the subject matter and practical experience, both of which require a solid, quality education. I’m committed to education even though it might seem like the harder, longer path, given the instant gratification illusions present in the world today. Secondly, when I complete my nursing education, I will be a fourth generation nurse. I grew up hearing of my mom, and great grandmom (both of who are midwives), deliver babies in remote villages in developing countries. They impacted hundreds of families, putting them on a path to health and wellness. My great grandmother trained by “observing” the experts. My grandmother attended a traditional school for a basic degree. My mother obtained a bachelors and three masters degrees. You’ll notice, that with each generation, the pursuit of a higher level of knowledge was intentionally sought and accomplished. Because it matters. Greatly. I hope to continue and elevate that path, so I can contribute meaningfully to society as well. As a result of the pandemic, there is an acute need for health professions in the United States, especially in the nursing field. I want to be able to fill that need in my own way, and make a difference in the world, one patient at a time. While all of that is noble and incredible, I want to share with you, my anchor in life. Proverbs 9:10 reads, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding". While I can go on to acquire knowledge, and be a positive, impactful person in society, my personal relationship with God Almighty is what kickstarts and sustains me. God imparts knowledge and wisdom in ways the world cannot. God provides the kind of understanding, intuition and mindset that can help me exponentially magnify the impact I am created to provide in the world. It starts with God and ends with God. One way to apply the knowledge of God practically in my life is follow the example of Jesus, who demonstrated "servant leadership" as his model of living and leading. He came to the Earth to serve, not to be served. He performed incredible miracles, yet washed the feet of his imperfect disciples. He was clear about his mission and purpose. That's the kind of leadership I want to demonstrate in my personal and academic endeavors. The ability to apply worldly knowledge and expertise through the framework of Jesus' servant leadership model is what led me to pursue a career in nursing.

I read somewhere, " The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world". No truer words have been spoken. There is a magnificent kind of power in a determined woman. That power is exponentially magnified when she knows she's doing it all alone. My parents divorced when I was ten years old. It saddens me to say this but it didn't really feel like things changed because I'd always seen my mom as my only caregiver. My dad was never around. My mom never let me feel that absence. She stepped in and filled it, making sure she was there for all my milestone moments, childhood celebrations, stressful hospital visits (I've had multiple health challenges since I was born), and the quiet times I needed a hug and listening ear. Her mantra is to "make things happen". She demonstrates consistently thru' example, that things don't just happen to you. You make them happen. That kind of proactive will combined with creative resourcefulness is what rules my world in an amazing way. I want to share the one in middle school where I made the wrong choice, and landed myself in trouble. When my mom was notified, her immediate reaction was to ensure I was safe and protected. She then showed me grace, and understanding, seeking to listen and sort through what led me to make the choice I made, instead of focusing on the choice itself. I sobbed, overwhelmed with her kindness, and because I let her down. She assured me that this wasn't about her. It was about my learning and my growth. She built me up by appreciating me for the learning and quoted Maya Angelou, "When you know better, you do better". What she said next changed my life. She said, 'I know you know better not to repeat this same mistake. However, you and I both know you'll be tempted to make other bad choices. My hope is that you'll take what you've learned today and make better choices in the future. Since we're human, and humans make mistakes, I know you will make other mistakes. When you do, I'll be here to help you get back on track". After our conversation and a hug, she fixed dinner, dio the laundry, helped my brother with a project, took care of the dishes, meal prep, bills, then prepared for her briefing at work the next day. All in one evening. These are the lessons I learned that day, and almost every day that followed: 1. Don't just work on your imperfections, expect them. Then, be kind to yourself when they show up, so you can learn and move on. 3. Don't get stuck in a negative place or wallow too long in the pit of a mistake. Deal with it, then take care of everything else that deserves taking care of. 4. Don't do something just because you feel like it. Do it because it needs to be done. Even when you don't feel like it. 5. Let go of the dream for how it was supposed to be. Create your own dream. I know my mom misses the companionship and support she could have received from a life partner in the home. Unfortunately, she doesn't have that and never has. However, she didn't let it stop her from doing what needed to be done. That mindset has blessed me. While society may look at my single mom family as inadequate and incomplete, my experience is one of wholeness. I feel strength, power, and am learning to "make things happen". Thank you, mom!