My faith as a Christian has never altered my perception of leadership. Leadership to me is not power or popularity—it is humble serving other humans with compassion and love. Christ's example of servant leadership continues to teach me that the smallest act of kindness can shine light to people in darkness, and that continues to influence the way I approach leadership. One of the most profound experiences of religious leadership was when I volunteered at Staten Island University Hospital. I had just brought a patient some ice chips and water, as she had asked, and when I returned to her room, I noticed two people praying at the end of her bed. They were her children, praying that God would heal her mother. I gently asked them what they were praying for, and when they told me, I asked if I might stand with them. We prayed with them for the well-being of their mother and that God's comfort would stay with their family. It was a gentle and soft moment, but it reminded me that leadership isn't always about title or praise—it can be simply standing in faith with another who is in need of courage. That experience taught me that leadership by faith is presence. It is about being where people are, providing encouragement, and letting them know they are not alone. My faith provided me with the confidence to move forward and the empathy to participate in their burden. Seeing them find peace through prayer made me realize again that leadership is not merely about leading—it's about lifting others up so they feel seen and supported. This lesson continues to shape my vision for my future. My goal is to carry the same God-honoring leadership with me into my career as a health care provider. As a dental hygienist or nurse, I desire my practice to be shaped by the principles of my faith—showing all patients respect, listening when they are ignored, and bringing hope when fear surrounds them. Apart from clinical skill, I believe that spiritual-based leadership has the power to cause people to heal both body and soul. Ultimately, my Christian faith reminds me that leadership is stewardship: using the gift that God has given me to serve others and to glorify Him. The day that I prayed with two people on their mother's bedside table brought to mind my belief that faith is not something to be hoarded but something to be lived out in a manner that encourages and inspires. My prayer for the future is to keep serving with a servant's heart, to carry faith into every room I walk into, and to bless others as I've been blessed.

Empathy, to me, is being capable of placing myself where someone else would be and attempting to visualize what they might be going through even though I never have been through their exact circumstances. It is the difference between listening to someone speak and really listening to their heart. In healthcare, empathy is not just a positive trait—it is essential. Without it, medical care is transactional, but with it, nursing is a vocation that heals not just body but soul. What is unique to nursing is the closeness between nurse and patient. Nurses are the first to sign up when something is wrong, the first to comfort when a patient is scared, and the last to leave a bedside after a long shift. They are there in crises, in agony, and in uncertainty, and it is compassion that allows them to transition patients from fear to trust. Where technical competence can hold the condition of a patient steady, empathy is what will comfort them and make them hear. I learned firsthand the power of empathy when I was a volunteer at Staten Island University Hospital. I saw an elderly woman who was agitated about her care one day. She would withdraw her hand when the nurse tried to reposition her IV, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. Instead of becoming frustrated or rushing through the procedure, the nurse halted, spoke gently, and explained each step slowly and compassionately. She grasped the woman's hand and reassured her that she was not alone. The patient relaxed within a few minutes and allowed the care to continue. That small act of courtesy and patience reminded me that empathy does not require specialized machinery—it requires presence, kindness, and the willingness to look at the patient as more than an assignment. That experience taught me what I wanted to be as a nurse. I want to be the kind of professional who sees that every patient brings not only symptoms, but fears, histories, and hopes. An ill child who arrives at the hospital may need reassuring as much as medication. An ill adult who is receiving treatment belatedly may need sympathy more than criticism. Empathy allows nurses to bridge those gaps, to honor the human person behind the chart. In my practice, I plan to keep empathy as the center by actively listening to patients, being respectful and concise in communication, and being attuned to each situation on a cultural plane. Each patient's background influences what they understand as health, and it is my responsibility to hold that in respect. I also know that empathy requires self-awareness. As a nurse, I must always remain sensitive to my own emotions and prejudices so that they never become paramount in delivering care. Finally, what really gives nursing its strength is empathy. It turns healthcare from a list of protocols into an act of human kindness. It builds trust, restores resilience, and enables patients to depart not just healthier, but also feeling cherished. Becoming a nurse is not just a career aspiration to me—it is a promise to serve people with empathy, compassion, and unbreakable human connection.

I have always believed that the most powerful change is effected in quiet moments—the reassuring hand on a shoulder, the conversation that calms fear, the peaceful presence in a storm. Such moments have shaped me, guided me, and ultimately brought me to nursing. As a kid, I was the listener, the one people came to when they needed comfort or encouragement. Life tested that part of me early with loss, uncertainty, and challenges that pushed me to be stronger and more empathetic than I ever thought possible. One of the most influential elements in my life was my family's history with breast cancer. On my father's side, it has claimed the lives of vibrant, loving women, such as my grandmother. Watching that unfold taught me more than sadness—it taught me a valuable lesson about what it means to balance illness, fear, and hope at the same time. It taught me about the value of preventive medicine, patient education, and emotional support. Those observations became a part of me and, later, a part of why I pursued healthcare. When I began volunteering at Staten Island University Hospital, I observed the type of care that I wanted to provide. It wasn't just about medicine or procedures; it was about listening, advocating, and making patients and families feel secure. I observed nurses blend science with compassion, precision with kindness, and I knew this was where I belonged. Those experiences not only inspired me—they cemented my goal to earn my BSN and be a nurse who cares for each patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. Nursing appeals to me as it is a balance of skill, knowledge, and humanity. I am interested in healthcare that deals with patients' physical and emotional needs. I see myself becoming an oncology or women's health specialist in the long run, specialties that are dear to my heart due to my life experiences. I look forward to caring for patients throughout their journeys with integrity, compassion, and unconditional support. Every step I've taken—through personal challenge, through volunteering, through academic preparation—has been towards this dream. Nursing is not a career choice for me, but a promise to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals. I stand ready to dedicate my skills, my heart, and my voice to being an advocate for those most in need. The small moments that have shaped me are the ones that I want to offer to others—moments that make individuals feel seen, heard, and loved, even in their darkest moment.

I understood the value of compassion at an early stage and how it can transform a person's life. My interest in healthcare grew over the years, driven by my desire to take care of people at their most vulnerable moments. Nursing is more than a profession to me; it is a calling to help people with compassion, skill, and dedication. My long-term career goal as a nurse is to obtain my BSN and work in a hospital setting where I can develop my clinical expertise and provide patient-centered care. Long term, I would like to specialize in either community health or preventative care with a focus on reducing health disparities that impact vulnerable populations. I believe that nursing is more than the treatment of disease—it's a matter of providing individuals with the knowledge and means to live a healthier life. My vision for making a positive difference in my community is based on accessibility and trust. I have seen firsthand how cultural differences, limited resources, and fear of medical systems keep people from seeking help. My goal is to bridge that gap by being not just a healthcare provider, but also an advocate and teacher. I would want to work with community-based health organizations to offer free screenings, wellness seminars, and outreach programs. These projects would aid in early detection of disease, nutritional education, and instruct families on the value of preventive care. My volunteering at Staten Island University Hospital confirmed my ambition to be a nurse. Interacting with patients helped me see that small gestures of compassion—a word of reassurance, an explanation that is easy to understand, a smile—can dispel fears and bring hope. I realized that nursing requires not only technical skill, but patience, adaptability, and deep empathy as well. My connection to the military has also shaped my definition of service and perseverance. Growing up in a military family taught me the importance of discipline, adaptability, and teamwork. I learned how to deal with sudden changes, remain calm under pressure, and approach challenges with determination—qualities that are essential for a nurse. Being in a military setting also exposed me to the sacrifices that soldiers and their families endure, which further entrenched respect in me for those in service. It instilled in me a sense of responsibility, not just to my family, but to the wider community. As I proceed with my education and advance to my career, I will bring with me not just the technical skills that I have learned from my volunteerism, but the intangible values that I have learned through my association with the military. My goal is to become a nurse whom patients believe they can trust, who will listen without judgment, and who will be an advocate for those who are too often voiceless. By combining my clinical ability with compassion-driven outreach, I hope to make a lasting, positive difference in individual lives as well as in the larger community.

I always used to be inclined towards assisting other individuals since childhood. From helping family members while they were ill to extending support to friends in need, I used to feel very satisfied while creating a positive difference in the lives of others. My interest in science, interest in health, and inclination towards assisting other people made me become a nurse—a profession in which I can combine medical expertise with compassion to bring a tangible difference. My determination to become a nurse was cemented during my volunteer service at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). I witnessed firsthand the vital role nurses play in patient care. As a volunteer, I assisted staff and helped to escort patients and visitors throughout the hospital. Even in these mundane tasks, I witnessed how nurses do more than prescribe medicine—they provide comfort, reassurance, and advocacy for patients and families. Witnessing their dedication and compassion encouraged me to follow suit and become a nurse who doesn't only deliver the best care but also looks after patients emotionally in moments of need. Nursing appeals to me because it combines science and human touch. It is both a clinical knowledge and empathy-driven profession. My final goal is to be granted a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and be a registered nurse with the training and experience to provide high-quality care in a hospital or community setting. Long-term, I plan to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner, allowing me to have an even greater impact on diagnosis and patient care management, most importantly in underserved communities where access to health care is limited. I am most interested in preventative care and patient education. I feel that educating patients about their health will help to avoid a lot of illnesses and enhance overall wellness. As a nurse, I would like to be a patient advocate—someone who hears them, teaches them, and shows them kindness along the way. Following this route demands commitment, effort, and resources. Nursing school entails rigorous academic work, clinical rotations, and basic tools, all of which can be expensive. The award of this scholarship would go a long way in alleviating the cost factor and enable me to concentrate on study and clinical education without any distraction. It would further allow me to continue serving in healthcare facilities such as SIUH, gaining important practical experience that will equip me for an effective career in nursing. In addition to the economic benefit, this scholarship would be a healthy incentive. It would keep me in mind that someone believes in my future and is investing in me as a future nurse. This type of encouragement would motivate me to strive to persevere through challenges and continue being committed to being an empathetic, competent healthcare professional. In essence, my passion to serve others and volunteering experience at SIUH have made me choose nursing as a career. With the education and support obtained through this scholarship, I am confident that I will be capable of achieving my goals and make lives better for my patients and communities. *Additionally I cannot send photos of my self volunteering in the hospital due to Hippa Violations. Please see attached my certificate of 100 hours of completion for volunteer work at SIUH.

I have always felt driven to help others, whether it is getting a friend through a difficult situation or comforting an ailing family member. I finally made that drive into a definite career goal: becoming a nurse who combines medical knowledge with compassion. Nursing gives me the opportunity to do what is most important to me—care for people at their most vulnerable and really make a difference in their lives. To prepare myself for this profession, I have worked to gain both my academic background and my experience in healthcare environments. One notable experience was volunteering at Staten Island University Hospital, where I worked alongside staff and assisted guests. Though my contribution was small, I observed how every task, no matter how small, was a component of patient care. That experience solidified my belief that teamwork, patience, and compassion are just as valuable in healthcare as clinical skill. My dream is to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and start my career in a hospital setting, where I can continue to learn and grow as a professional. In the future, I intend to further my education so that I can become a nurse practitioner specializing in preventative and acute care to disadvantaged communities. I believe that widening the access to healthcare and educating patients can make a lasting difference, not just to individuals, but to families and communities as well. This scholarship would be a huge help in doing so. Nursing school requires a deep commitment of time, energy, and financial resources. Between tuition, textbooks, clinical supplies, and transportation to rotations, the costs add up quickly. Receiving this scholarship would ease that financial strain, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and hands-on training. It would also give me the capacity to carry on with volunteer work and community service, a requirement that I think is necessary to my growth as a compassionate and capable nurse. Aside from the financial support, this scholarship would be a validation of my commitment. To realize that others believe in me enough to see a future of success would motivate me to fight through the challenges of nursing school and remain committed to my long-term vision. With every technique I learn and every patient encounter, I will be forging a career of service, advocacy, and provision of excellence in care. In the end, nursing isn't merely a profession to me—it's a promise to stand with people when they need me to most. Through the assistance of this scholarship, I will be able to press on towards fulfilling that promise, infusing my dedication to caring for others into a career that balances excellence and compassion.

I never imagined when I first met Mr. Lance Gailyard in my sophomore English Honors class that he would be one of the individuals who had the greatest influence on my high school experience. His room was not four walls and chairs to me—it was a sanctuary. It was the only room in the building where I knew I could speak my mind freely without fear of judgment. His listening was distinctive. He did not just hear a response to a question—he listened for the person who had given it. Even after sophomore year had come to a close, I would find myself going naturally back to that room, not out of duty, but out of choice. By junior year, I was in the habit of attending. Everyday at lunch, I snuck into the back of his African American Lit class. I wasn't included on the list, but you'd never have guessed from his tone when he addressed me. The moment I sat down, I was a student to him. He'd call on me in class, ask me to read, and push me to get beyond the surface of what I read. "Don't just tell me what you see," he'd say. "Say what you mean—and why it matters to you." That humble gauntlet changed the way I approached not only literature, but life itself. Some of my favorite memories aren't of moments where I was talking, but where I simply sat back and watched him teach. His energy was always present but intense, and he had a way of making every student feel like what they were saying was important. He didn’t teach literature as if it lived in a textbook; he taught it as if it lived in us. When the class read works by James Baldwin or Toni Morrison, he didn’t just ask us to understand the plot—he asked us to connect the characters’ struggles and triumphs to the world outside our school, to our own lives. Being in that classroom at lunchtime showed me that learning isn't confined to the time that you have—it's something you can do and create for yourself. I wasn't there for credit or grade; I was there because learning within that room felt applicable. It made me question, made me want to question, and made me feel like my voice was included in the conversation. Mr. Gailyard's influence extends far beyond the classroom. He has taught me the importance of making space for others, listening with intention, and speaking with purpose. Due to him, I am braver when I am up against something, more certain of the power that one voice can wield. I know my voice counts, and I no longer doubt making it heard. I've barely even taken his senior-year class yet, but what I've learned from him so far is part of me. And I know it will stay with me—defining how I think, how I listen, and how I communicate—long after high school.

I've always believed that one of the most effective ways to transform the world is through compassion — not so much in its grand large actions, but in the everyday acts of kindness that have the potential to redirect the path of a life. It's that belief that drives my passion to become a nurse. I want to be the one who shows up in people's darkest moment and makes them feel secure, heard, and human. My goal is to become a registered nurse and, ultimately, a nurse practitioner so that I can work with underserved populations and provide everyone with the care they need. I was raised seeing firsthand how unequal access to healthcare affected the people around me. Whether due to language, financial concerns, or fear of the system, many did not seek care in a timely fashion and suffered as a result. That reality pushed me to pursue a career where I could strive to eliminate those disparities and be an advocate for patients who are too often overlooked. As a nurse, I want to be the one who will listen without prejudice and treat every patient with dignity, regardless of their background. Volunteering at Staten Island University Hospital showed me what that kind of effect can be like on a daily basis. Even though I wasn't delivering treatment, I saw how small things — giving instructions, checking on someone, or just being present — could reduce an individual's anxiety or terror. I saw how the nurses mixed clinical skill with compassion and firmness, and I recognized that's what I wished to do. That experience not only reinforced my career choice — it helped me more fully grasp the mission and obligation that goes with it. Beyond the hospital, I'm going to put what I've learned into action by creating healthier, stronger communities. I want to practice in low-income neighborhoods, where access to affordable, quality healthcare is limited. I would want to be a familiar and friendly face for the families who could otherwise feel ignored or pushed aside by the system. My long-term plan is to establish a community health clinic that provides physical and mental healthcare regardless of a person's ability to pay. My dream is to have a facility where people feel safe, cared for, respected, and supported so that they can become empowered to take control of their health. Nursing is not just a hospital job. It is being a pillar of strength when one is weak, tranquility when one is tense, and hope when one has lost it. It is being someone who is going to be there — not just for the good times, but the bad ones too. With every patient I heal, every family I comfort, and every life I touch, I want to leave the world a little kinder, a little more human, and a little more healed.