One Olivia Rodrigo lyric that has stayed with me is from “making the bed”: “I’m so tired of being the girl that I am.” While the song is about a different kind of struggle than mine, the idea of feeling frustrated with parts of yourself that you cannot simply change is something I understand. Growing up with several rare conditions has sometimes made me feel different from the people around me. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, cold urticaria, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, and ADHD. Some of these conditions affect me physically, while ADHD can make school and staying focused more challenging. There are times when I wish my body and brain would just cooperate and make things easier. It can be frustrating to explain something that other people cannot see or understand. At the same time, I have learned that being different is not necessarily a disadvantage. Some of the things that have made my life more complicated have also shaped the way I think. I am extremely curious about how things work, especially science and the human body. I have taken advanced science classes, participated in HOSA, and become interested in healthcare partly because of my own experiences. I know what it feels like to have questions about your body and not always get simple answers. That has made me want to understand those questions instead of being defined by them. My journey has also had its triumphs. I have challenged myself academically, earned strong grades and academic recognition, and participated in activities outside of school. Now I am preparing to attend Texas State University and take another step toward becoming independent. I am proud of that because my disabilities have never been the only story about me. The biggest thing I have learned is that I cannot choose everything about the hand I was dealt, but I can choose what I do with it. Independence, to me, means accepting the things I cannot change while taking responsibility for the things I can. It means advocating for myself, asking for help when I need it, and continuing to move toward the future I want. The lyric resonates with me because sometimes I have been frustrated by the person my circumstances have forced me to be. But I am learning that I do not have to stay frustrated. I can learn from those experiences, use them to understand myself better, and decide who I want to become. My challenges are part of my story, but they are not the ending.

I love math because there is always a reason something works. You cannot just guess your way to the right answer. There is a process, and if I understand that process, I can solve the problem. I have always been fascinated by patterns and by figuring out how things work. That is one reason I have enjoyed taking advanced math and science classes in high school. I like problems that make me stop and think instead of questions where I can simply memorize an answer. Math gives me the chance to take something complicated, break it into smaller pieces, and eventually make it make sense. I also like that math is predictable. There is something satisfying about working through a difficult problem and knowing that there is a correct answer waiting at the end. I can try different approaches, make a mistake, figure out where I went wrong, and try again. When I finally get it, I know I earned the answer. Math has taught me that struggling with a problem does not mean I am bad at it. Sometimes it just means I have not found the right way to look at it yet. My interest in math also connects to my interest in healthcare and science. The more I learn, the more I see how much math is behind the things I find interesting. Doctors and researchers use statistics to understand diseases and determine whether treatments work. Math is used to calculate medication dosages, analyze lab results, study patterns in symptoms, and interpret research. I like the idea that something as straightforward as numbers can help explain something as complicated as the human body. What I probably love most about math is that it gives me a way to make sense of things. I have grown up with several rare conditions that have made me curious about why my body does things differently. Sometimes there are no simple answers. Math reminds me that even complicated problems can be approached one step at a time. To me, math is more than getting the right answer on a test. It is learning how to think, question, recognize patterns, solve problems, and keep going when the answer is not obvious. Those are skills I want to carry with me far beyond the classroom.

I have grown up navigating a body that often behaves in ways I cannot easily explain, from chronic pain and temperature sensitivity to conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Raynaud’s, and erythromelalgia. These experiences have made me pay close attention to how the body works and how differently it can function from person to person. Over time, what began as personal curiosity has developed into a strong interest in healthcare, where I hope to use my experiences and scientific curiosity to better understand the human body and help others feel seen and supported in their own medical journeys. I have always been fascinated by science and by figuring out how things work. In high school, I chose advanced science classes because I wanted to understand the reasons behind what I was learning, not just memorize facts for a test. My interest became even more personal as I grew up with several rare conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, cold urticaria, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, and ADHD. Having experiences that doctors and other people do not always immediately understand has made me curious about the human body and interested in healthcare. My plan for the future is to attend Texas State University, continue my education in a healthcare- related field, and eventually build a career where I can use science and problem-solving to help people. HOSA has given me an opportunity to explore healthcare, and my own experiences have shown me how important it is to have healthcare professionals who listen, ask questions, and look at the whole person. I also want my future career to give me independence. I am looking forward to being responsible for my own education, making decisions about my future, and eventually supporting myself through a career I care about. My disabilities have taught me that independence does not mean never needing help. It means knowing what I need, advocating for myself, and finding a way forward when something does not go as planned. Getting to college is an important part of that plan. I have worked hard in high school, challenged myself academically, participated in HOSA, National Honor Society, band, and other activities, and earned academic recognition along the way. I want to take that same work ethic with me to college. This scholarship would help me make that transition with less financial pressure. College comes with expenses beyond tuition, including books, supplies, housing, and other costs. Scholarship support would allow me to focus more of my time and energy on learning and preparing for my career rather than worrying about how every expense will be paid. I do not know exactly where my career will take me yet, but I know what I want it to be built on: science, curiosity, helping people, and independence. I have spent years asking, “Why does my body do that?” Now I want to spend my future learning enough to help answer questions like that for other people.

“Look mom, they say you can’t lick your elbow but I can.” When I was little, I thought that was just a funny thing that made me different. I did not know that my extreme flexibility was connected to a rare condition or that I would eventually learn I had several other uncommon conditions too. Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, cold urticaria, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, and ADHD has meant learning early that my body and brain do not always work the way other people’s do. It has also made me curious about why my body works differently. I have always been fascinated by science and understanding how things work. That curiosity is a big reason I chose to take advanced science classes throughout high school. I enjoy learning the reasons behind things instead of just memorizing an answer. My own experiences with rare conditions have made that interest even stronger. I have spent a lot of time trying to understand what is happening in my own body, and that has made me want to understand the human body and healthcare on a much deeper level. My educational goal is to earn a college degree and build a career in healthcare. My interest in healthcare has grown through experiences such as HOSA, where I became interested in how the human body works and how healthcare professionals help people through problems they cannot solve on their own. Having my own medical experiences has also given me a different perspective. I know what it feels like to have symptoms that other people may not understand and to have to explain something that is not obvious just by looking at me. I want to use my education to help people feel understood and supported. School has not always been easy. Having multiple disabilities has meant dealing with physical limitations, unpredictable symptoms, and the challenges that come with ADHD while trying to keep up academically and participate in activities. There have been times when I have had to work harder to stay focused, manage my energy, or figure out how to do something differently. I have learned to advocate for myself instead of letting other people decide what I can or cannot do. I have still pushed myself academically and taken advantage of opportunities outside the classroom. I have been involved in HOSA, National Honor Society, band, and other activities while maintaining strong grades and earning academic recognition. I am proud of those accomplishments because they show me that my disabilities are only one part of who I am. To me, independence means being responsible for my own life. It does not mean never needing help. It means knowing myself well enough to recognize when I need help, knowing how to ask for it, and still being able to make my own decisions. College will be an important step toward that independence. It will give me the education and career skills to support myself while also teaching me how to manage responsibilities, advocate for myself, and solve problems on my own. I cannot control every challenge my disabilities may create, but I can control how I respond to them. I started out as the kid who could lick his elbow. Now I want to be the person who understands what makes me different, keeps asking why, and uses that curiosity to help others.

When I think about the impact I want to make, I do not think about changing the entire world overnight. I think about changing the world one person at a time. Throughout my life, I have learned that some of the most meaningful moments happen quietly, when someone feels heard, understood, or supported during a difficult time. Those are the moments I hope to create throughout my career. Living with several chronic and rare medical conditions has shaped the way I see healthcare. I have spent much of my life as a patient, navigating doctor’s appointments, treatments, and diagnoses that many people have never heard of. I know what it feels like to live with illnesses that are invisible to everyone else and to wonder whether someone truly understands what you are experiencing. Watching my mom go through breast cancer treatment gave me another perspective, showing me not only what patients endure, but what families experience alongside them. Those experiences inspired me to pursue nursing. I plan to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, become a registered nurse, and eventually become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. While I am fascinated by the science behind medicine, what motivates me most is the opportunity to care for people when they are vulnerable and afraid. I want patients to leave my care feeling that someone genuinely listened to them and treated them with dignity. I also hope to advocate for people with chronic and invisible illnesses. Too often, these patients spend years searching for answers or feel dismissed because their symptoms cannot easily be seen. I understand that frustration personally, and I want to help create a healthcare environment where every patient feels believed, respected, and included in decisions about their care. Even if I improve the experience of one patient each day, those small moments will add up over the course of a career. Education is the tool that will allow me to turn that vision into reality. College will give me the scientific knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking necessary to provide excellent care, but it will also prepare me to become a leader within healthcare. I hope to continue mentoring younger students, volunteering in my community, and encouraging others who may doubt their own abilities, just as I have done by tutoring classmates throughout high school. The people who inspire me most are not celebrities or public figures. They are the nurses who patiently answered my questions, the healthcare professionals who treated my mom with compassion, my parents who taught me the importance of perseverance, and the teachers who encouraged my curiosity even when life outside the classroom was complicated. They showed me that lasting impact is created through consistency, kindness, and a genuine commitment to serving others. My vision for the future is simple. I want to build a career defined by compassion, integrity, and lifelong learning. I want to use my education not only to provide excellent medical care, but also to give hope to people during some of the hardest days of their lives. If I can leave my community healthier, more compassionate, and better supported than I found it, then I will know I have made the kind of impact that truly matters.

One of my greatest accomplishments was earning a 1500 on my SAT while managing multiple chronic illnesses that affect nearly every aspect of my daily life. While a test score may seem small compared to some life challenges, for me it represented years of persistence, adaptation, and determination in the face of obstacles that many people never see. I live with several chronic and rare medical conditions, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s phenomenon, cold urticaria, ADHD, and dysgraphia. These conditions create challenges ranging from chronic pain and fatigue to difficulty regulating body temperature and maintaining focus. There were days when my hands hurt from writing, when fatigue made concentrating difficult, or when symptoms made it hard to participate in activities that many of my peers took for granted. As the SAT approached, I knew I would need more than intelligence or hard work alone to succeed. I needed a strategy. Rather than studying for long periods that would leave me exhausted, I broke preparation into smaller, manageable sessions. I focused on consistency instead of intensity. I used practice tests to identify weaknesses and then created specific plans to improve them. For example, if I missed a certain type of math problem repeatedly, I concentrated on mastering that concept before moving on. Time management also became essential. Between school, volunteering, tutoring other students, managing medical appointments, and dealing with daily symptoms, I had to use my time carefully. I relied on calendars, reminders, and structured routines to stay organized. Instead of becoming discouraged by setbacks, I learned to adjust my plans when symptoms interfered with my schedule. Perhaps the most important skill I developed was resilience. Living with chronic illness taught me that success rarely comes from having perfect circumstances. It comes from continuing to move forward even when circumstances are difficult. There were days when I did not feel my best, but I learned to focus on what I could control rather than what I could not. When I received my score of 1500 on my first attempt, I felt proud not simply because of the number itself, but because of what it represented. It was proof that my challenges did not define my potential. The score reflected years of learning how to adapt, persevere, and remain committed to my goals despite obstacles. This experience taught me lessons that extend far beyond academics. I learned that preparation, discipline, and flexibility are often more important than natural ability. I learned that setbacks do not have to become barriers. Most importantly, I learned that resilience is not about ignoring difficulties. It is about acknowledging them while continuing to move forward. These lessons will continue to guide me as I pursue a nursing career. Healthcare is a demanding field that requires perseverance, adaptability, and compassion. My experiences have prepared me not only to overcome challenges myself, but also to understand and support others as they work through their own.

Being part of the disabled community has changed the way I see people, healthcare, success, and even myself. Living with chronic and largely invisible conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, cold urticaria, ADHD, and dysgraphia has taught me that many of the struggles people face are not immediately visible from the outside. Because of this, I have learned to approach others with more empathy, patience, and understanding rather than making assumptions based only on appearances. One of the biggest ways disability shaped my perspective is by teaching me how much effort can go into things that other people may see as simple. Something as ordinary as walking across campus, regulating body temperature, concentrating during fatigue, or participating in physical activities can require constant planning and adaptation. Living this way helped me recognize how often society is designed around assumptions of what people “should” be able to do physically, mentally, or socially. It made me more aware of how important accessibility, flexibility, and inclusion truly are. Being part of the disabled community also changed the way I define strength and success. Growing up, I sometimes compared myself to people who seemed able to do everything easily while I had to carefully manage pain, exhaustion, and physical limitations. Over time, I realized that resilience is not about pretending challenges do not exist. It is about continuing forward while adapting to them. Success does not always look perfect or effortless. Sometimes it looks like persistence, problem-solving, and learning how to keep going even when circumstances are difficult. Another major impact has been the way my experiences shaped my understanding of healthcare. As someone with multiple invisible illnesses, I know how frustrating it can feel when symptoms are dismissed or misunderstood. I have experienced situations where people assumed I was fine simply because they could not physically see what I was dealing with. At the same time, I have also experienced healthcare professionals who listened carefully, validated concerns, and treated me with compassion. Those interactions showed me how powerful empathy can be in medical settings and heavily influenced my decision to pursue nursing. In nursing, technical knowledge is essential, but so is the ability to make patients feel heard and respected. My experiences taught me how meaningful small acts of patience and compassion can be when someone feels vulnerable or overwhelmed. I especially hope to advocate for patients with chronic or invisible illnesses who may struggle to feel understood within the healthcare system. Beyond healthcare, being part of the disabled community taught me adaptability and creative problem-solving. Managing my conditions while maintaining strong academics, volunteering, tutoring, and pursuing leadership opportunities required organization, resilience, and flexibility. Those skills will continue helping me in college, my future career, and any challenges I face moving forward. Perhaps most importantly, disability taught me the value of community and acceptance. I found friendships with people who understood what it felt like to be different in some way, whether physically, socially, or emotionally. Those relationships reminded me how important it is to create environments where people feel safe being themselves without fear of judgment. Although living with chronic illness has been challenging, it has also given me perspective, empathy, and determination that I would not otherwise have. It shaped not only the career I want to pursue, but also the kind of person I hope to be. In the future, I plan to use my experiences to advocate for others, improve patient care, and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world.

One of the most meaningful times I helped someone in need was through tutoring a classmate who was struggling in both math and science during junior year. At first, he only asked me a few questions before a test, but it quickly became obvious that he was overwhelmed and falling behind in several classes. He was intelligent, but he lacked confidence and had reached the point where he believed he simply “wasn’t good” at those subjects. I understood that feeling because I know how discouraging school can become when stress and self-doubt start building on each other. We began meeting regularly during lunch periods and after school. Instead of just giving answers, I tried to break concepts down into smaller steps and explain them in ways that felt less intimidating. Sometimes we would spend an entire session working through one type of problem until it finally clicked. I also tried to make the environment less stressful by joking around and reminding him that struggling with something did not mean he was incapable of learning it. As time went on, I noticed his attitude beginning to change. He started asking more questions, participating more in class, and approaching assignments with less anxiety. Eventually, his grades improved significantly, but what stood out to me most was the confidence he gained. One day after a test, he told me that for the first time in a long while, he walked into class believing he could actually succeed instead of expecting failure. That experience affected me more than I expected. At first, I thought I was simply helping someone academically, but I realized I was also helping rebuild confidence and reduce the stress that had been holding him back. It taught me that helping people is not always about solving huge problems. Sometimes it is about giving someone patience, encouragement, and support when they feel incapable or overwhelmed. The experience also strengthened qualities that I know will be important in my future career. Living with chronic illnesses myself, I understand how isolating it can feel when people do not fully understand what you are dealing with. Because of that, I try to approach people with patience instead of judgment. Tutoring showed me how important listening and empathy are, especially when someone is struggling quietly. Most importantly, the experience reinforced my desire to pursue nursing. I realized how much I value helping people overcome challenges and how rewarding it feels to support someone during difficult moments. Whether in academics or healthcare, people often need more than technical help. They need someone who believes in them, listens carefully, and reminds them they are capable of getting through hard situations. That is the kind of person I hope to continue being throughout my life and future career.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because it combines the two things that have shaped me most as a person: a deep curiosity about science and a strong desire to help people in meaningful ways. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by medicine, the human body, and how different systems work together. As a child, I spent more time memorizing science facts, learning the periodic table song, and watching videos about biology and space than following trends or social media. Over time, that curiosity grew into a genuine passion for healthcare. What truly inspired me to pursue nursing, however, was my personal experience with illness and the healthcare system. Growing up, I was diagnosed with several chronic and rare medical conditions, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, and cold urticaria. Managing these conditions meant spending a large part of my life in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. At a young age, I learned what it felt like to navigate pain, uncertainty, and the frustration of living with illnesses that many people could not physically see or fully understand. Those experiences allowed me to observe healthcare professionals very closely, especially nurses. I noticed that while doctors often focused on diagnosis and treatment plans, nurses were usually the people who spent the most time with patients. They were the ones who explained procedures, answered questions, noticed when someone was anxious, and made difficult situations feel less overwhelming. Some nurses made a lasting impact on me simply because they treated me with patience and compassion instead of dismissing my concerns or rushing through conversations. Another major influence was watching my mom go through breast cancer treatment. Seeing someone I love experience fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty changed the way I viewed healthcare entirely. During that time, I saw firsthand how much a compassionate nurse could affect not only a patient, but an entire family. Some healthcare workers helped my mom feel safe, informed, and supported during incredibly difficult moments. Others felt emotionally distant, and the contrast stayed with me. It made me realize that technical skill is essential in healthcare, but empathy and human connection are equally important. These experiences inspired me to become the kind of nurse who combines medical knowledge with compassion and patient advocacy. I want to help people feel heard and supported, especially patients with chronic or invisible illnesses who may struggle to feel understood. My long-term goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist because I am fascinated by the science and precision involved in anesthesia while still being able to care for patients during vulnerable moments in their lives. In addition to my personal experiences, tutoring classmates and volunteering in my community reinforced my desire to work in a helping profession. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy supporting people, whether academically, emotionally, or medically. Helping others build confidence and overcome challenges has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life so far. Ultimately, nursing feels like the place where my experiences, interests, and values all come together. It is not simply a career path for me. It is a way to use my knowledge, empathy, and resilience to positively impact the lives of others. I found out about this scholarship through Bold.org.

My primary goal is to become a registered nurse and eventually continue my education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I chose this path because it combines my passion for science, problem-solving, and patient care while allowing me to make a direct impact on people during vulnerable moments in their lives. My long-term objective is to work in critical care and anesthesia while also advocating for patients with chronic and invisible illnesses who often feel misunderstood within the healthcare system. To achieve this goal, my first step is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). During college, I plan to focus heavily on academics, clinical experience, and involvement in healthcare-related organizations. Maintaining a strong GPA is extremely important because CRNA programs are highly competitive. I also plan to continue developing leadership and communication skills through volunteer work, tutoring, and healthcare organizations such as HOSA or nursing student associations. Financially, earning my BSN will require careful planning. My estimated yearly expenses include tuition and fees, housing, textbooks, transportation, meals, supplies, and healthcare costs related to managing my chronic medical conditions. Depending on the university, I estimate total yearly costs could range from $25,000 to $35,000 before scholarships or aid. My plan is to reduce this financial burden through scholarships, grants, and part-time work that can fit around my academic schedule. Receiving scholarships is especially important because it would allow me to spend more time focusing on coursework, clinical training, and studying rather than balancing excessive work hours. I also plan to use campus resources such as academic advising, tutoring centers, disability accommodations, career counseling, and networking opportunities with professors and healthcare professionals. Because I manage conditions including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, and ADHD, having access to accommodations and healthcare support will be important for maintaining both academic success and personal well-being throughout college. After completing my BSN and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, my next step will be gaining experience as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit or other high-acuity setting. Most CRNA programs require at least one to two years of critical care experience, although many accepted students have more. During this period, I plan to strengthen my clinical skills, save money for graduate school expenses, and continue building professional relationships within healthcare. My long-term educational goal is to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program. These programs can cost well over $100,000, so financial planning will continue to be important. My strategy includes applying for additional scholarships, employer tuition assistance programs, federal financial aid, and potentially loan repayment programs connected to healthcare service. I understand that not every step of this plan will happen perfectly or exactly on schedule. Managing chronic health conditions while pursuing a rigorous healthcare career will require flexibility, discipline, and strong support systems. Because of that, I have also considered alternative paths within nursing that would still allow me to work in patient care if circumstances change. However, my overall commitment to healthcare remains the same regardless of the specific route. The most important resource I will need throughout this journey is persistence. My experiences have already taught me how to adapt to challenges, manage responsibilities carefully, and continue working toward goals despite obstacles. Through education, financial planning, mentorship, and determination, I plan to build a career that allows me to serve others, advocate for patients, and make a meaningful impact within healthcare and my community.

Faith plays an important role in my life because it gives me perspective, stability, and hope during difficult situations. While I do not believe faith removes challenges or guarantees an easy path, I do believe it shapes how people respond to hardship, treat others, and continue moving forward when life feels uncertain. Through personal health struggles, academic pressure, and watching my mom battle breast cancer, my faith has helped me develop resilience and a deeper appreciation for compassion, perseverance, and purpose. Living with several chronic medical conditions has required me to adapt from a young age. Managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, cold urticaria, ADHD, and dysgraphia has affected many aspects of my daily life, from school routines to extracurricular activities. There were times when I felt frustrated by physical limitations or discouraged by the unpredictability of my conditions. During those moments, faith helped me focus less on what I could not control and more on continuing to grow through the circumstances I faced. It reminded me that challenges can shape character, strengthen empathy, and create opportunities to help others. My mom’s battle with breast cancer also strengthened my understanding of faith. Watching someone you love face uncertainty changes the way you think about life. Throughout her treatment, our family relied heavily on hope, prayer, and the support of others around us. What impacted me most was not just the difficulty of the experience, but the way my mom continued showing strength, humor, and care for our family even while going through treatment herself. That experience taught me that faith is often reflected through perseverance and the ability to continue supporting others during hard times. Faith has also influenced the way I approach my academic and future goals. I believe the abilities and opportunities we are given should be used to serve and support other people. That mindset is a large part of why I want to pursue nursing. Through both my own medical experiences and my mom’s illness, I saw how much healthcare professionals can impact people during vulnerable moments. Some nurses and doctors made difficult situations feel less frightening simply through patience, kindness, and empathy. Those interactions inspired me to pursue a career where I can combine scientific knowledge with compassion and service. Academically, faith has encouraged me to stay disciplined and persistent even when balancing school with health challenges was difficult. It gave me motivation to continue working toward my goals despite setbacks and reminded me that growth often happens through perseverance rather than comfort. That mindset helped me maintain strong academic performance, earn a 1500 on my first SAT attempt, and stay involved in volunteering, tutoring, HOSA, and National Honor Society while managing responsibilities outside of school. In addition to faith, several people have pushed me to pursue higher education. My parents have had the greatest influence. They always encouraged curiosity, education, and hard work, while also reminding me that success should be measured by character and contribution rather than achievements alone. My mom especially encouraged me to pursue ambitious goals despite my health conditions and never allowed me to believe my challenges defined my future. Teachers, mentors, and healthcare professionals also influenced me significantly. Certain teachers recognized my curiosity and pushed me academically, while compassionate nurses showed me the kind of healthcare professional I hope to become one day. My experiences tutoring classmates and volunteering in my community further reinforced my desire to continue learning so I can use my education to positively impact others. Ultimately, faith has shaped not only how I approach hardship, but also how I view my purpose and future. It has taught me resilience, gratitude, compassion, and the importance of serving others. As I pursue higher education and a career in nursing, I hope to use both my education and my experiences to improve the lives of people who may feel vulnerable, unheard, or overlooked.

Mental health is important to me because I have seen firsthand how deeply it affects every part of a person’s life, including academic performance, physical health, relationships, and self-confidence. As a student, I understand how easy it is for people to feel overwhelmed by pressure, expectations, and challenges that others may not fully see or understand. I also know that many students struggle silently because they fear being judged, misunderstood, or seen as weak if they speak openly about what they are experiencing. Living with several chronic and invisible medical conditions has made me especially aware of the connection between physical and mental health. Managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, Raynaud’s, ADHD, and other conditions requires constant adjustment and can be mentally exhausting at times. There were moments when I felt isolated because my struggles were not visible to other people. Watching my mom go through breast cancer treatment also showed me how emotionally draining health challenges can be for both individuals and families. Those experiences taught me that mental health deserves the same seriousness, compassion, and support as physical health. As a student, I believe mental health is essential because learning becomes much harder when someone feels anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsupported. Students are often expected to balance academics, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, social pressures, and future goals all at once. In today’s environment, there is also constant comparison through social media and pressure to appear successful or perfectly put together. Because of that, many students feel like they cannot admit when they are struggling. I try to advocate for mental health in my community by creating spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment. One of the main ways I do this is through tutoring and supporting classmates academically. Often, students who struggle in school are not lacking intelligence. They are stressed, discouraged, or afraid of failing. I try to be patient and encouraging while helping others understand difficult material because I know how much confidence can affect someone’s mental well-being. Sometimes simply having someone believe in you makes a significant difference. I also try to support my friends emotionally by listening without immediately judging or dismissing their feelings. My friend group includes people with different personalities, struggles, and challenges, and one thing I value most is that we allow each other to be authentic. I think inclusion and acceptance play a major role in mental health because people need environments where they feel safe being themselves. In addition, my experiences with healthcare taught me the importance of empathy and paying attention to struggles that may not be obvious. Because many of my own conditions are invisible, I learned not to assume that someone is doing fine simply because they appear okay outwardly. That perspective has made me more compassionate toward others and more aware of how important kindness and patience can be. In the future, I hope to continue advocating for mental health through nursing. Healthcare professionals are often in positions where patients feel vulnerable, scared, or emotionally overwhelmed, and I want to be someone who helps people feel heard and supported during those moments. I believe mental health should never be treated as an afterthought because emotional well-being affects every part of a person’s life. Through compassion, listening, and creating supportive environments, I hope to continue making a positive impact on the people around me both now and throughout my future career.

Service, to me, is not defined by recognition or large accomplishments. It is reflected in consistency, empathy, and the willingness to help others even in small ways. I believe a life of service means using your abilities, experiences, and education to improve the lives of the people around you. Throughout my life, I have tried to embody that mindset through volunteering, tutoring, leadership activities, and the way I support others in my everyday interactions. One of the most meaningful ways I have served others has been through tutoring classmates in math and science. I began helping peers in junior high and continued throughout high school. What started as casually helping friends before tests eventually became regular study sessions where I guided students through difficult concepts and encouraged classmates who lacked confidence in themselves academically. Many students were afraid to ask questions in class because they worried about being judged or appearing unintelligent. I understood that feeling, so I tried to create an environment where people felt comfortable learning and making mistakes. Tutoring taught me that service is not always dramatic or public. Sometimes it is simply taking the time to help someone who is struggling and reminding them they are capable of succeeding. Watching classmates improve academically and gain confidence was incredibly rewarding, and it strengthened my desire to pursue a career focused on helping others. I have also served my community through volunteering with Austin Allies since middle school. Through this organization, I helped sort donations, assemble care kits, support community events, and assist families in need. These experiences taught me the importance of reliability and consistency in service. Communities are strengthened when people continue showing up to help, even in ways that may seem small individually. In addition, I participated in organizations such as National Honor Society and HOSA, where I was able to combine leadership, academics, and service. HOSA especially reinforced my passion for healthcare and allowed me to learn more about the responsibility healthcare professionals have to their communities. My personal experiences with chronic illness and my mom’s battle with breast cancer also shaped my understanding of service. Living with conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, erythromelalgia, and Raynaud’s gave me firsthand experience navigating healthcare systems and managing invisible struggles. Watching compassionate nurses care for both my mom and me showed me how meaningful empathy can be during difficult moments. Those experiences inspired me to pursue nursing because I want to provide that same sense of support and understanding to others. Through my education, I hope to continue serving others by becoming a registered nurse and eventually a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I want to combine scientific knowledge with compassion to care for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I especially hope to advocate for people with chronic or invisible illnesses who may feel unheard or misunderstood within the healthcare system. Beyond direct patient care, I also hope to continue mentoring students, volunteering within my community, and promoting greater understanding of chronic illnesses and patient advocacy. My education will give me the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference medically, but my experiences have already taught me the importance of listening, empathy, and human connection. Ultimately, I believe a life of service is about making people feel supported, respected, and valued. Whether through healthcare, mentorship, or community involvement, I hope to continue using my experiences and education to positively impact the lives of others throughout my future career and beyond.

I believe being a positive force in society is less about recognition and more about the impact you have on the people around you through consistency, empathy, and service. Right now, I try to contribute positively through the ways I support others academically, emotionally, and within my community. In the future, I hope to expand that impact through a career in nursing, where I can combine scientific knowledge with compassion to help people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. One of the ways I currently try to make a positive impact is through tutoring classmates in math and science. Many students struggle silently because they are afraid to ask questions or worry they will appear unintelligent. I understand what it feels like to doubt yourself or feel different from others, especially while managing invisible health conditions. Because of that, I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable learning without judgment. Helping classmates gain confidence and succeed academically has shown me how much small acts of support can influence someone’s self-esteem and motivation. I have also worked to positively contribute through volunteering with Austin Allies and participating in organizations such as HOSA and National Honor Society. These experiences taught me that strong communities depend on people being willing to help consistently, even when the work seems small or unnoticed. Whether organizing donations, helping families in need, or participating in service projects, I learned that positive change often happens gradually through collective effort. My experiences with chronic illness and my mom’s battle with breast cancer also shaped the way I think about my role in society. Living with invisible medical conditions taught me that many people carry struggles others cannot immediately see. Current social norms often encourage people to appear strong, independent, and constantly productive, which can unintentionally make people feel pressured to hide pain or vulnerability. Because of this, I think empathy and understanding are more important than ever. I try to approach people without immediately judging their behavior or assuming I know what they are experiencing. At the same time, modern society places significant value on achievement, competition, and public success. While ambition can be positive, I think it is equally important to value kindness, patience, and emotional intelligence. Some of the people who have impacted my life most were not famous or publicly celebrated. They were teachers who showed patience, nurses who listened carefully, friends who created spaces where people felt accepted, and family members who continued supporting others despite their own struggles. Those experiences shaped my belief that being a positive force often comes through ordinary interactions that make people feel respected and valued. In the future, I hope to continue this mindset through nursing. My goal is not only to provide excellent medical care, but also to advocate for patients who may feel unheard, especially those with chronic or invisible illnesses. I want patients to feel genuinely supported during difficult moments because I understand firsthand how meaningful compassion can be in healthcare settings. Ultimately, I believe society becomes stronger when people use their experiences, knowledge, and empathy to help others rather than focusing only on personal success. My experiences taught me resilience and compassion, and I hope to continue using those qualities to positively impact the people and communities around me throughout my life and career.

If you asked my friends to describe me, they would probably mention three things almost immediately: I always have a random science fact ready, I ask too many questions about how things work, and I somehow manage to make even serious conversations slightly chaotic with humor. Curiosity has always been one of the strongest parts of my personality. As a kid, while other people memorized song lyrics or focused on video games, I was memorizing the periodic table song, watching videos about space and medicine, and teaching myself basic coding just because I wanted to understand how things functioned. That curiosity eventually became the foundation for my academic goals and my dream of pursuing a career in nursing. My educational journey has not followed a perfectly straight path. Alongside academics, I have spent much of my life managing chronic and rare medical conditions, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Raynaud’s, erythromelalgia, cold urticaria, ADHD, and dysgraphia. These conditions affect my daily life in ways most people do not immediately see. Managing pain, fatigue, circulation issues, and physical limitations while balancing school responsibilities has required adaptability and discipline from a young age. There were moments when I felt frustrated by the things my body would not allow me to do. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually could not continue marching band because of the physical strain it placed on my body. At times, I worried that my limitations would define me. Instead, they pushed me to develop different strengths. I became more resilient, organized, empathetic, and determined to succeed despite obstacles that were often invisible to others. Another major part of my personal journey was watching my mom battle breast cancer. Seeing someone I love go through treatment changed the way I view strength and healthcare. I witnessed firsthand how much compassion from nurses and medical professionals can affect not only patients, but entire families. Some healthcare workers made difficult situations feel manageable simply through kindness, patience, and the ability to truly listen. Those experiences played a major role in solidifying my decision to pursue nursing. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to connect with and support others. I discovered this through tutoring classmates in math and science throughout junior high and high school. What started as casually helping friends turned into regular study sessions where I guided students through difficult concepts and encouraged classmates who doubted their abilities. I realized I genuinely enjoy helping people feel more confident and capable. That experience strengthened my communication skills and reinforced my desire to work in a career centered around helping others. I have also remained committed to service and leadership through volunteering with Austin Allies since middle school, participating in National Honor Society and HOSA, and helping with community projects. These experiences taught me the importance of consistency, reliability, and giving back even in small ways. Of course, I also have weaknesses. I can be overly hard on myself academically because I set very high standards for what I want to achieve. Looking toward the future, I hope to become a registered nurse and eventually a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I want to combine advanced medical knowledge with compassion and patient advocacy, especially for people with chronic or invisible illnesses who may feel misunderstood. Long term, I hope to continue mentoring younger students, volunteering within my community, and contributing to healthcare in ways that improve both patient experiences and outcomes. This scholarship would help make those goals possible by reducing financial stress and allowing me to focus fully on my education and clinical training. More importantly, it would represent an investment in the kind of healthcare professional and community member I hope to become. My goal is not only to build a successful career, but to use my experiences, education, and empathy to positively impact the lives of others. I want to contribute to a world where people feel heard, supported, and cared for, especially during the moments when they need it most.

One of the moments that solidified my decision to pursue a career in healthcare happened during my mom’s treatment for breast cancer. My family had already spent months dealing with appointments, medications, uncertainty, and exhaustion. I had also spent much of my own life navigating chronic illnesses, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Raynaud’s, erythromelalgia, and cold urticaria. Because of that, hospitals and medical offices had always been familiar places to me, but this experience allowed me to see healthcare from an entirely different perspective. During one particularly difficult oncology appointment, my mom was physically and emotionally drained from treatment. She tried to hide how overwhelmed she felt, but one of the nurses immediately noticed. Instead of rushing through the appointment, the nurse sat down beside her and asked how she was really doing. She listened patiently, explained things clearly, and treated my mom with genuine compassion rather than simply moving on to the next task. What affected me most was not a dramatic medical procedure or groundbreaking treatment. It was the way that nurse made my mom feel safe and understood during one of the hardest periods of her life. In that moment, I realized that healthcare is not only about science and technical skill. It is also about human connection, empathy, and the ability to make someone feel less alone when they are vulnerable. That experience strengthened a passion that had already been growing through my own medical experiences. I have always been fascinated by science, medicine, and how the body works. As a child, I spent more time learning random science facts, coding games, and memorizing the periodic table than following trends or social media. But watching compassionate healthcare professionals care for both my mom and me showed me how powerful medicine can be when combined with kindness and understanding. I plan to pay that inspiration forward by becoming the kind of nurse who sees patients as people first. My goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and work with patients during some of the most stressful and vulnerable moments of their lives. I want to provide not only safe and skilled medical care, but also reassurance and empathy for patients who may feel anxious, unheard, or overwhelmed. Because I have personally experienced chronic illness and watched someone I love battle cancer, I understand how meaningful compassion can be in healthcare settings. I hope to use both my scientific curiosity and personal experiences to advocate for patients, especially those with invisible illnesses or conditions that are often misunderstood. The healthcare professionals who inspired me changed my perspective on what medicine truly means, and I hope to have that same impact on others throughout my career.

One moment that deeply shaped my understanding of compassion happened during my mom’s treatment for breast cancer. By that point, my family had already spent months navigating appointments, scans, medications, and the constant uncertainty that comes with a serious diagnosis. Although everyone in my family tried to stay positive, there were days when the emotional exhaustion was impossible to hide. One afternoon, I accompanied my mom to an oncology appointment after a particularly difficult round of treatment. She was physically drained and clearly discouraged, even though she tried not to show it. I remember sitting in the waiting room watching her attempt to act normal while quietly holding back tears. Most people walking by would probably not have noticed anything unusual. That is part of what made the interaction I witnessed so meaningful. One of the nurses noticed immediately that my mom was struggling. Before discussing medications or treatment plans, she simply sat down beside her and asked, “How are you really doing today?” It sounds like such a small question, but the way she asked it made it clear she genuinely wanted to know the answer. My mom finally admitted how overwhelmed and exhausted she felt, and instead of rushing the conversation, the nurse listened patiently without interrupting. What stood out most to me was that the nurse treated my mom like a person first and a patient second. She explained everything calmly, reassured her that what she was feeling was understandable, and spoke with a level of kindness that immediately changed the atmosphere in the room. At one point, she even made a joke that caused my mom to laugh for the first time that day. It was such a simple moment, but I could physically see the tension leave her shoulders. As someone who has spent much of my life around hospitals and medical offices because of my own chronic illnesses, I had already seen many healthcare interactions. Some were efficient but emotionally distant. Others felt rushed or impersonal. This interaction felt different because the nurse understood that compassion itself was part of the treatment. She recognized that emotional support matters just as much as medical care, especially when someone feels vulnerable or afraid. That experience affected me more than I realized at the time. It changed the way I viewed healthcare and strengthened my desire to pursue nursing. Before then, I mostly focused on the scientific side of medicine because I have always loved science and problem-solving. Watching that nurse showed me that healthcare is also deeply human. The ability to make someone feel heard, respected, and less alone can completely change how they experience difficult situations. I also carried that lesson into other parts of my life. Since then, I have become more aware of how powerful small acts of compassion can be, whether it is helping classmates through tutoring, checking in on friends when they seem overwhelmed, or simply being patient with people whose struggles may not be visible. I realized that compassion is not always dramatic. Often, it is quiet consistency, listening carefully, and making someone feel valued when they need it most. That nurse probably saw her actions as part of a normal workday, but for me, the interaction became unforgettable. It showed me the kind of person and healthcare professional I hope to become one day.

he nursing field interests me because it combines science, problem-solving, and human connection in a way that few other careers do. I have always been naturally curious about how the body works and fascinated by medicine, but what truly drew me toward nursing was my personal experience as both a patient and the family member of someone battling serious illness. Through those experiences, I learned that nurses do far more than provide medical care. They are often the people who make patients feel safe, understood, and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Growing up, I was diagnosed with several chronic and rare medical conditions, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Raynaud’s, erythromelalgia, and cold urticaria, along with ADHD and dysgraphia. Managing these conditions meant spending a significant amount of time in medical offices, undergoing testing, learning about treatments, and adapting to symptoms that affected my daily life. In addition, my mom’s battle with breast cancer gave me another perspective on healthcare and the emotional impact illness can have on an entire family. Through both my own experiences and hers, I saw firsthand the difference compassionate healthcare professionals can make. Some nurses stood out because they treated us like people rather than just patients. They listened carefully, explained things clearly, and showed kindness during stressful situations. Those interactions stayed with me and inspired me to pursue a career where I could provide that same level of care and reassurance to others. My long-term career goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist after first working as a registered nurse in critical care. I am especially interested in anesthesia because it combines advanced scientific knowledge, precision, and patient advocacy. I want to play an important role in keeping patients safe and comfortable during surgery while continuing to build meaningful relationships with the people I care for. Several accomplishments and experiences have helped prepare me for this path. Academically, I have challenged myself through strong coursework and earned a 1500 on my first SAT attempt, which reflects my dedication and work ethic. Outside the classroom, I have been involved in HOSA and National Honor Society, both of which strengthened my interest in healthcare and leadership. HOSA gave me exposure to healthcare-related activities and helped me better understand medical professions and community health service. One of the experiences I am most proud of is tutoring other students in math and science throughout junior high and high school. Tutoring taught me patience, communication, and how to explain complex concepts in ways that others can understand. Those are skills that are directly applicable to nursing, where effective communication can significantly impact patient outcomes and comfort. I have also volunteered with Austin Allies since middle school, helping with donation drives, care kits, and community events for families in need. Volunteering consistently over many years taught me the importance of compassion, reliability, and serving others without expecting recognition. Although my experiences with chronic illness have been challenging, they have also strengthened my resilience and empathy. They taught me how important it is for patients to feel heard and respected. Those lessons are a major reason I feel called toward nursing. I want to combine scientific knowledge with genuine compassion to improve the lives of others and become the kind of nurse who makes people feel cared for during their most vulnerable moments.

The person who changed my story did it through quiet perseverance, exhaustion hidden behind a smile, and a determination to keep going even when life became unimaginably difficult. The story that changed mine is my mom’s. Before her breast cancer diagnosis, I mostly saw my mom as what every kid sees their parent as: the person who keeps life moving. She handled schedules, reminded me about assignments, worried too much about everything, and somehow always seemed to know when something was wrong before I said a word. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I began to see her differently. For the first time, I realized that even the people who feel strongest to you can be scared, exhausted, and vulnerable. Cancer changed the atmosphere of our household in ways that are difficult to fully describe. There were appointments, treatments, medications, and days where fatigue seemed to drain the energy out of everything. Yet what stands out most to me is not the fear. It is the way my mom refused to let cancer completely take over our family’s identity. She still joked with us at dinner, still argued with me and my brother about whatever strange conspiracy theory she had discovered online, and still tried to make life feel normal even when she was struggling herself. Watching that taught me something important about strength. Before then, I thought resilience meant never showing weakness or fear. My mom showed me that real resilience is continuing forward despite fear. It is getting up for another appointment when you are exhausted. It is comforting other people while carrying your own worries. It is choosing to laugh even when life feels uncertain. Her experience also changed the way I see healthcare. I sat in waiting rooms and watched how much a nurse or doctor could affect a patient’s day simply through the way they spoke to them. Some healthcare workers treated my mom like more than a diagnosis. They explained things patiently, listened carefully, and made her feel like a person instead of a problem to solve. Others felt rushed and emotionally distant. The contrast stayed with me. At the same time, I was managing my own chronic health conditions, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Raynaud’s, and erythromelalgia. Because of that, I already understood what it felt like to spend time in medical offices and deal with invisible struggles. I realized how much compassion matters during difficult moments and how powerful it can be when someone feels truly heard. Her story also changed the way I approach my own challenges. There were times when balancing school, health issues, and stress felt overwhelming, but watching her continue forward made it impossible for me to give up easily. Instead of seeing obstacles as reasons to stop, I started viewing them as situations to adapt to and work through. That mindset helped me stay focused academically, continue volunteering, tutor classmates, and pursue my goal of becoming a nurse. Most importantly, my mom’s story changed the kind of person I want to become. It taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of showing up for people consistently. It showed me that strength is often quiet and that the people who make the biggest difference are not always the loudest or most visible. Her story changed mine because it gave me a clearer understanding of resilience, compassion, and purpose. It is one of the reasons I want to go into healthcare and become the kind of person who helps others feel supported during the hardest moments of their lives.

My passion for nursing began long before I understood what a diagnosis was. As a kid, I was proud of the strange tricks my body could do, like licking my elbow, popping nearly every joint I had, and casually throwing my leg behind my neck at the breakfast table just to annoy my mom. She warned me that popping my neck would give me a stroke, advice she picked up from YouTube, right alongside her belief that the moon landing was staged. While I questioned her sources, I never questioned science. I loved it. Science and space were my favorite subjects, and my default phrase became “Fun Fact,” usually followed by information no one asked for. That curiosity followed me into an unexpected role as a frequent patient. After coming out of a freezing pool covered in hives, an allergist taped an ice cube to my arm for five minutes and celebrated when a welt appeared. That was my introduction to cold urticaria. Later, during seventh grade, my hands turned purple after virtual school, leading to more tests, more blood draws, and more diagnoses. Raynaud’s explained the color changes. Erythromelalgia explained why my hands and feet burned during PE and hot showers. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome explained my “party tricks.” Juvenile idiopathic arthritis explained the knee pain I thought was just growing pains. Through all of this, nurses were often the people who made medical spaces feel manageable. They were the ones who explained procedures, noticed when something seemed off, and treated me like more than a chart. Because I like science and am not squeamish, I even watched my blood being drawn, much to my mom’s horror. I realized early on that understanding what is happening to your body can be empowering, and nurses play a huge role in that. Living with chronic and rare conditions means constantly adapting. I carefully choose what I wear to avoid getting too hot or too cold, plan routes to limit walking, and manage both physical and cognitive challenges that most people never see. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually leave marching band after trying to push through in ninth grade. Losing those activities was hard, but it taught me how quickly life can change and how important support and understanding are during those moments. These experiences shaped the kind of nurse I want to be. I hope to work in pediatric or medical-surgical nursing, particularly with patients managing chronic or rare illnesses. I want to be the nurse who understands invisible symptoms, believes patients, and knows that “normal” is not the same for everyone. My impact will come from combining evidence based care with empathy, patient education, and advocacy. I want patients and families to feel heard, informed, and supported, not dismissed or confused. What I hope to get out of my career as a nurse is purpose. Nursing allows me to turn curiosity into care, science into service, and personal challenges into something meaningful. I want to transform the experiences that once made me different into the reason I make a difference.

My passion for nursing began long before I understood what a diagnosis was. As a kid, I was proud of the strange tricks my body could do, like licking my elbow, popping nearly every joint I had, and casually throwing my leg behind my neck at the breakfast table just to annoy my mom. She warned me that popping my neck would give me a stroke, advice she picked up from YouTube, right alongside her belief that the moon landing was staged. While I questioned her sources, I never questioned science. I loved it. Science and space were my favorite subjects, and my default phrase became “Fun Fact,” usually followed by information no one asked for. That curiosity followed me into an unexpected role as a frequent patient. After coming out of a freezing pool covered in hives, an allergist taped an ice cube to my arm for five minutes and celebrated when a welt appeared. That was my introduction to cold urticaria. Later, during seventh grade, my hands turned purple after virtual school, leading to more tests, more blood draws, and more diagnoses. Raynaud’s explained the color changes. Erythromelalgia explained why my hands and feet burned during PE and hot showers. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome explained my “party tricks.” Juvenile idiopathic arthritis explained the knee pain I thought was just growing pains. Through all of this, nurses were often the people who made medical spaces feel manageable. They were the ones who explained procedures, noticed when something seemed off, and treated me like more than a chart. Because I like science and am not squeamish, I even watched my blood being drawn, much to my mom’s horror. I realized early on that understanding what is happening to your body can be empowering, and nurses play a huge role in that. Living with chronic and rare conditions means constantly adapting. I carefully choose what I wear to avoid getting too hot or too cold, plan routes to limit walking, and manage both physical and cognitive challenges that most people never see. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually leave marching band after trying to push through in ninth grade. Losing those activities was hard, but it taught me how quickly life can change and how important support and understanding are during those moments. These experiences shaped the kind of nurse I want to be. I hope to work in pediatric or medical-surgical nursing, particularly with patients managing chronic or rare illnesses. I want to be the nurse who understands invisible symptoms, believes patients, and knows that “normal” is not the same for everyone. My impact will come from combining evidence based care with empathy, patient education, and advocacy. I want patients and families to feel heard, informed, and supported, not dismissed or confused. What I hope to get out of my career as a nurse is purpose. Nursing allows me to turn curiosity into care, science into service, and personal challenges into something meaningful. I want to transform the experiences that once made me different into the reason I make a difference.

My passion for nursing began long before I understood what a diagnosis was. As a kid, I was proud of the strange tricks my body could do, like licking my elbow, popping nearly every joint I had, and casually throwing my leg behind my neck at the breakfast table just to annoy my mom. She warned me that popping my neck would give me a stroke, advice she picked up from YouTube, right alongside her belief that the moon landing was staged. While I questioned her sources, I never questioned science. I loved it. Science and space were my favorite subjects, and my default phrase became “Fun Fact,” usually followed by information no one asked for. That curiosity followed me into an unexpected role as a frequent patient. After coming out of a freezing pool covered in hives, an allergist taped an ice cube to my arm for five minutes and celebrated when a welt appeared. That was my introduction to cold urticaria. Later, during seventh grade, my hands turned purple after virtual school, leading to more tests, more blood draws, and more diagnoses. Raynaud’s explained the color changes. Erythromelalgia explained why my hands and feet burned during PE and hot showers. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome explained my “party tricks.” Juvenile idiopathic arthritis explained the knee pain I thought was just growing pains. Through all of this, nurses were often the people who made medical spaces feel manageable. They were the ones who explained procedures, noticed when something seemed off, and treated me like more than a chart. Because I like science and am not squeamish, I even watched my blood being drawn, much to my mom’s horror. I realized early on that understanding what is happening to your body can be empowering, and nurses play a huge role in that. Living with chronic and rare conditions means constantly adapting. I carefully choose what I wear to avoid getting too hot or too cold, plan routes to limit walking, and manage both physical and cognitive challenges that most people never see. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually leave marching band after trying to push through in ninth grade. Losing those activities was hard, but it taught me how quickly life can change and how important support and understanding are during those moments. These experiences shaped the kind of nurse I want to be. I hope to work in pediatric or medical-surgical nursing, particularly with patients managing chronic or rare illnesses. I want to be the nurse who understands invisible symptoms, believes patients, and knows that “normal” is not the same for everyone. My impact will come from combining evidence based care with empathy, patient education, and advocacy. I want patients and families to feel heard, informed, and supported, not dismissed or confused. What I hope to get out of my career as a nurse is purpose. Nursing allows me to turn curiosity into care, science into service, and personal challenges into something meaningful. I want to transform the experiences that once made me different into the reason I make a difference.

My passion for nursing began long before I understood what a diagnosis was. As a kid, I was proud of the strange tricks my body could do, like licking my elbow, popping nearly every joint I had, and casually throwing my leg behind my neck at the breakfast table just to annoy my mom. She warned me that popping my neck would give me a stroke, advice she picked up from YouTube, right alongside her belief that the moon landing was staged. While I questioned her sources, I never questioned science. I loved it. Science and space were my favorite subjects, and my default phrase became “Fun Fact,” usually followed by information no one asked for. That curiosity followed me into an unexpected role as a frequent patient. After coming out of a freezing pool covered in hives, an allergist taped an ice cube to my arm for five minutes and celebrated when a welt appeared. That was my introduction to cold urticaria. Later, during seventh grade, my hands turned purple after virtual school, leading to more tests, more blood draws, and more diagnoses. Raynaud’s explained the color changes. Erythromelalgia explained why my hands and feet burned during PE and hot showers. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome explained my “party tricks.” Juvenile idiopathic arthritis explained the knee pain I thought was just growing pains. Through all of this, nurses were often the people who made medical spaces feel manageable. They were the ones who explained procedures, noticed when something seemed off, and treated me like more than a chart. Because I like science and am not squeamish, I even watched my blood being drawn, much to my mom’s horror. I realized early on that understanding what is happening to your body can be empowering, and nurses play a huge role in that. Living with chronic and rare conditions means constantly adapting. I carefully choose what I wear to avoid getting too hot or too cold, plan routes to limit walking, and manage both physical and cognitive challenges that most people never see. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually leave marching band after trying to push through in ninth grade. Losing those activities was hard, but it taught me how quickly life can change and how important support and understanding are during those moments. These experiences shaped the kind of nurse I want to be. I hope to work in pediatric or medical-surgical nursing, particularly with patients managing chronic or rare illnesses. I want to be the nurse who understands invisible symptoms, believes patients, and knows that “normal” is not the same for everyone. My impact will come from combining evidence based care with empathy, patient education, and advocacy. I want patients and families to feel heard, informed, and supported, not dismissed or confused. What I hope to get out of my career as a nurse is purpose. Nursing allows me to turn curiosity into care, science into service, and personal challenges into something meaningful. I want to transform the experiences that once made me different into the reason I make a difference.

My passion for nursing began long before I understood what a diagnosis was. As a kid, I was proud of the strange tricks my body could do, like licking my elbow, popping nearly every joint I have, and casually throwing my leg behind my neck at the breakfast table just to annoy my mom. She warned me that popping my neck would give me a stroke, advice she picked up from YouTube, right alongside her belief that the moon landing was staged. While I questioned her sources, I never questioned science. I loved it. Science and space were my favorite subjects, and my default phrase became “Fun Fact,” usually followed by information no one asked for. That curiosity followed me into an unexpected role as a frequent patient. After coming out of a freezing pool covered in hives, an allergist taped an ice cube to my arm for five minutes and celebrated when a welt appeared. That was my introduction to cold urticaria. Later, during seventh grade, my hands turned purple after virtual school, leading to more tests, more blood draws, and more diagnoses. Raynaud’s explained the color changes. Erythromelalgia explained why my hands and feet burned during PE and hot showers. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome explained my “party tricks.” Juvenile idiopathic arthritis explained the knee pain I thought was just growing pains. Through all of this, nurses were often the people who made medical spaces feel manageable. They were the ones who explained procedures, noticed when something seemed off, and treated me like more than a chart. Because I like science and am not squeamish, I even watched my blood being drawn, much to my mom’s horror. I realized early on that understanding what is happening to your body can be empowering, and nurses play a huge role in that. Living with chronic and rare conditions means constantly adapting. I carefully choose what I wear to avoid getting too hot or too cold, plan routes to limit walking, and manage both physical and cognitive challenges that most people never see. I had to stop participating in physical education and eventually leave marching band after trying to push through in ninth grade. Losing those activities was hard, but it taught me how quickly life can change and how important support and understanding are during those moments. These experiences shaped the kind of nurse I want to be. I hope to work in pediatric or medical-surgical nursing, particularly with patients managing chronic or rare illnesses. I want to be the nurse who understands invisible symptoms, believes patients, and knows that “normal” is not the same for everyone. My impact will come from combining evidence based care with empathy, patient education, and advocacy. I want patients and families to feel heard, informed, and supported, not dismissed or confused. What I hope to get out of my career as a nurse is purpose. Nursing allows me to turn curiosity into care, science into service, and personal challenges into something meaningful. I want to transform the experiences that once made me different into the reason I make a difference.

"Look Mom, they say you can't lick your elbow, but I can!" I was eight years old and had many tricks I could do with my body, contorting my arms behind my back and bending my fingers further back than anyone else I knew. But my favorite trick would be to throw my leg behind my neck while eating breakfast, just to annoy my mom. Again at 8 years old, I went swimming and came out covered in hives. After the "allergic reactions" and an appointment with my allergist, then being tested for cold urticaria, this was the first of my rare diseases to be diagnosed. When I went to my Rheumatology appointment to see if I had Raynauds the doctor ordered several tests that required about 6 vials of blood to be drawn. When I left that appointment I had three new rare disease diagnoses: Erythromelalgia, hEDS (ehlers danlos syndrome), and Juvenal Idiopathic Arthritis. Managing these diseases is a full time job. Add ADHD and dysgraphia and you have a lot of medication and environments to manage. I must carefully select what I wear to keep my body at the correct temperatures. I optimize routes to minimize walking and juggle physical and cognitive hurdles most people never notice. I do not participate in physical education anymore due to Juvenal Idiopathic Arthritis and Erythromelalgia. My own body heat from exercising was enough to cause a flare up. What I have gained from these struggles is a capacity for empathy and understanding. Through my own hardships, I've learned the power of small gestures, helping peers with homework, being patient with mistakes, or simply holding the door open for people. These acts make people feel seen, especially when their challenges are invisible. My education and my own medical challenges have shaped my desire to become a nurse in ways I could never have imagined. Growing up with conditions like cold urticaria, Raynaud’s, erythromelalgia, hEDS, JIA, ADHD, and dysgraphia has given me a firsthand understanding of what it is like to navigate complex medical needs, manage treatments, and advocate for myself in healthcare settings. Experiencing the frustration, uncertainty, and sometimes isolation of dealing with invisible conditions has made me deeply empathetic toward others who are struggling with their health. At the same time, my love of learning and curiosity about science have driven me to understand how the body works. From memorizing the periodic table song to watching videos about proteins and the human body, I have always been fascinated by biology and medicine. Combining that passion with my personal experiences has inspired me to pursue nursing, a career where I can use both my knowledge and my empathy to support patients. I want to be a nurse who truly understands the invisible challenges people face and provides care that is both informed and compassionate. My own journey has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of small gestures, and I hope to use those lessons to make a difference in the lives of others every day.

"Look Mom, they say you can't lick your elbow, but I can!" I was eight years old and had many tricks I could do with my body, contorting my arms behind my back and bending my fingers further back than anyone else I knew. But my favorite trick would be to throw my leg behind my neck while eating breakfast, just to annoy my mom. I've always been able to pop any joint in my body, again, much to the annoyance of my mother. She still tells me I am going to give myself a stroke by popping my neck. I find it hard to believe some of the stuff she says because she has the audacity to believe that we never landed on the moon. When we went to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum in Washington D.C., I avoided her in the moon landing section so she wouldn’t spoil the fun. Science and space were two of my favorite subjects to learn about in elementary and middle school. While other kids checked out “Diary of a Wimpy Kid" from the library, I read books about planets in the solar system. While my friends talked about the latest anime, I was rewatching Bill Nye the Science Guy. My favorite saying to this day is "Fun Fact", and then blurt out whatever information I have about the subject. Again at  8 years old,  I went swimming outside in November. When I got out of the pool I was covered in hives. My mom was sure I was having an allergic reaction, gave me a benadryl and I took a shower. Next summer, I went swimming again and came out with hives! After the "allergic reactions" my mom made an appointment with my allergist. It's not fun getting poked with 100 needles and having all of them make my skin welt up and itch. I came back positive for every allergy they tested: every grass, tree, etc. My mom calls me the boy in the bubble. Later, the doctor ran one more test. This test sounded like some weird YouTube challenge. He taped a piece of ice to my arm for 5 minutes. After that, he removed the ice cube and there was a huge welt! He was excited to see this, too excited if you ask me. This test was for cold urticaria, the first of my rare diseases to be diagnosed. When Covid hit, my mom noticed that I would come down to lunch and my hands would be a bluish purple. She thought I might have Reynaud's. When I went to my Rheumatology appointment, the doctor ordered several tests that required about 6 vials of blood to be drawn. My mom thinks I'm weird because I like to watch them draw the blood, again- science. One question he asked was what happens to my body when I get hot. My hands and feet turn bright red and start itching and burning. When I left that appointment I had three new rare disease diagnoses: Erythromelalgia, hEDS (ehlers danlos syndrome), and Juvenal Idiopathic Arthritis. Managing these diseases is a full time job. Add ADHD and dysgraphia and you have a lot of medication and environments to manage. I must carefully select what I wear to keep my body at the correct temperatures. I optimize routes to minimize walking and juggle physical and cognitive hurdles most people never notice. I do not participate in physical education anymore due to Juvenal Idiopathic Arthritis and Erythromelalgia. My own body heat from exercising was enough to cause a flare up. My education and my own medical challenges have shaped my desire to become a nurse in ways I could never have imagined. Growing up with conditions like cold urticaria, Raynaud’s, erythromelalgia, hEDS, JIA, ADHD, and dysgraphia has given me a firsthand understanding of what it is like to navigate complex medical needs, manage treatments, and advocate for myself in healthcare settings. Experiencing the frustration, uncertainty, and sometimes isolation of dealing with invisible conditions has made me deeply empathetic toward others who are struggling with their health. At the same time, my love of learning and curiosity about science have driven me to understand how the body works. From memorizing the periodic table song to watching videos about proteins and the human body, I have always been fascinated by biology and medicine. Combining that passion with my personal experiences has inspired me to pursue nursing, a career where I can use both my knowledge and my empathy to support patients. I want to be a nurse who truly understands the invisible challenges people face and provides care that is both informed and compassionate. My own journey has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of small gestures, and I hope to use those lessons to make a difference in the lives of others every day.