There are many people and things that inspire me, but the greatest inspiration in my life are challenges. When I overcome a challenge or hardship in life, it only fuels me to keep going, to do better. Growing up on low-income there were many challenges to face both in school and daily life. Throughout high school, I struggled with people telling me "you can't," or "you won't," I was always looked down on and many believed I would never go to college, much less graduate high school. So, what drives me? Negativity and doubt. I took the path that was leading me to depression and turned it into ambition, into a desire to do better. I learned how to fuel my drive with all the negative comments I received and realized that overcoming challenges can only make me stronger and more confident. I am determined to prove, not just to everyone else, but to myself, that I can do it. I can and I will become a nurse.

My greatest achievement is graduating high school. Yes, I know to many people that might sound dumb or lame but to me, it was the greatest feeling in the world when I was handed my diploma. No one was there to cheer my name from the crowds, to clap for me, or to hand me flowers but I didn't care because I did it. I graduated high school. At one point, I wanted to drop out of school, but the late nights studying and the early morning walks to school were well worth it. This experience taught me that no matter what other people say, no matter what I go through if I stay focused, I can do great things. I learned that with every hardship in life I will always come out stronger in the end if I stay positive and push through. My high school journey was difficult. My family moved several times for my father's work, and I had a hard time making friends. Often times I was bullied for not wearing expensive clothes or not owning a phone. Even my teachers seemed to have it out for me. Some may not believe it but I've had a teacher tell me there's nothing they can do to help my grades. That "There's no point in trying." I've had another teacher tell me I won't get into college because "That's just life." Through it all, I learned how to ignore the negative comments and all the doubt I received from people. Instead, I used their negativity to fuel myself to do better. In the future, I hope to graduate from college. Not just to show people that I did it but to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. I hope to be a travel nurse, specifically in rural areas. No, this won't make me rich like being a travel nurse in New York but that's not what I'm after. This is my way of helping people in need. Through life-saving care. I also hope my story will inspire others. I want to use my story to help those going through the same thing. I don't know how I will do this, but I am determined to find a way. I also hope my three younger siblings who have also grown up with a lot of doubt and negativity in their life will see me as a role model. I want to be their support and guide them through their journey in high school and college.