I am a single mother of five amazing children. Four young adults and one teenager with an old soul. He has been here before. A few times. I really enjoyed being a full time mom however I couldn’t escape my childhood dreams. I’ve always wanted to be a Brain surgeon since a child. I have been fascinated with sutures, broken bones, healing the sick and helping the elderly. I would spend countless hours pacing the local emergency department looking for anyone who would allow me to watch their work. From CPR, to literally watching a lady get her wrist sutured back together. During my lifetime adventures, my dreams were short lived once I became a mom. Raising 5 beautiful children, their education came first. I’ve sacrificed my life, my time, and my commitments to them. After successfully getting three of the young adults through college, it is my turn. I plan on becoming one of the best neurology nurses in the south. I have enrolled in chattahoochee tech in summer of 2024, maintaining a 3.5 gpa and will be inducted into the NSLS ( National Society Leadership and Success), an honor society through my school December of 2024. I will receive my ASN in 2026 and pass the NCLEX to be an RN. I will continue my educational journey with Kennesaw State or Mercer University. I am excited and extremely focus driven by my goals. The hardships I faced getting them through school was never being home to be a mother, not being able to afford to send my children to the prom or any other school events. It was rent or food, clothes or gas to get to work. I’ve went without to make sure they had. So, after I’ve successfully completed my mission of getting them world ready and educated, it’s my turn. It is time to pursue my dreams and climb up the socialization ladder. Its time for me to ditch parent plus loans and be able to afford to send my last one through college without the past struggles I encountered. With this scholarship I will be able to spend more time in my books and less time on the clock to pursue my goals in becoming part of the solution to this healthcare crisis. I want to be there to support, nourish, educated, learn, grow and succeed with my future health care professionals that are out here getting the education and training we need to combat this crisis side by side together as one. Rest in peace Laken Riley.