My path to healthcare was shaped by a mix of personal experience, family caregiving, and the desire to create a healthier future—for my patients and for my children. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Personalized Nutrition, working toward becoming a Registered Dietitian. This path wasn’t a straight one. I became a mother at 19, and I put my education on hold for several years to raise my children. But I never stopped dreaming of a future where I could return to school and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field. I chose dietetics because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful nutrition can be in improving quality of life, managing disease, and restoring hope. During my father’s battle with stage IV esophageal cancer, I took a year off from school to become his full-time caregiver. I learned how to manage his feeding tube, monitor his weight, prepare nutrient-dense meals, and communicate with his care team. I witnessed how nutrition plays a critical, often underrecognized role in patient care—especially during complex illness. That experience reinforced my commitment to healthcare. After my father passed, I returned to school and earned my undergraduate degree with a 4.0 GPA, driven by the example I wanted to set for my children. I am now balancing full-time work as a WIC nutritionist, my graduate studies, and a full-time unpaid dietetic internship that has cost over $10,000 out of pocket. I am also raising three children—supporting my 11- and 9-year-old in their sports and schooling, and caring for my energetic two-year-old. This journey has not been easy, but it has fueled my resilience and sharpened my sense of purpose. As a woman in healthcare, I hope to make a difference not only by providing evidence-based nutrition counseling, but by showing compassion and understanding to the individuals and families I serve. I believe in meeting people where they are—whether they’re struggling with chronic disease, food insecurity, or simply overwhelmed by health information. Through my work in WIC and future clinical practice, I aim to bridge the gap between complex medical advice and everyday life. My goal is to make nutrition accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all. I also want to lead by example. Women—especially mothers—often face immense challenges in pursuing higher education and healthcare careers. By continuing my education, maintaining academic excellence, and building a meaningful career while raising a family, I hope to inspire other women to believe in their own potential. Representation matters, and I want to be part of changing what healthcare leadership can look like. Receiving this scholarship would not only help reduce the financial burden of my education, but would also affirm that stories like mine—of persistence, caregiving, motherhood, and healthcare ambition—have value. I am determined to use my experience and education to create a lasting, positive impact in the field of dietetics and beyond.

At nineteen years old, I became a mother. While many of my peers were stepping into their college years, I stepped into motherhood, putting my academic plans on hold to raise my son. It wasn’t an easy decision, but one grounded in love and responsibility. I knew that one day I would return to school, not just for myself, but to show my child that with determination and grit, anything is possible. That dream stayed with me through the years as my family grew. I eventually returned to school with two young children at home and earned my undergraduate degree with a 4.0 GPA. I was no longer the same person who had once felt unsure about her future. I was focused, driven, and determined to exemplify resilience for my children. But life presented another challenge. I took a year off from school to care for my father during his battle with stage IV esophageal cancer. As his primary caregiver, I managed his feeding tube, medications, appointments, and nutritional care. That experience changed everything. I witnessed how powerful nutrition can be—not only for health, but for preserving the quality of life and dignity during the hardest moments. Then I knew I wanted to become a Registered Dietitian and dedicate my life to helping others through evidence-based, compassionate nutrition care. Today, I am pursuing a Master’s in Personalized Nutrition and completing my dietetic internship. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout graduate school, despite juggling full-time work, an unpaid $10,000 internship, and parenting three children. My 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter are active in sports and school, and I proudly support their development by attending games, helping with homework, and being their biggest cheerleader. I also care for my two-year-old, who keeps our household full of joy, energy, and unpredictability. Balancing it all hasn’t been easy. I’ve taken on student loans and incurred debt to make it through my unpaid internship while still providing for my family. But I’ve never once considered giving up. Every late night of studying, every shift at work, and every dollar sacrificed is worth it to show my children that perseverance can overcome even the toughest circumstances. This scholarship would relieve some of my current financial stress and allow me to continue pushing forward in my education and career. More than anything, it would represent belief in me, my purpose, and the future I am building for my family. I want my children to look back and say, “My mom never gave up.” And I won’t. I plan to use this degree to serve families like mine—those navigating real challenges, illness, and limited resources. I believe deeply in the power of food as a tool for healing, strength, and prevention. I’m committed to being a voice of knowledge and encouragement in nutrition, and this scholarship would bring me one step closer to fulfilling that mission.

I have witnessed firsthand the profound role nutrition plays in both quality and quantity of life. When my father was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer, I became his primary caregiver. He experienced rapid weight loss, dehydration, and difficulty eating—symptoms that dramatically impacted his strength and ability to tolerate treatment. I managed his PEG tube feedings, learned medication administration protocols, and worked closely with his care team to advocate for his nutritional needs. While I could not alter the course of his diagnosis, I saw how the right nutritional support could restore dignity, energy, and moments of comfort in the midst of suffering. That experience did more than deepen my compassion—it solidified my purpose. I am now pursuing a Master’s in Personalized Nutrition at the University of Connecticut and completing my dietetic internship. I currently work as a nutritionist for the WIC program, where I educate families on how to nourish themselves and their children through pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. Many of the families I serve are dealing with chronic health conditions, limited food access, and the everyday stressors that come with economic hardship. My work at WIC has shown me that nutrition education must be practical, culturally inclusive, and adaptable to real-life challenges. If awarded the Amber D. Hudson Memorial Scholarship, I will carry forward this commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care by continuing to expand my reach as a future Registered Dietitian. My approach will be multifaceted and rooted in the latest research, but also shaped by personal experience and empathy. I plan to develop condition-specific nutrition education resources for families dealing with cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic conditions. These materials will break down complex science into actionable steps—focusing on whole foods, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and strategies that make healthy eating achievable, even during difficult times. In addition to written materials, I would organize interactive workshops and community-based classes on topics such as label reading, meal planning, cooking on a budget, and navigating dietary restrictions during treatment. For those who need personalized guidance, I would offer one-on-one counseling that accounts for medical history, lifestyle, food preferences, and emotional readiness for change. Recognizing that healing doesn’t happen in isolation, I would also help create peer support groups where patients and caregivers can share their stories, challenges, and successes. These safe spaces offer both practical advice and emotional strength. Finally, I believe follow-up and accountability are crucial to long-term success. I plan to implement systems for regular check-ins, virtual follow-up appointments, and access to digital tools so that patients and families feel supported every step of the way. Nutrition shouldn’t be something that’s “prescribed” and forgotten—it should be dynamic, responsive, and empowering. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of graduate school and help me continue transforming personal loss into purpose. It would allow me to honor Amber D. Hudson’s legacy by doing exactly what I know food can do—bring healing, hope, and the strength to keep going.