The dream version of myself will have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a travel nurse that supports and gives back to the community while providing a holistic approach to care and bridging the financial gap for healthcare.

Many times when I’m traveling through my city, I look around, and what I see is heartbreaking. I see individuals and sometimes families on the side of the road with signs. As I look at the torn, wrinkled cardboard, it reads, “Homeless, anything would help God bless! Thank you!” My mom will always roll her window down and give something to be a blessing. She would try to keep cash on hand for this very reason. One day I asked her why she gave them money, and her response shaped how I viewed those in need and chose to follow in her footsteps. She said, “You don’t know a person's story and what situations in life caused them to be in this position.” That stuck with me because I’ve heard people say, “I’m not giving them no money so they can buy alcohol and drugs.” We should use wisdom in any situation, but I do believe that our role is not to judge or assume what the money should be used for. We could have a mindset of being a blessing to someone else and hope they get the help they need to transition to a better situation. All of this provoked my family to create an organization to give back to those in the community by creating a homeless outreach ministry. When I’m not cheering, being active in school, mentoring, or running track, I’m creating care packages, hot meals, and back-to-school events to show someone else that we care. Often, we are out in the community to feed and even give out clothing, but holidays and cold months are even more dear to us because we know some don’t have family or ways to get warmth. Seeing the smile on someone else face when we show up for them helps me to keep showing up. I desire to find resources to help transform their current situation because I don’t know what circumstances contributed to their present moment. As I pursue my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the illustrious North Carolina Central University, I will have the opportunity to continue giving back to my community and stay involved in college. I would like to be a travel nurse and provide quality and compassionate care to those I come in contact with. My heart is to always see others succeed and feel good about themselves. Nursing offers me the ability to connect with people and empower them with knowledge, understanding, and peace of mind. In college, I plan to continue my interest in cheerleading and clubs that will add to the school, the community, and the people around me, just like I did in high school. Recently, our financial situation changed significantly in the home, due to my stepdad being laid off. We are down to one income in the home at the moment. Scholarships like this will assist in making college possible for me. I will create a path for my siblings to follow as I have a sister that will attend college next year. I want to do my part in relieving the financial burden from my parents that can come with my dream of going to college. My name is Chicorya Robinson and I know that all of this will work together for my good because there is a plan and purpose for my life. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the Dr. Alexanderia K. Lane Memorial Scholarship.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. – Proverbs 13:12 My family has taught me how to keep God first, how to trust Him through the process, and how to conduct myself to be prepared for life. Through those teachings, I have learned unity, community, leadership, legacy, giving back with serving, and that I can break generational cycles. As a first-generation college student, I can continue with those teachings in college. I volunteer by serving through a ministry called Home is Where the Heart Is Outreach Ministry. We provide food, clothing, care packages, and back-to-school items. I enjoy seeing people’s faces light up and letting them know that we care. I love being a part of the change and helping others. To bring the change I joined our school’s mentoring group called Girls Magic, Student Council as a junior and senior, and Student-Athletic Advisory Council to represent my school. I was able to help create unity and school spirit through track for 3 years and cheering for 4 years as a captain. This scholarship will help me to give back to the community as I pursue a degree in Nursing. The greatness and the leader in me will continue to be developed with a legacy that says you are more than what you have believed. This is an opportunity to say my family will not fail, but we show what an overcomer looks like as we are breaking forth on a new day.