I have been in a nursing program at my local community college since my junior year of high school, and from the very beginning, I knew nursing was the path I wanted to follow. My interest in the field began as a child when I would attend my mom’s nursing classes with her. Watching her learn and practice skills sparked a deep curiosity in me and eventually inspired me to pursue nursing as a career. My passion for helping others has only grown through my volunteering experience at the hospital. Working alongside nurses and other medical staff, I have had the opportunity to assist patients, and learn how small acts of care can go a long way. These experiences have taught me not only technical skills, but also the importance of empathy and clear communication. I have learned that even small gestures like listening to a patient, offering encouragement, or simply being present can make a meaningful impact. Watching the impact of my mother as an Emergency Department nurse inspired me to pursue trauma care nursing myself. I am particularly drawn to this field and first responder work because I want to help people during critical, life-changing moments. Being able to provide immediate support, and make a real difference in emergencies motivates me to continue developing my skills and knowledge. Outside of the controlled environment of hospitals, I want to be able to help others in emergency situations. I’ve witnessed firsthand how having a nurse in the family can make a difference, from a motorcyclist being ejected from his bike to a mass casualty event in a small town with many injured. Seeing my mother step in during these moments sparked my interest in trauma and first responder nursing even more than I imagined and made me eager to gain as much knowledge and training as possible. Ultimately, my goal is to be ready to help others whenever they need it most. The military has also shaped my perspective on service. My sister, brother-in-law, and close family friends have all served, and their dedication showed me what resilience, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility truly means. Their example inspires me to approach nursing with the same commitment and empathy, recognizing that helping others often requires both heart and determination. I am eager to continue my education in the medical field, further develop my skills, and become a nurse who can make a real difference in people’s lives. Nursing is more than a career for me, it is a way to serve and positively impact my community every day. This scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my passion, following the inspiration I found in my mom’s journey, and dedicating my life to helping others.

My name is Ciena, and I attend Christian Life Church, a Pentecostal church in Wisconsin, where I have been blessed to be involved in many areas of ministry. I am humbled to share my testimony, my upbringing, and the opportunities God has given me. My dad is a first-generation Hispanic whose parents immigrated from Mexico, and my mom grew up Apostolic while overcoming many challenges, such as homelessness as a preteen and becoming a teen mom. Together, my parents raised me and my three sisters in the Apostolic Pentecostal faith. Growing up in several churches across Wisconsin, including a Spanish-speaking church, came with its own challenges, especially attending public school with Pentecostal values. Having uncut hair, dressing modestly, and not conforming to worldly beauty standards made me stand out, and not always in ways I understood at the time. Middle school, especially, was difficult. I was constantly reminded that I was “different,” and I took people’s opinions to heart. When the pandemic hit, I transitioned to online school, and that change truly saved me. Entering high school, I struggled to find my identity and sought it in many things that only left me empty. Growing up in church, people often assumed I “had it all together” because of my family’s involvement and visibility, but the truth is I needed to discover God for myself. Eventually, I realized that my identity wasn’t in others’ expectations or even my own standards, it was in the image of God. Once I made Him my God, not just the God of my religion or my parents, my life completely changed. God has since opened doors I never imagined. I’ve been able to invite others to church, lead and teach Bible studies, serve in children’s ministry, help with media and technology, support seasonal ministries, and even help lead a college international ministry. All of this is for God’s glory, not mine. One of the most meaningful moments in my journey wasn’t even directly about me, it was inviting a friend to church, who later stepped out in faith and chose to be baptized. In the image below, I am standing on her left as she made that life-changing decision. I am so proud of her, and it is a reminder of how God uses us to plant seeds that He makes grow. Today, I am a senior in high school and an aspiring nursing student. Since my junior year, I have also been taking nursing courses at my local community college, preparing to pursue the medical field further after becoming a registered nurse. If the Lord permits, I hope to use this fund to further my education and continue serving others in both my career and faith. As Philippians 1:6 reminds me: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”