My name is David Baldwin, and I am a dedicated and ambitious 17-year-old who recently achieved the milestone of graduating high school a year ahead of schedule. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated a strong work ethic, a passion for learning, and a commitment to personal growth, which allowed me to accelerate my education and pursue new opportunities. I am eager to continue my pursuit of knowledge, explore my interests, and contribute positively to my community as I prepare for the next chapter of my life. My interest in the medical field was sparked by a near-death experience on January 10th, 2022, when I was rushed to the emergency room, with severe abdominal pain caused by a ruptured appendix, which required emergency surgery. The surgeon explained that if I had arrived at the hospital just a day or two later, the infection and damage caused by the ruptured appendix could have become even more fatal, emphasizing how close I was to a much more serious outcome. This life-threating event made me realize how vital healthcare professionals are and inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Initially, I aspired to become an anesthesiologist, drawn to the precision, calmness, and trust involved in that role. However, my journey took a different turn when I began facing my own mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety, which led to multiple hospitalizations and a deeper understanding of the importance of mental health care. These personal experiences shifted my goal toward becoming a Registered Nurse, as I want to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by providing compassionate care and support. I am passionate about working as a travel nurse, especially in hospitals and mental health facilities, because I believe this role will allow me to help children and adolescents who are facing similar mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My personal experiences have fueled my desire to help others navigate their struggles, offer hope, and promote healing through dedicated and empathetic healthcare. I want to be a positive influence in the lives of young patients, helping them feel understood and supported as they work through their own health journeys. I am set to attend Des Moines Area Community College starting in the fall of 2025. During my time there, I plan to focus on completing my general education courses, which will include Introduction to Biology, Composition 1, Developmental Psychology, and a Nurse Aide course. These classes will provide me with a solid foundation in both the sciences and the humanities, helping me develop essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and an understanding of human development. The Nurse Aide course, in particular, will give me practical hands-on experience in patient care, preparing me for future roles in healthcare and giving me a firsthand understanding of the responsibilities involved in nursing. I am excited to start this educational journey, knowing that these courses will help me build the knowledge and skills I need to succeed in my future studies and career in the medical field.

Yes, I was in the foster care system. My name is David Baldwin and I am a 17-year-old who is close to graduation. I was born in Palmer, Alaska, on February 1st, 2008. In my biological family, I am the middle child of 5. There was domestic violence in my family for as long as I can remember. I recently found out that my dad started doing drugs at the age of 13. I don't know how long my mom did drugs, but I know she did them when my parents were together. There was a big fight between my parents in 2011 that led to my dad being arrested and a no contact order (NCO) between my parents. My mom had found a new boyfriend and we, the kids, had to live in the car. At that point the Alaska DHS got involved and removed us from our mom and we stayed with one of our parents' friends. Since DHS did not remove us from our dad, he worked to get custody of us. I was 7 when my dad decided to move to Iowa with my sisters and I, leaving my mom behind. My brother Dominic was born in Alaska, on November 22nd, 2014. My dad saw pictures of Dominic on social media and realized Dominic was his son and contacted Alaska DHS. My dad brought Dominic to Iowa at 11 months old. My dad gave us minimal supervision because he was often under the influence. Sometimes my dad didn't take me to school and left me at home alone while he was supposedly at work. One of the days I went to school was a long day, and all I wanted to do when I came home was play on my phone and relax. My oldest sister had skipped school that day and was smoking marijuana on the couch when I got home. It wasn't long before my dad got home. There was yelling in her room and from what I could make out from the yelling, my dad was mad at her for smoking his weed. I heard loud bangs from upstairs. I heard my sister scream and I flew up the stairs and as I got to the landing leading to the second flight of stairs, I saw something that a 9 year old should never have to see. My dad was slamming my sister's head into the wall. His hand soared through the air so fast and made contact with my sister's head. That is one reason, along with his drug addiction, why we were removed from him. We all were placed into foster care on June 9th, 2017. Dominic and I were placed with Brett and Rachel Baldwin. My biological parents eventually got their rights terminated. Dominic and I got adopted on August 19, 2019. I am now the oldest of five kids in the Baldwin household, and will be the first to go to college out of my siblings. I plan to work in a mental health or behavioral health hospital as a Registered Nurse, to help kids who suffer from mental health disorders because of their trauma. This scholarship and the money I will earn from work will help alleviate the financial burden that it puts on my shoulders as well as my adoptive parents, who have a total of 5 kids, 3 of them being adopted.