As a hard-of-hearing nursing student, I may not hear the world perfectly, but I experience it through genuine feeling, which has taught me to understand people in a way that goes beyond sound. My hearing loss sparked my desire to become a nurse. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, unheard, and misunderstood, and that experience fuels my commitment to ensure that every patient I care for feels valued and advocated for. Growing up with my disability also meant being hyperaware of others, reading expressions, sensing emotions, and noticing when someone needed help before they even asked. Those instincts became my strength. Whether supporting friends during difficult moments or guiding guests at my job who felt anxious or lost, I found myself naturally stepping into a caregiver role. Every experience showed me that I was at my best when I was helping someone feel seen, safe, and understood. Choosing nursing never felt like a decision I forced; it felt like the path I had been moving toward my entire life. When I began searching for a nursing program, I knew I needed a school where I would feel supported, understood, and not treated as an outsider because of my hearing loss. Arizona College of Nursing was the first place where I genuinely felt seen. From my earliest interactions with advisors and faculty, I sensed a culture of inclusivity, individualized support, and a commitment to helping students succeed no matter their circumstances. Arizona College made me feel that my disability was not a barrier but a strength, and that I belonged in a community that valued empathy, resilience, and diversity. Choosing this program felt like choosing a place that aligned with who I am and the kind of nurse I aspire to become. Balancing an accelerated nursing program while working full-time has been one of the most challenging parts of this journey. Even after completing a ten-hour clinical shift, I proceed directly to work, as supporting myself and helping my parents is a responsibility I honor and uphold with pride. However, the financial strain of tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses can create overwhelming pressure. This scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to focus more fully on my education rather than worrying about how many extra shifts I need to pick up. I would be incredibly grateful and genuinely honored to be chosen as the recipient. Being awarded this scholarship would not only support me financially, but it would also be a meaningful acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication I bring to this journey. I would carry that honor with pride and let it fuel my commitment to becoming the kind of nurse who makes every patient feel seen, safe, and truly heard.