I am a senior in high school and I am planning on attending Briar Cliff University next year. I have verbally committed to continue my academic and softball career there and I could not be more excited. I have lots of people to thank but all of my praise and glory goes to my father and my savior, Jesus Christ. I have him to thank for all of my athletic abilities and the opportunity to play this sport at a higher level comes from him. Growing up in a church going household has shaped my faith in Jesus in ways that continue to guide every part of my life. From a young age my family made faith a priority and church was not just a place we attended but a foundation for how we lived. Through weekly services, prayer at home and open conversations about God I learned who Jesus is and how His love and guidance can shape a person’s heart and purpose. These early experiences built a strong spiritual base that continues to grow as I mature in my faith. For the past four years I have also attended summer church camp which has played a major role in strengthening my relationship with Jesus. Camp provided an environment where I could step away from everyday distractions and focus fully on my faith. Through worship services, small group discussions and time spent in reflection I felt closer to God and more confident in my beliefs. Each summer my faith grew deeper and more personal. It was during these moments that I began to understand that Jesus does not just guide us in church but walks with us through every decision we make. One of the most meaningful moments in my faith journey occurred while in prayer when I felt Jesus speak clearly to my heart. In that quiet and intentional moment it became evident that nursing is my calling. I felt a deep sense of peace and certainty that could only come from God. This moment was not loud or dramatic but it was powerful and undeniable. Jesus placed the desire to care for others in my heart and confirmed that serving through nursing is how I am meant to live out my faith. My faith in Jesus will guide me throughout my future career in nursing. Nursing is not just a profession to me but a calling to serve others with compassion, patience and love. Jesus showed the importance of caring for the sick, comforting the hurting and loving people unconditionally. I plan to reflect those same values in my work by treating every patient with dignity, kindness and empathy. My faith will remind me to remain calm during stressful moments and to see each patient as a child of God. Through prayer I will seek strength, guidance and wisdom as I care for others. Jesus will be my source of comfort and motivation as I navigate the challenges of nursing. My goal is to be a nurse who not only heals physically but also offers emotional and spiritual support. By allowing my faith to guide my actions I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve and honor Jesus through my work every day.

I am someone who believes strongly in giving back to my community and supporting younger generations through leadership service and positive role modeling. Through my involvement in youth sports church and childcare I have learned how meaningful it is to encourage others and help them grow. These experiences have shaped who I am and have guided how I plan to make a positive impact in my community through youth sports and service. Softball has been a major part of my life and has taught me valuable lessons about teamwork commitment and resilience. Being part of a team showed me how important encouragement and support are especially during difficult moments. I learned how to lead by example whether that meant staying positive after a tough loss or motivating teammates to keep working hard. Through youth sports I want to help younger athletes build confidence learn discipline and understand the importance of effort and sportsmanship. I hope to be someone they can look up to both on and off the field. Track and field has also played an important role in my personal growth. Track emphasizes individual effort while still being part of a team which taught me accountability and perseverance. It helped me understand that success comes from consistent effort and determination. I want to share these lessons with younger athletes by encouraging them to set goals believe in themselves and recognize their progress. Youth sports provide an opportunity to teach life skills that extend far beyond competition. My involvement in church has strengthened my desire to serve others and be active in my community. Through church activities and service I have learned the importance of kindness compassion and integrity. My faith encourages me to care for others and support them through both words and actions. These values influence how I interact with young athletes by promoting respect encouragement and inclusion. Working at a daycare has given me hands on experience caring for children and supporting their emotional and physical needs. In this role I help create a safe positive environment where children feel valued and supported. This experience has strengthened my patience communication skills and ability to work with children of different personalities and needs. It has also confirmed my desire to work with youth in a meaningful way. I plan to continue making a positive impact in my community by combining my love for youth sports with my goal of becoming a nurse. Nursing is a service focused profession that aligns closely with my values of compassion and care. By supporting youth through sports mentoring and my future career I hope to encourage confidence health and well being in my community. Through leadership service and dedication I want to help young people grow into strong capable individuals.

My passion for nursing began long before I ever considered it as a career path. Through years of babysitting and working at a daycare facility I discovered how meaningful it is to care for children and support them during important moments in their lives. Being responsible for their safety, comfort and happiness taught me patience, empathy and responsibility. These experiences helped me realize that caring for others, especially children, is not just something I enjoy but something I feel called to do. Babysitting allowed me to form close bonds with children and their families. I learned how to respond calmly in stressful situations and how to provide comfort when a child is scared or upset. Working at a daycare facility further strengthened these skills by placing me in a fast paced environment where teamwork and communication were essential. Each day I helped create a safe and positive space where children could learn, grow and feel valued. These moments showed me that even small acts of care can have a lasting impact. My faith has also played a major role in shaping my desire to pursue nursing. Growing up in a church going household and attending summer church camp strengthened my relationship with Jesus and helped guide my values. Through prayer I have learned to listen for direction and trust that God has a plan for my life. My faith reminds me to serve others with kindness, compassion and patience and those qualities align closely with the role of a nurse. Pediatric nursing is the area that speaks most strongly to my heart. Children deserve to feel safe and supported especially during times of illness or fear. I want to be the nurse who helps ease their worries by offering comfort, encouragement and a smile. Seeing a child smile or laugh even in a hospital setting is powerful and meaningful to me. Making children feel happy and understood will always be a priority alongside providing proper medical care. Helping children heal goes beyond physical treatment. Emotional support can make a difficult experience feel less overwhelming. By bringing positivity, warmth and faith into my work I hope to create moments of joy for young patients and their families. Whether it is through gentle reassurance or simple conversation I want children to feel seen and cared for. Nursing combines my love for children, my faith and my desire to serve others. Through my experiences in childcare and my trust in God I am confident that pediatric nursing is the path I am meant to follow. My goal is to make a difference by helping children heal while also bringing hope, comfort and smiles to those who need it most.

From a young age, I have always felt a natural pull toward caring for others, especially children. Their resilience, honesty, and ability to find joy even in difficult moments inspire me, and these qualities have shaped my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. I want to be someone who not only provides medical care but also creates a safe and comforting environment for children and their families during times of stress or uncertainty. My interest in pediatric nursing has been strengthened through practical experiences caring for children in my community. Whether through babysitting, volunteering, or supporting families during challenging situations, I have learned how important patience, empathy, and consistency are in a child’s well-being. These experiences have taught me that children often remember how they are treated just as much as the care they receive. Being a calm and supportive presence can make a significant difference in how a child copes with fear or discomfort, especially in new or unfamiliar settings such as hospitals or clinics. My plan begins with continuing to build a strong academic foundation in science, particularly biology and anatomy, while also strengthening my communication and leadership abilities. These skills will prepare me for a nursing program where I can learn the technical knowledge and critical thinking required in the medical field. In addition, I plan to remain involved in service opportunities that allow me to work with children and families, further developing my interpersonal skills and sense of responsibility. Once in nursing school, I plan to seek clinical experiences that place me directly in pediatric settings. Observing and assisting nurses in children’s hospitals or pediatric clinics will help me understand the real demands of the profession and grow my confidence. I am especially interested in learning how pediatric nurses work closely with families to provide compassionate and supportive care. Beyond earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and obtaining my nursing license, my goal is to specialize in pediatrics. I also plan to continue my education throughout my career so I can stay updated on evolving treatments, technologies, and patient care practices. Lifelong learning is essential in healthcare, and I am committed to continually improving my skills. Most importantly, I want to become the kind of nurse who makes a meaningful difference in a child’s life, someone who brings comfort, hope, and healing. Becoming a pediatric nurse is not just a career goal for me. It is a purposeful way to serve others and make a lasting impact.

From a young age, I have always felt a natural pull toward caring for others, especially children. Their resilience, honesty, and ability to find joy even in difficult moments inspire me, and these qualities have shaped my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. I want to be someone who not only provides medical care but also creates a safe and comforting environment for children and their families during times of stress or uncertainty. My interest in pediatric nursing has been strengthened through practical experiences caring for children in my community. Whether through babysitting, volunteering, or supporting families during challenging situations, I have learned how important patience, empathy, and consistency are in a child’s well-being. These experiences have taught me that children often remember how they are treated just as much as the care they receive. Being a calm and supportive presence can make a significant difference in how a child copes with fear or discomfort, especially in new or unfamiliar settings such as hospitals or clinics. My plan begins with continuing to build a strong academic foundation in science, particularly biology and anatomy, while also strengthening my communication and leadership abilities. These skills will prepare me for a nursing program where I can learn the technical knowledge and critical thinking required in the medical field. In addition, I plan to remain involved in service opportunities that allow me to work with children and families, further developing my interpersonal skills and sense of responsibility. Once in nursing school, I plan to seek clinical experiences that place me directly in pediatric settings. Observing and assisting nurses in children’s hospitals or pediatric clinics will help me understand the real demands of the profession and grow my confidence. I am especially interested in learning how pediatric nurses work closely with families to provide compassionate and supportive care. Beyond earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and obtaining my nursing license, my goal is to specialize in pediatrics. I also plan to continue my education throughout my career so I can stay updated on evolving treatments, technologies, and patient care practices. Lifelong learning is essential in healthcare, and I am committed to continually improving my skills. Most importantly, I want to become the kind of nurse who makes a meaningful difference in a child’s life, someone who brings comfort, hope, and healing. Becoming a pediatric nurse is not just a career goal for me. It is a purposeful way to serve others and make a lasting impact.

I am currently a senior in high school who is deeply involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. I participate in varsity softball and track, sports that have taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Balancing athletics with school has strengthened my time management skills and reinforced the importance of commitment. I am also a proud older sister to my younger brother, a role that has helped shape my sense of responsibility and care for others. Serving my community has always been an important part of my life. For the past six years, I have volunteered at my church alongside my mom, helping teach and care for children. This work has always been fully volunteer based, and I do not receive any form of payment. Through this experience, I have learned the value of service, patience, and leadership. Working with children in this setting has allowed me to be a positive role model while supporting families in my community. These years of service have played a significant role in shaping who I am today and have reinforced my passion for working with children. In addition to volunteering, I also work as a babysitter, including caring for children in military families. These experiences have helped me develop strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to remain calm and dependable in challenging situations. Together, my volunteer work, family responsibilities, and extracurricular activities have prepared me to succeed both academically and personally. If awarded this scholarship, I would use the funds to support my college education as I pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. My long term goal is to become a pediatric nurse. My parents and I are committed to paying for my education without taking out student loans, and this scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden on my family. It would allow me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experiences while continuing to serve others. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my educational goals but also help me continue my commitment to giving back to my community through a career dedicated to caring for children and families. The picture that I am going to attach below is a picture from a few weeks ago. It is a picture of me laying on the ground playing with the kid around me. I have a lot more pictures with the kids but I think this is a great representation of the relationship I have with the kids.

I have learned what true leadership means through my experience playing high school softball. The game has shaped how I see myself, how I interact with others, and how I want to make a difference in the world. Through the tough challenges, losses, victories, and moments of teamwork on the field, I discovered that leadership is about setting an example, staying positive under pressure, and lifting others up. As I grew into an upperclassman, I realized that leadership isn’t something that just happens when you get older, it’s a responsibility you earn through trust, respect, and love. Those lessons guided me toward my dream of becoming a nurse. Softball has taught me how to stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations. When the bases are loaded or the game is tied, there’s no time to panic. One time specifically, it was a close game and our team was losing 3-5 and the bases were loaded. I was worried that I was going to strike out and lose the game for us. Knowing that I have done so much for this team and they have my back, I was going in with a positive mindset. After a couple of pitches, she pitched it right down the middle, and I swung. The ball kept flying through the air, and it was a home run. In softball, you call a home run when bases are loaded a “grand slam”. You get four runs from that. It is very rare. We ended up winning seven to five because of everyone supporting me when I was worried. I was very happy with myself, but I was more excited about winning as a team over a rival school. I have also learned to manage stress and to keep a positive attitude even when things don’t go as planned. After losing the game to go to state, we were all very upset and disappointed but the thing that kept my head held high was remembering that most of the starters have one year left and we will put in the work and make it next year. Because of that, I focus on my training to help better our team for next year. These moments mirror what nurses face in real life. They need to stay steady and compassionate when others are scared or in pain. I hope to one day keep my patients calm and cared for during difficult times. Being a leader on my softball team has shown me that helping people starts with listening, understanding, and giving your best effort to make others’ lives better. That’s exactly what I want to do as a nurse. The same teamwork, communication, and empathy that make a great player also make a great caregiver. Softball didn’t just teach me how to win games, it taught me how to lead with heart, and that’s the kind of leader I hope to be for my future patients. In September I decided to continue my education and softball career at the University of Briar Cliff! I am so excited to keep playing the game I love and help little girls and boys learn that they can achieve their dreams just like how I achieved mine.

My aspiration to become a pediatric nurse is rooted in both my passion for caring for children and the meaningful experiences I have gained through babysitting. One experience in particular, caring for a child whose father is stationed in Colorado with the United States Air Force, has significantly shaped my understanding of responsibility, empathy, and the emotional needs of children. While babysitting for this family, I became more than a caregiver and instead served as a consistent presence in a child’s life during a time of uncertainty and change. With their father serving away from home, the child often experienced confusion, sadness, and moments of anxiety. I made it a priority to provide stability through routines, active listening, and encouragement, helping the child feel safe and supported despite the absence of a parent. This experience exposed me to the unique challenges faced by families connected to the military, especially children who must cope with separation and adjustment. I observed how emotional stress can appear through behavior and mood, reinforcing the importance of compassionate care. These moments taught me how impactful a calm presence and kind words can be, lessons that directly align with the values of pediatric nursing. Children often rely on trusted adults to help them process difficult situations, and I learned how to respond with empathy while maintaining a positive and nurturing environment. In addition to emotional support, I learned the importance of responsibility and communication. I worked closely with the child’s remaining parent to ensure routines were followed, needs were met, and concerns were addressed promptly. This taught me the value of teamwork and trust, skills that are essential in a healthcare setting. Pediatric nurses must collaborate with families, doctors, and other medical professionals, and my babysitting experience gave me an early understanding of this role. My babysitting experience has strengthened my desire to pursue pediatric nursing by showing me the difference attentive care can make in a child’s overall wellness. Pediatric nurses are often a source of comfort for children facing unfamiliar or stressful situations, similar to the role I played in this family. I want to be someone who not only provides medical care but also emotional support to children and reassurance to their families. Ultimately, my goal is to become a pediatric nurse who advocates for children and understands the emotional challenges they face, especially those from families serving in the military. The lessons I have learned through babysitting have prepared me for this path and affirmed my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young patients.