My educational goal is to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UNC Charlotte and eventually become a nurse practitioner. I have always wanted to build a career where I can care for others, but my journey to college has not always been easy or straightforward. The experiences I have gone through have made me even more determined to create a successful future for myself. Growing up, I went through the foster care system before being adopted. Going through foster care at such a young age came with experiences that I did not always understand at the time, but as I have gotten older, I have realized how much those experiences have shaped the person I am today. Being adopted gave me stability and a family that supported me, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. My experiences have also taught me not to take those opportunities for granted. I know what it feels like to go through uncertainty, and I want to use my future career to be a source of comfort and support for people who may be going through difficult situations of their own. My motivation to pursue nursing is also deeply connected to my mom. She passed away when I was very young, but before she passed, she was pursuing nursing while pregnant with me. She never got the chance to finish her degree. Because of that, earning my nursing degree feels like I am carrying a part of her dream with me. I want to finish what she started while also creating a path that is my own. Another part of my college journey is having a sibling who is also in college. We are both working toward our own futures and trying to manage the financial responsibilities that come with higher education. College expenses can add up quickly, from tuition and textbooks to supplies, transportation, and everyday needs. Having another student in the family makes those expenses even more challenging, which is why scholarships like this one are so important to me. This scholarship would help take some of the financial pressure off of my family and allow me to focus more on my education. Instead of constantly worrying about how every school expense will be covered, I would be able to put more of my energy into my classes, studying, and preparing for my nursing career. Even small things like textbooks, nursing supplies, and transportation can make a difference when you are a college student. I know that my path has been different from many other students, but I do not see my past as something that should hold me back. I see it as part of what has made me determined to succeed. I want to graduate from UNC Charlotte, become a nurse practitioner, and build a career that allows me to help people feel safe, heard, and cared for. Receiving this scholarship would help me take another step toward that goal and continue building the future I have worked so hard to reach.

When I think about why I want to become a nurse, I always think about my mom. My mom passed away when I was very young, so I never got the opportunity to truly know her as I wish I could have. However, one thing I do know about her is that she wanted to become a nurse. She was pursuing nursing while she was pregnant with me, but unfortunately, she never got the chance to finish what she started. Knowing that has always stayed with me. I feel like nursing is more than just a career I chose for myself. In a way, it feels like I am continuing a dream that my mom had before I was even born. I have always had a natural desire to care for people. When I was younger, I loved watching Doc McStuffins. I know it may seem like a small thing, but I genuinely loved watching her take care of her patients, figure out what was wrong, and make them feel better. At that age, I did not understand what a career in healthcare really meant, but looking back, I can see how those little moments helped shape my interest in medicine. As I got older, my reason for wanting to become a nurse became much deeper. Through my nursing fundamentals class and my clinical experience in a nursing home, I got to see what caring for people actually looks like. I learned that nursing is not just about knowing medical information or completing tasks. It is also about listening, being patient, showing compassion, and making someone feel safe when they may be scared, uncomfortable, or having a difficult day. Those are the parts of nursing that I find most meaningful. My goal is to earn my BSN and eventually become a nurse practitioner. I want to build a career where I can make people feel heard and cared for, not just treated. I especially want to be the kind of healthcare professional who remembers that every patient has a story and deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. I also want my career to have an impact beyond the hospital or clinic. I want to give back to my community by helping people understand their health, encouraging them to advocate for themselves, and being someone they can trust. I know that becoming a nurse will take hard work, long nights, and dedication, but I am willing to put in that work because this goal means so much to me. Every step I take toward my nursing degree feels like I am building my own future while also carrying a small piece of my mom’s dream with me. She did not get the chance to finish her journey, but I do. I want to make her proud, create a meaningful life for myself, and use my career to help others. For me, becoming a nurse is not just about what I want to do. It is about who I want to be for the people who need me.

My experience in the foster care system has had a major impact on the person I have become and the way I look at my future. Growing up with uncertainty and having to adjust to different situations taught me how to be independent, resilient, and appreciative of the people who genuinely support me. There were times when things were difficult and I did not always know what the future would look like, but those experiences taught me how to keep going even when things did not go as planned. They showed me that I am capable of getting through difficult situations and still working toward the life I want for myself. Being in foster care also taught me the importance of having someone who listens and makes you feel supported. I learned that sometimes a person does not need someone to fix everything for them; they just need someone who cares enough to be there. My experiences have made me more understanding and compassionate toward other people because I know that you cannot always tell what someone is going through just by looking at them. I want to carry that understanding with me throughout my life and especially into my future career. My experiences have also influenced my decision to pursue nursing. I have always wanted a career where I could help people, but going through difficult experiences myself made me realize how meaningful it can be to provide comfort and support when someone is at their most vulnerable. I want to become a nurse who makes patients feel safe, respected, and cared for. Eventually, I hope to further my education and become a nurse practitioner so I can continue helping people in an even greater way. After high school, I plan to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My goal is to become a registered nurse and eventually continue my education to become a nurse practitioner. I know that college will come with challenges, both academically and financially, but I am ready to work hard and stay committed to my goals. I want to make the most of the opportunities I have and prove to myself that my past does not have to limit my future. This scholarship would help me with the financial responsibilities that come with college, including tuition, books, supplies, transportation, and other educational expenses. Having financial support would allow me to focus more on my education instead of worrying about how I will afford everything I need for school. It would also give me the opportunity to continue pursuing my dreams without financial challenges becoming a reason I have to give up or slow down. My experience in foster care is a part of my story, but it does not define who I am or where I am going. It has helped me become stronger, more compassionate, and more determined. I want to take everything I have experienced and use it as motivation to build a stable and successful future. I am proud of how far I have come, and I am excited about where I am going. This scholarship would help me take another important step toward earning my nursing degree, becoming a nurse practitioner, and one day being the person who makes someone else feel supported when they need it most.