When someone asks me about my favorite subject, I always say, "math"! I know, it might sound like a strange answer—who in their right mind enjoys math, right? Sure, English and history are fine, but math??? Math has always been fun for me, even though my friends think it's a little weird. I tell them I enjoy doing math problems for fun, and they just look at me like I'm crazy. But honestly, it's the challenge that makes it so exciting. Solving math equations can seem straightforward, but one small mistake can throw everything off, and then you have to start over. To me, solving a math problem is like solving a puzzle. There's only one correct solution, but there are so many different ways to get there. The satisfaction I get from completing both is pure euphoria. I feel a sense of accomplishment after all the time and effort that was put into solving the problem. Math has helped me build problem-solving skills I didn't have before. My critical thinking and decision-making skills have doubled with every math class I'm in. It's so easy for me to analyze a situation, discover the root problem, and find a solution...at some point that was difficult for me. The development of my problem-solving skills has changed my mindset. Instead of seeing challenges as obstacles, I now see these challenges as opportunities to grow. So while math may seem like an unusual favorite subject, it's more than just numbers and equations— it's a source of thrill! Joy! Challenge! I've gained valuable skills from solving math problems that have helped me with practical scenarios. Although math has a sense of difficulty, at the end of the day, it’s the passion and fulfillment we find in our interests that truly matter.

Working in healthcare has always been an option in the back of my mind. However, growing up with my mother as a lawyer, I was expected to take over her law firm. During most of my high school years, I aimed to pursue the pre-law pathway to achieve my mother's dream. I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer as time passed. I’m not outspoken, I didn’t have the passion, and most of all, I couldn’t argue to save my life. I had no plan for the future and didn’t know what I wanted to do. For a long time, I felt lost and confused. During this period of uncertainty, I reflected on who I truly am. I've always enjoyed helping others and consider myself an empathetic person who understands how others are feeling. I value the meaningful rewards that come from hard work and dedication, which are essential qualities in patient care. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated and have been recognized for my strong work ethic and perseverance. That is how I knew nursing, specifically pediatric nursing, was the right path for me. I’ve always loved caring for children, especially those with special needs. My whole life, I've taken care of my younger sister who has Autism. I remember countless nights staying up with her ensuring her safety, providing her with her medication, and calming her down. These moments taught me the importance of patience and empathy. As someone who has always been a huge advocate for those with special needs, growing up watching my sister blossom thanks to the compassionate care of pediatric nurses has always inspired me. Their dedication and kindness helped me realize that I want to create a similar impact on children. I hope to contribute to this career field by making a child's day better. I would love to work in pediatric oncology, although emotionally taxing, the specialty also offers the chance to make an enormous impact. I am drawn to the specialty because it would offer me the opportunity to build genuine relationships with patients over the weeks and months, supporting them through their darkest times. After gaining meaningful experience in the nursing field, I plan to further my education and pursue a getting my master's in nursing so I can become a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. This advanced training will allow me to better advocate for my patients while providing the best possible care Although I haven’t had the opportunity to shadow a nurse or volunteer at a nursing home, and despite not being a science expert, I’ve spent countless hours caring for my sister and her peers. Those experiences have taught me the importance of being kindhearted and patient---qualities I admire in healthcare professionals. It took me a long time to realize it, but I’m determined to create a positive impact in the lives of children, especially those with qualities that make them unique. I want to be the difference that brings a smile to a child’s face, even amid sorrow.

Growing up, my mom would always relax my hair. The smell of chemicals and burning of the scalp became a routine thing for me. My naturally coily hair transformed into sleek, straight strands of hair. I think that was the start of my belief that I had to conform to society to succeed. As a kid, I never really knew what I wanted to be. While every other kid wanted to be an astronaut, teacher, firefighter, or marine biologist, my mind just came up blank whenever I thought about my future. Living in a Nigerian household in a predominantly white neighborhood my mom expected me to outdo everyone else. She wanted me to be at the top so that I could succeed as a second-generation Nigerian-American. My mom came from Nigeria to become a licensed attorney in America, embodying hard work and resilience. Knowing she was right, I followed her advice. I was brought up to value education and loved learning, so in elementary and middle school, I got straight As and became known within my school to be very intelligent. But even with all the recognition and honor rolls, I wasn’t ever happy. I never felt like myself. The beginning of high school marked a significant transition in my life. I decided to cut my hair, symbolizing my newfound sense of direction. I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer! My mom’s a lawyer, so I had to be a lawyer too, right? It seemed logical at the time, but I had a whole plan. Throughout high school, I’d take pre-law courses and AP classes that would help prepare me for my future. I wanted to major in political science and go to law school, then take over my mom’s law firm. I thought I had figured my whole future out. I thought I had finally found myself! I didn’t know how wrong I was. It was not until the end of my junior year that I realized that being a lawyer wasn’t what I truly wanted. I had to ask myself the question: did I want to pursue law because it genuinely interested me or because it’s what’s expected of me? I don’t enjoy public speaking or debating; those are things my mother enjoys doing. I never aspired to become a lawyer—it was her dream, not mine. It took me a while to realize this, but I don't want to follow anyone else's path—I want to make my future. Caring for my autistic sister made me realize that I possess the qualities needed to succeed in healthcare. I witnessed firsthand how nurses can make a difference in her life with their compassion and patience. Even though I considered the idea of working in healthcare, the “dream” of being a lawyer overtook me for most of my high school years. Now, I’ve finally realized that I want to pursue pediatric nursing. As someone who has always valued the meaningful rewards that come from hard work and dedication, I knew that path was right for me. I’ve witnessed how nurses can create an impact on a child’s life and I want to make the same difference. Throughout my life, I’ve learned how important it is to do what makes me genuinely happy, rather than just trying to meet other people’s expectations. Cutting my hair wasn’t just a physical change—it was a mental one too. It was a declaration of independence, a step towards being my authentic self. By staying true to myself, I believe I’m on the path to genuine happiness and achieving what I want in life.

Healthcare has always been an option in my life, but for most of high school, I was fixated on becoming a lawyer. My mother has always been my inspiration she's an immigrant from Nigeria who came to the US to fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer. I wanted to follow in her footsteps—or maybe it was the other way around. I had to ask myself: did I want to pursue law because it genuinely interested me or because it’s what’s expected of me? I don’t enjoy public speaking or debating; my mother enjoys doing those things. I never aspired to become a lawyer—it was her dream, not mine. It took me a while to realize this, but I don't want to follow anyone else's path—I want to make my future. Telling my mom I didn't want to be a lawyer was tough, but it opened my eyes to a different journey. Caring for my autistic sister made me realize that I possess the qualities needed to succeed in healthcare. I witnessed firsthand how nurses can make a difference in her life with their compassion and patience. I finally realized that I wanted to pursue pediatric nursing. As someone who finds value in hard work and dedication, I knew this path was not only challenging but also incredibly rewarding. I’ve witnessed how nurses can create an impact on a child’s life and I want to make the same difference. As I look ahead to my future, I envision myself working in the pediatric unit, where I can dedicate my career to working with children. I've always had a natural connection with kids their joy and innocence make my heart warm whenever I interact with them. The idea of working with children every week and making them smile amongst the despairs that may occur in their life makes me feel brings me a sense of purpose. Additionally, compared to adults, working with children rather than adults seems ideal because I’ve always felt a deep sense of responsibility to ensure they feel safe and cared for, especially in times of vulnerability. While I'm a nurse, I see myself specializing in pediatric oncology and hematology, which may seem emotionally taxing, but also offers the chance to make an enormous impact. As someone who has always strived to be more educated, I also see myself getting my master's degree in nursing and pursuing the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner route. Though balancing school and work will be challenging, I know that the rewards will outweigh the stress. When I decided I wanted to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing I was met with plenty of responses. "Why don't you want to be a doctor?" or "Do you know how stressful being a nurse is?". Yes, I know that being a doctor is the route that will make more money. Yes, I know that being a nurse comes with its challenges. But for me, it’s not just about the money—it’s about making a difference in someone's life, that’s what truly matters to me.

Growing up in a Nigerian household, mental illness was never acknowledged. My parents came from Nigeria with nothing but a passport and a few dollars. They worked hard to put a roof over my head, so how could I possibly have a mental health condition? Nothing could be harder than the journey they endured. I've always been quiet, but I became even quieter after moving an hour away from my previous school in eighth grade. I watched as my brothers made friends easily, while I often went the whole day without speaking. This became my reality for a long time. I dreaded being around people, feared their judgment, and felt like no one liked me, even though no one was really paying attention to me. The first time I experienced selective mutism was when my athletics coach yelled at me for quitting basketball. I was crying, wanting to respond, but no words came out. She asked me a question, and I couldn’t answer. It was humiliating, and I ran out with everyone watching me. I wondered what was wrong with me. For a long time, I thought it was just a phase, but it never went away. When I researched social anxiety, I saw myself in every symptom, but I convinced myself it wasn’t real. When I finally asked my mom about getting a diagnosis, she refused. She told me I’d make friends eventually, but I never did. I cried all the time—at school, at home, even while eating. I was desperate for a solution. I thought maybe my quietness came from my speech impediment, so I went to speech therapy. But it didn’t help. I just wanted friends. I wanted to be able to talk without fear. I wanted to be like everyone else. Eventually, I switched to online school for the last few weeks of eighth grade. That was the most depressing year of my life, and the feeling lingered through sophomore year. Towards the end of my sophomore year, I made a few friends—fellow Africans who wanted to create an African Student Association. The idea was to build a community around our culture. When the plan came together, I was immediately terrified. I froze up whenever I had to speak in front of people, so the idea of leading meetings scared me. I would sit in the corner, hoping no one would notice. People didn’t even know I was a co-founder. But one day, the other co-founders couldn’t make it, and I had no choice but to lead the meeting. I was scared out of my mind. It wasn’t our best meeting, but it was the first time stepping outside of my comfort zone. I still experience feelings of social anxiety, but challenging myself has brought great success in creating relationships during my high school experience. Pursuing college is a huge step for me. I’ll be surrounded by people I’m terrified are judging me, but I’m ready to move forward. I’m determined to earn my BSN and become a pediatric nurse, bringing smiles to children, even in the midst of their pain. I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but I’m prepared to face every obstacle. My anxiety won’t hold me back any longer.

Working in healthcare has always been an option in the back of my mind. However, growing up with my mother as a lawyer, there was a huge expectation for me to take over her law firm. During most of my high school years, I aimed to pursue the pre-law pathway to achieve my mother's dream. As time passed, I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I’m not outspoken, I didn’t have the passion, and most of all, I couldn’t argue to save my life. I had no plan for the future and didn’t know what I wanted to do. For a long time, I felt lost and confused, but as I thought about it, I realized the type of person I am. I've always enjoyed helping others and consider myself an empathetic person who understands how others are feeling. I value the meaningful rewards that come from hard work and dedication, which are essential qualities in patient care. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated and have been recognized for my strong work ethic and perseverance. That is how I knew that nursing, specifically pediatric nursing, was the right path for me. I’ve always loved caring for children, especially those with special needs. My whole life, I've taken care of my younger sister who has Autism. I remember countless nights staying up with her ensuring her safety, providing her with her medication, and calming her down. These moments taught me the importance of patience and empathy. As someone who has always been a huge advocate for those with special needs, growing up watching my sister blossom thanks to the compassionate and patient care of pediatric nurses has always inspired me. Their dedication and kindness helped me recognize that I want to create a similar impact on children. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I'd love to further my education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner so I can provide even more intensive care to youth. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to shadow a nurse or volunteer at a nursing home, and despite not being a science wiz, I’ve spent countless hours caring for my sister and her peers, ensuring they receive what they need and treating them with respect. Those experiences have taught me the importance of being kindhearted and patient, qualities I also find in healthcare professionals. Although it took me a long time to realize it, I’m determined to create a positive impact in the lives of children, especially those with disabilities that make them unique. I want to be the difference that makes a child smile amongst the despairs.

Working in healthcare has always been an option in the back of my mind. However, growing up with my mother as a lawyer, there was a huge expectation for me to take over her law firm. During most of my high school years, I aimed to pursue the pre-law pathway to achieve my mother's dream. As time passed, I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I’m not outspoken, I didn’t have the passion, and most of all, I couldn’t argue to save my life. I had no plan for the future and didn’t know what I wanted to do. For a long time, I felt lost and confused, but as I thought about it, I realized the type of person I am. I've always enjoyed helping others and consider myself an empathetic person who understands how others are feeling. I value the meaningful rewards that come from hard work and dedication, which are essential qualities in patient care. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated and have been recognized for my strong work ethic and perseverance. That is how I knew that nursing, specifically pediatric nursing, was the right path for me. I’ve always loved caring for children, especially those with special needs. My whole life, I've taken care of my younger sister who has Autism. I remember countless nights staying up with her ensuring her safety, providing her with her medication, and calming her down. These moments taught me the importance of patience and empathy. As someone who has always been a huge advocate for those with special needs, growing up watching my sister blossom thanks to the compassionate and patient care of pediatric nurses has always inspired me. Their dedication and kindness helped me recognize that I want to create a similar impact on children. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I'd love to further my education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner so I can provide even more intensive care to youth. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to shadow a nurse or volunteer at a nursing home, and despite not being a science wiz, I’ve spent countless hours caring for my sister and her peers, ensuring they receive what they need and treating them with respect. Those experiences have taught me the importance of being kindhearted and patient, qualities I also find in healthcare professionals. Although it took me a long time to realize it, I’m determined to create a positive impact in the lives of children, and I’m dedicated to getting through schooling to achieve that goal.

Working in healthcare has always been an option in the back of my mind. However, growing up with my mother as a lawyer, there was a huge expectation for me to take over her law firm. During most of my high school years, I aimed to pursue the pre-law pathway to achieve my mother's dream. As time passed, I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I’m not outspoken, I didn’t have the passion, and most of all, I couldn’t argue to save my life. I had no plan for the future and didn’t know what I wanted to do. For a long time, I felt lost and confused, but as I thought about it, I realized the type of person I am. I've always enjoyed helping others and consider myself an empathetic person who understands how others are feeling. I value the meaningful rewards that come from hard work and dedication, which are essential qualities in patient care. Throughout my academic journey, I have demonstrated and have been recognized for my strong work ethic and perseverance. That is how I knew that nursing, specifically pediatric nursing, was the right path for me. I’ve always loved caring for children, especially those with special needs. My whole life, I've taken care of my younger sister who has Autism. I remember countless nights staying up with her ensuring her safety, providing her with her medication, and calming her down. These moments taught me the importance of patience and empathy. As someone who has always been a huge advocate for those with special needs, growing up watching my sister blossom thanks to the compassionate and patient care of pediatric nurses has always inspired me. Their dedication and kindness helped me recognize that I want to create a similar impact on children. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I'd love to further my education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner so I can provide even more intensive care to youth. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to shadow a nurse or volunteer at a nursing home, and despite not being a science wiz, I’ve spent countless hours caring for my sister and her peers, ensuring they receive what they need and treating them with respect. Those experiences have taught me the importance of being kindhearted and patient, qualities I also find in healthcare professionals. Although it took me a long time to realize it, I’m determined to create a positive impact in the lives of children, and I’m dedicated to getting through schooling to achieve that goal.

Growing up, I was always made fun of for the way I spoke. I used to have a severe speech impediment, and while it has improved over the years, it remains something I struggle with to this day. People would repeatedly tell me that I "speak too fast" or that I "stutter." For a long time, I avoided speaking to anyone, and I believe this impacted my high school experience, as it took me such a long time to figure out who I was. Junior year was a big step for me. I co-founded my school's African Student Association. I went from someone who barely spoke in class to leading a group of people. I co-founded the African Student Association because I am a proud second-generation Nigerian American. My mother came to this country from Nigeria to set up her children for success. Although my mother is a lawyer, she still struggles financially to run a small law firm by herself while providing for me, my twin brother, and my sister who has special needs. Inspired by my mother, I took the initiative to embrace my Nigerian heritage. Despite the difficulty, I overcame my fear of speaking and successfully led my club with the help of my co-founders. Last year, we organized a clothing drive for families back in Nigeria, and this year we have even bigger plans. Overcoming my speech impediment was a significant part of my life. As someone who was bullied for the way I spoke, seeing others get bullied for different aspects of their character always disappoints me in today's age. However, I've always been a huge advocate for those with special needs. Growing up taking care of and protecting my sister with autism, I have experienced firsthand how bullying can affect others. Society has always had a negative view of those with special needs, frequently mocking them and using hurtful terms. However, I've always taken it upon myself to educate those who hold such views, so they can see how their words may affect others. While my words alone can't stop the negative remarks and attitudes toward those with special needs, I always encourage others to also educate those with harmful views. Although our experiences aren't alike, I sometimes see myself in my sister. We are both ridiculed for things we have no control over. However, with just a conversation, one can change someone's entire perspective.