“It’s humiliating you found me fascinating,” Sabrina Carpenter once joked in an interview, but the truth is, her ability to turn vulnerability into power is exactly what first drew me to her. Sabrina has this rare gift of taking emotions people usually hide—jealousy, insecurity, heartbreak, ambition—and transforming them into something bold, feminine, funny, and fearless. Watching her journey didn’t just make me a fan; it helped shape who I am. I became a fan at a time when I didn’t fully know my voice yet. Sabrina carried herself with a confidence that didn’t try to look tough—she was soft, playful, sarcastic, emotional, and still powerful. That balance mattered to me. Growing up, I used to think strength meant holding everything in, but Sabrina showed me that expression, femininity, and honesty can be powerful too. The more I watched her perform, the more I realized it was okay to take up space and to want more for myself. Her career inspired my own glow-up mentally. Sabrina faced public criticism, doubt, and people constantly trying to define her, yet she continued to reinvent herself. She didn’t let the world box her in. Seeing her handle hate with humor and elegance taught me not to shrink myself when life gets loud. Instead, she taught me to laugh a little, work harder, and stay confident in who I am becoming. Sabrina’s music helped me through some of my hardest moments. Songs like “because i liked a boy,” “Feather,” and “Nonsense” showed me you can turn pain into art, disappointment into direction, and embarrassment into empowerment. Her lyrics are a reminder that it’s okay to feel deeply while still moving forward. When I struggled with confidence, or when life felt overwhelming, her voice gave me something to hold onto—a reminder that healing can be fun, messy, musical, and beautiful. Her impact isn’t just emotional; it’s creative. Her bold style, unapologetic femininity, and clever wordplay inspired me in my own self-expression. Sabrina’s career made me more confident in experimenting with fashion, standing out, and letting my personality show. I learned that being multi-dimensional is a strength—you can be ambitious, glamorous, emotional, playful, and still be taken seriously. This scholarship would support my path toward higher education, but more importantly, it would help me continue growing into the kind of woman Sabrina Carpenter celebrates—driven, expressive, creative, and confident. Education is part of my long-term dream, but so is using my voice to inspire others the way Sabrina inspired me. She taught me the kind of confidence that isn’t loud but intentional: the type that says “I deserve to be here,” without ever needing to explain why. Sabrina’s influence helped shape the person I am becoming. She showed me that reinvention is allowed, that femininity is strength, that humor can be armor, and that dreams become real when you chase them boldly. Being her fan didn’t just impact me—it transformed me, and it continues to guide how I carry myself, how I speak, and how I step into every new chapter of my life.

I did not expect a single tear to fall when I opened that old drawer, but it landed right on the pamphlet before I could stop it. It was my mother’s LPN school application, tucked neatly inside the folds as if she had planned to return to it any day. The tear blurred her handwriting, and for a moment, it felt like time folded in on itself and placed me right back in the world where she was still dreaming of a future she never got to reach. Losing my mother shaped every part of my life. Her death did not just leave an empty seat at the table. It changed the way I love, the way I fight, and the way I move through the world. She was the person who held everything together, and when she passed, the foundation beneath me cracked. I had to rebuild myself from a place of hurt long before I understood what healing meant. Finding her application reminded me that she once wanted the same kind of purpose I am now chasing. She dreamed of helping people, of bringing comfort to those in need, and of creating a better life for our family. Even though she never got the chance to enter that classroom, her dream planted something meaningful in me. It made me commit to becoming someone she would be proud of. Her loss taught me strength in a way nothing else could. I learned to keep going even when grief tried to silence me. I learned to be patient with life, with others, and with myself. It made me more understanding of people’s struggles because I know how much pain can hide behind a smile. Her absence pushed me to check in on people more, to offer compassion easily, and to choose kindness even when it is hard. Most importantly, her passing gave my goals direction. I want to build the life she hoped to give me, one filled with stability, courage, and growth. Every step I take in my education is a step she never got to take, and I carry that with me as motivation rather than sorrow. Her love did not end when her life did. It continues through the choices I make and the future I am working toward. That tear on the pamphlet was a reminder that grief never fully leaves, but neither does the love that shaped me. My mother’s dream became my foundation, and her memory continues to guide me toward a life filled with purpose, strength, and compassion.

Being a first generation college student means carrying dreams that were never handed to you. It means stepping into unfamiliar spaces without a roadmap, learning systems no one in your family has experienced, and believing in a future bigger than the one you were born into. For me, being first generation is also tied to loss, resilience, and the decision to rewrite a story that began with trauma. When I was a child, I lost both of my parents in the same moment. My father took my mother’s life and then his own, leaving me with a reality most people could never imagine. For years, I hid the truth and told people they died in a car accident because it felt easier than reliving the pain. As I got older, I realized that my truth did not weaken me. It shaped me. It taught me empathy, strength, and the determination to create a different future for myself. My grandmother became my home after that. She raised me with discipline, structure, and the kind of unconditional love that helps broken pieces grow back stronger. Growing up in a low income, single parent household as a person of color and a first generation college student meant I had to figure out everything on my own. There was no one who could tell me how to apply for school, how to navigate financial aid, or how to balance work and education. I had to become my own guide, and in the process, I discovered who I am capable of becoming. I am currently in my first year at Rasmussen University, pursuing my nursing degree while working as a CNA. My mother was also a CNA studying to become an LPN before her life was taken, and continuing her path gives my education meaning. Nursing allows me to transform my pain into purpose. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens deeply, who understands silent struggles, and who brings comfort to people in their most vulnerable moments. My dream is to work in a hospital setting, grow in my field, and eventually mentor other first generation students who feel lost the way I once did. This scholarship would make a tremendous difference in my life. Being first generation means financial challenges are constant, and balancing school with work can become overwhelming. Receiving this award would allow me to stay focused on my classes, reduce financial stress, and continue moving toward my goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. It would not only support my education but also honor the sacrifices and resilience that brought me to this point. To me, being a first generation student means breaking cycles, creating new possibilities, and becoming the hope your family never had. It means carrying courage where fear used to live. And it means choosing, every day, to turn your story into something powerful. I am ready to continue that journey.

I learned early in life that families do not always look the way you expect. When I was a child, I lost both of my parents in the same moment. My father took my mother’s life and then his own, leaving me in a world that no longer felt recognizable. For years, I hid the truth because speaking it felt unbearable. I told people they died in a car accident because that version felt safer than opening the door to pity or confusion. As I grew older, I realized that hiding my story did not protect me. Accepting my truth showed me that even in trauma, there is strength, and that strength has shaped every step of my journey toward becoming a nurse. After losing both parents, my grandmother stepped in and became my home. She raised me with patience, structure, and unconditional love. Our household may not have been traditional, but it was built on resilience. She taught me that even when life hands you circumstances you never asked for, you still have the power to choose who you want to become. Growing up without either parent meant navigating school, friendships, and milestones with an absence that often felt overwhelming. I learned to balance grief with growth, and to keep moving forward even when the memories felt heavy. These experiences forced me to mature quickly, but they also taught me empathy, patience, and the ability to understand others beyond what they show on the surface. My mother was a CNA studying to become an LPN before she passed. Even though I did not grow up with her guidance, her commitment to caring for others became part of my identity. Today I am a CNA working toward becoming a Registered Nurse, continuing the path she began. Nursing gives me a way to honor her life while building my own purpose. I want to use my nursing career to bring comfort to people during their most vulnerable moments. Losing both of my parents taught me that pain is often silent, and many people suffer without anyone noticing. I hope to be the nurse who listens, who reassures, and who makes people feel valued. My goal is to offer the compassion I once needed myself. I plan to work in a hospital setting where I can grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact on patients and families. Eventually, I hope to mentor young women who feel limited by their circumstances. I want them to see that their past does not define their potential. My own journey shows that even painful beginnings can lead to powerful futures. This scholarship would relieve significant financial pressure as I continue my education. Being a first generation college student from a single parent household means every step requires planning and sacrifice. Support like this would allow me to focus more fully on my coursework and clinical training. It would help me move closer to completing my degree and beginning my career as a nurse. I am proud of the strength it took to reach this point in my life. Losing both of my parents could have broken me, but instead it pushed me to rise, to grow, and to create a future filled with purpose. Through nursing, I hope to transform my experiences into meaningful service for others. I know my story began with tragedy, but I refuse to let it end there. My education will allow me to change lives and offer the compassion I once needed. I am committed to becoming a nurse who leads with empathy and purpose, honoring my past while shaping future.

have always known that I wanted a future in healthcare, not only because of my personal story but because of the compassion and resilience I have developed along the way. Becoming a Registered Nurse is more than a career goal for me. It represents stability, purpose, and the opportunity to change lives the same way others have helped change mine. My plan for the future is to complete my nursing degree, continue working in patient care, and eventually specialize in an area where I can make the greatest impact, such as mental health, women’s health, or critical care. As a CNA, I have experienced firsthand how meaningful it is to support people in their most vulnerable moments. I want to continue growing in this field by expanding my education and eventually working in a hospital setting where I can advocate for patients, provide comfort, and make them feel safe and heard. My long-term goal is to become a strong, knowledgeable RN who brings both skill and empathy into every room I enter. I also hope to mentor younger women or first-generation students who feel like their dreams are too far out of reach. I want to show them that just because your path is different does not mean your potential is limited. My journey to college has not been simple or traditional. I am a first-generation student, and I come from a background marked by trauma, loss, and financial hardship. Despite that, or maybe because of it, I have learned how to be determined, focused, and resilient. I grew up knowing that education could open doors that circumstances tried to close. Even now, as I balance school, work, and responsibilities, I stay committed because I know the future I am working toward will change my life and allow me to help others on a much bigger scale. This scholarship would make an incredible difference in my ability to continue my education. Nursing programs are demanding, and being able to afford tuition, textbooks, clinical supplies, and transportation can become overwhelming for a student who is supporting herself. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more on my studies and less on financial stress. It would help me stay on track, complete my program, and move confidently into the next stage of my career without the constant worry of how I will afford each step. More than anything, this scholarship would give me a sense of support and encouragement. It would remind me that my story, my perseverance, and my dreams matter. I have overcome challenges that could have discouraged me from continuing my education, but instead, they have motivated me to build a better future. With the help of this scholarship, I can turn those dreams into reality and become the nurse I know I am meant to be.