From a young age, I have always believed in the power of service and the profound impact one person can have on another’s life. This belief is what draws me to STEM, particularly healthcare, where I can combine my passion for helping others with my commitment to making a difference in my community. I’m currently working towards getting my bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) degree, and I recognize that there are challenges I may face as a black female minority. Throughout high school I took advanced classes, maintained a high GPA, while remaining actively engaged in organizations such as the National Honors Society (NHS) and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) where I actively volunteered and participated. I helped organize fundraisers, and I have volunteered at various community events. In addition, I am also a volunteer with the American Red Cross disaster action team, where I help, support, and assist those who have been impacted by fires, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Now, as a nursing student at Wittenberg University, I continue to expand my impact. I have volunteered with the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative. I helped package meals containing nutritional supplements for children in Lesotho, reinforcing my belief that service knows no borders. Overall, I believe that service is a way to positively impact the world and I plan to continue volunteering and serving others in the future. I also actively participate in campus life as a member of the Concerned Black Student (CBS) group on campus. A group that is committed to black student excellence, promotion of cultural awareness and understanding. This group provides a platform for black student expression, voice, and recognition. Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, and raised in the USA since I was 11 years old, my experience as a first generation African immigrant has significantly shaped my educational journey. The transition came with a couple challenges and adjustments, but through it all, I learned that setbacks are not necessarily roadblocks, but stepping stones for progress. My background has instilled in me a strong work ethic, deep cultural empathy, and resilience to overcome barriers, especially in environments where representation is lacking. As someone who is multilingual, I understand the importance of language in delivering compassionate and inclusive care. I aim to use my linguistic and cultural skills to better serve diverse communities and to break down communication barriers and help ensure that every patient feels seen and heard. By actively participating in community programs, volunteering, and raising awareness, I believe I can inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue nursing or other STEM careers. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This quote resonates deeply with me and motivates me to excel. Receiving this scholarship will ease the financial burden of my studies and empower me to continue my journey towards becoming a nurse committed to evidence based practice, health equity, and service to the underserved. I hope to honor Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji’s legacy by bridging cultural gaps, challenging healthcare disparities, and inspiring the next generation of African immigrants. I firmly believe that with my determination, motivation, and desire for personal growth, this scholarship will not only be of financial assistance to me but also enable me to highlight my passion and commitment to service, STEM, and Nursing.

From a young age, I have believed deeply in the power of service and the profound impact one individual can have on the life of another. This conviction is what draws me to nursing—a profession that seamlessly combines my passion for helping others with a commitment to making meaningful contributions to my community. Among the many paths in nursing, I am especially drawn to critical care because it places me at the heart of patient recovery, where clinical expertise, emotional strength, and compassionate presence are needed most. Working in a hospital, I have had the privilege of observing critical care nurses up close. Their ability to care for the most vulnerable patients, while offering comfort and strength to their families, inspires me daily. However, my motivation is also rooted in a painful personal experience. I first encountered the consequences of inadequate healthcare when my aunt's condition was tragically mismanaged by a team of professionals who failed to uphold the very standards of care they pledged to deliver. Her passing left a permanent mark on me, underscoring the life-or-death importance of competence, attentiveness, and compassion in healthcare. From that moment on, I became determined to become the kind of nurse who never overlooks a detail, who listens carefully, thinks critically, and advocates tirelessly for patients and their families. My biggest goal is to be a successful nurse who helps restore hope and dignity, even in the most difficult circumstances. My nursing journey began formally during my sophomore year of high school when I joined the Health Science Academy at the Greene County Career Center. That decision opened doors to hands-on learning, including interviews with experienced nurses and extensive research into healthcare systems. At just 16, I earned my State Tested Nursing Assistant license and began working in a hospital, gaining real-world experience that has both challenged and motivated me. Alongside my clinical work, I actively volunteer in my community, often serving as a helper or babysitter at local events. I also volunteer with the American Red Cross disaster action team to help people who have been affected by natural disasters such as floods or fires. These experiences have shaped my character and deepened my understanding of empathy, service, and responsibility. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That statement resonates deeply with me because education is the foundation of my dream to create change, especially in underserved communities. I have consistently maintained strong academic performance at Wittenberg University while engaging in research, strengthening my clinical reasoning and commitment to evidence-based practice. Every step I take toward earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a step toward becoming a nurse who delivers exceptional care and advocates for health equity. As a low-income student, this scholarship represents more than financial relief. Indeed, it is an investment in my potential and in the countless lives I hope to impact through nursing. It will allow me to focus fully on my education, alleviating financial burdens and empowering me to reach my highest potential as a nurse. Becoming a nurse, to me, is not just about personal achievement but about using my education and skills to give back. With your support, I will be one step closer to my dream career, a means to uplift my community, and the ability to inspire others along the way. I am eager for the opportunity to contribute to the nursing profession and to make a lasting, positive impact—one patient, one life, at a time.

A few years ago, I would never have imagined myself pursuing a career in nursing. While I have always been drawn to STEM fields, my early interests leaned more toward biology and pre-med tracks. That changed when I enrolled in the Health Science Academy at the Greene County Career Center. What began as a simple curiosity gradually evolved into a deep passion for nursing, a profession I have come to respect and wholeheartedly embrace. As part of the Academy, I took the STNA training course. The coursework and hands-on clinical experiences opened my eyes to the reality of nursing. I discovered it is a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding profession that demands technical expertise, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility. My instructors played a pivotal role in my growth, offering relentless support and encouragement. Their dedication inspired me to pursue nursing not just as a profession, but as a personal mission. Motivated by this newfound passion, I applied for and secured a position as a student aide at Miami Valley Hospital. Working alongside nurses, patient care technicians, and physicians, I observed firsthand the unique and transformative role that nurses play within the healthcare team. Nurses are often the first to advocate for patients, build trust, offer comfort, and create lasting impressions through their care. Witnessing this, I knew I wanted to be part of that impact—to be a source of strength and compassion during a patient’s most vulnerable moments. However, my perspective on healthcare was also shaped by personal loss. My aunt’s passing was the result of inadequate attention and care from the healthcare team. While this experience was heartbreaking, it was also eye-opening. It revealed to me the critical link between the quality of care provided and a patient’s outcome. From that moment on, I became determined to become the kind of nurse who never overlooks a detail, who listens carefully, thinks critically, and advocates tirelessly for patients and their families. I want to be the nurse who helps restore hope and dignity, even in the most difficult circumstances. In the near future, I plan to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Wittenberg University to become a registered nurse. I aspire to specialize in cardiac and critical care nursing, where I can apply both my technical skills and emotional insight to care for patients facing life-threatening conditions. In the long term, I plan to advance my education and become a nurse practitioner, expanding my ability to diagnose, treat, and advocate for patients at a higher level of care. Along with my professional goals, I am deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare. As a multilingual individual, I recognize the importance of cultural competence and language accessibility in patient care. I aim to use my linguistic skills to bridge communication gaps and foster a more inclusive healthcare environment for individuals from all backgrounds. I believe that nursing is a powerful way to serve humanity. Through compassionate care, I hope to help patients not only recover but rebuild their lives. As a current nursing student, I am committed to academic excellence and professional development. I know that with hard work, determination, and support, I can reach my goals and make a meaningful impact. To me, this scholarship is more than just financial support. It will be further motivation towards my goals. It will assist me as I remain steadfast in my purpose, strengthen my resolve, and enable me to get closer to a future where I can care, heal, and advocate for those who need it most. I found out about this scholarship on Bold.org!

From a young age, I have believed deeply in the power of service and the profound impact one individual can have on the life of another. This conviction is what draws me to nursing—a profession that seamlessly combines my passion for helping others with a commitment to making meaningful contributions to my community. Among the many paths in nursing, I am especially drawn to critical care because it places me at the heart of patient recovery, where clinical expertise, emotional strength, and compassionate presence are needed most. Working in a hospital, I have had the privilege of observing critical care nurses up close. Their ability to care for the most vulnerable patients, while offering comfort and strength to their families, inspires me daily. Their resilience, skill, and humanity have affirmed my decision to pursue this path. However, my motivation is also rooted in a painful personal experience. I first encountered the consequences of inadequate healthcare when my aunt's condition was tragically mismanaged by a team of professionals who failed to uphold the very standards of care they pledged to deliver. Her passing left a permanent mark on me, underscoring the life-or-death importance of competence, attentiveness, and compassion in healthcare. My journey toward nursing began formally during my sophomore year of high school when I joined the Health Science Academy at the Greene County Career Center. That decision opened doors to hands-on learning, including interviews with experienced nurses and extensive research into healthcare systems. At just 16, I earned my State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) license and began working in a hospital, gaining real-world experience that has both challenged and motivated me. Alongside my clinical work, I actively volunteer in my community, often serving as a helper or babysitter at local events. I also volunteer with the American Red Cross disaster action team to help people who have been affected by natural disasters such as floods or fires. These experiences have shaped my character and deepened my understanding of empathy, service, and responsibility. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That statement resonates deeply with me because education is the foundation of my ambition to create change, especially in underserved communities. I have consistently maintained strong academic performance while engaging in research that enhances my clinical reasoning and commitment to evidence-based practice. Every step I take toward earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a step toward becoming a nurse who delivers exceptional care and advocates for health equity. As a low-income student, this scholarship represents more than financial relief. Indeed, it is an investment in my potential and in the countless lives I hope to impact through nursing. It will allow me to focus fully on my education, alleviating financial burdens and empowering me to reach my highest potential as a nurse. Becoming a nurse, to me, is not just about personal achievement but about using my education and skills to give back. With your support, I will be one step closer to a career I love, a means to uplift my community, and the ability to inspire others along the way. I am eager for the opportunity to contribute to the nursing profession and to make a lasting, positive impact—one patient, one life, at a time.

From a young age, I have believed deeply in the power of service and the profound impact one individual can have on the life of another. This conviction is what draws me to nursing—a profession that seamlessly combines my passion for helping others with a commitment to making meaningful contributions to my community. Among the many paths in nursing, I am especially drawn to critical care because it places me at the heart of patient recovery, where clinical expertise, emotional strength, and compassionate presence are needed most. Working in a hospital, I have had the privilege of observing critical care nurses up close. Their ability to care for the most vulnerable patients, while offering comfort and strength to their families, inspires me daily. Their resilience, skill, and humanity have affirmed my decision to pursue this path. However, my motivation is also rooted in a painful personal experience. I first encountered the consequences of inadequate healthcare when my aunt's condition was tragically mismanaged by a team of professionals who failed to uphold the very standards of care they pledged to deliver. Her passing left a permanent mark on me, underscoring the life-or-death importance of competence, attentiveness, and compassion in healthcare. My journey toward nursing began formally during my sophomore year of high school when I joined the Health Science Academy at the Greene County Career Center. That decision opened doors to hands-on learning, including interviews with experienced nurses and extensive research into healthcare systems. At just 16, I earned my State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) license and began working in a hospital, gaining real-world experience that has both challenged and motivated me. Alongside my clinical work, I actively volunteer in my community, often serving as a helper or babysitter at local events. I also volunteer with the American Red Cross disaster action team to help people who have been affected by natural disasters such as floods or fires. These experiences have shaped my character and deepened my understanding of empathy, service, and responsibility. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That statement resonates deeply with me because education is the foundation of my ambition to create change, especially in underserved communities. I have consistently maintained strong academic performance while engaging in research that enhances my clinical reasoning and commitment to evidence-based practice. Every step I take toward earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a step toward becoming a nurse who delivers exceptional care and advocates for health equity. As a low-income student, this scholarship represents more than financial relief. Indeed, it is an investment in my potential and in the countless lives I hope to impact through nursing. It will allow me to focus fully on my education, alleviating financial burdens and empowering me to reach my highest potential as a nurse. To me, success is not just measured in personal milestones, but in my ability to uplift others, inspire the next generation, and provide care that transforms lives. With your support, I will be one step closer to building a career that I love, and I am eager to contribute to a healthier, more compassionate world—one patient, one life at a time.

Martial arts it’s not just a sport, but a way of life. I started to learn karate when I was just 6 years old. Back then, I learned it with my father and my brother at a martial arts center. Even though I was just little, I found the concept very calming. It really helped me focus even as a kid. Over the years, I have improved in not just my focus, but my defense skills and coordination. My techniques are not only sharper, but also more flexible. One big thing that has helped me especially in my personal life is meditation. At the start and end of my karate classes, we meditate. I have found this meditation very influential on my mental state and health. Meditating is now an everyday thing I do to increase my mindfulness and awareness. As I continue to take karate classes, I have seen many improvements not just in my self-defense skills, but in my school life. Although I have never used karate outside of my karate classes and practice, it has influenced other aspects of my life in many ways. I have found myself having more confidence in what I do and in a better state of mind when I do them. I have been involved in martial arts ever since I was a kid and I can’t imagine a life without my karate lessons. Karate is not just an extracurricular I participate in but an important and influential part of my life