Hello, my name is Frances Koons. My future educational goals are to go to Eastern Washington University where I will study every day and learn everything there is to learn about nursing and the health care system. I plan to strive for an education and keep all my classes above a 3.8 GPA so I can make the top 15 students who get into Eastern's clinical trials. After this, I plan to work hard through determination and balancing a job with that, and after all of this, I plan to pass my NCLEX exam to become a licensed nurse where I can then start working on my professional goals as an Obstetrics Nurse in an OB-GYN office. I will strive to care for my patients both the mother and the child making sure I help in any way I can and to persevere and learn every day. My goals are to not just be a Nurse but someone there for people who need it most, I aim to be an understanding, professional, and responsible nurse who considers all my patients’ worries and helps them with what is best for them by alleviating their stress. I believe that caring not just for the patient but for their personal well-being is most important so at the end of the day my goals are to have an impact on every one of myeachts lives for the better. I know going into a health care facility can be extremely stressful and people often think of hospitals as a scary place and do not have their feelings taken into consideration, or have anxiety about who cares for them, I want to be that beacon of hope that I'm not just trying to get them out of the way but that I am caring for them on a deeper level, a level that they have trust in me and that will have them going into the future knowing at least one person cares for them and they think of hospitals and health care workers in a positive light. Thank you for your consideration, Frances Koons

Hello, my name is Frances Koons. My interests in school include English because of my amazing teacher who does everything in her power to help supportive to us and helped me grow from even being in 9th grade and not knowing how to MLA format to being the most improved that I was given an award by her and continuing to get better as I apply for her college level English class in 11th and this year. I found myself writing stories as a young girl and being able to read brings me joy. This followers with my extra curricular activities being SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) where I am a very serious advocate for safety and avoiding harmful behaviors such as drinking or driving under the influence, a specific thing for my that I embrace every year in the club is train safety, my school is not a yard away from the middle school and beside that is train tracks that are used everyday by students not only driving but walking to school, so me and a few members in the club went to the middle school and created a presentation that was engaging about the dangers of trains and told them how to be safe and created a visual awareness as well as a Kahoot that for there younger minds helped them learn and even passing by one of them they remembered me and shouted out a fact about trains which brought me joy because it let me know I made a difference and that they will remember the importance and help them stay safe as they go into highschool. This leads me to my plans for the future, my mom never was able to go to college as she fell pregnant with me when she was 18, and has cared for me as best as she could even when we had to move and stay with people throughout my childhood she still did the best so that me and my sister had a good life, so with my education I hope to be the very best nurse there is. I plan to go to Eastern Washington University with my best friend where together we will help each other through nursing school and get into the top 15 that get into clinical, from there I will strive to be not only just a nurse, but a nurse people can remember. I want to have an impact on people who some might think “when I think of hospitals, I think of sickness and sadness,” I want to be able to change people’s minds I want them to think when they come into a hospital “my nurse cares, my nurse is there for me and not just what my medical issue is.” when I get through college and become a registered nurse, my plan has always been to either contribute to a charity for anti-kill animal shelters or create one dedicated to animals, I have always had a love to animals and every-time I see an animal on the side of the road driving I always stop and take it home and find its owners, weather it be 2 or 3 days I always find the owner and return them to there home, because they have and deserve a home.

The sterile scent of disinfectant, often associated with anxiety, was instead a comforting aroma for me as an eight-year-old. It was the smell of my aunt's hospital room, where my newborn cousin was receiving care. While the medical jargon and beeping machines were foreign to my young ears, the actions of the nurses were a language I understood implicitly: compassion. I watched, captivated, as they moved with a quiet grace, their hands gentle yet efficient as they tended to my cousin. They didn't just perform tasks; they exuded a genuine concern for her well-being, offering my aunt reassuring smiles and taking the time to explain each step of her care. Even as a child, I recognized the profound impact of their empathy, how their presence eased the fear and uncertainty that often accompanies a hospital stay.Witnessing this dedication firsthand ignited a spark within me, a desire to embody that same spirit of care. The nurses weren't just healthcare professionals; they were beacons of comfort and reassurance. They made a daunting environment feel safe and human. In their attentive care, I saw the potential to make a tangible difference in someone's life during their most vulnerable moments. This experience sculpted my aspirations, directing me towards a future in nursing, specifically in obstetrics. I dream of being that person for others – the one who provides not just medical expertise, but also a calming presence and a listening ear. My goal extends beyond treating illnesses; I want to cultivate positive associations with healthcare. I want patients to remember their hospital experiences not with dread, but with a sense of being truly seen and cared for. This vision is rooted in my belief that inherent goodness exists in everyone, and it is this good I strive to nurture and reflect in my practice. By approaching each patient with a positive mindset and a genuine desire to alleviate suffering, I hope to contribute to a world where compassion is not an exception, but the standard of care. The memory of those nurses’ gentle hands and reassuring words is my constant motivation, a reminder of the profound and lasting impact a compassionate caregiver can have. I am driven to become that memory for someone else, ensuring that the memory of a hospital stay is intertwined with kindness, professionalism, and unwavering support. I am confident that my passion for compassionate care, ignited by early experiences, will allow me to excel as a registered nurse. I am eager to bring a positive and empathetic presence to my future patients, transforming their hospital experiences and embodying the very qualities I admire. Thank you for considering my application.

Growing up in a single-parent household, the concept of "finances" was less an academic subject and more the constant, quiet hum of my mom's unwavering efforts to keep us afloat. This wasn't a comfortable, stable environment; it was a reality shaped by financial scarcity. We moved frequently, relying on the kindness of relatives for shelter, with my aunt offering the most consistent refuge. I vividly recall one year when my mom's income barely reached $2,000. Despite this immense challenge, her determination ensured we never faced homelessness. This period of constant adaptation and resourcefulness taught me more about the true value of money than any textbook ever could. It ingrained in me an understanding of the importance of every dollar and the fundamental need for financial stability. My formal financial education began this past year with a reality-based class that offered practical insights into money management. It was a profound learning experience, translating abstract financial principles into actionable strategies. This newfound knowledge, layered upon the foundational lessons from my mom’s struggles, has ignited a deep-seated desire for financial independence. My aspiration is to become someone who makes informed, responsible financial decisions, not only for my own well-being but to actively contribute to my family's security.My younger sister, four years my junior, is a significant part of this vision. I am driven to ensure her path, particularly towards college, is less burdened by financial anxieties than our past has been. I aim to contribute meaningfully to her education, ideally alleviating the need for significant debt. More broadly, I am motivated to free my mom from the constant pressure of financial worry, allowing her to experience a sense of peace and security she has long deserved. My future plans are deeply intertwined with building a robust financial foundation. This isn't solely for personal ambition; it's a commitment to transforming the financial narrative for my family, serving as a testament to the resilience I've witnessed and the lessons I've learned about responsibility, smart choices, and the power of planning. This drive for financial resilience is directly linked to my ambition to become a registered nurse. Having experienced firsthand the stress that financial insecurity can impose, I am committed to providing compassionate care that addresses not just physical needs, but also alleviates the anxieties patients often face regarding their health and well-being. This scholarship would be instrumental in allowing me to focus on my education and gain the skills necessary to make a tangible difference in my patients' lives, ensuring they feel supported and cared for. Thank you for your consideration.

From a young age, I understood the profound weight of personal responsibility. My family relied on me for significant support at home, a duty that often cast a long shadow over my academic pursuits. While my peers focused solely on textbooks and classroom lessons, my attention was frequently divided, pulled by the immediate needs of my household. This dual focus presented a substantial hardship, making it challenging to fully immerse myself in my studies and leaving me feeling that my potential was being overshadowed by my circumstances. It was a period of internal conflict, where the desire for personal growth wrestled with the unwavering commitment to my family. The transition to high school marked a turning point. While the responsibilities at home remained, I began to cultivate a newfound sense of drive and determination. I realized that my circumstances, though challenging, did not have to define my future. I started implementing strategies to maximize my limited study time, prioritizing tasks and seeking out quiet spaces whenever possible. This discipline, born out of necessity, slowly began to foster a quiet confidence within me. I discovered that by channeling my energy more effectively, I could not only keep up but also begin to excel. This period was crucial in developing the resilience and focus that would become cornerstones of my academic journey. My personal struggles have instilled in me a deep appreciation for education and a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. I am driven by the ambition to become more than just successful; I aspire to be a force for good, particularly in areas that involve keeping people safe and cared for. Whether through a career in public service, healthcare, or any field where I can contribute to the well-being of others, my goal is to leverage my experiences and my education to serve my community. I am committed to a path of continuous learning, understanding that knowledge and empathy are vital tools for addressing complex societal needs. This ambition fuels my drive to succeed, not just for personal achievement, but to create a positive and lasting difference in the lives of those around me. My journey, marked by early responsibilities and a persistent drive to learn, has solidified my ambition to serve others. I am particularly drawn to obstetrics, where I believe my developed focus, resilience, and dedication to care can make a profound impact during one of life's most significant moments. Thank you for considering my application; I am eager for the opportunity to contribute my utmost as a compassionate and highly capable obstetric nurse.

As a future nurse, my career aspirations are deeply rooted in providing compassionate, evidence-based care, with a particular focus on geriatric care and mental health support. I envision myself working within community clinics or long-term care facilities, where I can foster trusting relationships with patients and advocate for their comprehensive well-being. My commitment extends beyond direct patient care to actively participating in health education initiatives and outreach programs. I aim to empower individuals with knowledge about preventative health, chronic disease management, and available community resources, ultimately cultivating a healthier and more resilient community.My family's profound connection to the military has significantly shaped my life and my understanding of service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. My great-grandfather's involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and my grandfather, uncle, and aunt's military service, have instilled in me a deep appreciation for resilience, discipline, and teamwork. Witnessing their dedication to standing up for their beliefs and fighting to keep our nation safe while prioritizing their families has profoundly influenced my values. This background has solidified my desire to enter nursing, a profession where I can serve and support individuals and families, especially during challenging times, mirroring the strength and dedication I've observed. My career goals are thus intrinsically linked to these family values: to keep people safe, advocate for a better and more secure world, and ensure individuals feel secure and supported. I am driven by the principle of doing what is right, upholding the values my family has embodied through their service, and extending that same sense of safety and advocacy to my future patients and community.This dedication to safety and advocacy is not just a professional goal, but a personal mission. The military ethos of protecting others and upholding core values resonates deeply with my desire to be a nurse. I believe that by combining my clinical skills with a strong sense of ethical responsibility and a commitment to my community, I can make a tangible difference. I want to be a nurse who not only treats illness but also builds trust, empowers patients through education, and advocates for systemic improvements that enhance overall community health and well-being. My ultimate aim is to contribute to a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and cared for, a world my family has fought to protect. Upholding the values of safety and advocacy my family has embodied through their service, I aspire to be a nurse who ensures every individual feels secure, respected, and cared for in our community.

The fluorescent lights of the classroom often felt like interrogators, highlighting my inability to grasp mathematical concepts. For years, math was a significant hardship, a constant source of anxiety that chipped away at my self-esteem. I'd stare at equations, feeling a profound disconnect, as if the numbers were speaking a language I couldn't decipher. This struggle wasn't just about grades; it was a pervasive feeling of inadequacy that followed me throughout my academic life, impacting my confidence in all areas. The fear of failure in math became a self-fulfilling prophecy, as my lack of confidence often prevented me from even attempting problems, convinced I would inevitably fail. The turning point came in my senior year when I was assigned a tutor. Initially, I approached these sessions with the same dread I associated with math class. However, my tutor was patient and approached the subject not as a series of complex formulas, but as a puzzle to be solved. She identified that my core issue was a deep-seated lack of confidence, a belief that I was simply "bad at math." Together, we worked on building a foundation, breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. More importantly, she consistently reinforced my efforts and celebrated small victories. With each problem solved, with each concept finally understood, a tiny spark of confidence ignited. This process was transformative, extending far beyond the realm of mathematics. Overcoming this significant academic and personal hurdle allowed me to finally see my own potential. The newfound confidence I gained from mastering math, a subject that had long intimidated me, was exhilarating. It proved to me that with perseverance, the right support, and a shift in mindset, even the most daunting challenges could be overcome. This experience taught me the invaluable lesson that confidence is not an innate trait, but something that can be cultivated. It instilled in me a profound understanding of the importance of encouragement and tailored support, mirroring the very qualities I now aspire to embody as a nursing student. My journey through math anxiety has equipped me with empathy for those who struggle, and the resilience to face future adversities, knowing that I possess the inner strength to achieve great things. This newfound confidence, forged in the crucible of academic struggle, now fuels my determination to provide compassionate and effective care, empowering patients with the same belief in their own resilience that I discovered within myself.

My journey through high school has been defined by a deep commitment to my community, an approach to safety, and a growing desire to care for others. Being an active member of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has provided me with opportunities to important causes. Within SADD, I strive to be more than just a participant; I aim to be a driving force for positive change, consistently demonstrating a dedication and hard work to our mission. A significant aspect of my SADD involvement revolved around a critical safety issue: train track safety for middle school students. Recognizing the daily danger posed by students walking along active train tracks to reach their school, I felt compelled to act. This concern sparked an initiative where I, alongside a few dedicated fellow members, took the lead in addressing this hazard. Our goal was to move beyond awareness and create tangible solutions for a safer environment. To tackle this pressing issue, we developed and delivered an engaging presentation to the middle school community. A session designed to capture the attention of young students and effectively communicate the risks associated with the train tracks. We incorporated interactive elements and clear messaging to ensure our points about personal responsibility and safe practices resonated deeply, aiming to foster a culture of caution and awareness that would protect these students. My future aspirations are deeply rooted in service and the desire to make a difference in people's lives. I dream of pursuing a career in nursing, where I can directly help others and provide comfort and care during vulnerable times. This path allows me to combine my passion for safety with a profound commitment to well-being. I envision myself not only as a healthcare provider but also as an advocate for health and safety within my community, continuing to keep people safe through education. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve these dreams. The financial support it provides would alleviate the burden of higher education costs, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my nursing studies and gain the essential knowledge and skills to become a compassionate and competent caregiver. This funding would empower me to continue my advocacy for safety, this scholarship would enable me to expand my impact. Turning my commitment to safety and my desire to help others into a lifelong career dedicated to healing and protection.