Growing up in a poverty stricken neighborhood I’ve experienced gun violence first hand. I remember being eight years old playing outside with my Friends when one of my oldest brothers was shot and gun down by the police. Unbeknownst to the officers my brother struggled with Mental Health issues and unfortunately lost his life to Gun violence. I can still remember that day vividly. Being Nine years old and not understanding exactly the severity of what had transpired. I had so many questions. Why did they shoot him ? Why did the police seem angry? Why was he scared ? How could they shoot him while we were right there. That day shattered me in so many ways . However, it made me view the world differently. Through a different lenses. I was determined to make the world a better place. I was determined to make my brothers and those like my brother voice heard. I was determined to help put an end to the stigma of gun violence in the community. I was driven to get out of my poverty stricken neighborhood. So I chose Nursing. Or should I say Nursing chose me. I’ve always naturally had a heart to care for others . I’m a natural born nurturer. I love hard and love helping those in vulnerable circumstances. I currently work at a children’s hospital as a behavioral health specialist and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I currently work with teens and children struggling with past trauma and mental illness diagnosis. To my surprise these children are bright , healthy, young , funny, resilient, strong little people. Who have had life come at them so hard and at a such a young age. They’re driven and talented. Everyday I help them overcome their day to day challenges. I hope to bring that same Zeal, passion , and dedication to Nursing. I am very passionate about advocating for my patients rights and ethical treatment. Ever since I was little I wanted to shine my light so bright. I wanted to make a little girl who felt like me know there’s a way out. There’s more to life than what meets the eye. Being a nurse for me is being a hero. Education for me is not just an opportunity it’s an escape. A dream come true . A vision. To change the life of me and my children. It’s a statement to the children around me. Being a nurse for me is breaking generational barriers and not letting life break you. That’s why I would make a great candidate for this scholarship.

Growing up in a poverty stricken neighborhood I’ve experienced gun violence first hand. I remember being eight years old playing outside with my Friends when one of my oldest was shot and gun down by the police. Unbeknownst to the officers my brother struggled with Mental Health issues and unfortunately lost his life to Gun violence. I can still remember that day vividly. Being Nine years old and not understanding exactly the severity of what had transpired. I had so many questions. Why did they shoot them ? Why did the police seem angry? Why was he scared ? How could they shoot him while we were right there. That day shattered me in so many ways . However, it made me view the world differently. Through a different lenses. I was determined to make the world a better place. I was determined to make my brothers and those like my brothers voice heard. I was determined to help put an end to the stigma of gun violence in the community. I was driven to get out of my poverty stricken neighborhood. So I chose Nursing. Or should I say Nursing chose me. I’ve always naturally had a heart to care for others . I’m a natural born nurturer. I love hard and love helping those in vulnerable circumstances. I currently work at a children’s hospital as a behavioral health specialist and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I currently work with teens and children struggling with past trauma and mental illness diagnosis. To my surprise these children are bright , healthy, young , funny, resilient, strong little people. Who have had life come at them so hard and at a such a young age. They’re driven and talented. Everyday I help them overcome their day to day challenges. I hope to bring that same Zeal, passion , and dedication to Nursing. I am very passionate about advocating for my patients rights and ethical treatment. Ever since I was little I wanted to shine my light so bright. I wanted to make a little girl who felt like me know there’s a way out. There’s more to life than what meets the eye. Being a nurse for me is being a hero. Education for me is not just an opportunity it’s an escape. A dream come true . A vision. To change the life of me and my children. It’s a statement to the children around me. Being a nurse for me is breaking generational barriers and not letting life break you. That’s why I would make a great candidate for this scholarship.