I chose nursing because I have always wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives during some of their most vulnerable moments. To me, nursing is more than a profession—it is compassion, strength, comfort, and service combined into one role. Nurses are often the people who remain beside patients when they are afraid, uncertain, or struggling, and I have always admired the impact that kind of care can have on someone’s life. This Fall 2026 semester, I will be entering my senior year as a nursing student, with one final year remaining before beginning my career as a nurse. Reaching this stage in my education reflects years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to serving others through healthcare. As I continue progressing through nursing school, my passion for patient care continues to grow stronger. Some of the greatest influences behind my decision to pursue nursing were my family members who dedicated their lives to healthcare. Growing up, I watched my grandfather work as a male nurse in the surgery room, where he cared for patients during critical moments of their lives. I also watched my mother work as a nurse anesthetist, helping patients before, during, and after surgery. Observing both of them inspired me deeply because I saw firsthand that nursing is not just about medicine—it is about comforting people when they are afraid, hurting, or vulnerable. One of the most impactful experiences from my childhood was seeing former patients of my grandfather or mother come to our house bringing gifts, expressing gratitude, and praising the care they had received. Some thanked them for saving their lives, for never giving up on them, and for always being there during difficult moments. What impacted me even more was seeing the dedication my family showed regardless of the exhausting 16-hour shifts they sometimes worked, and occasionally even longer. Despite the long hours, stress, and sacrifices, they still treated patients with compassion, patience, and kindness. Watching that level of commitment taught me that nursing is not simply a career—it is a calling rooted in selflessness and genuine care for others. Their example helped shape my own passion for helping people who feel broken, discouraged, or in pain. I want to be the reason a patient smiles after a difficult day. I want patients to feel comforted and hopeful when I walk into their room. More than anything, I want them to know that they are seen, valued, wanted, and celebrated regardless of what they are going through. That is why I cannot wait to be more than just a nurse to the people whose paths I will cross. I want to be a source of encouragement, hope, and reassurance. I want my patients to feel safe knowing someone truly cares about them, not only physically but emotionally as well. Throughout nursing school, I have learned that nursing requires resilience, adaptability, and emotional strength. Long clinical hours and emotionally difficult situations challenged me to grow both personally and professionally. However, those experiences only strengthened my passion for the field. I realized that even small acts of kindness—listening to a patient, offering reassurance, or simply being present—can have a lasting impact. I am proud to pursue a career in nursing because I believe caring for others is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference in the world. My goal is not only to help patients heal physically, but also to remind them that they are never alone and that their lives still hold value, hope, and purpose.

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by how things work and how science and engineering can be used to improve people’s lives. That curiosity eventually led me into healthcare, where I recently graduated from nursing school. While studying nursing, I gained firsthand experience caring for patients facing chronic illnesses, organ failure, and long-term medical challenges. Those experiences changed the way I viewed medicine and inspired me to pursue a future where I could contribute not only through patient care, but also through innovation and technology. I am now continuing my education at Grand Valley State University as I begin my journey in Biomedical Engineering. I am passionate about STEM because it combines creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in ways that can directly impact human life. To me, STEM is not only about formulas and technical knowledge, but about creating solutions for real-world problems that affect people every day. One area that particularly inspires me is artificial organs and implantable medical technology. During my time in healthcare, I saw how physically and emotionally exhausting dialysis treatments can be for patients. Many individuals spend hours connected to external machines several times a week simply to survive. Seeing this motivated me to begin researching ideas for an implantable dialysis system that could continuously filter blood inside the body without relying on large external equipment. Although this idea is still conceptual, it reflects my desire to use engineering and science to improve patient independence and quality of life. I have also developed a strong interest in artificial heart systems and bio-inspired engineering. I enjoy studying the physics behind blood flow, pressure systems, and mechanical pumping mechanisms to better understand how the human heart functions as an incredibly efficient biological pump. Learning about fluid dynamics and biomechanics has shown me how engineering principles can be applied to life-saving medical devices. In the future, I hope to contribute to the development of technologies that can support or replace failing organs and make advanced healthcare more accessible to patients around the world. Beyond healthcare innovation, I enjoy designing and building practical solutions to everyday problems. One project concept I designed is called “Magnito,” a bike with an integrated anti-theft locking system that uses electromagnetic sensors and built-in security features. Projects like this reflect my belief that engineering should not only solve large-scale medical problems, but also improve daily life through creativity and thoughtful design. What motivates me most about STEM is the opportunity to combine compassion with innovation. My nursing background taught me empathy and the importance of patient-centered care, while engineering is teaching me how to transform ideas into practical solutions. Together, these experiences have shaped my long-term goal of becoming a biomedical engineer who develops affordable, high-impact healthcare technologies. Like Harry B. Anderson, I value curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. His ability to combine engineering knowledge with practical skills and service to others is deeply inspiring to me. I hope to carry that same spirit throughout my career by using STEM not only to innovate, but also to improve lives and make a meaningful difference in the world.

I recently graduated from nursing school and am now beginning my biomedical engineering journey at Grand Valley State University. My experiences in healthcare exposed me to the physical and emotional challenges many patients face every day, especially those living with chronic illnesses and organ failure. Those experiences inspired me to pursue biomedical engineering so I can combine healthcare knowledge with engineering innovation to create technologies that improve the quality of life. One project idea that reflects my curiosity and creativity is a concept I designed called “Magnito,” a bike with an integrated anti-theft locking system. The idea came from observing how often bikes are stolen in public places, especially on college campuses. Rather than accepting the problem as normal, I began asking myself how engineering and design could make transportation safer and more convenient for everyday people. The bike design combines practical problem-solving with creative engineering concepts. It uses electromagnetic sensors built into the frame and a locking mechanism that can be activated through either a thumb sensor or a key. My goal was to create a security system directly integrated into the bike itself rather than relying on separate external locks. I also designed the seat in the shape of a magnet to reflect the bike’s identity while improving rider comfort through an ergonomic structure intended to reduce soreness during long rides. Although the project is still conceptual, the process of sketching, researching, and refining the design taught me that engineering is not only about technical knowledge, but also about understanding human needs and building solutions around them. My curiosity has also expanded into biomedical engineering research, particularly artificial organs and implantable medical devices. Recently, I have been studying the physics behind artificial heart systems and learning how pressure, fluid flow, and pumping mechanisms can imitate the natural function of the human heart. The heart fascinates me because it is an incredibly efficient biological pump that continuously regulates blood flow through pressure changes, valves, and rhythmic contractions. Exploring concepts such as fluid dynamics, pressure gradients, and energy transfer has helped me better understand how physics can be applied directly to life-saving medical technologies. In addition, I have been developing ideas for an implantable dialysis system that could potentially filter blood internally without requiring large external dialysis machines. Traditional dialysis treatments can place a major burden on patients because they often require long treatment sessions connected to external equipment several times per week. My goal is to explore how biomaterials, compact filtration systems, and bio-inspired engineering could one day be combined to create a small implantable device capable of continuously filtering blood inside the body. While the idea is still in its early stages, it reflects my passion for using creativity and scientific problem-solving to improve patient independence and quality of life. My approach to problem-solving is grounded in curiosity, persistence, and the belief that engineering should serve humanity. Whenever I encounter a problem, I naturally begin asking questions about why it exists and how it can be improved. I enjoy experimenting with ideas, learning from failure, and continuously refining designs until they become more practical and impactful. In the future, I hope to contribute to innovations in biomedical engineering that make healthcare technologies more accessible, affordable, and life-changing for people around the world.

Growing up in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, I witnessed firsthand how limited infrastructure and lack of access to essential services continue to hold back the potential of entire communities. For many families, especially in rural areas like mine, the simplest things—reliable roads, electricity, access to medical care, safe schools—are not guaranteed. I have seen pregnant mothers walk for hours on dangerous mountain pathways just to reach a clinic, children miss school because floods washed away the only road, and small businesses fail because transportation costs were too high. These experiences are not just statistics; they are the lived realities of people I know and love. My journey to pursue an engineering degree in the United States began with a desire to be part of the solution. I believe education is one of the most powerful tools for change, and the knowledge I gain here will allow me to return home equipped with the skills to make meaningful improvements. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure in Papua New Guinea—particularly in rural communities where poor road systems, unstable bridges, and lack of modern engineering practices place thousands of lives at risk every year. One of my biggest projects for the future is to collaborate with local governments and private engineering organizations to design and build safer, more resilient roadways in the highlands. I want to apply what I am learning in mechanical and civil engineering to create roads that can withstand heavy rainfall, landslides, and rugged terrain. Better roads in my village would mean pregnant mothers get to hospitals safely, farmers can sell their produce at fair prices, and children can attend school consistently. Infrastructure may seem simple, but it is the backbone of opportunity. Beyond roads, I hope to use my education to develop low-cost engineering solutions that improve access to clean water, renewable energy, and healthcare. PNG is rich in natural resources but lacks the technical workforce to convert these resources into practical improvements for everyday life. By returning as an engineer trained abroad, I can provide expertise that is desperately needed. I also hope to create mentorship programs for high school students, especially girls, to encourage them to pursue STEM careers and believe in their ability to shape the future. As an international student in the U.S., I face financial challenges that often make focusing on school difficult. Scholarships like this one are incredibly important because they help students like me stay in school, complete our degrees, and eventually bring our skills back home where they are needed most. My dream is not only to succeed personally but to lift others with me. I am committed to using my education to create lasting, positive change in Papua New Guinea—one road, one project, and one community at a time.

Whenever I tell people I spent much of my childhood in hospitals, they assume I was sick. But my story is different. My mother was a nurse and a single parent, and because she had no one to watch my brother and me, the hospital became the place where we waited, did homework, and grew up. After school each day, we walked straight to her workplace and sat in her small office until she finished her shift—sometimes at 9 p.m., sometimes close to midnight. The security guards would bring us candy or hot chocolate, and my mother checked on us every hour. I could always see the pain in her eyes when she looked at us—two tired kids quietly waiting—but she kept working because she had no choice. Even when we struggled with housing or stability, she made sure we were never hungry and always loved. Watching her shaped who I am. I saw how gently she treated every patient, even when she was exhausted. I saw how she carried emotional weight far heavier than her shift required. My mother’s strength showed me that caregiving is not just a role—it is an act of selflessness. My father, though present in a different way, taught me resilience through his determination and faith. Together, their influence taught me the values that anchor my journey today: compassion, perseverance, and service. Growing up surrounded by patients and nurses gave me an early understanding of vulnerability. I saw mothers carrying sick children into the emergency department, elders waiting patiently for help, and staff doing their best despite limited resources. These experiences showed me that healthcare is not just about treating illness—it is about meeting people in their fear, uncertainty, and pain. I began to understand that healing is more than tasks or medications; it is connection, empathy, and presence. This is what inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field. I want to be the person who steps into another’s difficult moment with kindness and steadiness. As I study, I carry the memory of my mother’s sacrifices with me. They remind me why I chose this path: to be a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, and grounded in humanity. I want to be the voice that reassures, the hands that bring relief, and the presence that helps someone feel safe in a moment of fear. Nursing is not simply a profession to me—it is a calling shaped by lived experience. Outside of nursing, I am deeply passionate about creativity and building things that help people. Moving from Papua New Guinea to the United States opened my eyes to new opportunities, and I discovered how much I enjoy developing ideas—especially health-focused products like energy bars or wellness tools. Creating brings me joy and balance. It allows me to imagine solutions for problems I see both here and back home, and it gives me a sense of purpose beyond academics. I love brainstorming product concepts, researching ingredients, or sketching designs, knowing that even small ideas can one day make a difference. A passion of mine is encouraging young people in Papua New Guinea. Growing up there taught me how much potential exists in places with limited opportunities. Many young people want to study, create, and grow, but lack resources or guidance. I hope to use my voice and experiences to help them see what is possible, whether through education, mentorship, or simply sharing my journey. Serving others—especially youth who remind me of my younger self—brings me deep fulfillment. What drives me most as a future nurse is knowing what it feels like to be vulnerable and dependent on another person’s care. My childhood showed me how powerful compassion can be. My desire to work in the medical field comes from gratitude for the people who cared for me—especially my mother—and a commitment to extend that same kindness to others. Nursing is the path I feel called to, but everything I love outside of it—creating, writing, dreaming, and serving—strengthens the kind of caregiver I hope to become. I want to bring not only clinical skill, but also empathy, humanity, and heart into every patient interaction. My life has taught me that caring for others is both a privilege and a purpose, and I am ready to carry that forward into my career.

Serving on EFY field staff was one of the most refining and spiritually formative experiences of my life. I entered the summer hoping to uplift youth, but I did not anticipate how deeply the experience would shape me as a leader, a disciple, and a young adult preparing for future responsibilities. The weeks were demanding—long days, limited sleep, heavy emotional conversations, and constant spiritual attentiveness—but the growth I experienced has stayed with me far beyond the final testimony meeting. One of the most defining lessons I learned was how essential it is to follow the Spirit, even in small moments. Early in the summer, there was a young woman in my company, whom I will call Emily. She participated in activities but with little enthusiasm, and her eyes carried a heaviness I could not ignore. Several times throughout the first day, I felt subtle impressions to reach out to her. I kept postponing it, assuming she needed space. By the second afternoon, the feeling to talk with her was so strong that I stepped away from the schedule and asked if she wanted to walk with me. What I expected to be a brief check-in became a sacred moment. She opened up about difficulties at home, spiritual doubts, and a sense of invisibility. I did not offer anything profound—just empathy, reassurance of her divine worth, and my testimony that the Savior was aware of her. At the closing testimony meeting, she shared that our conversation had been the first time in months she felt God remembered her. That experience taught me that real leadership begins with spiritual sensitivity and the courage to act on quiet impressions. EFY also taught me how to lead emotionally—how to create safety, belonging, and trust. Counselors often become anchors for youth who are anxious, homesick, or unsure of their place in the world. One young man, whom I’ll call Jacob, struggled all week to connect with the group. It would have been easy to push him into activities, but EFY taught me the value of gentle inclusion. I sat with him at meals, acknowledged his efforts, and invited him into group moments without pressure. By midweek, he was laughing with others; by the end of the week, he bore testimony for the first time in years. Experiences like this showed me that leadership is not about motivating people loudly—it is about loving people quietly and consistently. The practical leadership skills I gained were equally meaningful. EFY requires communication, organization, teamwork, and adaptability at a high level. When schedules shifted or activities failed, I learned to stay calm, problem-solve creatively, and prioritize the youth’s experience. One activity forced me to rethink everything when our materials never arrived. My co-counselor and I redesigned the game using only what we had. It ended up being one of the youth’s favorite memories. From this, I learned that effective leaders do not wait for ideal circumstances—they adapt with optimism. Above all, EFY taught me that leadership is an extension of discipleship. It is the willingness to serve when tired, to listen when others need to talk, to testify when prompted, and to love in ways that reflect Christ’s example. These lessons will influence my education, my Church service, my relationships, and my professional goals. EFY strengthened my testimony, deepened my empathy, and shaped my desire to lead with integrity, spirituality, and compassion. EFY did not just teach me how to guide youth for one summer—it taught me how to lead throughout my life.

Nursing school has deepened my understanding of more than just the anatomy and physiology of the human body—it has opened my eyes to the larger systems that determine who receives care and who does not. Through my studies, I learned that medicine, on its own, cannot solve the deeper issues that surround access to healthcare.In America, for instance, healthcare is widely accessible, but it remains out of reach for many because of its high cost. In my home country, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the issue is often the opposite: healthcare is affordable or free in public facilities, but the journey to reach it is what costs lives. I come from a remote highland village where bad road conditions, steep terrains, and heavy rains often make travel dangerous or impossible. In my own community, seven pregnant mothers have lost their lives on the way to the nearest hospital because they could not reach it in time. These tragedies were not the result of a lack of medicine or doctors—they were caused by something more fundamental: a lack of infrastructure. This realization led me to make a bold and unexpected choice after nursing school—to pursue civil engineering. Many people were surprised by this decision, but for me, it felt natural. As a freshman,I have already begun sharing my vision with my professors. I presented my desire to collaborate with the PNG government to design and build sustainable roads connecting two of the most underserved villages in my province. To my surprise, my professors not only supported my idea but also helped me connect with several engineering companies in Michigan that could mentor and guide me through the technical and planning process. Their encouragement has shown me that my dream—though ambitious—is possible when backed by passion and collaboration. Growing up as a female in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, a society deeply shaped by patriarchy and tradition, I faced challenges that most people never see. From a young age, girls were expected to be quiet, obedient, and focused on marriage rather than education. My opinions often carried little weight, and the idea of becoming an engineer, doctor, or lawyer was seen as unrealistic for someone like me. Many of my peers dreamt of marrying an engineer, not becoming one. Cultural traditions were celebrated more than academic achievement, and young women who challenged these norms were often criticized or dismissed. But I chose to see those challenges as motivation rather than limitation. I decided that if opportunities for women were limited, I would help create them. I want to show other girls from my community that they can break barriers, that they can design, innovate, and lead in fields once considered off-limits to them. I believe representation matters, and every bridge or road I help design will symbolize not just progress for my people, but a statement that women can be the architects of change. Through both nursing and engineering, I have discovered that healing and building are deeply connected. Nursing taught me to care for individuals; engineering allows me to care for entire communities. My vision is to merge these two disciplines to create solutions that save lives—not only in hospitals, but on the roads that lead to them.In the end, I see myself not just as a nurse or an engineer, but as a bridge between two worlds—health and infrastructure, compassion and innovation, tradition and progress. My journey may have begun in a small village in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, but my dream is global: to build a future where no mother dies on the way to giving life.

I can never thank Him enough, for all that He's done for me - the cross will forever be my biggest testimony. I have lived for 26 years and not once has He failed me; God has been my constant guide as I journey through this perilous journey called life-on-planet-earth. Growing up in a single-parent family had a few tolls on me; I strayed away from God’s loving kindness whenever I felt like it. It was almost as if I was crucifying God’s beloved all over again when I kept taking the cross for granted. My lips claimed christianity while my heart was far from home. As an international student in America, I was struggling a lot finanancially. It felt like God was too far from me that He coulnd’t possibly see what I was going through, so I started resenting Him, but I just couldn’t for too long because the Holy Spirit was constantly urging me to come back to the truth. The lord kept tugging on my heart to turn from the deceptions of the world and look at Him - the authour and finisher of my faith. I was disappointed in God, but He was never too far away. He was here with me all along, but I was too blind with my self-pity and sin that I chose not to see Him for who He really was. Currently, I am a junior nursing student at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have an outstanding tuition of $14,000.00 and I have never been so sure about God before than I am today. I believe in his wonder working power because He alone is the Father of all; all things are His and He is willing to give more than just money for tuition. He wants to have a friendship, a union that was once lost by the downfall of man - He wants to make us whole again through the power of His love. So, as a future nurse, I believe in the power of healing and prayer and I feel like as a christian, we have the priviledge to access the throne room of God whenever we’d like through prayer. Jesus has made it possible for us to do so. Hence, we ought to seek Him daily regardless of where we work or whatever we do in life. Growing up, I always knew that God has called me into medical missions and I am very passionate about it. Hence, I received my diploma in Theological ministries and now I am working on my nursing degree. However, it would be impossible for me to complete my studies without the help of people like you who gives us students the opportunity to work hard for what we want in life. Ultimately, we work towards serving our King and pleasing Him in whatever it is that we are doing. May we never stray from the truth becasue it is the only thing that propels our love and knowledge of our Almighty Father in Heaven.

As vast as it is, the universe is a spectacle that enchants humanity. I will forever be in awe of the articulation of the Creator (Almighty God) and the wonder of it all – my words will never amount to such splendor! In fact, to begin expounding on the nature of our universe is quite exhaustive as the diversity in ideologies proves the fact that each human being is significant to the universe. As a nursing student, I rely on knowledge that requires experience to better the outcome of my care to my patients. Hence, patient-centered care takes into consideration all aspects (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional) of life because the body functions as a whole and it requires specific attention to certain areas to achieve that status of wholeness. However, the consistent evolution of infectious diseases continues to threaten the existence of humanity which further begs the question, “what must I do to survive?” Indeed, all we do each day is to survive the inevitable – death! Thus, as mere mortals, it only makes sense to take solace in the fact that we do what we must do to survive until death. As a first-generation college student, I have had the privilege to work with esteemed colleagues and professors who have taught me great life lessons that I currently teach to my students as a student tutor. I initially majored in premed before switching to nursing due to financial reasons and the classes I took shaped the way I think, talk, and behave around certain topics in life. For instance, the topic of abortion has been my agenda for the past three years as I advocate for the unborn and the mother. As a fellow living-being, I solely believe in the sanctity of life and therefore a voice for the underrepresented in my community. As a village girl from the highlands of Papua New Guinea, I was passionate about serving people in every way possible. I understood that becoming a doctor would make a difference in the lives of many people, but that’s just it, I didn’t want to make a difference; I wanted to be the difference. Therefore, I created a small group comprised solely of women who were abused, divorced, widowed, and neglected to empower them. This group was the toughest group to manage because all these women were illiterate with no knowledge of the English language – teaching requires patience, and I learned that the hard way. Nevertheless, these women/mothers started reading books in English and I was satisfied with my role in their life as an amateur educator. To my surprise, these women started reading and watching YouTube videos on how to grow strawberries, tea, coffee, and thus started creating small businesses that inspired others from the community. Thus, proving the fact that our actions are diabolic in the sense that we sustain and maintain our own livelihood regardless of our sources. Moreover, I am very proud of these mothers and their success, and I plan to continue teaching people about how to live diligently amidst the scarcity of time. This scholarship will help me immensely, and I can only wish the best for the other contestants. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to be the change and make a difference.

Hi everyone, my name is Grace, and I am a junior at Cornerstone University majoring in nursing. As first-generation college student, I am proud to be representing my family and country (Papua New Guinea) while studying here in the States. I have been blessed enough to experience countless opportunities to volunteer within and around my community. "Work passionately because you get to do it, while others can't," those were the words of my grandpa who died from stomach cancer when I was twelve years old. Indeed, I GET TO do things in life so I should enjoy it while I'm at it because life is unpredictable, and I might lose my chance to learning to do things passionately and intentionally. I come from a rural village from the highlands of Papua New Guinea called Sanagus and I walked a total of 60 miles back and forth to school because mum could not afford money for bus fares, but we turned out just fine regardless of our shortcomings in life. As the middle child, I believe I sacrificed so much to see my siblings succeed. In fact, I stayed home for two whole years so mum could send my elder brother to college and my younger sister to complete her high school despite being a valedictorian two times. Yes, I very much believe in seeing people succeeding in life because it brings me peace and happiness to be enabling people to become the better versions of themselves through education and emotional support. Education because knowledge is power; emotional support because the human mind craves it and without adequate emotional support beautiful minds eventually become stagnant in time. Unfortunately, where I come from people don't believe in potential, and words of affirmation and second chances are redundant themes only preached and acceptable in the realm of religion in regard to salvation. Hence, I have made it my duty to break the shackles of ignorance and pride in the hearts and minds of my people. At the age of fourteen, I started teaching mothers in church on how to use words of affirmation and hope when speaking to their child; a lot of these mothers are single mothers, so they also needed love, support, and gentle words to heal their hearts and rejuvenate their minds to face their daily challenges. Moreover, as a child of a single parent myself, I had personal instances where my mother would unintentionally destroy my self-esteem with her words in the context of discipling us - I don't hold this against my mother because I now realize how she was trying so hard to keep her composure while dealing with so much hurt in her own life. Thus, I started educating mothers to use proper words and phrases to use to their children which would ignite genuine love that is not stemmed from fear. Furthermore, I have helped seven young teens to go back to school after they thought their lives were over because they got pregnant out of wedlock; our culture demeans women in every possible way, but I am here to demolish the cultural stereotypes placed on people based on their gender, social status, and educational background. I believe everyone has something to bring to the table, but we won't know what unless we provoke controversial topics to experience endless possibilities of growth in freedom. These are some of my life-long volunteering work I have done, and continue to do so to support the underprivileged in my community to realize their significance to society.

"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion, has already been born." -Ronald Reagan. The above statement is absolute! Being alive for 25 years does not only qualify me to say that life is a gift but further establishes the fact that I have the right to life and so does anyone who was once conceived. In fact, how can one validate abortion pertaining to the right to live but refuse to acknowledge the fact that the unborn also has the right to life as soon as conception because that is the normal human process to life. On the contrary, death being the inevitable takes various forms to be executed. Hence, proving that life is out of the human spectrum of creation because it was designed by a divine power (Almighty God) and thus can never be revoked by any human. I grew up in a conservative country (Papua New Guinea) and I was not very familiar with the abortion laws, or even what abortion was. I will never understand how a person would want to terminate another's life without considering the ramifications; it is already wrong to advocate for death especially when the odds are already against them, the unborn babies. That is the most selfish idea of life anyone could possibly have; to terminate a life because the mother is the only party using their free will, but what of the baby? Who is supposed to speak for the fetus (little human). Indeed, a little human, but no less than a human because he/she will essentially experience life as any human would, inside or outside of the womb. As a Christian, I hold to the belief that life is the ultimate power of God's existence and order in the universe. "In the beginning, God created..." from Genesis 1:1 tells me all I need to know about my existence and the perplexities around my significance to the sole purpose of the Creator (God). In other words, humans were created to live, not die. In 2022, my younger sister who was 17 at the time got pregnant and she told me about her plan of having an abortion. She was willing to terminate a life without giving any second thought and that was very disturbing to me considering how we were brought up; it made me question a lot of things in my life. Nevertheless, I made it my human-business to make sure she understood the mental, physical, and emotional stress she would go through before, during, and most definitely after the abortion process. Her choice stemmed solely from fear, which was understandable, but not valid enough to be considered a reason for her intentions towards abortion. If life was this easy to take, then it should not affect the human conscious so much so that the body is naturally inclined to provoke fear, depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder on the mother. For my sister, she took heed to my advice and did not have the abortion, and my baby niece is the best gift that I got from her - I thank God every day for her. I have continued to advice young mothers since then and I will forever be happy to represent life for I am a life-from-a-life.

Having brought up by my grandparents taught me to appreciate life a little bit more than I ever could. My grandparents welcomed my mother and us back into their home after my parents separated; mum was still in school; hence she was fortunate enough to have such caring parents who took care of us while she was away for studies. From an early age, I adapted to my grandparent’s way of life, and they were very particular about three things: discipline, respect, and self-worth. As a generally shy kid, I never really cared about my self-worth and thus, I was easily manipulated, bullied, and taken for granted. The concept of respect was repeatedly expounded on during meals and my grandpa would always tell us to "respect with love," but I never really understood what he meant until I was approached by a very unkind person. This person falsely accused me of stealing money from her child, who was my best friend at the time, and had me put in jail. I had never been so humiliated in my life like that, and I was furious with this lady. After two days, the evidence found showed that I was wrongly accused and put in jail and the court said I was to sue this lady for $50,000.00. Long-story-short, I never sued this lady because I felt it was the right thing to do and because she was a single mother, and a human who made a mistake. My grandparents were so proud of my decision, but the rest of the people in my world thought I was delusional and stupid. I thought people would commend me, but I misjudged peoples' greedy agendas. There, I realized that nothing I do will ever be good enough for the wrong people. My actions, whether good or bad, will always be criticized. Thus, moving forward, I somewhat understood what my grandfather meant when he said "respect with love;” it meant loving people enough to respect their opinions even if/when it doesn't align to your personal beliefs. My grandpa was the epitome of kindness and perseverance, and I would not have come this far without him by my side - HE WAS A FATHER, NOT JUST A FIGURE. He was recruited by the "white man," as he would say, who gave him a job as an interpreter during WWII. He was honored to have worked alongside military members of Australia and the United States armed force - he smiles the biggest when he reminisces upon those days because he envied honorable citizens. With that belief, he took the job of an interpreter, risking his life while travelling through the jungles of Papua New Guinea barefoot interpreting for the men who lost their lives to save his country. On the summer of 2017, my grandfather passed away leaving my heart shattered into million different pieces. I was not ready to "take over the world like a true warrior," like grandpa would always exclaim every morning when he'd wake me up. He was my legacy, and I was his! It took me awhile to figure that one out, but I did figure it out. This scholarship will truly help me carry on my grandfather's legacy as his only grandkid who has made it to college and is soon to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I am here to show my community that negativity is a state of mind, and so is success. I am here to end the cycle of misconceptions and to TAKE OVER THE WORLD LIKE A TRUE WARRIOR in the realm of academia

I was overwhelmed with excitement and enthusiasm when I first learned that I was to leave for America to pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor. I had been accepted to nine universities in the U.S to do premed and it was rewarding to see the fruits of my hard work and dedication towards my education. However, I was tricked by my own brother to come to America. My brother promised to sponsor me during the duration of my study in Ohio State University, but I quickly realized that this was all a scam when I found out that he wanted me to stay home instead of going to school – I felt betrayed. Moreover, living in America without attending school while on a student visa jeopardizes my F1-Visa status. He put me in a position where I had to question my relationship towards him as his younger sister. Moreover, he was once an international student in America and I thought he had my best interest at heart knowing he had already been through this process, but I was terribly wrong. I remember crying myself to sleep every night during the first two weeks in Newark, Ohio – I could not even reach my parents as I was denied excess to the internet and was never allowed to leave the house to go into town. Indeed, I was depressed every day, yet every day I kept believing that I was meant to come to America for a higher calling than this. I never gave up on my dream of becoming a medical doctor. In fact, my dream was the ultimate driving force that motivated me to press on regardless of my circumstances in life. Through it all, I was praying and seeking God earnestly because I knew help was on the way, even though I haven’t seen it yet. “I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready,” was my mindset because I was devoted to my education hence, I began reading medical books while being home. I was never going to settle for less because I knew anything is possible if I am willing to make it happen. It was an absolute miracle when the Polume's offered to help renew my student visa, and accommodate me so I could attend college even though they were struggling financially, they are my heaven-sent blessings. They pretty much rescued me from my brothers bondage and quickly helped me applied to Cornerstone University because I felt at peace, while touring the campus in comparison to the other five campuses I toured. Fast forward to 2024, I am currently a junior at Cornerstone University majoring in nursing – I switched my major from premed to nursing because of the limited funds I had as an international student. Moreover, I work three on-campus jobs to pay for my tuition, but due to minimum wage I never could make enough money to pay for an entire semester by myself, so I desperately need this scholarship to aid with my tuition. Indeed, Lolah's legacy will continue to live on through me when I am granted this awesome scholarship; it is most definitely life changing at its very core. Last but not the least, I am intellectually bold, and I’ve learned to never quit on myself, even if the odds are against me. Hence, I stand dedicated to being a hardworking nurse and then eventually a medical doctor because nothing, or no one can stop me from being both. So, thank you so much for believing in undocumented students like me.

I was overwhelmed with excitement and enthusiasm when I first learned that I was to leave for America to pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor. I had been accepted to nine universities in the U.S to do premed and it was rewarding to see the fruits of my hard work and dedication towards my education. However, I was tricked by my own brother to come to America. My brother promised to sponsor me during the duration of my study in Ohio State University, but I quickly realized that this was all a scam when I found out that he wanted me to stay home instead of going to school – I felt betrayed. I remember crying myself to sleep every night during the first two weeks in Newark, Ohio – I could not even reach my parents as I was denied excess to the internet and was never allowed to leave the house to go into town. Indeed, I was depressed every day, yet every day I kept believing that I was meant to come to America for a higher calling than this. I never gave up on my dream of becoming a medical doctor. In fact, my dream was the ultimate driving force that motivated me to press on regardless of my circumstances in life. Through it all, I was praying and seeking God earnestly because I knew help was on the way, even though I haven’t seen it yet. “I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready,” was my mindset because I was devoted to my education hence, I began reading medical books while being home. I was never going to settle for less because I knew anything is possible if I am willing to make it happen. The Christmas of 2020 was a blessing in disguise because that was when I met the family who took me in – the Polume’s. My brother had invited the Polume’s over to the house for a Christmas party, but he couldn’t make it home due to the bad weather, so we had to celebrate Christmas without him – and this was the beginning of many blessings to come. Long story short, the Polume’s heard the entirety of my story and with no hesitation offered to help me with renewing of my student visa, apply to a different college, and invited me into their home. Perhaps this was the moment I was praying for, so with no second thoughts, I packed my stuff and left Ohio the next morning for Michigan with the Polume’s. Fast forward to 2024, I am currently a junior at Cornerstone University majoring in nursing – I switched my major from premed to nursing because of the limited funds I had as an international student. Moreover, I work three on-campus jobs to pay for my tuition, but due to minimum wage I never could make enough money to pay for an entire semester by myself, so I desperately need this scholarship to aid with my tuition. Indeed, Concrete Rose’s legacy will continue to live on through me when I am granted this awesome scholarship; it is most definitely life changing at its very core. Last but not the least, I am intellectually bold, and I’ve learned to never quit on myself, even if the odds are against me. Hence, I stand dedicated to being a hardworking nurse and then eventually a medical doctor because nothing, or no one can stop me from being both. So, thank you so much for believing in black female students like me.

I was a healthy student athlete who never had any major health issues until the year 2016, when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The next two years were very depressing for me as I struggled to accept my diagnosis, and my family had to go through a lot trying to keep tabs on me every single day. I had numerous suicidal ideations because I hated to be labeled as a diabetic, and I was so focused on what my friends would think of me. In short, my life changed from the moment I was diagnosed, and I was seriously embarrassed about my diagnosis. In 2020, I met Janet when her Dexcom patch started beeping during class indicating her glucose levels were low and her approach changed my whole perception – she smiled at everyone and said, “just a friendly reminder that you lot have a diabetic in class.” She was far from being embarrassed about being a diabetic and I was absolutely amazed at her. We instantly became friends, and she has had a great influence in my life as a diabetic ever since. Indeed, diabetes has changed two main things for me: my diet and my physical activity. Also, the necessary considerations I must make towards the management of my disease. Nevertheless, as a nursing student, I take pride in learning new ways to manage diabetes and to be able to help newly diagnosed patients to never take the route I initially took after my diagnosis.

Recovery to me means I have the power to change my story, and because I can, I will. Hi I am a grateful addict, and my name is Grace. I started drinking when I was twelve, but I was exposed to alcohol when I was only five years old. My dad was an alcoholic, and he was very abusive towards me, my mum and my siblings. I hated my dad so much I attempted suicide numerous times, but my mother never left me to my demise. I thank God every day for my mother because regardless of the pain she went through as a wife, she taught me how to change my story if I didn’t like how it’ll end. My mum is the epitome of kindness and a true champion of hope. I have been sober for two years now and it has never easy to maintain my sobriety while being in college – the peer pressure is excruciating but because I am very intentional about my recovery, and more importantly, I have a loving mother who consistently supports me, I have managed to come this far. I am currently a junior in college majoring in nursing and I am so proud of how far I’ve come. In fact, I am so grateful my life can be a testimony to others who are in recovery, or just getting started to stay true to their story because in the end, they are the main character to their recovery.

My late grandfather recognized quickly how I was always quiet, especially when I had a lot going on, or when I am too nervous to speak my mind. Hence, he introduced me to journaling when I was only five years old. At first, I felt awkward because I thought it made me stand out from my cousins and siblings who didn’t need to write things down, who always had something to say and never seem to run out of words, especially when they are put-on-the-spot. I struggled to speak my mind and too often I was labeled as a weirdo at school, even worse, nobody wanted to do group projects or presentations with me in their group – I was bullied all throughout middle school. Nevertheless, I survived middle school by journalling alongside my grandpa. He was the only one who didn’t care if I spoke or not because he knew he will hear from me soon in writing. My life would have been so miserable if my grandpa wasn’t tagging along; he was the epitome of kindness. I learnt to be patient and understanding to others from my grandpa – he always believed in giving every person the benefit of the doubt because he somehow knew each person had something to bring to the table. Hence, in memory of my grandpa, I wrote him a book titled “The Life of a Believer,” and it is one of my favorite works so far. Writing became the only thing I could find solace in; it rejuvenates my imagination and allows me to express my unhinged emotions. Moreover, writing gave me a perspective to life that changed the course of my future for the better and I will forever testify of it. Perhaps the authenticity in my writing made my 8th grade teacher cry as she read through my poem titled “the anonymous writer.” Or the pain in my journals were vivid to me but vague to others who saw me while I was still in incognito mode. Hence, writing is form of art that exudates a colony of expressions, and if the reader is somewhat intentional, he could relish in the fun or rather be overwhelmed by the amount of black ink on a piece of paper on every page he turns to. Indeed, I love writing because I would not have come this far without it. In fact, writing helped me find my voice when I thought I had none. I write, and I will continue to for the ones who are unspoken for, and are often misrepresented because of others lack of understanding, patience, and hope in them. Most importantly, I write because it was God’s gift to me just when I needed it and I plan to use it graciously while I journey through earth. I am currently a nursing major, and I write short stories every quarterly and mail it to the children at my village in Sanagus, Papua New Guinea. These short stories grabbed the attention of several middle school teachers, and they have asked me to personalize the short stories I write in relation to their subject matter. Therefore, I would love to further my education in learning new ways in which I could help the younger generation to speak their truth through writing and reading and this awesome scholarship will most definitely have a lasting impact in my life, as I continue to do what I always loved doing – writing. It will be a testimony to the children I serve to become the winner of this amazing scholarship. Thank you so much!

I was overwhelmed with excitement and enthusiasm when I first learned that I was to leave for America to pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor. I had been accepted to nine universities in the U.S to do premed and it was rewarding to see the fruits of my hard work and dedication towards my education. My story is quite like Maggie’s; however, I was tricked by my own brother to come to America. My brother promised to sponsor me during the duration of my study in Ohio State University, but I quickly realized that this was all a scam when I found out that he wanted me to stay home instead of going to school – I felt betrayed. I remember crying myself to sleep every night during the first two weeks in Newark, Ohio – I could not even reach my parents as I was denied excess to the internet and was never allowed to leave the house to go into town. Indeed, I was depressed every day, yet every day I kept believing that I was meant to come to America for a higher calling than this. I never gave up on my dream of becoming a medical doctor. In fact, my dream was the ultimate driving force that motivated me to press on regardless of my circumstances in life. Through it all, I was praying and seeking God earnestly because I knew help was on the way, even though I haven’t seen it yet. “I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready,” was my mindset because I was devoted to my education hence, I began reading medical books while being home. Just like Maggie, I was never going to settle for less because I knew anything is possible if I am willing to make it happen. The Christmas of 2020 was a blessing in disguise because that was when I met the family who took me in – the Polume’s. My brother had invited the Polume’s over to the house for a Christmas party, but he couldn’t make it home due to the bad weather, so we had to celebrate Christmas without him – and this was the beginning of many blessings to come. Long story short, the Polume’s heard the entirety of my story and with no hesitation offered to help me with renewing of my student visa, apply to a different college, and invited me into their home. Perhaps this was the moment I was praying for, so with no second thoughts, I packed my stuff and left Ohio the next morning for Michigan with the Polume’s. Fast forward to 2024, I am currently a junior at Cornerstone University majoring in nursing – I switched my major from premed to nursing because of the limited funds I had as an international student. Moreover, I work three on-campus jobs to pay for my tuition, but due to minimum wage I never could make enough money to pay for an entire semester, so I desperately need this scholarship to aid with my tuition. Indeed, Maggie’s legacy will continue to live on through me when I am granted this awesome scholarship; it is most definitely life changing at its very core. Last but not the least, like Maggie, I too am intellectually bold, and I’ve learned to never quit on myself, even if the odds are against me. Hence, I stand dedicated to being a hardworking nurse and then eventually a medical doctor because nothing, or no one can stop me from being both. So, thank you so much for believing in me!

Education has already changed my life and I will forever be grateful to my parents for sending me to school regardless of their shortcomings in life, especially within the realm of academia. As a first-generation college student in my family, I pride myself in representing my family and community. In fact, I represent my country as being the only student from Papua New Guinea attending Cornerstone University in the midst of other international students at my college. It has always been (and still is) my dream to become a cardiac surgeon. Initially, I majored in pre-med before switching my major to nursing due to the lack of financial support. Moreover, as an international student in America, I was already on a lot of restrictions in regards to my F1-visa requirements. Consequently, I could not work off-campus so I was making nine dollars per hour while working as a janitor on my campus for a total of twenty hours per week. Nevertheless, I will always be grateful that I get to work and make some money in order to survive in a foreign country, so far from home. I would truly appreciate this scholarship towards my Bachelors in Nursing degree because I am currently struggling to pay my school bills as an international student living in America, while barely making ends meet. With English not being my first, but rather my third language, I almost always feel like the workload is always too much. Unlike the Americans who were born-and-raised in an English-speaking household, international students must adapt to the dialect, accent, slangs, sarcasm, and all the other norms of speech in order to be relatable, or will be easily misunderstood. Hence, learning to speak English is far more different from speaking it; it is one of the best things I had to learn in school in order to be able to speak, read, and write in English. Moreover, I would have had a slimmer chance to attend a college in America if I had no prior knowledge in English because it is one of the requirements in order to apply to a college. I can still remember how my mum would encourage me and my brother to read a chapter of the Bible before going to bed, and after waking up in the morning to get acquainted with the english-language. Indeed, we had limited resources to learning English, and we worked ten-times harder in school to make it to the level where we are today; we still have a long way to go because there's alway room for improvement. Growing up, I had no access to a library, or even books of any kind, so I had to read the Bible and listen to American music to learn how and when to use a certain word, or even a phrase in English. Thus, I would definitely give back to my community by donating children books and literature to encourage learning at the local/rural level so unlike me, other children may have a chance to learn English in a more simpler way. Education has clearly helped me recognize my strengths and weaknesses on the pathway of achieving my goals in life. Therefore, without education, I would most definitely be ignorant to so many things in life. The same is true for any other kid if they are not educated. Thus, recognizing this need, I feel honored to be the one to give back to my community, by giving other kids a chance in recognizing their dreams in life.

This is a very sensitive topic for me to write about especially because I could loose my dad anytime due to his current diagnosis of advanced Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy (ACM). When I first saw "Amazing Grace Scholarship" it peaked my interest because ironically my name is Grace, but my mum calls me amazing Grace. If I were to tell you that almost all my family members are alcoholics, you would not believe me, but if you do, then hear me out. I grew up watching my dad drink alcohol in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, family reunions, and I thought it was rather odd to see my dad sober once in a while only to find out later that he was broke during those times. My poor mother loved my dad so much that she would do almost anything to keep my dad safe while he was recklessly drinking his life away. My dad verbally, physically, and mentally abused my mother, but this black queen meant it when she said "for better or for worse" and stood by my dad all these miserable years. Unfortunately, my older brother turned to drugs and alcohol when he was only 13 years-old, and so did my baby sister and I ended up following the wrong crowd and almost got killed on multiple occasions. Nevertheless, I never left the church; I kept going to church even when all the "faithful christians" talked bad about me and my family. I feel sorry for those who could not see Jesus and His love for them because of people in the church who are so judgmental and push them away. My mum never turned her back on us when everyone else did, she did everything in her power to give us the best with the little money she made as a community health worker in a third world country. My parents separated when I was 6 years-old because of dad's alcohol addiction and domestic violence towards my mum. It was horrifying watching mum get bit up for no reason, my throat hurts from trying to retell this story. I wished I never had such a horrible upbringing, but that's just not the case. As my siblings took their own paths in life, I was focused on my goal of becoming a physician. I worked so hard in school, but I never got a placement into my college of choice and it was devastating. Moreover, my dad called me to tell me about how dumb I was that I didn't get any offers and that I was never going to make it in life. It hurt so bad coming from him, especially because he was never really around, but yet his worlds stung so much. Both of my siblings didn't complete High School or college, so I have been helping my siblings to apply to colleges of their liking so they could get their degree and stop using alcohol and drugs as a resort to their happiness. I feel obligated to help them recover so they can return to their normal, and beautiful selves. Furthermore, we do not have the money to send them to Rehab so with the help of some friends, we have came up with a program called "Love Me for Me" to help young adults and even teenagers find their way back home through connecting with former addicts and ex-cons who have completely changed their lives around and giving back to the community. Hence, this is how I intend on spending the rest of my life as a nurse who takes care of people.

"Umi wan sol wara" is the phrase I always use whenever I meet a fellow Pacific Islander; it translates into "we share the same ocean" or "we are one" in English - I get so excited whenever I meet a Pacific Islander because I know I can relate to them in so many ways than one. As a Papua New Guinean, I had the privilege to experience the vast cultural heritage from all across the Pacific. I used to think life was always chill everywhere else in the world; where I could just wrap a lap-lap around my waist and chill by the seaside after school, or show up uninvited to my relatives houses whenever I'm bored or hungry because communal relationships was all that I was used to. Moreover, time stood still when chapu (grandpa) or chachu (grandma) told us stories by the fire as the cool ocean breeze saturate the atmosphere. Nevertheless... Life is an interesting dilemma and it can change your story forever, like it did mine. Unfortunately, I did not get accepted into any of the colleges of my choosing after completing High School in 2017 - I was devastated! But my God showed up, like he always does. I never once doubted God's plan for my life regardless of where I am in life because I have personally seen His mercy over my life countless times. Hence, I always knew I was destined for greatness. Fast forward to the year 2018, when I was hopeless, but never stopped praying. I got my wake-up call from the United States to study abroad, I was absolutely speechless because I had big dreams, but America felt bigger than my dreams. I never even dared to dream about studying in the United States of America - I am here now, what does this mean to me as a Pacific Islander? It means that I get to testify of my faith and culture to a society that is already rich in diversity. Indeed, America is the hub of all types of cultures and religions due to people groups from all around the world making it their home, or even their home away from home. With my time here in the US, I have done so much to extend my knowledge and skills with different roles in-and-out of school. I did things I would have necessarily not have done if I was still back home. The countless opportunities I was provided with were my stepping stones to where I was supposed to be, and I was intentional about every thing I participated in. As my knowledge in certain topics in life grew, I started educating my parents on things they were ignorant too. I realized the need to educate my parents, siblings, cousins, and even distant relatives on how to make money, start projects, reading, music, and so on. Perhaps, I was meant to come here all along to represent my culture and community so others may experience and appreciate the uniqueness of my culture through me. I should receive this scholarship because I need this money to help pay my outstanding school bill of $8000, which is due before the year of 2024 ends. If becoming a nurse required no fees, but only skills, compassion, and dedication to humanity; I would absolutely be one already. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and being an international student restricts me from working off-campus and I am in desperate need for financial assistance. With your help, I will be one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a Psychiatric Nurse. Thank You!

Hi beautiful people, my name is Grace and I am an international student from Papua New Guinea majoring in Nursing at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have never been more proud to represent my community as the only Pacific Islander at my College. It has truly been an amazing journey living in the United States as I come to love the people, places, and especially the food. I have been to almost all the States in the USA and I must say - I am intrigued by the vast cultural diversity all throughout America. This scholarship will truly help me pay for the remainder of my unpaid tuition of $8000 which I have outstanding with my college. As an international student, I don’t have the privilege to work off-campus and I am only allowed to work 20 hours in a week for my on-campus job as a janitor, with a hourly rate of $10. Hence, this scholarship will truly be a blessing for me and my family as they too are also struggling financially to help me financially as I work towards my BSN in Nursing. Unfortunately, I write with a heavy heart, because my dad got diagnosed with Stage II Heart Failure 4 years ago and he lost his job due to the strenuous work he is expected to perform. Consequently, his medical expenses has been weighing heavily on my family as we are supporting him with all the love and care he deserves. As my family’s representative, I do appreciate them for entrusting me with all they had to finance my education, and they continue to do so. I aspire to be the best at what I’m passionate about and that for me is nursing. I want my parents to be proud, but I most definitely want my patients to feel loved and comforted while I’m their caregiver. I want parents to know they can trust me to take good care of their child, and family to know I have their best interest at heart as I do all that I can be with the time I have. So, with all that being said, I can’t wait to be a Psychiatric Nurse and help patients with their mental health after graduating from Nursing School. As the Vice President of International Friendship Inc. at my university, I volunteer my time to help international students around West Michigan colleges with transportation, clothes donations, shop, food supplies, and many more. I feel responsible for people naturally and once I left home for the US, I instantly became available for college students who were far from home and help to create a safe space for international students to be confident and fierce about their goals in education as they strive for excellence. Moreover, American students are always welcome to join these programs as we know that not everyone comes from a whole family, and that some students, despite their background, require additional help and support in order to feel at home. Because failure is NEVER final. I have learned to accept life with an attitude that I have the power to change my life forever. I did fail at a lot of things in life, but I never regretted the decisions I made to overcome these necessary obstacles. Yes, failure is necessary to get me to where I need to go. Hence, my greatest strength is remaining calm under adversity, staying focused while being distracted and never giving up on anyone because everyone deserves a chance in life. Thank you for this awesome opportunity.

Happier Than Ever, was the first song that made me felt so sad that I did not realize sooner that I can be happy without you – yes you, who-must-not-be-named, because you made me think I would never be good enough. I will never relate to you because all I did for you was give you all the best parts of me, and I never got anything close to what I gave. This song helped me realize that I should never settle for the bare minimum because I deserve better, and no one should feel miserable for being their self, unapologetically. It was so exhausting to please someone who would never relate to my feelings and made me feel sad all the time. When the Party’s Over, I fell in love with my best friend and didn’t even realize it at the time, we were both in toxic relationships so we would share our pain to each other because we were all each other had. He was the sweetest person God blessed me with, I wish I had told him how I really felt about him. The summer of 2022, we became so close, and he even told me he had feelings for me, but I was too obsessed with my toxic relationship that I brushed off the thought of us being together and it hurt him. Fast forward to the present, he is now married to someone who genuinely loves him unconditionally and I am happy for him, but it aches me just a little bit when I see him with someone other than me. It feels like I lost my soul mate, someone who truly appreciates my weirdness and loves me for me; he’d make time for me and never said no to anything I asked him to do – even my family adores him. Lovely, junior year of nursing school took a toll on my mental health because I performed very poorly and ultimately got kicked out of the nursing program at my school. Moreover, I had $20,000 outstanding tuition loan, $7000 outstanding school bill from the previous semester, my family left for Alaska for six months and all these added to my depression, and I fell sick – mentally and physically. Yes, I had friends who came to check on me, but I was devastated that I failed nursing school, and I lost a lot of weight too. I resonate with this song the most because I realized that the only person who was going to get me out of this place of depression and feeling defeated was myself. Hence, during my summer break, I took charge of my life and admitted to myself that I had a problem, and I will seek help from the people who love me unconditionally. However, it is easier said than done and if you think otherwise than you have never felt so isolated like I felt. Wish I could explain it better, but here’s to a new beginning because I believe that if I can go that low in life, I could most definitely go high and become a better person for myself foremost and people around me.

Hello Friends! I am an international student from Papua New Guinea majoring in nursing at Cornerstone University. This fall will be my junior year and my educational journey has been quite the ride. I've been in America for almost five years and I cannot tell you how much I miss home; I want to go home but I and my family can't afford it. Nevertheless, I've been spending my long summer months volunteering in Senior Citizen Homes and Children's Ministry camps/hospitals to get a gist of what I will be doing in the future. I realized that I have gained a lot of experience and knowledge from the people I help, and even better, I have made lifelong friends. Before coming to America for studies, I have always had an awkward experience with people who are special needs and I didn't know how to communicate or help them whenever I wanted to; I felt like I was doing them a favor by ignoring them whenever I was approached by one, thinking they just don't want to be bothered by anyone - I was obviously wrong. In fact, I had an encounter with a deaf person once, who almost got hit by a car because I didn't care enough to start a simple conversation when we were the only girls crossing the street together. The ignorance of my surrounding almost cost me a life and this event made me realize how one can be so self-centered and not care about others unintentionally. I honestly appreciate the American education system because it allows students to have first-hand experience in the field that they are majoring in through internships, shadowing, or even volunteering. Unfortunately, as an international student, I am not restricted to certain activities pertaining to employment off-campus. Hence, I was not allowed to work off-campus, even though I desired to work in the children's hospital and nursing homes near me. However, I did not let that stop me from volunteering in these places to lend an extra hand to the staff, especially during special events for patients. During the past four summer I spent here in America, I have learned so much about healthcare and how little things matter in life from the children I worked with. I have worked with over 2000 children who suffer from one or more mental illnesses and I have aided caregivers by designing programs for children pertaining to science and history - mostly because I've always loved these two subjects, so why not share what I love to the people I love? I also design games for children to take part in as therapeutical so that they are not intimidated by the standard exercises. After graduation, I plan to work as a Psychiatric Nurse at Pine Rest. I have already presented to the recruiting agent at Pine Rest Michigan about my plans for International Mental Health Advocacy for children and older adults and they acknowledged my research after an hour-long presentation. Furthermore, I am honored to be able to pioneer a Children's Ministry Group back home to support children and families who are considered to be special needs. I have received donations and funds from the community to fund these children's needs. For instance, I make sure my team back home is visiting children and families with basic needs like food, water, clothes, and educational supplies. To be honest, life in a third-world country like Papua New Guinea is not the greatest. Hence, we make do with the little we are blessed with to help those who are helpless. Currently, I have no one supporting me, but my mother and younger sister tirelessly check up on the children we help support so these kids can get the education they deserve. It is really hard to carry out my dream when I don't receive any funding, but I believe that one day I will make enough money, or receive enough money to cater to the needs of these precious souls. Thank you so much for considering my application. I most definitely will be honored to be a recipient of this award and look forward to continue touch the lives of amazing children everywhere I go because every child is special.

Hi everyone! For starters, I would like to thank you all for giving me this opportunity to apply and for being generous towards countless students over the years, your kindness does make a significant difference in people's lives. I am an international student from Papua New Guinea majoring in Nursing. After nursing school, I plan to work as a Psychiatric Nurse for a year and then go to medical school the year after. I have struggled financially my whole life and I do not wish the same for the upcoming generation. It is sad to think that society is desperate to create a brighter future through education, yet this education is so expensive. Sometimes I wish I was not born into a poor family, but then I realize that I would've never had the experiences I had if I did. Indeed, growing up in a poor household with no father figure has a toll not only on your education but also on your well-being and relationships outside of the home. I realize that I learned to appreciate life even more when I have less money, food, clothing, and even access to education. You may call these challenges in life, but they are what keeps me going. These challenges motivate me to never lose focus of my purpose in life. Nevertheless, some challenges can break your very soul regardless of how strong you may think you are. For the longest time, my greatest challenge was the fear of failing - which I did eventually. After receiving my grades from the Department of Higher Education, I was devasted. Even worse, my dad (who was absent almost half of my life) called to tell me how disappointed he was to have me as his daughter. I was devasted and wanted to end my life; it didn't make sense to think how words can turn one's life upside down, but I'm grateful it did mine. My dad never believed in me, but I proved him wrong the day I got accepted to study premed (eventually switched to nursing) in America. STEM excites me because it means that as long as we can research and figure life out through technology and science, we are able to push our minds to places we never thought existed. Indeed, I am a nursing student, but I am not restricted to studying only nursing skills, in my leisure time I study microbes and their mechanisms. Moreover, I am always excited to review peer-reviewed articles about medical technology and identify possible difficulties that can become an issue in the healthcare system in the near future. One thing I have always wanted to do was to build an orphanage for children who are mentally challenged. I'd love to surround myself with young minds who can be belittled and overlooked by society. I want children to explore the world through nature and science and change their communities for the better. In fact, I grew up watching children with special needs being made fun of and rejected because of their health condition. Even worse, people who aren't educated cannot do much to help these kids. Therefore, I am currently an advocate for these kids back home and also while I'm studying in the US, I try to volunteer at places where I can make a difference in a kid's life. I know I can make a difference in the future because I am already making a difference in my work field. I do a lot of reviewing and editorial work at work and I believe that I can work to enhance my experiences wherever I'm working. I understand that technology makes life easier and faster, but I am also aware of the flaws that come with it. Hence, I always make sure I have a backup manual plan to aid me whenever it is necessary. As a student nurse, I do a lot more than just write papers and learn how to save lives; I like to think that I can be flexible in any field if I put the time and effort into it. I currently am studying Chinese to understand their language in order to understand their work and how they run things on a daily basis. My government has recently purchased medical equipment to assist in radiotherapy from China and I have done research on this equipment last summer and I will be presenting it to my administrators to critique it before the publication company back home publish it. Hence, I am very serious about my work because I am not just a nurse, but a collaborator, an advocate, a case manager, a researcher, and a caregiver to humanity. I am looking forward to working with kids who are interested in scientific and historical research and I cannot wait to share about the history of microbiology with a group of 5th graders at my local Middle School this Monday. I

Out of the numerous issues we are constantly faced with throughout our lifetime, one can only do so much to ignite hope where all hope is lost. Hello everyone! I am an international student from Papua New Guinea, a third-world South Pacific island country. My country is rich in cultural diversity and many tourists call it home, but I'm afraid it has become an abode for foreigners who do not intend to advocate for the endangered wildlife, nor are their ears open to the social injustice in the country. I mean why would travelers be concerned about pit-stops, at the end of the day, they are just passing by. Well, this is the place I call home, not the kind of home that accommodates for a week, or two, but a place where even if I tour the whole world and am bejeweled by the wonders and delicacies of the world, my heart will always yearn to come back to. As established, cultural practices are widely practiced throughout my country. However, these practices not only belittle the rights of women, but even worse, it normalizes violence against women and girls. Boys grow up watching their sisters and mothers get bit up after being accused of practicing witchcraft and think it is just how life is. I thought traveling to America to study would change my mindset, and it did. At first, I didn't quite understand why there were so many people living on the streets, why gun violence in schools was constantly showing up on TV, or even mental health was an everyday topic in class. All these were not completely foreign to me, but growing up in a third-world country, my perception of America was always about how freedom brings prosperity physically and mentally to the people living in the land of the free and brave. I've been in America for almost five years now and I have come to the conclusion that I just don't want to get educated and go back home to start serving my people, but I start serving the people I am surrounded by. Yes, my F-1 student visa tells me that I am an alien living in America only for study purposes, but I work so hard every day to help Americans around me struggling with mental health (depression, PTSD, anxiety, suicidal ideations, etc.) to cope with daily struggles. I am currently a junior nursing student at Cornerstone University and after graduation, I plan to work as a Psychiatric Nurse at a children's hospital here in Michigan. As a student, I mentor and counsel fellow students who are struggling with their mental health and I also volunteer to aid senior citizens (especially veterans) to cope with PTSD, depression, and Alzheimer's. I believe that wherever I am right now, it was meant to be. I was meant to come to America and be the servant I was born to be by giving hope to people who cannot find their life's worth in this society. As a young adult, I believe that I am an advocate for those who struggle with their mental health, especially those who cannot speak up because of fear of what will happen if they do. Hence, I also advocate for women's and children's rights back home through my platform as an international nursing student. I cannot wait to partner with Pine Rest in the future to reach countries that are underrepresented in mental health, woman's health, and gender equality. I believe everyone can do a little bit more with the time they are given to touch a life wherever.

As a ten year old, I remember writing, “Dear Diary, one day I will be a star, not just any star but a SUPERSTAR.” Now, I know why that ten year old wrote that, because I am a superstar. I know I’m a superstar every time I walk into the hospital because I get to touch a life. I may not be everyone’s superstar, but I will be someone’s. So, the dream version of my future self will remain a superstar no matter what.

For the longest time, I didn’t know what I was fighting for. I was lost and hopeless and I hated the fact that I felt like I was grieving alone. People even asked why I had bruises around my eyes, and they didn’t believe my response; I couldn’t believe one could get bruises from intense crying. After the passing of my beloved grandfather, my whole life fell apart. People say angels do exist amongst us and mine was my late grandfather. My biological father was an alcoholic and he was very abusive, he would always beat my mother every time he was drunk. I was traumatized seeing bruises all over my mother’s body, especially her beautiful face. My grandfather was disgusted by this inhumane act of domestic violence against his daughter. So, he got me, my mother, and my two siblings out of our home so we could live with him. I was four when my grandfather took us in and that was the best thing that ever happened to me, but that didn’t make me forget everything that my father did, and I hated him for it. Nevertheless, I was not overcome by hatred and fear anymore. My grandfather taught me to love the unlovable and boy I tell you, it took me years to finally forgive my father and welcome him back into my life. After High School, all the colleges I applied to rejected me, and everyone in my family called me a failure, except my grandfather. My parents didn’t want to support me financially so I was certain that my future was over, but my grandfather had another plan for me. He helped me apply to a college in Michigan and I got accepted to study nursing. He was the only social, mental, and financial support I had. As an international student, being a freshman was not easy for me, I felt like I was alone all over again; I remember thinking about why I had to travel eleven thousand miles to attend college in a foreign land – as if there were no colleges back home. Moreover, English not being my first language made me feel dumb and misunderstood all the time. My grandfather’s passing left me wounded internally, but his legacy healed me, even from a faraway land. Now, I am trying to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing so I can send my younger sister to college. My younger sister has been shunned by my family and the community back home after she got pregnant out of wedlock. I still remember the day she wanted to get an abortion and I talked her out of it because I know that no child is a mistake, but a precious gift to fight for. I have lost enough loved ones already and I knew I would lose another if my sister had gone through with the abortion. I want her to realize that regardless of how hard life can be, I will never stop believing in her, just like my grandfather who never stopped believing in me. I now know what matters in my life, I know why I must fight because I am my sister’s hope, and not just hers, but also my sweet little niece. Indeed, death is inevitable, but so is life; life reminds us of our purpose regardless of death. Hence, I choose to be intentional about my decisions in life, so others around me can hope for the best, remain in the worst, and never give up. For we are all warriors, and warriors are survivors who never stopped fighting.

Cat, I have to say, for a long time, I didn’t know what I was fighting for. I was lost and hopeless and I hated the fact that I felt like I was grieving alone. People even asked why I had bruises around my eyes, and they didn’t believe my response; I couldn’t believe one could get bruises from intense crying. After the passing of my beloved grandfather, my whole life fell apart. People say angels do exist amongst us and mine was my late grandfather. My grandfather was my mentor, superman, best friend, and most importantly the father figure that I never had. My biological father was an alcoholic and he was very abusive, he would always beat my mother every time he was drunk. I was traumatized seeing bruises all over my mother’s body, especially her beautiful face. My grandfather was disgusted by this inhumane act of domestic violence against his daughter. So, he got me, my mother, and my two siblings out of our home so we could live with him. I was four when my grandfather took us in and that was the best thing that ever happened to me. As time went by, I grew up with hatred toward my father and I wished death upon him every passing day; I recall writing letters-upon-letters expressing my anger towards him even after we left him. Nevertheless, I was not overcome by hatred and fear anymore. My grandfather taught me to love the unlovable and boy I tell you, it took me years to finally forgive my father and welcome him back into my life. After High School, all the colleges I applied to rejected me, and everyone in my family called me a failure, except my grandfather. My parents didn’t want to support me financially so I was certain that my future was over, but my grandfather had another plan for me. He helped me apply to a college in Michigan and I got accepted to study nursing. He was the only social, mental, and financial support I had. As an international student, I felt like I was alone all over again; I remember thinking about why I had to travel eleven thousand miles to attend college in a foreign land – as if there were no colleges back home. Moreover, English not being my first language made me feel dumb and misunderstood all the time. As always, I would call my grandfather for advice and support to deal with college life. You see, my grandfather was a Nurse in Anesthesia, and I drew my inspiration from him; he was very passionate about preserving life in more ways than one. As I was getting ready to experience my first summer break in Michigan, I received the most devasting news from home – my sweet gran-pa-pa died from a heart attack. “UTTER SHOCK!” is the only term I could use to describe how I felt; I didn’t want to believe what I heard over the phone. Even worse, was the fact that I couldn’t afford a ticket to go home for his funeral; I was so devastated. I didn’t know how to grieve all by myself, especially when I was far away from home. Nevertheless, I knew that my grandfather would not want to see me be overwhelmed by grief, but rather stay focused amidst the pain and struggle. No one truly knew me as my grandfather did, he was always intentional about everything he did in life. Now, I am trying to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing so I can send my younger sister to college. My younger sister has been shunned by my family and the community back home after she got pregnant out of wedlock. I still remember the day she wanted to get an abortion and I talked her out of it because I know that no child is a mistake, but a precious gift to fight for. I have lost enough loved ones already and I knew I would lose another if my sister had gone through with the abortion. I want her to realize that regardless of how hard life can be, I will never stop believing in her, just like my grandfather who never stopped believing in me. I now know what matters in my life, I know why I must fight because I am my sister’s hope, and not just hers, but also my sweet little niece. Indeed, death is inevitable, but so is life; life reminds us of our purpose regardless of death. Hence, I choose to be intentional about my decisions in life, so others around me can hope for the best, remain in the worst, and never give up. For we are all warriors, and warriors are survivors who never stopped fighting.

Stand Up, Soldier! There isn’t much to see, when anger blinds the eyes. It is better to take a nap then it is to sleep, for maybe someone out there is ready to die for what they love. You say it’s patriotic, I say it’s suicide; you call it passion, I call it the inevitable. There isn’t much to see, when all you see is what they don’t. Nevertheless, you’re here to stand your ground for you know it isn’t over until it’s over. Their eyes are so watery, but they refuse to blink as they stare into your soul. Now that you know how to breathe your own breath, you finally realize that you were but a soldier who won a thousand battles - but the war is yet to come. You remain calm, but why? You cry way too much, but no one died-yet. How is this possible when you were taught not to cry for how you feel, but how others make you feel? Must I remind you that you were me, might I add that you were real, so real to me I had to pretend you never existed. There isn’t much to see, when you’re surrounded by false pretense every day. Fear of the future engulfs you, memories from the past torment you, the present is barely existent. Does this mean I have reached the peak, is this it? They said there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, but all I see is an idea of the light I envisioned. Maybe I missed it, maybe I wasn’t intentional to even begin with. “I’m doing okay today,” is but an excuse to say that “I’m scared!” Help my unbelief, for I refuse to believe that I am special. I work so hard to get my peers approval, I study so hard so the system doesn’t fail me; for if I don’t pass, I have automatically failed. I don’t have a lot of options to choose from. I’m just trying to see if anyone has noticed that I already turned around to swim towards the shores. No one ever stopped to see, but I don’t blame them, it was a competition after all and everyone has their heads under water, struggling to reach the finishing line - how do you breathe like that? Now, I’m standing at the shores, looking into the horizon and all I can see is the sun at dusk. I think I’ve made it past the tunnel, but I still don’t understand why I’m all alone. I hope mum understands, but she never will. My tears are too cold to be real, I must be dead. It’s too quiet and I’m loosing sleep, I need help outside of me. This is it! I just needed to put it in writing, that’s what old-schoolers would do, and I did. I’ve never thought I would live to see this day, but I’m alive and so now I testify that people only live to die for death is inevitable, but you can live to see another day as long as you survive the battlefield - the human mind. After all, it was never about the war, but the battles you had to fight daily. Hence, I stand without battle scars, but I don’t seem real because you’ve never seen a soldier without one - or have you? Nevertheless, standing is the position I chose to take because it is the only position my family, friends, and country wants to find me doing; not because I’m invincible, but because I am a soldier through-and-through.

I cannot promise life to anyone, but I refuse to ignore the inevitability of death to take its course without a fight. Life and death are partners, but life always comes first before death. Growing up in a home with a grandfather who was a nurse anesthesia and a mother who works as a surgical nurse was so much, to say the least. I was always fascinated with science and its many ideologies and how things worked, but nothing amazed me more than how the human body functions. My parents separated when I was four and my older brother thought life was over for him when they separated. Trust me, you might think this is funny but being a four year old sucks. I was forced to get good grades, even a B- was considered a failure. I think I matured way too early, for most of my life I was expected to be responsible regardless of my age. Hence, I feel like people always see me as the responsible one who is not susceptible to depression, anxiety, or any kind of mental illness. COVID-19 had a toll on everyone and I lost a lot of loved ones to it. I grieved by myself as an international student whose family was 11,000 miles away. I felt so lonely as I felt so much pain all by myself. I hated being around my friends because all they did was complain that I did nothing but seat in my room and study; I was depressed. I stopped receiving calls from back home (Papua New Guinea) because all it did was make me sad. I was at the verge of quitting school until I read this quote from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “If your dream’s do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Indeed, my dreams were big, but my love for my family was definitely bigger. I realized at a very young age that life was precious. I remember seeing my grandfather suffering from dementia and how my family reacted to it thinking it was just old age. Mental health was never a topic of discussion back home, not even in schools so everyone dismissed my grandfather’s case, thinking that it was just old age taking its course. I wish I knew more about mental illness back then, or even better, I wish they taught it in school so I could helped my family understand what grandpa was facing at the time in order for him to live his last days comfortably; he was suffering and no one knew how to deal with it. I hope to be a psychiatric nurse one day so I can help people to understand the human mind and genes so that no one takes the same course my poor grandfather suffered. In fact, my aunt currently has Alzheimer’s and now that I know what it looks like after studying it; I educate my family on it so they know how to deal with it. Hence, my degree is so important to me personally so I could use it to help my family and country who has a big stigma against mental health understand the reality of mental health. My degree will de give me the validation and opportunity to be an men health advocate in a larger crowd. First and foremost, I want people to be aware of mental health and how the community can help to support and improve their lives to ensure others who suffer from mental health are not alone, by way of awareness and education.

To be able to react to hard situations in life must be somewhat easier for people who have a foundational support system present in their lives. Growing up with a single-parent is tough, but even tougher when both parents are alive, but one willingly chooses to be absent from their child’s life. I hesitantly reached out to my dad to help me this past year because I was truly struggling financially and he told me to even quit school and get married. It’s amazing how someone who has been absent for almost all my life had the power to destroy me with just words. My dad’s words impacted me negatively and I already gave up on myself, but my mother didn’t. Hence, I am here, still pursuing my dream. This past year has been really tough for me as I had to switch my pre-med major to nursing because I didn’t have the funds to afford my tuition, regardless of my good grades. I couldn’t even afford to pay for my textbooks since I didn’t have a good paying job on campus and as an international student, I couldn’t work off-campus. My financial crisis made me think I should probably quit and go back home because I had a good enough reason to do so, but then I remembered why my dream was important to me personally. I vividly remember as a seven year old saying, “I will work in the hospital like mommy when I grow up so mommy can take a break and catch up on her naps,” and my mum recorded a video of me saying this in front of the mirror. All I wanted was to help my mother, but now I realize that I don’t just want to help just one person, but a lot of people who are hurting. Hence, I cried myself to sleep whenever necessary and pushed on even though I knew I didn’t have the money to afford my education, and I did exceedingly well on my grades. I learned to be patient by trusting the process and believing the impossible. Looking back, I realized that I have never believed in myself before like I did this past year. I have grown to love and appreciate the people around me who consistently gave their time and energy to support me even though I felt hopeless and lost. I am grateful that I have learned to stay calm, positive, and optimistic through tough situations, especially deaths in my family as I am away from home (Papua New Guinea) and haven’t been back home for five years now. One thing that has changed in my life is that I’m learning to appreciate the people in my life, who have never given up on me even when I gave up on myself. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once said, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Hence, I have learned that while I’m discovering myself as a person, I don’t ever want to be someone else’s reason to think that they can never dream bigger. I want to push others and myself to never give up and stay focused because dreams are powerful realities that can never be traded for another.

I have often been asked this question a numerous times and over the years my answer has been the same. In fact, my answer seems so cliche that it seems like I have rehearsed it. I didn’t quite understand what nursing was until I travelled to the United States to study nursing. As an international student, I didn’t have the privilege to work off-campus to gain the experience as others have, but with the help from my school I did manage to work with a small Senior Living Center for less than a year and it changed my entire perspective of nursing. Working with older adults who are not independent anymore is just like working with children. I realized that to be a nurse means to understand and learn to adapt to work with all ages of life - infancy through old age. Also, a lot of people didn’t believe in me and have said I wasn’t going to make it, even my dad was not impressed that I wanted to be a nurse instead of a doctor. Indeed, it all the more gave me a reason to pursue nursing wholeheartedly. I am certain that nurses have a lot of impact on humanity, and regardless of the mental, physical, and societal pressures they go through daily, they always seem to have room in their hearts for one more life; and even if they don’t, they make room for it. I’m pursuing this career path so I can prove people wrong and make myself proud because I didn’t let their words get to me. I am intentionally passionate about nursing and I will never let anyone take that away from me. I have been blessed by compliments from the people I worked with who have stated that I have a great mindset and work ethic wherever I’m at. I admire the fact that nurses are people who are determined and dedicated to save lives by serving others mentally, physically, and emotionally. I know that all fields of nursing is essential to mankind no matter what. I know this because my mother is a surgical nurse and my late grandfather was a nurse anesthetist. They both inspired me to care for people at a very young age and I fell in love with nursing ever since. I want to pursue pediatric nursing because I am convinced that God wanted me to become a pediatric nurse from the very beginning. I love that children not only receive help, but also get to share they tears, laughter, and their pain with nurses. It is like children sharing their experience with you in the most authentic way that it has the power to change one’s perspective on life. It is heartbreaking to see anyone in pain, but children bear a different and a much heavier influence on another as they are so young and have little to no sense of what lies ahead of them. Hence, pursuing this field of nursing further reminds me that life is a beautiful gift that should be treasured and preserved at all cost because it does not last forever. I love working with children and I enjoy that I get to be myself around young hearts. My dream is to better the future and pass love and positivity to children so they learn to appreciate life each and every day - children are the future of every nation.