As a future nurse, I believe that improving people’s nutrition and overall health goes beyond giving advice; it is about understanding each person’s unique circumstances and guiding them to make realistic, sustainable choices. Growing up, I saw firsthand how family dynamics, stress, and busy schedules can affect eating habits. As the youngest daughter in a single-parent household, I often helped care for my siblings and prepare meals during challenging times. These experiences taught me that nutrition is not just about food; it is about fostering balance, routine, and a sense of care for yourself and those around you. My goal as a nurse is to combine hands-on patient care with education to empower individuals and families to make healthier choices. Working toward my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ursuline College and earning my CNA certification has given me the clinical foundation to understand patients’ needs and challenges. In pediatrics, I hope to focus on teaching children and their families the importance of proper nutrition early in life, setting habits that will support lifelong health. I want to help families understand how small, consistent changes, like increasing fruit and vegetable intake, choosing whole grains, and incorporating physical activity, can have lasting benefits. To encourage healthier eating habits, I plan to take a step-by-step approach. First, I will listen and assess each patient’s lifestyle, preferences, and barriers to healthy eating. Second, I will provide practical, achievable strategies tailored to their needs, emphasizing small, sustainable changes rather than drastic measures. For children, this might include interactive education, meal planning guidance, and encouraging family involvement. For adults, it could mean teaching portion control, helping them read nutrition labels, and offering support for gradually replacing unhealthy options with healthier ones. Throughout this process, my goal is to motivate and empower patients rather than dictate, because lasting change comes from understanding, choice, and support. Additionally, I plan to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, pediatricians, and community programs, to create a holistic approach to nutrition and wellness. I want to be part of initiatives that bring education into schools, clinics, and community centers, showing families that healthy habits are achievable, even with busy or challenging schedules. By integrating evidence-based guidance with empathy and encouragement, I hope to improve both physical health and overall well-being. My experiences, growing up in a busy household, working in an in-home daycare, and caring for children, have shown me that teaching and modeling healthy habits can make a meaningful difference. As a nurse, I aim to use these experiences to connect with patients, inspire positive change, and support individuals and families in creating healthier lifestyles. Through education, compassion, and practical guidance, I hope to help patients not only improve their nutrition but also develop habits that enhance their long-term health and quality of life.

I am a sophomore nursing student at Ursuline College and play Division II softball. To me, the “You Got It Girl” spirit means facing adversity with determination and drive. My experience growing up as the youngest daughter in a single-parent household shaped my commitment to perseverance and supporting others. My mom’s example of dedication inspired me to strive for excellence in school, athletics, and life. This YGIG Scholarship would enable me to keep pursuing my goals as a student-athlete and future nurse by helping meet both academic and athletic demands. Softball has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. I played travel ball and high school softball, working my butt off in long practices, tournaments, and summer leagues to develop my skills and earn every opportunity. It wasn’t easy; balancing rigorous travel schedules with schoolwork, family responsibilities, and personal challenges required commitment and discipline. My efforts paid off when I earned a spot on Ursuline College’s Division II softball team as a freshman. Right now, I don't get any money from my coaches as a scholarship, but I did receive money for my academics. Athletics has taught me teamwork, perseverance, and how to stay focused under pressure. Competing at this level while maintaining a spot on the Dean’s List has been challenging but rewarding, reinforcing the importance of hard work and dedication in every area of life. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was navigating my family’s struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. My parents divorced, and my father went to jail for domestic abuse. Losing contact with him and adjusting to a new family dynamic was incredibly difficult for my siblings and me. I had to step up as the youngest daughter, supporting my siblings emotionally while managing my own feelings. Instead of letting these challenges hold me back, I turned them into motivation. I focused on building resilience, empathy, and independence; qualities that continue to drive me in my academics, athletics, and future career in nursing. These experiences taught me how to turn setbacks into opportunities for personal growth, leadership, and perseverance. Working in an in-home daycare further strengthened my desire to become a nurse, especially in pediatrics. Spending time with young children every day taught me the importance of protecting their health, supporting their development, and comforting them when they are scared or unwell. I want to care for children not only when they are sick but also to help families keep them healthy and supported. Earning my CNA certification has given me hands-on experience with patient care and confirmed that nursing is exactly where I belong. Receiving the YGIG Scholarship would directly support my journey as a student-athlete and future nurse. Financial assistance would let me concentrate on excelling in both athletics and academics, motivating me to keep supporting others through nursing and embodying the YGIG spirit. This includes paying for my books, training over the summer, and even helping me pay for my 6 semesters left at college. As a student-athlete, I take pride in balancing the rigor of college coursework, clinical nursing preparation, and competitive softball. I walk onto the team and embrace every opportunity to grow, support my teammates, and develop leadership skills. Being a college athlete has reinforced my belief that discipline, persistence, and heart are the keys to achieving goals. I hope to represent YGIG by showing how determination, resilience, and passion can help young women achieve both athletic and personal success.

The first time I realized I wanted to care for others wasn’t in a hospital or a classroom; it was at home. As the only daughter in my family, I often helped take care of my siblings. Whether it was helping them when they were sick, calming them when they were upset, or just making sure they were okay, I learned early how important it is to care for those around you. These moments taught me that caring goes beyond physical help; it means providing comfort, patience, and reassurance. Looking back, I realize how these experiences initially shaped my desire to pursue a career in nursing. One of the most significant influences in my life has been my mother. She is a public school teacher and one of my greatest role models. Supporting our family on her own for most of my life, she worked tirelessly to ensure my siblings and I had what we needed. Even after long days at school, she always found the energy to encourage and support us. Watching her balance work and family taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and compassion. Her example has deeply influenced my decision to become a nurse, someone who serves others with patience and care. My family went through another challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic when my parents divorced. It was a period filled with uncertainty and stress, and I also lost contact with my father after he was charged with domestic abuse and later incarcerated. Experiencing those changes at such a pivotal age forced me to grow up quickly. I learned to support my siblings emotionally while navigating my own feelings. This period strengthened my resilience and empathy. It also taught me the importance of being someone others can rely on in difficult times. That understanding continues to drive my goal of a nursing career where I can truly support those in need. Working in an in-home daycare further shaped my desire to become a nurse. I spent every day surrounded by young children, helping care for them and keeping them safe. Watching how quickly kids grow and depend on adults made me realize how essential it is to protect their health and well-being. When a child got hurt or didn’t feel well, I wanted to be the person who could comfort them and help them recover. Those experiences strengthened my goal to work in pediatrics, caring for children and supporting their families through both challenges and milestones. At Ursuline College, I am working to turn my passion into a career. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and have earned my CNA certification, giving me hands-on patient care experience and a deeper understanding of the responsibility nursing requires. I am proud to have made the Dean’s List while balancing coursework and athletics, having joined the Division II softball team as a freshman and stepping up to be a starting outfielder for the team. Being a student-athlete taught me discipline, teamwork, and time management, skills I know will help me succeed in nursing. For me, nursing is more than a profession; it is a way to combine my life experiences, compassion, and determination into meaningful action. I hope to specialize in pediatrics, caring for children and their families in vulnerable moments. My experiences, growing up in a challenging family situation, learning responsibility at home, working with children, and balancing college life, have shaped who I am today and continue to inspire me to become the kind of nurse who makes a lasting difference.