My life has been significantly impacted by my experience with extreme anxiety, especially when it took the form of physical symptoms. It has affected every aspect of my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. Not only has anxiety affected every aspect of my life, it has also taught me a lot about life and how I want to present myself. Living with anxiety has taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and the power of simply being present for others. It has also made me more aware of how frequently mental health issues go unnoticed and misinterpreted, which has motivated me to seek a social work degree. For years, my anxiety was more than just a mental hurdle that I had to get through, I would have a physical reaction to the stress I was experiencing. I often would have episodes of severe nausea, shaking, chest pain, brain fog, and shortness of breath. People couldn't understand why I was reacting the way I was or what I was going through. I struggled to comprehend why no one understood why I had such terrible anxiety about everything. Over time, this struggle became the foundation for my growth, resilience, and purpose. Instead of being dragged down by it, I chose to use it as a motivation to keep moving forward and push myself toward goals I wanted to achieve. In my relationships, experiencing severe anxiety has helped me develop a deeper compassion and a greater willingness to listen without judgment. Experiencing this has also allowed me to understand that someone may be struggling silently, even if you can't tell from the outside. I've become a lot more intentional about creating safe spaces for those around me, which is something I hope that I can extend into my career as a social worker. I think professional training and life experience will make me a more genuine and successful social worker. My mental health journey throughout my childhood and teenage years hasn't been easy, but it has given me a clear sense of direction and shown me the change I could potentially make. It has taught me that my vulnerability is not a weakness, but vulnerability is a powerful force for change. In addition to advancing my academic objectives, being awarded this scholarship will enable me to serve a community in dire need of a social worker who can empathize with, understand, and genuinely care about its problems.

My name is Hayley Gibson, and I am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in Social Work with the aspiration of becoming a hospice or medical social worker. My passion is deeply rooted in the desire to support individuals and their families through some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. I believe that the right kind of compassion, advocacy, and emotional support would bring change to the world. Being selected for this scholarship, the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship, would alleviate the financial burdens of pursuing a bachelor's degree. I have witnessed firsthand the impact that social workers have. A close family member that I interact with every day has recently developed Parkinson's disease. With such a dramatic change in our lives, we needed someone who would provide advice. A medical social worker stepped in and told us exactly what we needed to know, provided comfort, coordinated care, and was present to discuss our concerns. She broke down the complex medical system for us and helped us understand the diagnosis. This experience has shaped my commitment to pursuing a career where I can be that steady, comforting presence for others who are experiencing a life-altering event. True change comes with consistent efforts, dedication, and the small acts that build. I strive to approach every interaction with cultural understanding, empathy, and a trauma-informed perspective. I think that my personal work has reflected that, as I have done personal research on barriers to end-of-life care for underserved populations. This topic is the foundation of what I want to do in the real world once I graduate with my bachelor's degree. Receiving this scholarship would be more than just financial support, it would also be an affirmation of my purpose. Receiving additional financial support would allow me to spend more time focused on my degree. I also plan to pursue a certification in trauma care or grief counseling. My long-term goal is to work in a hospital or hospice setting. I want to be able to advocate for my patients and for policies that improve the experience of patients, especially in underserved communities. I hope to help individuals and families navigate tough medical decisions as well as the psychological aftermath of a difficult medical experience. In everything that I do, I aim to honor the dignity of those I serve. I am committed to using my education and passion for social work to bring advocacy and hope to those going through tough times.