When I think about why I want to be a nurse, it goes deeper than just liking science or wanting a stable job. I want to be a nurse because I know what it feels like to be scared, to feel out of place, and to wish someone would really see you and care. I have been that person before, and it made me realize how powerful it is when someone shows up for you with patience, kindness, and calm. I want to be that person for others. I have always been drawn to helping people, not just in big ways but in small, quiet moments too. When I volunteer at homeless shelters, food banks, daycares, and workshops, I see people who are tired, worried, or just trying to get through the day. Sometimes all I can offer is a smile, a kind word, or a little extra effort, but I see how much it matters. Those moments make me feel like I am doing what I am meant to do. Nursing feels like the next step in that same path, where I can care for people not just emotionally, but physically too. I also think about my own journey. I have had to learn how to find my voice, how to stand up for myself, and how to keep going even when I felt small or overlooked. That experience made me more sensitive to people who feel powerless or unheard. As a nurse, I want to be someone who listens when others don’t. I want my patients to feel like they matter, like they are not just a number or a chart. I want to be the kind of nurse who explains things clearly, who doesn’t rush, and who treats every person with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from. In my community, I hope to be more than just a nurse in a building. I want to be involved outside of work too. I see myself helping with health fairs, school events, and outreach programs. I want to help people understand their bodies, their health, and their options. I want to be there for families who are scared, for elders who feel alone, and for kids who are seeing a hospital for the first time. I want to bring comfort, honesty, and hope into spaces that often feel cold and overwhelming. For me, nursing is not just a career. It is a way to turn my empathy, my work ethic, and my life experiences into something that can truly help others. I want to wake up every day knowing that what I do matters, that I am giving back to the same kind of community that helped shape me. That is why I want to be a nurse, and that is how I hope to make a difference.

I am someone who believes in working hard, staying focused, and doing my best in everything I take on. I have learned that success does not come from talent alone but from showing up, trying again, and pushing through moments of doubt. That mindset has shaped who I am as a student, an athlete, and a person who wants to make a difference in my community. When I joined cheer, I stepped into something completely new. I had never done it before, and I was nervous about whether I would fit in or even keep up. But I showed up to every practice ready to learn. I pushed myself through the conditioning, the routines, and the long practices. By the end of my first year, I had succeeded in ways I never expected. Cheer taught me discipline, teamwork, and confidence. It helped me find my voice and reminded me that I can grow in places that once felt intimidating. That experience made me stronger and more sure of myself. Giving back to my community is also a big part of who I am. I volunteer at homeless shelters, food banks, and even daycares. I help with workshops whenever I can because I like being someone others can depend on. Whether I am serving meals, organizing donations, helping children, or supporting events, I try to show kindness and patience. These experiences have taught me how important it is to show up for people, even in small ways. They have also helped me understand the kind of impact I want to make in the future. I am proud of the work I have done, but I know I still have a lot of growing to do. I want to keep building my confidence, my leadership, and my ability to help others. I want to carry myself with the same drive and kindness that Kalia showed in her life. Her story inspires me because she lived with purpose, strength, and a heart for others. I want to honor that by continuing to push myself and by giving back to the people around me. This scholarship would help me take the next step in my education. It would ease the financial pressure on my family and allow me to focus on my goals without worrying as much about the cost. It would give me the chance to keep growing, learning, and building a future where I can make a real impact. I am determined to succeed, and this support would help me move forward with confidence and purpose

When I first moved to the South, I arrived as a young and authentic Black African girl who carried her culture with pride. I came with the customs of the East woven into everything I did. My hair was styled the way my family taught me. My clothes were bright and expressive. I wore beads that clicked when I walked, and even the way I spoke carried the sound of home. But almost as soon as I arrived, I felt pressure to change. People pushed me toward what they saw as normal, and I struggled to use my voice in a place where I rarely saw anyone who looked like me. I had almost no Black peers, no Black teachers, and no Black neighbors. Without people who understood my background, I slowly began to shrink myself. I started to conform because I thought it would make life easier. I damaged my hair trying to make it look like everyone else’s. I softened my accent. I changed how I acted. I muted my clothes and replaced my bright beads with quiet clips. Every change felt small at first, but together they made me feel like I was losing pieces of myself. I wanted to fit in, but fitting in came at the cost of my confidence and my identity. I felt like my voice was trapped between who I was and who I thought I needed to be. Over time, I realized that hiding myself did not bring me comfort. It only made me feel more alone. That silence taught me something important about communication and confidence. I learned that authenticity is not something to be ashamed of. I learned that my voice matters even when it feels different from everyone else’s. I learned that trying to erase myself to make others comfortable only creates emptiness. Slowly, I began to grow out of the muted version of myself. I started to reclaim the parts of me that I once hid. I began to understand that my culture is not something to tone down but something to honor. I am still finding myself and still learning how to be the best Jasmine I can be. But now I want to use my voice to create space for others who feel pressured to shrink. I want to speak up in rooms where people like me are missing. I want to show younger Black girls, especially African girls who move to unfamiliar places, that they do not have to trade authenticity for acceptance. My voice is still growing, but it is no longer silent. I hope to use it to help others feel seen and valued, and to remind them that who they are is enough.

I would describe myself as a determined and curious young woman who has always pushed herself to grow. Graduating from high school at sixteen shaped a lot of who I am, because it taught me discipline and showed me that I can achieve big goals when I stay focused. I’m originally from Sierra Leone, and being part of the African diaspora has influenced my values in a meaningful way. My culture taught me resilience, community, and pride in where I come from. Outside of school, I love taking photos and singing at church. Those moments help me stay grounded and connected to my creativity and faith. My favorite color is orange because it feels bright and full of energy, which is how I try to approach life. Studying in a different cultural and educational environment has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking. Being an international student means learning how to adapt, communicate, and understand people from different backgrounds. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has made me more confident and independent. I’ve learned how to navigate unfamiliar spaces, ask for help when I need it, and appreciate the differences that make each culture unique. Through my educational journey, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I’ve learned that growth happens through challenges and through the people you meet along the way. Nursing has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of being present for others. I’ve also gained a stronger appreciation for the sacrifices my family made so I could have opportunities they didn’t. Culturally, I’ve learned how powerful it is to represent where I come from and to show younger students that they can dream big, too. My long-term goal is to become a CRNA because I want to provide safe and compassionate care to patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. I’ve also explored interests in law and cybersecurity, because I’m drawn to fields that protect people, whether it’s their health, their rights, or their information. No matter which direction I take, I want my work to make a meaningful difference in my community. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my nursing education without the financial stress that often holds students back. It would allow me to stay focused on my goals and move closer to the future I’ve been working toward since I was a little girl.

Growing up, I never had to sit down and decide whether I wanted to care for people. It was something that became part of me long before I ever thought about careers or the future. As the oldest daughter in an African household, responsibility wasn’t something I learned later in life. It was something I lived every day. I was the one people looked to, the one who checked in on everyone, the one who made sure things were okay even when no one asked. I didn’t realize it then, but those small moments were shaping the way I see the world and the way I see myself. I spent a lot of time looking after my siblings and even my parents in certain ways. I was always the one asking if someone had eaten or how their day went. I would cook for everyone else before I made my own plate because it felt natural to make sure others were taken care of first. Over time, I started to understand that not everyone thinks or acts this way. For me, caring wasn’t a chore. It was something that felt familiar and right. Being surrounded by family members who work in healthcare also had a big impact on me. I grew up watching nurses and doctors in my family show up for people in ways that went beyond a job description. I saw how they comforted others, how they stayed strong in difficult moments, and how they made a difference simply by being present. Seeing that kind of compassion every day made me realize that caring for people is powerful. It showed me that helping someone through a vulnerable moment is meaningful work. As I got older, I happened to notice that the same qualities I used at home followed me into other parts of my life. I stayed calm when things got stressful. I listened when people needed someone to hear them. I stepped in when others needed support. These are the same qualities that nurses use every day, and they made me feel like nursing wasn’t something new for me. It was simply the next step in who I already am. Choosing nursing feels like choosing a path that matches my purpose. It’s a way to take the care I’ve always given and turn it into something professional and impactful. It feels right because it feels like home.