1. My inspiration for pursuing a career in nursing is my family, as cliché as that sounds. My mom is the hardest working person I know. She had me at just 19 years old, fresh out of high school, and took everything into her own hands. The only help she really had was my grandma watching me while she worked two jobs and went to college to become a nurse. She would work long night shifts in the ER and still come home to take care of me, making sure I always felt loved and supported. Watching her do all of that showed me what real strength and compassion look like, and it made me want to follow a similar path. I am the oldest of three, and my siblings inspire me every day. My youngest brother is one of the most caring people I know. Even though he’s young, he always puts others before himself and makes sure I’m okay. Whether it’s greeting me with a hug after a long day or checking on me, he reminds me how important it is to make people feel safe and cared for, which is exactly what I want to do as a nurse. My sister is the definition of a determined middle child. She has big dreams, and for once I don’t doubt them, I truly believe she will achieve everything she sets her mind to. She pushes me to work harder and be better every day. Lastly, my dad has always been there guiding me and pushing me to never give up. He’s taught me to work hard and keep going, even when things get difficult. My family has shaped who I am, and nursing feels like the right way to give that same care and support back to others. 2. Human touch to me means more than just something physical, it’s also emotional. You can show someone physical affection every day, but they won’t truly feel how much you care about them until you show it emotionally too. Being there for them, supporting them, and caring for them in all aspects of life is what really makes a difference. When I imagine human touch, I think of something warm, bright, and genuine. It’s special, and it’s something that should never be taken for granted. Human touch isn’t always about holding someone’s hand or giving a hug. Sometimes it’s as simple as listening, making eye contact, or speaking in a way that makes someone feel comfortable. It’s about making people feel like they matter. In a world where people can often feel overlooked or rushed, those small moments of care can mean everything. In patient care, human touch can have a huge impact. Being in a hospital or medical setting can be overwhelming and even scary. Patients are often dealing with pain, fear, or uncertainty about what’s going to happen next. In those moments, the way a nurse treats them can completely change their experience. Showing kindness, patience, and understanding can help a patient feel calmer and more secure. Human touch also shows patients that they truly matter. It proves that you’re not just there because it’s your job, but because you genuinely want to care for them and make a difference in their lives. When patients feel that kind of care, it builds trust. They become more comfortable, more open, and more confident in the care they are receiving. That emotional support can be just as important as any medical treatment. To me, nursing is more than just taking care of someone physically. It’s about caring for the whole person, both emotionally and physically. Human touch is what makes that possible. It’s what turns a routine interaction into something meaningful, and it’s what helps patients feel seen, valued, and safe. That is the kind of care I hope to give in my future as a nurse.

From a very young age, I always felt like something was a little “off” about me. Whether it was how I processed my emotions or how I handled them, things often felt more intense than they seemed to for other people. Sometimes I would get so angry that it felt like I was going to physically explode. Eventually, that anger, sadness, and frustration would come out one way or another. Most of the time, I ended up taking it out on myself. When I was only ten years old, I started purposely hurting myself, something a ten-year-old should never have to go through. At the time, I didn’t realize that I was beginning a cycle that would follow me for the next seven years of my life. It felt endless, like I was stuck in something I didn’t fully understand and didn’t know how to escape. Therapists often asked the same question: why? Why do you do this? Why do you feel this way? The truth was, I never had an answer. I could never explain what made me feel so angry at myself. Not knowing why was one of the hardest parts. I hated not being able to give people an explanation or put my feelings into words. But after years of struggling, I was finally able to break that cycle. It truly felt like a blessing. A huge part of the reason I made it through was because of my mom. She has had an incredible impact on my life. She has always taken care of me and supported me, even during times when she was struggling herself. No matter what I was going through, she never gave up on me. My mom became my biggest role model. I strive to be like her. I want to give people the same kind of support that she gave me, the kind of support that not everyone is lucky enough to have. I believe the people who are hurting the most are often the ones who need the most understanding. Sometimes they just need someone to remind them that even when life feels overwhelming, there is still hope ahead. No matter how dark things may seem, the sun will eventually break through the clouds. That belief is why I want to help others, especially kids. Many struggles begin at a young age, and children deserve the strongest support during those moments. When you are young, the people around you can shape the way you see yourself and the world. Having someone there to listen, encourage you, and remind you that you matter can change everything. My experiences have taught me that pain does not have to define a person’s future. Instead, it can become the reason someone chooses to help others. I want to be the kind of person who shows kids that their struggles do not make them weak, broken, or alone. They are still capable of growing, succeeding, and finding happiness. One day, I hope to give someone the same support and encouragement that my mom gave me when I needed it most. If I can help even one person realize that their life has meaning and that they are here for a purpose, then everything I went through will have been worth it.

Rugby means hard work and dedication. It means playing through pain and constantly stepping outside of your comfort zone. My first year playing rugby was my freshman year of high school. I was at a new school in a new state, and I had reached that strange phase of not really knowing who I was or where I fit in. Depression constantly felt like it was knocking at the door, and I had been struggling for a long time. I felt lost and without direction. Then I met someone who was about to change my life. My coach started with only a boys team, but he had a vision of building a girls team as well. I became the founding member of that team. In order for us to even play in the upcoming 7s season, I had to fight, convince, and persuade other girls to give rugby a chance. It wasn’t easy, but I believed in what we were building. Slowly, brick by brick, our team began to grow. Building that team helped me understand what it truly means to find your own family. These were people I could rely on both on and off the pitch. We supported each other through wins and losses, but more importantly, through life. Whenever something happened, good or bad, we went to each other. My coach was at the center of it all. He gave us confidence when we doubted ourselves. He taught us how to use our bodies, our strengths, and even our size to our advantage. He showed us that toughness is not just physical, it’s mental. Without him, I truly don’t know where I would be. My experience playing with the Sandhills Sharks shaped me into the person I am today. It helped me grow not only as a player, but as a person. Rugby gave me purpose when I felt like I had none. It gave me leadership when I needed direction. It gave me family when I felt alone. Because of rugby, I found confidence in myself and committed to my dream school with an incredible rugby program. I’m excited to build a new family there and continue growing both on and off the field. I would never have become who I am without my coach and my teammates. Rugby didn’t just give me a sport it gave me strength, identity, and a future I’m proud of