I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. His life is now a legacy of remembrance to educate anyone who is depressed to know that they are not alone. These are some statements I wish I had told Brandon and statements for anyone who feels alone: To find and seek help, and find tools to cope with the debilitating disorder of being depressed. To know that whatever they are going through, it is nothing that can't be tackled with a friend or family member. I wish I would've told him that he was not a burden, and the biggest burden is the guilt I carry for not seeing the warning signs and saving you from yourself. To know that your heartache became my heart break having to sit through your "celebration of life" while I felt mine was shattering. Anyone who feels like the end is better than a comma, please know that everything is temporary, seasons change, the sun will always rise even if it's obscured by clouds, the moon guides us through the night, and stars are born within clouds of dust. You have a purpose, and it sometimes starts after the comma, not the period. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. His life is now a legacy of remembrance to educate anyone who is depressed to know that they are not alone. These are some statements I wish I had told Brandon and statements for anyone who feels alone: To find and seek help, and find tools to cope with the debilitating disorder of being depressed. To know that whatever they are going through, it is nothing that can't be tackled with a friend or family member. I wish I would've told him that he was not a burden, and the biggest burden is the guilt I carry for not seeing the warning signs and saving you from yourself. To know that your heartache became my heart break having to sit through your "celebration of life" while I felt mine was shattering. Anyone who feels like the end is better than a comma, please know that everything is temporary, seasons change, the sun will always rise even if it's obscured by clouds, the moon guides us through the night, and stars are born within clouds of dust. You have a purpose, and it sometimes starts after the comma, not the period. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. His life is now a legacy of remembrance to educate anyone who is depressed to know that they are not alone. These are some statements I wish I had told Brandon and statements for anyone who feels alone: To find and seek help, and find tools to cope with the debilitating disorder of being depressed. To know that whatever they are going through, it is nothing that can't be tackled with a friend or family member. I wish I would've told him that he was not a burden, and the biggest burden is the guilt I carry for not seeing the warning signs and saving you from yourself. To know that your heartache became my heart break having to sit through your "celebration of life" while I felt mine was shattering. Anyone who feels like the end is better than a comma, please know that everything is temporary, seasons change, the sun will always rise even if it's obscured by clouds, the moon guides us through the night, and stars are born within clouds of dust. You have a purpose, and it sometimes starts after the comma, not the period. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. His life is now a legacy of remembrance to educate anyone who is depressed to know that they are not alone. These are some statements I wish I had told Brandon and statements for anyone who feels alone: To find and seek help, and find tools to cope with the debilitating disorder of being depressed. To know that whatever they are going through, it is nothing that can't be tackled with a friend or family member. I wish I would've told him that he was not a burden, and the biggest burden is the guilt I carry for not seeing the warning signs and saving you from yourself. To know that your heartache became my heart break having to sit through your "celebration of life" while I felt mine was shattering. Anyone who feels like the end is better than a comma, please know that everything is temporary, seasons change, the sun will always rise even if it's obscured by clouds, the moon guides us through the night, and stars are born within clouds of dust. You have a purpose, and it sometimes starts after the comma, not the period. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population is low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

I call the dream version of myself Jordan 2.0, she's a nurse helping people in under-served communities, and she's an excellent mother, shes living her life without worry.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

As an Atlanta native homelessness is a prevalent community health concern. If you drive down any street in Atlanta or the metropolitan area you will see many residing along the streets, and tents pitched under overpasses. We have deemed people experiencing homelessness as outcasts, dangerous and uneducated, and unfit for basic societal and healthcare needs. Which is an uneducated assumption that perpetuates stigmas about homelessness and people who are affected by displacement. My driving force for my future nursing career is to implore and impact those who are underserved in a community whose resources are limited, to empower its residents to seek and receive quality and adequate healthcare and its services. In 2019 my sister and I started a small community outreach where we would hand out sleeping bags and hand warmers to those living on the streets of Atlanta. This mission fueled my interest in working in an area, that many would deem undesirable, and where I saw an opportunity to give back to a community that is overlooked. Homelessness proves to be a bigger issue in the city of Atlanta than just a socioeconomic issue, it’s a community health crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for tuberculous, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Having adequate health services reduces the transmission rate of certain illnesses for everyone else in the community. As well as reducing barriers to care and allowing proper patient education for managing and controlling diseases and health conditions. Grady Memorial Hospital is at the top of my list to start my nursing career after graduation. Grady Memorial Hospital is a level-one trauma center, that primarily serves the vulnerable communities of Fulton and Dekalb county. Grady treats roughly around 719,000 annually with 29% of those patients being on Medicaid and 25% being uninsured. Over half of their patient population are low income needing adequate care. Grady’s mission and slogan resonated with me and speaks to how I would want my nursing practice to benefit a community. Grady wants to “improve the health of the community by providing quality, comprehensive healthcare in a compassionate culturally competent, ethical and fiscally responsible manner’, and their slogan “At Grady we do more than save lives”, speaks to their initiative to decrease healthcare disparities and promotes equity and equality for every patient that walks through their doors. My anticipated graduation date is June 2024, with the hope of being an emergency room nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital to start their nurse residency program. In October of 2023, I plan to apply to Grady’s nurse externship to gain exposure and experience in their emergency department- to discover strengths and recognize areas and aspects to improve upon. I hope to be a beacon of light and hope to every patient I encounter, to advocate for every patient, to show compassion and competency during care and establish confident nursing skills and clinical leadership. As I finish my studies at South College in Atlanta, Georgia. I will continue to participate in community outreaches to aid people who are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Servicing the community is more than self-enrichment and a resume booster, to me it’s about improving quality of life, identifying socio-economic and health barriers and plans regarding resources, health services, and preventative measures. In closing I would like to thank your committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, it will alleviate the stress of finding funding and aid me in continuing my educational nursing studies.

Research has shown that Alzheimer's can occur from multiple factors, like lifestyle or genetics. Genetics has caused me to take on a caregiver role from an early age. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. By age 16 Alzheimer's had taken another family member and I was ushered back into the caregiver role. Dottie Mae's progression was fast and debilitating, she was a fighter throughout her life and that strength manifested in her disease- she had a great left hook. She passed 6 years after her mother Madear. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. Honey's love, compassion, and willpower toppled that of anyone I've known. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. Her progression has been tough emotionally and physically. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. On days when I am not in class I get Honey up, bathe her, make her breakfast and try my best to keep a routine for familiarity. Honey has always been a strong force- lucid or altered mental status. Which makes most days centering her back to calmness challenging. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse it to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a healthcare career has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their most vulnerable. My goal is to become an emergency room nurse, to truly be my patients calm during their storm. My mission when I become an ER nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “Compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you are able to help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. I have experienced loss in more ways than one that has propelled me into healthcare wanting to be a positive impact for my community the way the loss of Brandon, a friend who struggled with depression and caring for family members with Alzheimer's made on my life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, Brandon's death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation and his death became my resurrection.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. I have experienced loss in more ways than one that has propelled me into healthcare wanting to be a positive impact for my community the way the loss of Brandon, a friend who struggled with depression and caring for family members with Alzheimer's made on my life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, Brandon's death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation and his death became my resurrection.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. I have experienced loss in more ways than one that has propelled me into healthcare wanting to be a positive impact for my community the way the loss of Brandon, a friend who struggled with depression and caring for family members with Alzheimer's made on my life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, Brandon's death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation and his death became my resurrection.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. I have experienced loss in more ways than one that has propelled me into healthcare wanting to be a positive impact for my community the way the loss of Brandon, a friend who struggled with depression and caring for family members with Alzheimer's made on my life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, Brandon's death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation and his death became my resurrection.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Yet, depression and addiction deprived him of experiencing those joys. Depression never allowed him to see past his current state of being, depression was his fatal friend; the devil on his shoulder pushing him to do something he could never come back from, depression was ignoring his future to focus on the fate of fatality. Depression and addiction is now my foe, my enemy who is in need of a superhero to end its torment and chaos. If death is truly a reflection of life, my new life will begin where Brandon's left off. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and drug addiction and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Yet, depression deprived him of experiencing those joys. Depression never allowed him to see past his current state of being, depression was his fatal friend; the devil on his shoulder pushing him to do something he could never come back from, depression was ignoring his future to focus on fate of fatality. Depression is now my foe, my enemy who is in need of a superhero to end its torment and chaos. If death is truly a reflection of life, my new life will begin where Brandon's left off. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Yet, depression deprived him of experiencing those joys. Depression never allowed him to see past his current state of being, depression was his fatal friend; the devil on his shoulder pushing him to do something he could never come back from, depression was ignoring his future to focus on fate of fatality. Depression is now my foe, my enemy who is in need of a superhero to end its torment and chaos. If death is truly a reflection of life, my new life will begin where Brandon's left off. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Yet, depression deprived him of experiencing those joys. Depression never allowed him to see past his current state of being, depression was his fatal friend; the devil on his shoulder pushing him to do something he could never come back from, depression was ignoring his future to focus on fate of fatality. Depression is now my foe, my enemy who is in need of a superhero to end its torment and chaos. If death is truly a reflection of life, my new life will begin where Brandon's left off. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. Yet, depression deprived him of experiencing those joys. Depression never allowed him to see past his current state of being, depression was his fatal friend; the devil on his shoulder pushing him to do something he could never come back from, depression was ignoring his future to focus on fate of fatality. Depression is now my foe, my enemy who is in need of a superhero to end its torment and chaos. If death is truly a reflection of life, my new life will begin where Brandon's left off. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awareness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. I plan on giving back to my community by working at Grady Memorial Hospital after graduation which is an underfunded level-one trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. They treat a high population of patients that are homeless, and I want to be able to show them compassion through patient-centered care. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. I plan on giving back to my community by working at Grady Memorial Hospital after graduation which is an underfunded level-one trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. They treat a high population of patients that are homeless, and I want to be able to show them compassion through patient-centered care. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. I plan on giving back to my community by working at Grady Memorial Hospital after graduation which is an underfunded level-one trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. They treat a high population of patients that are homeless, and I want to be able to show them compassion through patient-centered care. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. I plan on giving back to my community by working at Grady Memorial Hospital after graduation which is an underfunded level-one trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. They treat a high population of patients that are homeless, and I want to be able to show them compassion through patient-centered care. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. I plan on giving back to my community by working at Grady Memorial Hospital after graduation which is an underfunded level-one trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia. They treat a high population of patients that are homeless, and I want to be able to show them compassion through patient-centered care. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

Loss is an unexpected feeling, even though we know no one lives forever, you are never prepared for death. No one ever mentions that death is at every red light, at the bottom of every pill bottle, or lurking in the corner of hospital halls. Japanese Zen tells us that death=birth, without one you can not have the other. Death is like the air we breathe, it never leaves us, death is our secret teacher, it pushes us to figure out what we value and care about the most, death is a reflection of life and shows us how to proceed as we mourn a lost life. Brandon did not fear death, Brandon was a comedian, he could make anyone smile and laugh, and he never met a stranger. He graduated nursing school and was planning on working in the ICU bringing a smile to the most critically ill patients. I truly believe he would've been like a flashlight in a dark room for every patient he met, a beacon of light and hope. I wish he knew how much he mattered and how big of a difference he would've made. As I enter the last year of my nursing program, his death is a reminder of what his life could've been and should've been. My promise to him is to finish what he started, to work in the same ICU he did not have the opportunity to step foot in, to be the beacon of light and hope. To continue to raise awarness on depression and how to find help. I will continue to remind myself that I matter, as I should've done for him. As he rests peacefully his purpose in life will not be forgotten. His purpose is now my passion, his success is now my motivation, and his death became my resurrection. Brandon, I write this for you, for your family, and for everyone who was blessed with your presence.

Research has shown that Alzheimer's can occur from multiple factors, like lifestyle or genetics. Genetics has caused me to take on a caregiver role from an early age. Alzheimer's runs through my family, I have been a caretaker since the age of 12. At the early age of 12, I would spend the night with my great-grandmother Madear for comfort, I would make her supper and we would watch reruns of Honey West. Through her progression of the disease, supper would go uneaten and Honey West was no longer recognizable or nostalgic, and the couch was no longer our gathering place. Her daughter Dottie Mae was my aunt, she was an extraordinary cook, with a modelesque figure and stature, she would carry little caramel candies to church and hand them out to keep me and my cousins quiet through the service. By age 16 Alzheimer's had taken another family member and I was ushered back into the caregiver role. Dottie Mae's progression was fast and debilitating, she was a fighter throughout her life and that strength manifested in her disease- she had a great left hook. She passed 6 years after her mother Madear. Here in my 20s Alzheimer's strikes again with my Grandmother, surviving her mother and sister Madear and Dottie Mae respectively. Jacqueline was nicknamed by her grandchildren "Honey" after Honey West. Honey's love, compassion, and willpower toppled that of anyone I've known. She has the voice of Eartha Kitt very unique and southern, born and raised in Alabama, she has the southern drawl where you have to stop and listen. Her progression has been tough emotionally and physically. I am currently in nursing school, and my mother and I share caregiving responsibilities. On days when I am not in class I get Honey up, bathe her, make her breakfast and try my best to keep a routine for familiarity. Honey has always been a strong force- lucid or altered mental status. Which makes most days centering her back to calmness challenging. I have always been a person that trusts in faith, and I believe my journey of caregiving was a challenge from God, I have been someone who has always needed patience, and through ampule experiences, I can say patience is how I approach every challenge or obstacle. My caregiving experience opened my eyes to healthcare and my passion for patient-centered care. I am excited to embark on my journey of being a nurse and changing lives the way Madear, Dottie Mae, and Honey have transformed mine.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time. Firstly, I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Most single mothers do not have the resources outside of loans to help fund their education. This scholarship will make graduating easier, and lessen my student loan debt. Which will help jumpstart my daughter and I's new life once I become a nurse, and can provide for her to the best of my abilities without struggle.

I was blessed with my daughter in February of 2019, I was in my last semester of college double majoring in marketing and biochemistry with the hopes of either going to PA school or Medical School. Having a career in healthcare has always been my plan A and B, there has never been another option. I had envisioned by year 27 of life, I would’ve been a practicing physician assistant or embarking on my final year in medical school. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, we figure out that life’s path is not linear, and your dreams and goals are delayed and not denied. As I am approaching year 27, I am reflecting on how my dreams and goals have shifted to be realistic versus idealistic. I am a single mom to a beautiful three-year-old daughter. I am currently enrolled in nursing school full-time, and work two jobs. One of which, I work as a nursing assistant to prepare me for my nursing career. Most of my income goes to bills and making sure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities that she loves like gymnastics. I sacrifice what I need to make sure my daughter has everything she wants. I will recycle my three pairs of leggings and wear them throughout the week, I will wear the size 6 Adidas that I can no longer fit, I will wear my Nike work shoes with holes in them, and continue to wear the bleached stained ceil blue scrubs to work with a smile because I know everything has a purpose. So my daughter can have nice clothes, and gymnastics tuition paid for, so she can experience life without wanting. I am so dedicated and motivated to finish nursing school, and graduate top of my class for her. Nursing school is more to me than just providing for my daughter, it's about being a service to people and the community. What attracts me to healthcare and nursing is patient care. I love direct patient care, you can help people at various stages of their life; on their best days and at their vulnerable. My mission when I become a nurse is to honor every voice and advocate for my patients. I say a morning mantra at the start of every shift “ compassion and kindness are never wasted, they always make a difference, they bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver”. This sets the tone and intentions for the day, which puts me in the right mindset not only to serve but care for my patients. This scholarship will help me further my education to embark on the journey of changing every patient's life one voice at a time.

In 2019 I gave birth to my daughter and had complications after birth, I was hospitalized after being one week post partum with a pulmonary edema , and preeclampsia- and the level of care I received put into perspective that I want to help people at their most vulnerable time like I was helped. I was in an isolation room due to having a high temperature and being a rule out for the flu so I was unable to have my daughter with me, which was hard as a new mother, and my nurse sat in my room her whole shift, and comforted me in my daughter's absence. I want to be someone's comfort in their time of need. I hope to be an Emergency Nurse after graduation and be the first face someone sees at the hospital, intake in the ER can be very scary and I want to alleviate some of that worry from my patients and help navigate them through their care, and advocate for them in any way possible. I currently work as a CNA at the busiest hospital in Georgia which has strengthened my patient care abilities, it allows me to focus on patient needs and help them with activities of daily living. I let the nurse who sat in my room while I was admitted be my inspiration every time I come to work. My patients are my family and I treat them with respect and try my best to make them feel seen and heard while in my care. I will carry these traits into my nursing career, and leave a lasting impression on every patient I come into contact with.