The Road Less Traveled: Unconventional Pathways in STEM Every person has a story to tell. Mine is a unique tapestry woven with threads of adventure, resilience, determination, and above all, growth. I am Katlyn Darling, a woman, wife, mother, pregnant lady, Army veteran, and nursing student. Each role shapes me and gives color to my life's narrative, a narrative that is quite unlike the traditional academic path. My story, infused with lessons from the military and personal experiences, has shaped my perspective and aspirations in significant ways. After six arduous but rewarding years in the U.S. Army in a special operations unit and a brief stint as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, I found myself thrust into the world of academia, a world quite different from the one I had left behind. Today, at the age of 29, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science with a minor in Marketing at Hawaii Pacific University, with a projected graduation date of December 2024. While many of my peers have embarked on a straightforward academic journey, my path has been anything but. In the time that I've been enrolled at HPU, I've started a business, welcomed the joys and challenges of motherhood, embraced the role of wife, and now, I am on the brink of embarking on a research project that combines my interest in nursing with my fascination with the burgeoning technology of machine learning and AI. This fascination has led me to an ambitious goal: developing an AI-based smart charting system that has the potential to reshape the landscape of nursing care by automating routine tasks. With this technology, I aim to free up nurses' time, allowing them to focus more on patient care, thereby addressing the nursing shortage crisis in a novel way. To support this ambition, I have enrolled in the MIT No Code AI and Machine Learning course. This education will equip me with the necessary skills to make a tangible difference in the healthcare sector, particularly in the realm of nursing, by streamlining tasks and enhancing patient care. I will have a prototype application by the end of the course, mid-September 2023. I plan to conduct research with and relating to the principles of this application for the improvement of the nursing profession and healthcare. The financial assistance from this scholarship would significantly support my pursuit of further education and my research endeavors. But why do I deserve this scholarship? I really do think this technology has the potential to revolutionize nursing and the healthcare sector as a whole. My ambition makes me a great candidate to be on the forefront of that research. The unconventional pathway I've taken and my determination to make a difference makes me a strong candidate for the scholarship. Although I am not a typical STEM student, I do research and study heavily in the STEM field in ways that marry my interests in healthcare and technology for the betterment of society. I bring diverse experiences and a unique perspective to the table. I believe that although my resilience and drive have seen me through various challenges, these same qualities will enable me to bring meaningful change to the healthcare sector. My hope is to inspire other women in STEM fields to pursue their goals, regardless of how nontraditional their paths may be. As a student of life, I embrace challenges, celebrate triumphs, and persistently strive to contribute positively to the world of healthcare. My journey may not be traditional, but it's one that continues to shape me into an individual eager to use her education for the greater good.

Harnessing AI Technology to Elevate Nursing Care and Patient Outcomes With an unabating nursing shortage across the United States, a rise in patient numbers, and the ever-increasing complexity of healthcare, the demand for efficient, innovative solutions has never been more critical. One technology that inspires me greatly in its potential to reshape healthcare and make the world a better place is Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a nursing student at Hawaii Pacific University, I am passionate about leveraging AI to enhance nursing care and patient outcomes. Given the amount of time that nurses dedicate to charting - a necessary but time-consuming task - AI presents an opportunity to transform this area of nursing practice. AI's capability to learn, predict, and adapt can be harnessed to develop smart charting systems. These systems can aid nurses by automating repetitive tasks, reducing errors, and freeing up their valuable time. Consequently, nurses can focus more on providing direct patient care - the heart of nursing practice. I am currently working on a research proposal aimed at studying the integration of AI into nursing charting, and how this impacts patient outcomes and the number of patients a nurse can safely manage. The objective of this research is not only to contribute to the evidence-based strategies addressing the nursing shortage but also to improve patient care. The promise of AI in improving efficiency in healthcare is profound. The technology, though in its early stages, has the potential to aid in assessing patient needs, prioritizing care, and even predicting potential health crises before they become critical. It is a tool that could empower nurses and other healthcare professionals, augmenting their skills and enhancing patient care. As a future nurse, I envision a world where technology and human empathy and care coexist and complement each other. With AI, I see a future where nurses are not overburdened by paperwork but can dedicate more of their time to patients – offering comfort, reassurance, and expert care. Leveraging AI in nursing charting can help us address some of our most pressing healthcare challenges, making the world a better place. And as a woman pursuing a career that leverages technology for good, I am committed to being at the forefront of this change. My ambition is to use AI as a stepping-stone towards improved healthcare outcomes, paving the way for the next generation of nurses and female leaders in tech-driven healthcare.

A Journey of Servant Leadership In this complex, interconnected world, each of us wields the power to incite change, to leave an indelible imprint on the lives of others. This truth resonates deeply with me and reflects my commitment to selflessness, a value I hold dear in honor of Michael Rudometkin's inspiring legacy. As a Filipino-American whose family history is steeped in resilience, determination, and service, I've dedicated my life to uplifting others, both within and beyond my immediate circles. My time in the U.S. Army, my academic pursuits, and my aspirations as a future healthcare leader are imbued with this spirit of service. Within the Army, I adopted a philosophy of servant leadership, always prioritizing the needs and aspirations of my comrades. I regularly offered rides to fellow soldiers trekking to the commissaries, transforming these moments into opportunities for bonding, shared understanding, and mutual growth. These gestures might seem small, but they underscore my commitment to camaraderie and mutual support, vital values in any community. Perhaps more notably, I consciously fostered an environment that encouraged my soldiers to reach their fullest potential. I strived to mentor and empower them, acknowledging their unique strengths and helping them navigate challenges with resilience and grit. Seeing them blossom into confident, competent servicemen and women has been one of my most rewarding experiences. In my academic journey, I've been driven by the same spirit of altruism. As a nursing student, I regularly lead study groups, helping my peers understand complex concepts and prepare for grueling examinations. To me, success is a collective endeavor. It's about lifting each other up, learning together, and celebrating shared victories. My commitment to service extends beyond my military and academic endeavors. I'm currently in the process of establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to training and providing PTSD-trained service dogs to veterans at no cost. This project combines my passion for supporting fellow veterans and my love for animals into a mission that can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals grappling with PTSD. The Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship embodies values I deeply resonate with—altruism, service, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. By receiving this scholarship, I see an affirmation of my efforts to uphold Michael's legacy and a fuel to drive my future endeavors. Through every ride offered, every soldier mentored, every study group led, and every service dog trained, I strive to sow seeds of selflessness, kindness, and hope. And in honoring Michael's memory, I wish to inspire others to do the same, cultivating a perpetuating cycle of compassion and service.

Mighty Mouse's Journey: From Waffle House to 5th Special Forces Group I'm Katlyn Darling, but those who know me call me "Mighty Mouse." It's a nickname I earned not from my petite stature, but from the hefty punch of determination I pack. I haven't always been this strong, nor this mighty. It's a story that began in a Waffle House, took a detour through Jordan and SYria, and now finds its way to Hawaii, as I pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University. Born into a family that knew hardship too well. I grew up with three sisters and parents who struggled financially and often grappled with homelessness and putting food on the table. I always knew I was destined for more. The path, however, was a mystery. That was until one fateful day when, as a 20-year-old waitress at Waffle House, I watched the news report of an American journalist abducted and brutally slain by the Taliban. I was shaken to my core. It ignited within me a fiery determination to serve my country and make a difference. I ran to the nearest US Army recruiting station and told the recruiter "I want to be on my way to the Army in two weeks. Can we do this?" Of course, he was delighted to so easily meet his quota and obliged. I then told him I wanted to "go infantry" and be sent to Afghanistan right away. Seeing this 5'1" young woman, at a hundred pounds soaking wet, eager to be an infantry soldier must have been very humorous to the Ranger regiment E6 sergeant. It is for me thinking back. But my seriousness (and GT score) won him over. Being 2014, infantry was not allowed for women at the time. "Well, what can I do with guns? And jumping out of airplanes?" I was steered into a path that was a better fit - becoming a Small Arms/Artillery Repairer with airborne distinction. The next chapter of my life unfurled at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, home to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Still running on the adrenaline of airborne school, with my subdued black metal wings displayed proudly on my chest, I was eager to prove my worth. My small frame often posed challenges, especially when handling weighty M2A1 50 cal barrels. But my response was always the same – "let me do it myself." I knew I had to figure it out, not just for myself, but for those I'd be serving alongside on the battlefield. The experience of working with the Green Berets, some of the most elite soldiers in the world, is something that fills me with immense pride and gratitude. The friendships I forged, the mission we accomplished, the lessons I learned - they all made me who I am today. The "mighty mouse" who once stood her ground at Fort Campbell is now channeling her energy and passion into her studies, her family, and her entrepreneurial ventures. As a veteran, the military has not only shaped me but also given me a sense of purpose and direction. The military gave me a reset button. I could be whoever I wanted to be, who I was destined to be. I'm just Might Mouse, a girl who started from humble beginnings, faced adversity head-on, served her country with determination, and is now committed to making a difference in healthcare. The journey has been incredible, and I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings.