While watching the national news one March morning, in the year 2020, I watched the whole world come to a stand-still. As I saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold on my television, a chilling feeling came over me. I heard a voice within me say, “It’s time.” That inner voice was my call to nursing, which had been my dream since 2018. As I watched helplessly, for the months to follow, I knew I had to take action and take the first initial steps towards pursuing a career in nursing. What seemed like a lifetime, for the next couple years, I took classes online to fulfill all necessary prerequisites to apply to nursing programs in the state of Texas. Looking back, I have no idea how I was able to maintain a full-time executive management job, volunteer full-time with the Junior League of Houston, and complete my sometimes full-time course load. But, the fire within me would not let me quit. In December 2024, I was accepted to the Spring 2025 cohort for the University of Houston Second-Degree ABSN program. This scholarship will give me the resources to afford books, supplies, and tuition while I am unable to work, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience has helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to aiding healing, mind, body, and spirit, in my new career. Upon graduation, I plan to start off in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liason between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to.

I am seeking my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing because it is my true calling in life. After many years of searching for my true purpose in life, I decided to answer the call to nursing in 2020, after volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital years prior, with the Junior League of Houston. I am delighted to be a part of the Spring 2025 cohort at the University of Houston Sugarland, and I look forward to earning my BSN in December. Since it is an accelerated program one-year program, I am not able to work. So, winning this scholarship would help me to pay for tuition, books, and supplies, and I can focus solely on my school work without the added stress of insufficient funds. Upon graduation, I plan to start off in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes. One of the reasons I am so passionate about nursing is because when my father passed away March 2011, he was surrounded by loving nurses. My father was in the hospital for a week, and in that time frame, the nursing staff had become attached to him. The nurses told us that he was one of their favorite patients, as he was so polite and mannerable. My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. He was a strong provider and hard worker for our family. He was an Army veteran and a proud fourty-year veteran at his job, as a First Class Machinist, where he prided himself in rarely missing a day of work. It was discovered in the late 1980's that his facility needed to remove asbestos, due to health and safety hazards. But, by the time the asbestos was removed in the early 1990's, unfortunately my father and many of his coworkers were already affected. Nosebleeds, weight loss, lingering coughs, and labored breathing had taken over his crew and many others. Class action suits helped to cover the costs of medical bills, but for many, the funding was not enough. My father was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. And, I know that he would be proud of me and the decisions I have made to pursue a nursing career. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to.

My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. My father was a strong provider and hard worker for our family. He was a proud fourty-year veteran at his job, as a First Class Machinist, where he prided himself in rarely missing a day of work. It was discovered in the late 1980's that his facility needed to remove asbestos, due to health and safety hazards. But, by the time the asbestos was removed in the early 1990's, unfortunately my father and many of his coworkers were already affected. Nosebleeds, weight loss, lingering coughs, and labored breathing had taken over his crew and many others. Class action suits helped to cover the costs of medical bills, but for many, the funding was not enough. Unbeknownst to myself, my mother, and my sisters, my father was a walking time-bomb. Over the years and decades, we watched our strong family leader lose and gain significant amounts of weight time and time again. We would write it off as abrupt changes to his eating habits, but sadly, my father's body was in the fight of it's life. During the Christmas and New Year holidays of 2010, my father was looking healthier than ever before. He had taken a long stint off from work to use his vacation time, in preparation for retirement the coming May. He reflected on his life and had a very deep, heart-to-heart conversation with the family. We didn't understand the context or meaning of the conversation, but we would soon find out. By February 2011, my father appeared to have lost 50 pounds in a month's time. At that point, I knew that a potential fatal health problem was the culprit. After enduring many diagnostic tests, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer on March 15, 2011. I, his youngest child, was the first person he called to relay the information. I was upset, shocked, and heart-broken, but hopeful, only because he sounded so optimistic about his prognosis. After surgery to remove the mass, my father declined very rapidly. After knowingly fighting cancer for seven days, my father passed away March 20, 2011. Hezekiah Price, Jr. was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. He pulled strength to live another day knowing that he was loved and was appreciated by those that depended on him. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to. Upon graduation, I plan to start my nursing career in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience and to focus on perfecting my skills. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes.

If I am chosen to receive the Beverly J. Patterson Scholarship, I will have resources to afford tuition, books, and supplies while I am unable to work full-time, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion and my vocation. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience have helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to where my next steps will take me in life and my new career. My road towards a second degree in nursing has been fraught with sickness, family deaths, denials for student aid, and constant adversity. However, I have kept my eyes focused on my goals and have not allowed outside distractions to affect my performance or grades. One of the reasons I am so passionate about nursing is because when my father passed away March 2011, he was surrounded by loving nurses. My father was in the hospital for a week, and in that time frame, the nursing staff had become attached to him. The nurses told us that he was one of their favorite patients, as he was so polite and mannerable. My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. My father was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. And, I know that he would be proud of me and the decisions I have made to pursue a nursing career. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to. Upon graduation, I plan to start my nursing career in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience and to focus on perfecting my skills. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from the University of Houston in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes.

If I am chosen to receive the Kelly O. Memorial Nursing Scholarship, I will have resources to afford tuition, books, and supplies while I am unable to work full-time, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion and my vocation. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience have helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to where my next steps will take me in life and my new career. My road towards a second degree in nursing has been fraught with sickness, family deaths, denials for student aid, and constant adversity. However, I have kept my eyes focused on my goals and have not allowed outside distractions to affect my performance or grades. One of the reasons I am so passionate about nursing is because when my father passed away March 2011, he was surrounded by loving nurses. My father was in the hospital for a week, and in that time frame, the nursing staff had become attached to him. The nurses told us that he was one of their favorite patients, as he was so polite and mannerable. My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. My father was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. And, I know that he would be proud of me and the decisions I have made to pursue a nursing career. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to. Upon graduation, I plan to start my nursing career in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience and to focus on perfecting my skills. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes.

If I am chosen to receive the Margaret A. Briller Memorial Nursing Scholarship, I will have resources to afford tuition, books, and supplies while I am unable to work full-time, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion and my vocation. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience have helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to where my next steps will take me in life and my new career. My road towards a second degree in nursing has been fraught with sickness, family deaths, denials for student aid, and constant adversity. However, I have kept my eyes focused on my goals and have not allowed outside distractions to affect my performance or grades. One of the reasons I am so passionate about nursing is because when my father passed away March 2011, he was surrounded by loving nurses. My father was in the hospital for a week, and in that time frame, the nursing staff had become attached to him. The nurses told us that he was one of their favorite patients, as he was so polite and mannerable. My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. My father was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. And, I know that he would be proud of me and the decisions I have made to pursue a nursing career. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to. Upon graduation, I plan to start my nursing career in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience and to focus on perfecting my skills. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes.

While watching the national news one March morning, in the year 2020, I watched the whole world come to a stand-still. As I saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold on my television, a chilling feeling came over me. I heard a voice within me say, “It’s time.” That inner voice was my call to nursing, which had been my dream since 2018, after volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital years prior, with the Junior League of Houston. As I watched helplessly, for the months to follow, I knew I had to take action and take the first initial steps towards pursuing a career in nursing. What seemed like a lifetime, for the next couple years, I took classes online to fulfill all necessary prerequisites to apply to nursing programs in the state of Texas. Looking back, I have no idea how I was able to maintain a full-time executive management job, volunteer full-time with the Junior League of Houston, and complete my sometimes full-time course load. But, the fire within me would not let me quit. Once I completed all of my obligations in 2022, I received rejection letters on and off for almost two years. Finally, in August 2024, I decided to take the necessary steps to apply to nursing school programs one last time, here in Houston, Texas. If I was rejected again, I decided that I would wait another year before applying again. The next day, I received feedback from the school. Now, in March 2025, I have begun with the Spring 2025 cohort for the University of Houston Second-Degree ABSN program. I am so thrilled and honored that all of my hard work and time has paid off. This scholarship will give me the resources to afford books and supplies while I am unable to work full-time, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience has helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to where my next steps will take me in life and my new career. So, winning this scholarship would help me to pay for tuition, books, and supplies, and I can focus solely on my school work without the added stress of insufficient funds. Upon graduation, I plan to start off in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes.

I am seeking my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing because it is my true calling in life. After many years of searching for my true purpose in life, I decided to answer the call to nursing in 2020, after volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital years prior, with the Junior League of Houston. I am delighted to be a part of the Spring 2025 cohort at the University of Houston Sugarland, and I look forward to earning my BSN in December. Since it is an accelerated program one-year program, I am not able to work. So, winning this scholarship would help me to pay for tuition, books, and supplies, and I can focus solely on my school work without the added stress of insufficient funds. Upon graduation, I plan to start off in a Medical-Surgical unit at a local hospital to gain bedside experience. Once I have at least two years of experience, I plan to become a travel nurse and take assignments in areas that are under-served and in need of primary and emergency care nurses. Within five years of graduating, I plan to earn my MSN in Education from UH in order to teach and train future nurses. I understand the need for caring and dedicated nurses and I look forward to being a mentor to others, as the faculty at UH have been to me. I can also serve as a community liaison between different agencies and the institution in which I will be teaching. I feel that it is very important to educate the community on the importance of nurses in the healthcare field, and their impact on positive patient outcomes. One of the reasons I am so passionate about nursing is because when my father passed away March 2011, he was surrounded by loving nurses. My father was in the hospital for a week, and in that time frame, the nursing staff had become attached to him. The nurses told us that he was one of their favorite patients, as he was so polite and mannerable. My father, Hezekiah Price, Jr., was a warrior and victim of cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, due to working around asbestos. He was a strong provider and hard worker for our family. He was a proud fourty-year veteran at his job, as a First Class Machinist, where he prided himself in rarely missing a day of work. It was discovered in the late 1980's that his facility needed to remove asbestos, due to health and safety hazards. But, by the time the asbestos was removed in the early 1990's, unfortunately my father and many of his coworkers were already affected. Nosebleeds, weight loss, lingering coughs, and labored breathing had taken over his crew and many others. Class action suits helped to cover the costs of medical bills, but for many, the funding was not enough. Unbeknownst to myself, my mother, and my sisters, my father was a walking time-bomb. My father was my biggest cheerleader and motivator, as well as my counselor in adverse times. And, I know that he would be proud of me and the decisions I have made to pursue a nursing career. I find comfort in being there for my future patients, as those caring nurses who took care of my dying father. Many people say it takes a special kind of person to see death and sickness on a daily basis, and that is very true. Nursing is more than a job, but a vocation, in which you are called to.

While watching the national news one March morning, in the year 2020, I watched the whole world come to a stand-still. As I saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold on my television, a chilling feeling came over me. I heard a voice within me say, “It’s time.” That inner voice was my call to nursing, which had been my dream since 2018. As I watched helplessly, for the months to follow, I knew I had to take action and take the first initial steps towards pursuing a career in nursing. What seemed like a lifetime, for the next couple years, I took classes online to fulfill all necessary prerequisites to apply to nursing programs in the state of Texas. Looking back, I have no idea how I was able to maintain a full-time executive management job, volunteer full-time with the Junior League of Houston, and complete my sometimes full-time course load. But, the fire within me would not let me quit. In December 2024, I was accepted to the Spring 2025 cohort for the University of Houston Second-Degree ABSN program. I am so thrilled and honored that all of my hard work and time has paid off. In my coursework, I must complete multiple clinical rotations in different specialties. As a part of my Mental Health clinical rotation, I work with different age and gender groups. Most recently, I worked with adolescent females, and the experience has forever changed me. I was able to hear the stories of multiple girls who had to grow up quickly, due to neglect and abuse. I met them during a time they were most in need. I was able to encourage them to not give up on life, but also look ahead to a bright future. I realized after several conversations that many of the girls had never felt supported by the adults in their lives. I, along with some of the staff members, were the first adults that these patients had ever felt love from. At the end of the shift, the patients were sad to see me go, and I was also sad to leave. One of the patients ran to me to give me a hug “goodbye”. I felt so touched that in just twelve hours, I was able to make such an impact. That moment was the catalyst to drive me to ensure quality patient care and interactions every day and every moment. None of us know what anyone else has gone through in life, and none of us have any idea how much a smile and a listening ear can brighten a person’s day. A smile and a caring touch help us feel connected, which is a huge part in the healing process. I choose to lead with love every moment of every shift, as a student nurse and future registered nurse. Love is the best medicine. This scholarship will give me the resources to afford books, supplies, and tuition while I am unable to work, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience has helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to aiding healing, mind, body, and spirit, in my new career.

While watching the national news one March morning, in the year 2020, I watched the whole world come to a stand-still. As I saw the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold on my television, a chilling sensation came over me. I heard a voice within me say, “It’s time.” That inner voice was my call to nursing, which had been my dream since 2018. As I watched helplessly, for the months to follow, I knew I had to take action and take the first initial steps towards pursuing a career in nursing. What seemed like a lifetime, for the next couple years, I took classes online to fulfill all necessary prerequisites to apply to nursing programs in the state of Texas. Looking back, I have no idea how I was able to maintain a full-time executive management job, volunteer full-time with the Junior League of Houston, and complete my sometimes full-time course load. But, the fire within me would not let me quit. Once I completed all of my obligations in 2022, I received rejection letters on and off for almost two years. Finally, in August 2024, I decided to take the necessary steps to apply to nursing school programs one last time, here in Houston, Texas. If I was rejected again, I decided that I would wait another year before applying again. The next day, I received feedback from the school. I attended the Interview Day in September and was confident that the University of Houston was where I wanted to begin my nursing education. Later in December 2024, I received an acceptance latter and took the steps to begin with the Spring 2025 cohort for the University of Houston Second-Degree ABSN program. I am so thrilled and honored that all of my hard work and time has paid off. I am now two months into the program, and I have no doubts that it is the perfect fit for me and my educational needs. This scholarship will give me the resources to afford tuition, books, and supplies while I am unable to work full-time, and focus on my school work. As someone who has beat the odds on many fronts, I know that if I am awarded this scholarship, I will be a good steward of the funds. Nursing is my passion and my vocation. And, although I am considered a non-traditional student, my life and work experience has helped me to prepare for my future role, and appreciate it even more. I take nothing for granted and look forward to where my next steps will take me in life and my new career. Thank you for your time and consideration.