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Kelsey King

2,035

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

I am a goal-oriented, hardworking, and compassionate person. After volunteering at a local hospital this past summer, I have decided to major in Nursing. I love the idea of using knowledge, critical thinking, and compassion to improve the lives of those in need. My other passion is playing lacrosse. Being a student athlete has taught me so many valuable lessons such as; dedication, hard work, time management, and being a team player. I will continue to play lacrosse in college. My goal is to become a travel nurse and adventure across the United States while working as a Registered Nurse. I plan to explore National Parks, lakes, and conquer new ski hills in my travels.

Education

Saint Ursula Academy

High School
2019 - 2023
  • GPA:
    4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

    • Girls Youth Lacrosse Referee

      Sylvania Recreation
      2019 – Present5 years
    • Lifeguard

      Belmont Country Club
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Score clock operator

      Sylvania Recreation
      2019 – Present5 years

    Sports

    Golf

    Junior Varsity
    2019 – Present5 years

    Lacrosse

    Varsity
    2017 – Present7 years

    Arts

    • St Ursula Academy

      Theatre
      Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, Phantom of the Opera
      2019 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Girls on the Run — I was a running buddy for a GOTR participant during the Girls on the Run 5k.
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Bon Secours St. Vincents Hospital — Assisted nursing staff with simple tasks, transporting patients for discharge.
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Sunshine Children's Home — Pushing residents wheelchairs during annual community walk, preparing decorations for community holiday events
      2019 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Girls on the Run — Face painting and cheering participants on during the race
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Toledo Labre Program — Prepared food and served members of the community
      2018 – Present
    Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
    It was after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the field of medicine. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When I was younger, I never really understood what she did, I only knew that sometimes she would be gone from the time I woke up until it was time to tuck me in for bed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her, but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I like to help people and I know I can make a difference by caring for those that are in need. I also love the variety that comes with nursing. There are so many different areas of medicine where nurses are needed. I am confident that I will be able to find a specialty that I love. If I were to earn this scholarship, it would not only be helpful for me but would make an impact on the lives and health of others.
    Scott McLam Memorial Scholarship
    Lacrosse, also known as the creator's game, is the first sport in North America. The game would be played across the lands, against different tribes, and take days to finish. One of the purposes of the game was to train for war. Today’s game is different from the Native American style, but the core values of commitment, teamwork, and discipline hold true today. As a lacrosse player, I embody and incorporate these values into my life on and off the field. Lacrosse is my passion. I am committed to my team by spreading the knowledge of the game. Throughout my high school years, I have applied myself to learn every aspect of lacrosse. I have done small jobs like score clock operator to watch and analyze players to larger roles such as working as a youth clinic coach and referee. I am also a captain of my high school lacrosse team. As a captain, I am committed to helping make playing the sport of lacrosse a great experience for all of my teammates. I offer game tips and advice when asked and I listen to their ideas and suggestions. Finally, I am committed in the sense that I am going to further my athletic career at a Division III college. Lacrosse has had such a positive impact on my life that I am going to continue playing while I earn my nursing degree. Teamwork is one of the most important values in my life. Effective communication between team members is one of the most important qualities of teamwork. During games, I communicate with my teammates about any plays that we are to execute on the field. Sometimes, we need to communicate as a team if we let a goal in, so we can regroup before the next draw. The usefulness of teamwork extends into any kind of relationship whether it be a partner, classmates, coworkers, or teammates. For example, I use teamwork to make plans with friends to determine who is driving and who is paying for food. Teamwork is an important skill I use when I lifeguard in the summer. Lifeguards work as a team and have specific roles during each shift to ensure the safety of their members. If I did not value teamwork, a member could be put in danger. Being disciplined means having the ability to focus on a task without distractions. Discipline is a skill that I have learned from playing lacrosse. Lacrosse has taught me how to focus and set goals. I have learned the more consistent I am with practice, the better I am with my stick skills on the field during game time. The result is me playing a game that I am proud of, which is my goal. I have carried the same discipline off of the field into my studies. When I set time aside to specifically focus on a subject without a distraction such as scrolling through my phone, I perform well on my tests. In conclusion, the life skills commitment, teamwork, and discipline have been a great added benefit I have gained through being a lacrosse player. While I am not training for war like the original Native American players, I will continue to embody these qualities to help me in all aspects of life.
    Tom LoCasale Developing Character Through Golf Scholarship
    To me, golf is not just a sport. Golf teaches life lessons that can help you become a better person. When I first started playing, I enjoyed golf because I love being outdoors and being active. I love the beauty and uniqueness of every golf course has to offer. When the pandemic shut everything down in 2020, golf was an activity that I could still participate in. Golf helped me through that stressful time. Over the years I have discovered that I also love the many valuable lessons that I have learned from being a golfer. Golf has taught me about integrity. I have learned how important it is to be honest not only with others, but with myself. Golf has taught me about perseverance. If I have a bad shot or game, I have learned how to mentally push forward onto the next shot or hole. Golf has taught me about patience. I have learned it is important to slow down and take my time. I have also learned the value of putting the work in by seeing my game improve over time. In a time where face-to-face conversations among teens are limited due to the popularity of cell phones and social media, golf has pushed me out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to talk to my peers. From the start of a match, you need to be able to converse and cooperate with a stranger. A unique benefit I have experienced from the sport of golf is the mutual encouragement I have had with competitors. When there are bad shots, we encourage each other. We also celebrate the good shots! Through competing on the course, I have met many girls from other schools I would have never met if weren’t for golf, and I have been able to develop new friendships. One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome as a female golfer is recovering from a stress fracture that I sustained during my first season freshman year. I had a weak core when I started golfing and I would depend on my back for power while playing. My back pain became so bad that I could hardly sit for long periods. This became problematic during school days. I was referred to a sports medicine doctor and after an x-ray, it was determined that I had a stress fracture in my back. I had to have a custom brace made and I underwent months of physical therapy. While I was unable to finish the season, I was able to support my teammates by riding along with my coach during matches. After my sophomore season, I made the difficult decision to stop playing for my school. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had playing golf for St. Ursula. I decided to stop due to the rigor of my classes during junior year. I could not commit to spending the amount of time after school practicing or missing part of the school day for matches. Since leaving the team, I have continued to play for fun during the fall and summer with my friends and family members. What I love most about golf is it is a sport that I can continue to play, and learn valuable lessons from for the rest of my life.
    Scholarship for Women Golfers
    To me, golf is not just a sport. Golf teaches life lessons that can help you become a better person. When I first started playing, I enjoyed golf because I love being outdoors and being active. I love the beauty and uniqueness of every golf course has to offer. When the pandemic shut everything down in 2020, golf was an activity that I could still participate in. Golf helped me through that stressful time. Over the years I have discovered that I also love the many valuable lessons that I have learned from being a golfer. Golf has taught me about integrity. I have learned how important it is to be honest not only with others, but with myself. Golf has taught me about perseverance. If I have a bad shot or game, I have learned how to mentally push forward onto the next shot or hole. Golf has taught me about patience. I have learned it is important to slow down and take my time. I have also learned the value of putting the work in by seeing my game improve over time. In a time where face-to-face conversations among teens are limited due to the popularity of cell phones and social media, golf has pushed me out of my comfort zone by encouraging me to talk to my peers. From the start of a match, you need to be able to converse and cooperate with a stranger. A unique benefit I have experienced from the sport of golf is the mutual encouragement I have had with competitors. When there are bad shots, we encourage each other. We also celebrate the good shots! Through competing on the course, I have met many girls from other schools I would have never met if weren’t for golf, and I have been able to develop new friendships. One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome as a female golfer is recovering from a stress fracture that I sustained during my first season freshman year. I had a weak core when I started golfing and I would depend on my back for power while playing. My back pain became so bad that I could hardly sit for long periods. This became problematic during school days. I was referred to a sports medicine doctor and after an x-ray, it was determined that I had a stress fracture in my back. I had to have a custom brace made and I underwent months of physical therapy. While I was unable to finish the season, I was able to support my teammates by riding along with my coach during matches. After my sophomore season, I made the difficult decision to stop playing for my school. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had playing golf for St. Ursula. I decided to stop due to the rigor of my classes during junior year. I could not commit to spending the amount of time after school practicing or missing part of the school day for matches. Since leaving the team, I have continued to play for fun during the fall and summer with my friends and family members. What I love most about golf is it is a sport that I can continue to play, and learn valuable lessons from for the rest of my life.
    Sara Jane Memorial Scholarship
    It was after loving my Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the medical field. I have always liked helping others and thought that nursing might be a good career choice for me. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before our junior year, we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various outpatient procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. I also helped wheel patients out for discharge. I loved helping and interacting with the patients and their families. I developed an admiration for the nurses that I worked with by witnessing the way they showed care and compassion for their patients. I have set several goals for myself for a successful career in Nursing. The first goal is to be accepted as a direct admission into the nursing program at the colleges I have been accepted to. I am happy to announce this goal has been accomplished! What helped me reach this goal is the hard work I put into my studies to earn a 4.0 GPA in high school. I also took a medical terminology and a human nutrition class at a local college last summer to help prepare for nursing school. On a personal level, I have been diagnosed with two health conditions, Postural Orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Hashimoto's disease. Both diagnoses have provided me with experiences such as having blood drawn and cardiac testing. My personal experience having these two conditions can help me educate patients about what to expect when having similar testing performed. Nursing is a profession that I feel called to do. I feel with my personal medical history, educational accomplishments, and volunteer experience I am on my way to reaching my goals.
    Kiaan Patel Scholarship
    My name is Kelsey King and I am from Sylvania, Ohio. I am a senior at St. Ursula Academy. I am a team captain of the lacrosse team, perform in school musicals, and I am a member of the National Honor Society, spirit squad, and French club. I have two younger brothers and two labrador retrievers, Finn and Sully. I work as a lifeguard in the summers and my hobbies include reading, skiing, and crocheting. I first considered a career in the field of medicine after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year, we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. This experience planted a seed that would soon become my career choice. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures, she even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her, but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I have been accepted as a direct admit in the nursing program at Saint Mary's College in Indiana. As a student there, I will have the opportunity to study abroad in Africa. The Uganda Practicum is a six-week summer program for nursing students to work with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the local community. I plan to make a difference in the lives of my patients through knowledge, kindness, and by giving compassionate care. I want to be the kind of nurse that makes their patient feel less anxious during stressful times. I can remember needing to get bloodwork as a child, and how scared I was of needles. The phlebotomist's name was April, and she took the extra time to explain everything to ease my anxiety. The next time I had to come in, I wasn't scared. I will make a difference by being just like your mother Mrs. Dupont, my mom, and April, by helping the scared and vulnerable feel the care and compassion they deserve.
    Rosalie A. DuPont (Young) Nursing Scholarship
    My name is Kelsey King and I am from Sylvania, Ohio. I am a senior at St. Ursula Academy. I am a team captain of the lacrosse team, perform in school musicals, and I am a member of the National Honor Society, spirit squad, and French club. I have two younger brothers and two labrador retrievers, Finn and Sully. I work as a lifeguard in the summers and hobbies include reading, skiing, and crocheting. I first considered a career in the field of medicine after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year, we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. This experience planted a seed that would soon become my career choice. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures, she even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her, but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I have been accepted as a direct admit in the nursing program at Saint Mary's College in Indiana. As a student there, I will have the opportunity to study abroad in Africa. The Uganda Practicum is a six-week summer program for nursing students to work with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the local community. I plan to make a difference in the lives of my patients through knowledge, kindness, and by giving compassionate care. I want to be the kind of nurse that makes their patient feel less anxious during stressful times. I can remember needing to get bloodwork as a child, and how scared I was of needles. The phlebotomist's name was April, and she took the extra time to explain everything to ease my anxiety. The next time I had to come in, I wasn't scared. I will make a difference by being just like your mother Mrs. Dupont, my mom, and April, by helping the scared and vulnerable feel the care and compassion they deserve.
    Maxwell Tuan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship
    I first considered a career in the field of medicine after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year, we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. This experience planted a seed that would soon become my career choice. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her, but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I plan to make a difference in the lives of my patients through knowledge, kindness, and by giving compassionate care. I want to be the kind of nurse that makes their patient feel less anxious during stressful times. I can remember needing to get bloodwork as a child, and how scared I was of needles. The phlebotomist's name was April, and she took the extra time to explain everything to ease my anxiety. The next time I had to come in, I wasn't scared. I plan to make a difference in my career by being like my mom and April, and by helping the scared and vulnerable feel the care and compassion they deserve.
    Analtha Parr Pell Memorial Scholarship
    My name is Kelsey King, I am a senior at St. Ursula Academy, and I live in Sylvania, Ohio. I am a member of the Varsity lacrosse team, and was named Captain for our upcoming 2023 season. I am a member of the Honors Bella Voce Choir and I participate in our school musicals. I work as a lifeguard in the summers and I play travel lacrosse for a team located in Brighton, Michigan. It was after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the field of medicine. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When I was younger, I never really understood what she did, I only knew that sometimes she would be gone from the time I woke up until it was time to tuck me in for bed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her, but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I like to help people and I know I can make a difference by caring for those that are in need. I also love the variety that comes with nursing. There are so many different areas of medicine where nurses are needed, I am confident that I will be able to find a specialty that I love. If I were to earn this scholarship, it would not only helpful for me but would make an impact on the lives and health of others. Thank you for your consideration.
    Learner Scholarship for High School Seniors
    I am pursuing a college degree in order to fulfill my goals of helping others, by becoming a Registered Nurse. It was after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the field of medicine. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When I was younger, I never really understood what she did, I only knew that sometimes she would be gone from the time I woke up until it was time to tuck me in for bed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I like to help people and I know I can make a difference by caring for those that are in need. I also love the variety that comes with nursing. There are so many different areas of medicine where nurses are needed. I am confident that I will be able to find a specialty that I love. If I were to earn this scholarship, it would not only helpful for me but would make an impact on the lives and health of others.
    Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
    It was after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the field of medicine. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before junior year we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When I was younger, I never really understood what she did, I only knew that sometimes she would be gone from the time I woke up until it was time to tuck me in for bed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. I have always looked up to her but the pandemic showed me how courageous and caring of a person she is. Last summer, I applied to volunteer at the very hospital I shadowed at. I was assigned to an area where they performed various procedures. While volunteering, I was able to observe the nurses and assist them with simple tasks. Through the career exploration project, summer volunteering, and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. I like to help people and I know I can make a difference by caring for those that are in need. I also love the variety that comes with nursing. There are so many different areas of medicine where nurses are needed. I am confident that I will be able to find a specialty that I love. If I were to earn this scholarship, it would not only helpful for me but would make an impact on the lives and health of others.
    Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship
    It was after taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology during my sophomore year that I first considered a career in the field of medicine. As part of our school curriculum, during the summer before our junior year, we are required to complete a career exploration project. This project includes researching and shadowing a professional in a field of our interest. I had the opportunity to shadow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a day in the operating room at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I never knew one experience could have such an impact on me. Watching a team of professionals work together for the goal of saving a patient’s life struck a chord inside me. In addition to learning about what a CRNA does, I was able to observe a trauma surgeon, a circulating nurse, and a scrub technician during this experience. Everyone in the operating room had specific roles and they knew what to do and when to do it. When I left the hospital that day, I knew I wanted to be a nurse, I knew that I wanted to help people. There is one person who has inspired me to pursue a career in nursing, and that person is my mom. She has been caring for patients as a Registered Nurse for 22 years. When I was younger, I never really understood what she did, I only knew that sometimes she would be gone from the time I woke up, until it was time to tuck me in for bed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mom was a frontline hero. She was going into the hospital Covid units, caring for patients that needed life-saving procedures. My mom even signed up to work extra as the floors and intensive care unit nurses were short-staffed. Through the career project and the influence of my mother, I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. If I had to choose one area of nursing at this time, it would be procedural or surgical nursing. If I were to earn this scholarship, it would not only helpful for me but would make an impact on the lives and health of others.