Graduate of Westside High School @ Anderson, SC- Class of 2026 Salutatorian (4.0/4.0 GPA) AP Scholar with Honor, 42 Transfer Credit Hours State-Level Athletic Competitor (400-meter Hurdles) University of South Carolina- Columbia and Honors College Admit; pursuing a BSN via the Smart Start Pathway I am intently focused on continuing to apply the same standards of excellence in college that I held in high school, especially considering the patient-focused duties of a nurse. As an incoming freshman and first-generation college student I am proud to have been admitted to the Smart Start Nursing Program, a top-rank nationally recognized program which I plan to use in order to develop my foundational knowledge, research background, and clinical competency. Unfortunately, I have not received enough University aid to help offset the cost of attendance and my parents are stretched thin in their support due to navigating this process for the first time in combination with both me and my twin brother both going off to college. As an adopted child I am extremely grateful for them and wish to lessen their burden in any way I can. It is my hope that I can win more scholarships to accomplish this goal and further support their health and well-being with my medical knowledge. I firmly believe in the saying that: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". After completing my BSN and becoming an RN, I plan to gain experience in the workforce, hopefully ICU, PACU, or Neuro, and then pursue an advanced degree to eventually work alongside a physician in an out-patient care setting.