My name is Kylee Jo Wickel, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science as I prepare to enter an accelerated nursing program to become a Nurse Practitioner. Nursing, to me, is not just a profession—it is a lifelong commitment to healing, community, and empowerment. I am inspired to follow this path not only because of the incredible nurses I have seen in action, but because I believe deeply in the meaning and mission of nursing: to serve, to support, and to uplift. My passion for nursing is rooted in personal experience. Growing up, I watched my mother serve as my grandmother’s primary caregiver. During that time, it was the nurses who supported my mom the most—teaching her how to care for my grandmother with dignity and compassion, and stepping in to provide the medical expertise and emotional strength she needed. Their care had a lasting impact on my entire family, and it showed me the vital role that nurses play—not just in hospitals, but in homes and communities. Later, when my mom was diagnosed with skin cancer, Nurse Practitioners once again became a beacon of support. They helped her through her treatments and played a key role in rebuilding her confidence through nursing aesthetics and wellness care. They didn't just treat her disease—they treated her as a whole person. Their ability to merge medical knowledge with empathy and personal care inspired my dream to specialize in women’s health, particularly in dermatology, wellness, and nursing aesthetics. I want to raise awareness about this area of nursing and expand its reach to more women who can benefit from both the physical and emotional support it offers. To prepare for my journey, I have already obtained certifications in both CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and phlebotomy. These experiences have given me hands-on opportunities to interact with patients and further confirmed that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. Each step I've taken has only strengthened my belief that nursing is my purpose. I am deeply driven by the value of community—by the idea that through nursing, I can help create a circle of care that goes far beyond clinical treatment. Earning my nursing degree will not just be a personal achievement; it will be a way to serve others with the same compassion and dedication that nurses once showed my family. The legacy of Kelly O.—a selfless and devoted ICU nurse—is one I hope to honor in my own career. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and to carry forward the spirit of care, connection, and courage that she embodied. Sincerely, Kylee Wickel

In my life, I’ve come to realize that the failures I’ve faced have meant more to me than any achievement. I don’t come from a place of shortcuts or handouts. I come from a blue-collar community—built by cowboys whose motto was “it’s a long ways from your heart.” We show up early, stay late, and don’t complain. That mindset shaped who I am. One of my biggest setbacks came after my first semester of college. I’d earned a scholarship to play softball at an NAIA school in Iowa, and my hometown rallied behind me. But what I thought would be a dream turned out to be my hardest year. The team culture was toxic. Despite my efforts to advocate for change, I broke my hand mid-season and was sidelined. I tried to stay positive, but eventually realized I was fighting a losing battle. The hardest part wasn’t leaving—it was thinking about how to explain to my coaches, teammates, and community that I had made the wrong choice. I felt like a failure. But coming home changed my perspective. Someone once told me, “Don’t think you have everything figured out—because you don’t.” That stuck with me. I stopped focusing on short-term outcomes and got back to work. The next year, I walked on to a nationally ranked softball team. That failure didn’t define me—it redirected me. Even then, the challenges didn’t stop. As a biomedical science major, my schedule is intense. At one point, I was taking 16 credits, practicing daily, lifting at 5:45 a.m., and working late shifts to pay for school. I hit another low when I failed a chemistry exam. But instead of quitting, I sought help. I went to tutoring, rearranged my schedule, and pushed through. I ended up passing the class, and more importantly, learned how to endure and adapt. Jore Lund’s story speaks to me deeply. He believed in progress over perfection, in working hard even when the plan seemed flawed, and in putting people first. Like Jore, I believe in the power of purposeful work. I’m drawn to the kind of effort that leaves your hands dirty and your soul fulfilled. The kind of grind that doesn’t make headlines but changes lives. My failures taught me resilience. They taught me to ask for help, to fight for what’s right, and to work even harder when things go wrong. As I pursue a future in science and healthcare, I want to serve my community in the same spirit—by showing up, staying strong, and making a difference where it’s needed most. I don’t aspire to be perfect—I aspire to be dependable, selfless, and strong enough to carry the weight when others can’t. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave. And I believe it’s one that Jore would’ve respected.