I still remember being a kid, sitting in doctors’ offices, wondering why my body felt so different from everyone else’s. While other girls my age seemed carefree, I was struggling with exhaustion, severe periods, rapid weight gain, and symptoms that made me feel isolated and ashamed. Being diagnosed early with hypothyroidism and PCOS changed my life. Instead of enjoying my teenage years carefree, I questioned my health, appearance, and self-worth. One of the hardest parts of PCOS was dealing with symptoms nobody around me understood. I started growing hair on my chin and mustache area, and it affected how I viewed myself. I became hyperaware of my appearance and worried people would notice everything about me. I also gained weight quickly, and I was bullied because of it. People made comments about my body without understanding that a medical condition was behind the changes I was experiencing. There were moments when I genuinely felt like I was going crazy because I did not understand why my body felt so out of control. PCOS is still not talked about enough, especially when it comes to how deeply it affects young women emotionally and mentally. Many people focus on the physical symptoms, but they do not see the anxiety, insecurity, depression, and exhaustion that can come with feeling different from everyone around you. I spent years silently battling something most people knew nothing about. What changed everything for me was the healthcare professionals who cared for me. I was constantly surrounded by nurses during appointments, lab work, testing, and follow-ups, and I slowly began noticing how much compassion mattered in healthcare. The nurses I encountered made me feel human during moments when I felt mentally broken. They spoke to me gently when I was scared, reassured me when I felt overwhelmed, and reminded me that what I was experiencing was real. Being a patient changed my perspective on healthcare. It made me realize nursing is not just about medications, charts, or procedures. It is about how you make people feel during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I realized how powerful it is when someone listens and takes your pain seriously. Instead of allowing my diagnoses to define me or stop me, I used them as motivation to push harder toward the future I wanted. I refused to let PCOS become the end of my story. Despite the challenges I faced, I stayed focused on my education and goals. I graduated from high school while earning my associate degree through an early college program, something I once never thought I would accomplish when my mental health was at its lowest. Now, at only 18, I am preparing to enter nursing school and will graduate college a year early. Nursing is deeply personal to me because my passion was born from my healing journey. The same doctor visits that once made me feel vulnerable became the places that inspired me most. I want to be the nurse who helps young girls feel less alone in battles they are silently fighting. What once felt like the darkest and most confusing chapter of my life became the reason, I discovered my purpose, and I plan to spend my life turning that pain into healing for others.

What inspired me to pursue a nursing career is deeply personal. Growing up, my life was shaped by struggle, faith, and love. My mom raised me on her own, doing everything she could to keep us afloat. There were nights when we ate frozen meals for dinner and days when she cried quietly after using her last to afford bills, but somehow, she always found the strength to smile and tell me, “We’re going to be okay.” Watching her never give up showed me what resilience looks like. When I was younger, I used to wonder why life was so hard for us. But as I grew older, I realized those hardships built the heart I have now: the one that can’t ignore someone in pain. That’s what led me to nursing. I’ve always had a natural empathy for people, especially those who can’t speak up for themselves. Working as a CNA at Chaplinwood only confirmed that nursing wasn’t just something I wanted to do; it was who I was meant to be. At Chaplinwood, I cared for residents who depended on me to show up to work and provide them with holistic care. Some days were physically and emotionally draining, but the gratitude I saw in their eyes reminded me that even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s entire day. Nursing became my breath after coming up from water; it gave me life, purpose, and peace. It made me realize that I want to spend my life making others feel seen, cared for, and loved, just like my mom did for me. If I had the opportunity to create something fun to make the world a better place, I would start a project called “Hearts in Motion.” It would be a community program combining health and happiness, hosting pop-up wellness fairs that include music, dance, art, and free basic health screenings. So often, people associate health care with fear or sadness, but I want to show that healing can be joyful. There would be live music, laughter, games for kids, and spaces where people could learn about health and self-care in ways that feel comforting and exciting. The goal of “Hearts in Motion” would be to bring the community together, bridging the gap between physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Sometimes, all someone needs to start healing is a safe space filled with love and community. Nursing is my calling because it allows me to be that safe space for others. It’s not just about medicine, it’s about compassion, connection, and faith in what’s possible. My life has taught me that even in the darkest times, there’s always light. Through nursing and through every life I touch, I plan to be a reflection of that light.

Growing up in a poor single-parent household, I learned early what it meant to survive on faith. My mom did everything she could to keep a roof over our heads. There were nights when we only had Stoffer's frozen meals for dinner, or sometimes we washed our clothes at my grandma's house because we couldn't afford a washer. Still, my mom never gave up on me. She pushed me to dream bigger than our situation and to believe that hard times wouldn't last forever. I know many people share stories about growing up with a single mom, but the difference between their story and mine is that I'm using my past as fuel. Instead of letting struggle define me, I'm turning it into motivation to build a better life: for myself and for my future family. Every challenge I've faced reminds me why I must keep going. My story isn't one of pity, but one of purpose, perseverance, and faith. The journey toward higher education hasn't been easy. I've faced depression, anxiety, and panic attacks that once made it hard even to step outside. I was bullied throughout school, which made me question my worth and made every day feel like a battle. There were moments when I honestly wondered if I would make it this far. But through prayer and faith, I realized that the pain that once held me down was preparing me to rise stronger. Working as a CNA changed my perspective completely. My first job experience in the healthcare field transformed my perspective on life and opened new possibilities for my future. I experienced joy, heartbreak, and strength all in one place. Caring for residents who couldn't care for themselves taught me what genuine compassion and service look like. Some days were heavy, but even a simple smile or "thank you" reminded me that I was walking in my purpose. Nursing became my breath after coming up from water: it gave me life, hope, and direction when I felt lost. In the future, I want to use my education to give back to my community by mentoring young people from low-income families and volunteering at local health drives. Every obstacle I've faced has built my strength, empathy, and determination. Nursing isn't just a career to me, it's my calling, my purpose, and the proof that I've finally learned how to breathe again.

My personal experiences with finances have been shaped by growing up in a single-parent household where money was always tight. From a young age, I learned to appreciate the value of a dollar and the importance of budgeting. My mother worked hard to make ends meet, and while we didn’t always have much, she always found a way to ensure that I had what I needed. However, I could see the stress that came with managing limited resources, and that gave me an early understanding of how vital it is to be financially literate. Even though I didn’t always have access to formal financial education, I quickly learned to prioritize needs over wants and to find creative ways to save money. During high school, I took on part-time jobs to help contribute to my own expenses, such as clothes and school supplies, which provided me with firsthand experience in managing my own finances. Balancing school and work weren’t easy, but it taught me responsibility and the importance of budgeting my time and money. I had to learn how to stretch each paycheck, paying attention to the little things that added up, and how to make sure I didn’t overspend on things that weren’t necessary. When I started looking into higher education, I realized how important it was to gain a deeper understanding of personal finance, especially when it came to student loans, budgeting for tuition, and understanding credit. That’s when I began seeking out information on financial literacy, reading books, attending workshops, and talking to financial advisors. While I’m still learning, I’ve made it a priority to understand things like saving for the future, the importance of building credit, and the benefits of investing. My experiences growing up, combined with my efforts to learn about finances now, are laying a strong foundation for me as I move forward into adulthood. As I continue my education and prepare for my future as a Nurse Practitioner, I plan to use the financial knowledge I’ve gained to manage my student loans, plan for my career, and make smart decisions about saving and investing for long-term goals. I also want to be able to use what I’ve learned about finances to support my family, particularly my mother, who has worked tirelessly her whole life to provide for me. I plan on staying disciplined with my finances, creating a budget that accounts for both short-term needs and long-term goals, and continuing to educate myself on how to best manage money. In addition to personal financial education, I’m also passionate about sharing what I learn with others. I want to help my community, especially those who haven’t had the same financial education opportunities, by providing resources or guidance on managing money, saving for the future, and planning for financial stability. Understanding finances not only allows me to create a secure future for myself, but it also empowers me to help others do the same, and ultimately, build stronger, more financially resilient communities.