My name is Lindsey Widel, and I’m a 22-year-old from Southern Illinois. I moved to Missouri to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I graduated in 2024. Alongside my degree, I earned a certificate in Multi-Cultural Studies. After completing my undergraduate studies, I discovered my passion for nursing while caring for my grandparents. This experience, coupled with a family member’s relapse after 25 years of sobriety, inspired me to advocate for individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Currently, I am enrolled in the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program at Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis. My ultimate goal is to work with children, using my nursing skills to provide care and support to young people in need. Outside of school, I love spending my time with friends, checking in on them. I believe that mental health is an important topic that is not talked about enough. In the future, I would hope to use my passion for mental health and women's health to advocate for those facing struggles in the nursing profession.