My name is Liyah, and I want to work with superheroes. Not the Marvel kind that wear capes and fight villains, but the real-life heroes: kids battling cancer. I've known I wanted to become a pediatric nurse ever since I was about five years old. I had ear problems throughout my childhood so I had multiple surgeries, and all I remember about those surgeries is how comforting and kind those nurses were to me. I knew I wanted to have the same impact on kids as the pediatric nurses I knew growing up had on me. I don't exactly know when my particular interest in becoming a pediatric oncology nurse started. It partly started when my mom worked in oncology as a medical assistant when I was younger. All I knew is that I wanted to be that comforting, supportive, and nurturing person that helps patients and their families through difficult times. When I turned eighteen, I was old enough to start volunteering at my local children's hospital in the pediatric oncology department. Whenever I told people what kind of nurse I wanted to become, they would always ask why when it's such a heartbreaking department. Although it is a difficult department to be in, it is more rewarding than anything. I have never met more resilient people in my life than the kids in oncology. I got to spend quality time with the patients and their families over the year I spent volunteering. We played video games, did arts and crafts, shared stories and laughs, and read together all while they sat and got treatment. My favorite memory I have is when I was holding hands with a little girl as we walked to hang up the ornament she made on the Christmas tree. She was in pain and verbally expressed how much it hurt. She asked me for a hug, and as we hugged, I reminded her how strong she is. She laughed at me and said, "That's what my dad always says. I don't know why." It's a memory that's stuck with me because it made me realize how privileged I was to be around resilient kids like her that battle cancer just like a superhero. They are the reason why I cannot wait to become a nurse. As many good days I had volunteering, I obviously had not so good days. I experienced a lot of moody days, when I got ignored by kids or accidentally put on the wrong game and made a kid cry. I knew they weren't frustrated with me so it helped me learn how to differentiate and handle those feelings. Volunteering 131 hours in pediatric oncology motivated me even more to continue my journey to getting into a nursing program because of my love for the kids. I was heartbroken when I learned I got denied from five programs, prolonging my ability to get into a program as soon as I thought. However, I didn't let the wait stop me from continuing nursing, so I started volunteering at another hospital in addition as I waited to hear back from a private university. I am now twenty years old starting my first semester of my BSN program in January 2025, and I couldn't be more excited. I was drawn to Madison's scholarship as I am also twenty, and enrolled in a nursing program like she was too. Madison's reason for wanting to become a nurse is the exact reason I can't wait to become a nurse and help others during their battles with cancer.