The dream version of my future self is a woman who is strong, independent, fearless, and working as an emergency room nurse.

I knew from a very young age that my future career would have to meet two very specific criteria: I had to have a career where I could help people, and my career could NOT be boring! These criteria were non-negotiable. Coming from a family full of teachers, people just assumed that I would follow the family tradition. While teaching did cross my mind, I knew I had a different calling, at least for now. I have a natural instinct to take on leadership roles. I am the valedictorian of my class, president of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and I sit on several leadership committees. I am a three-sport varsity athlete, and I have been selected captain on all three teams for the past two years. I believe my ability to lead is great for nursing because I know how to handle difficult situations and people feel like they can count on me to keep a level head when times get tough. Along with my leadership abilities, I chose nursing, specifically emergency room nursing, because I love a good challenge, I’m naturally curious, and I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I believe that it will be the greatest, most rewarding challenge I will ever face. I want a career that teaches me something new every day, while also allowing me to be compassionate to people in their most vulnerable times. I live in southern Indiana, and The University of Louisville Hospital is considered to have the best emergency room with the most knowledgeable staff in the area. The University of Louisville was always my first choice for college, and I knew that being accepted there would help secure a place for me at the hospital. Because of my dedication to school, I was fortunate enough to gain early acceptance to Louisville’s nursing program. I am so excited to be starting there this fall. I will also be working as a nurse's assistant in U of L’s emergency room while attending college. My inspiration for becoming an emergency room nurse came from my great-aunt. She was a University of Louisville emergency room nurse for over thirty years. Listening to her stories about all of her experiences in the emergency room really helped guide me to this decision. I want to learn everything I can about nursing, and I believe the best way to do that is to be completely submerged in trauma situations. I firmly believe that real learning comes from hands-on experiences, and she has experienced a lot! She is incredibly knowledgeable, and I hope to attain her level of education so that one day, I can become a nursing instructor. While teaching wasn’t my first choice, I would love to end my nursing career educating new nursing students who are in the very position I am in right now.

I have always been interested in a career that helps people. Nursing is a career that I began researching at a very young age, and I have been passionate about it ever since. I have several family members that are nurses, and I love to get career advice from them. I am modeling my career after my great-aunt, who worked as an emergency room nurse for over thirty years. I gained early acceptance into the University of Louisville’s nursing program and will be starting there this fall. My first career goal is to become an emergency room nurse, like my aunt. I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and according to my aunt, the University of Louisville emergency room is known as a place that sees a lot of action. I firmly believe that the best way to learn all you can about something is to completely immerse yourself in it. I want to learn everything I can about nursing. I want to work in an environment where I am put to the test every day. I also want to be someone that people can count on to do everything they can to help them in their time of need. My second career goal will come much later in life. I would like to gain as much knowledge as possible in my career as an emergency room nurse so that I can eventually become a nursing instructor. I would love to impart all of the wisdom I gain on the job to someone, like me, that is just starting out. I know there are things you learn from the hands-on aspect of nursing that you just can’t find in a textbook. Those are the types of things I would like to teach to my future nursing students. As a nurse, my goal is to not only help those that come to the hospital sick or injured, but to also volunteer my time to help educate my community. I plan to work directly with the school and local YMCA to help educate young people about the dangers of drugs. I would like to start a program through the high schools that give those at-risk students a safe place to come together and talk about their futures. Many of the students in my class can not see a life beyond the one they currently live. They don’t want any more for themselves because they don’t realize there is anything else attainable for them. My program would help them understand what they can accomplish, teach them how to fill out scholarships, help them complete their FAFSA paperwork, and ultimately change the way they view their future. I do have several connections to the military. All four of my great-grandfathers served in different branches of the military. One was in the Navy, two were in the Marines, and one was in the Army. I believe that their affiliation with the military helped shape my family’s love of country. They passed down their respect for the flag and the pledge, as well as their belief in honoring military veterans. I was fortunate enough to be elected the National Honor Society president this year and was able to give a welcoming speech at our Veterans Day assembly. Having members of our community come in dressed in their crisp uniforms and solute the flag while everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance is something I will never forget.

My favorite song on Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ album is ‘Shake It Off’. I relate to this song on so many levels. First, my friends like to tease me because, until this year, I had never had a relationship last longer than two weeks. When she sings about people judging her because she goes on too many dates, I can relate. I, like Taylor Swift, am very driven. I set very high standards for myself and the people I let into my life. If I can tell that the person I am on a date with isn’t someone that fits my standards, I don’t waste either of our time by going on a second date. Next, I am really good at shaking things off. I live in a very small, rural community and I am very active in my school and church. I am a three-sport varsity athlete, and captain of the basketball, volleyball, and tennis teams. I am the National Honor Society president and Student Council president, and I am involved in several leadership committees. Being so involved in school, and being unafraid to discuss my involvement in my church, makes me someone people are watching. Many times, it feels like people are waiting for me to mess up so that they can remind me that I’m not perfect. I know it is a pale comparison to the way Taylor Swift lives, being scrutinized and photographed every second of her life, but in a small way, I understand a little bit of how she must feel. You have to just keep “cruising”, and reassuring yourself that “it’s gonna be alright”. If you don’t learn to “shake off” the critics and the constant scrutiny, you would go crazy. I have figured out something very important in life: if you have haters, you’re doing something right. People aren’t as critical of the people that they see as equal or less than. People are critical of the people who are doing big things. I plan to do very big things in life. I will be graduating as the valedictorian of the class of 2023, and am part of the first group at my school to graduate with an associate's degree. I have gained early acceptance into the University of Louisville’s nursing program where I will be starting this fall. My goal has always been to work as an emergency room nurse at the University of Louisville, and eventually become a nursing instructor. I have accomplished a lot in my high school career, and I know that being able to “Shake it Off” is a big reason why. I will carry that same mentality with me throughout my entire life.

I have been fortunate enough to find myself in leadership positions my entire high school career. Currently, I am the president of the National Honor Society and Student Council. I was elected Class President all four years of high school, and I have been nominated by my teachers to serve on several leadership committees. I also served as team captain for the past two years in basketball, tennis, and volleyball. To me, leadership is setting an example for others to follow. As someone who represents my school in several capacities, I understand that people are watching me. I know that in sports the younger athletes are watching my behavior on and off the court. Many times they will come to our basketball games with our jersey numbers painted on their faces. I know that it is my responsibility to model for them what is expected of a Lady Musketeer. I also have to lead my teammates, who are not only counting on me to win but who look to me as the calming force that will keep a level head and stay positive. In my school life, I know that my teachers have very high expectations of me. I am the valedictorian of my class, and I am held to a very high standard. They look to me to lead class discussions and to raise my hand to answer when no one else will. They expect me to help others in the class, and to volunteer to help on different committees. As someone who is considered a leader in my school and community, I understand that it is my responsibility to lead by example. Being a good leader means living a life that others should strive to follow. It is being the same person in your private life that you present in your public life. It is being the bigger person in tough situations, and taking personal accountability when you make mistakes. It’s not only showing people how to do something but jumping in and helping them when needed. A good leader is someone who can be counted on, and someone you can trust to keep their word. Leadership is important to me because it has helped hold me accountable. Knowing that people look up to me, or view me in a certain way, makes it much easier to make the right decisions. Good leaders can help bring out the best in others. Good leaders can be the voice for someone who needs them. Good leaders work to motivate people to reach a common goal. Without leaders, we would have no real direction. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to represent my school and my peers in the leadership roles I have been appointed to. I know these skills will help me in my pursuit of a nursing career.

Hello, my name is Madeline Lewellen. I live in a small rural community in southern Indiana. I am very involved in my school and community. I am the president of the National Honor Society, president of the Student Council, a student representative of Leader in Me, and was named one of Indiana’s Rising Stars. I am also involved in the Pep Club, Spanish Club, FFA, and the Happily Ever After student reading initiative. I am also a three-sport varsity athlete and have been fortunate enough to serve as team captain for each of my sports. In a few short weeks, I will be graduating as the valedictorian of the senior class of 2023. I will be one of only seven students in my class to graduate from high school with an associate's degree. We will be the first group from our school to ever accomplish this. I will be starting at the University of Louisville in the fall, where I will be studying nursing. My ultimate career goal is to become an emergency room nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital. I am also very involved in volunteering. I lead children’s church services, supervise the church nursery, and am a vacation bible school teacher. I have also done service projects through my school. Last year we started a new program where we give back to our community by helping businesses, churches, and individuals with beautification projects. My community is considered low-income. Many of the families in my town live below the poverty level. There is also a very significant drug problem in our area, and we even lost a student this year to an overdose. My town used to be a multigenerational place, but now a lot of people who graduate and become successful in life move away. As someone who comes from a multigenerational family in the area, I am determined to change that. I am proud of where I come from, and I want others to be as well. I plan to live in this community and encourage others to do the same. I want people to be as proud of this community as I am, and to stay here so that we can take back our town. As a nurse, my goal is to not only help those that come to the hospital sick or injured but to also volunteer my time to help educate my community. I plan to work directly with the school and local YMCA to help educate young people about the dangers of drugs. I would like to start a program through the high schools that give those at-risk students a safe place to come together and talk about their futures. Many of the students in my class can not see a life beyond the one they currently live. They don’t want any more for themselves because they don’t realize there is anything else attainable for them. My program would help them understand what they can accomplish, teach them how to fill out scholarships, help them complete their FAFSA paperwork, and ultimately change the way they view their future. Overall, I plan to use the leadership skills that I have acquired, the community connections I’ve made, and the knowledge I gain in my career, to help restore my community back to what it once was- a place that everyone can be proud of. I have a vision of what that looks like, and it all starts with helping people my age understand their worth. My hope is to make that vision a reality.

I come from a family that loves basketball. I live in a small town in Indiana, and basketball is kind of a big deal where I’m from. Both of my grandpas played against Larry Bird, my dad played, and my older brother played against Romeo Langford. He would also want me to mention that he set a school record for shooting 3’s. Playing basketball was kind of inevitable for me. I began playing in our school’s biddy ball league when I was in kindergarten, and I just finished my senior season a few months ago. During my high school career, I was part of a team that won four consecutive sectional championships. During my time on the basketball team, I served as team captain my junior and senior years. While basketball is my favorite sport, I was also a member of the volleyball team and am currently on the tennis team. I have also served as captain for each of these teams as well. My high school experience has basically consisted of studying and going to some form of sports practice or game. The reason I am passionate about sports is because of what it has taught me about myself. Being elected team captain for each of my sports teams showed me how others view me. I have always viewed myself as a leader, but having that validated by my peers really helped propel me to succeed in that role. Sports have taught me to be tough, both physically and mentally. It has taught me how to persevere in hard situations and push myself past what I think I am capable of. It has taught me how to stand up for myself and others around me. Sports have taught me how to fight for what I want, and to earn everything I get. Being part of sports has helped shape me into the person I am today. In a few short weeks, I will be graduating as the valedictorian of the senior class of 2023. I will be one of only seven students in my class to graduate from high school with an associate's degree. We will be the first group from our school to ever accomplish this. I will be starting at the University of Louisville in the fall where I will be studying nursing. My ultimate goal is to become an emergency room nurse at the University of Louisville Hospital.

I have always been interested in careers that help people. I’ve taken countless personality assessments and career quizzes, and I always get the same results: Nursing and Teaching. My family primarily consists of both nurses and teachers, so this result was not surprising. My ultimate goal is to go into Nursing, specifically emergency medicine, and then eventually become a Nursing Instructor. The more I dive into anatomy and biology, the more I realize that I am making the right decision. I was granted early acceptance into the nursing program at the University of Louisville. I will be starting there this fall. As it stands, I will be finishing high school as one of only seven students in my class graduating with an associate's degree. We are the first group from our school to ever accomplish this. I am also graduating as the valedictorian of my class, as well as the National Honor Society President and Senior Class President. Throughout high school, I have been a three-sport varsity athlete, and a member of several clubs, groups, and leadership teams. I have been elected class president all four years of high school, as well as captain for all of my athletic teams. All of these accomplishments have helped me understand my drive and determination. The faith my peers and teachers put in me by electing me to leadership roles helped me realize how much of a positive impact I have on others. The only real medical experience I have is helping take care of my grandmother with dementia. Her disease progressed pretty severely after the death of my grandfather, and several of us had to take turns staying with her. I had to administer her medications, prepare her meals, and help her when she became confused. Watching as her memory faded was difficult, but I was glad that I could be there to hold her hand. Upon my high school graduation in May, I will be working as a nursing assistant at the University of Louisville hospital. My plan is to work as an assistant in the emergency room while attending classes at the University, then eventually up my status to Registered Nurse upon my college graduation. I have always wanted to work in the emergency department at the University of Louisville. My aunt, who worked in the emergency room for twenty years, said that it was the most challenging and rewarding nursing experience she has ever had. I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my life.

When I was in the 8th grade, a girl from my basketball team committed suicide. Katie was an outgoing, bubbly, silly, jokester that was notorious for having the loudest laugh in the room. My favorite memory of her was when she accidentally locked herself in an opposing team’s gym locker minutes before the start of a game. Our coach just shook his head in disbelief as the custodian had to come and cut her out of the locker. Her death sent a shockwave through our entire community. As you can imagine, the next few days of school were excruciating. Staring at her empty seat in class, walking past her locker, and even walking into the gym where I knew I would never share those experiences with her again were all just too much. But as I looked around, I realized that something good had come from this horrible tragedy. Compassion. People were speaking kinder to each other. Kids from different “groups'' were comforting each other. Friends that had lost touch with each other had come together because they realized just how short life can be. The loss had touched everyone because Katie had touched everyone. Her death tore down those walls and brought us all together. There was no more “us and them”, it was just us, sharing in this devastating loss. A few weeks later, we got a surprise visit from one of our girl's basketball rivals. They had brought our entire team commemorative necklaces of Katie’s basketball jersey number. As much as we fought with them on the court, their compassion at this moment is something I will never forget. She had touched their lives too. Katie is someone I will always remember, but the compassion I witnessed in the days after her passing is something that I will never forget. Seeing the kindness that people are capable of in times of tragedy gives me hope that one day it won’t take a tragedy to bring people together. I am pursuing nursing because I hope to be that compassionate person for others in their times of need. I’ve seen what an encouraging word, a pat on the shoulder, and a smile can do for someone who is feeling low. I want to help sick people feel well, hurt people heal, and people who are afraid feel safe. Nursing is a career that will allow me to help people not only physically, but emotionally as well.

While in high school I have accomplished many things, and I know that a big part of those accomplishments comes from what I have learned playing sports. Tennis, in particular, has taught me about self-reliance, perseverance, and the importance of being mentally tough. It has taught me teamwork, leadership, and being a good example for others. Because of these skills, I have been selected as the team captain in all three of my varsity sports for the past four years. I have received awards for my leadership and mental attitude. I have been elected Class President, Student Council President, National Honor Society president, and voted both Homecoming Princess and Homecoming Queen. I have been asked to sit on student advisory boards and was selected by my teachers to be a member of the Leader In Me Lighthouse team. I will also be one of the first students to ever graduate from our school with an Associates degree. However, my most honored accomplishment came just a few weeks ago when I was named the Valedictorian for the class of 2023 at Eastern High School. To say I’ve had a great high school experience would be an understatement, but I attribute all of my success to the lessons I learned through my participation in sports. As the number one singles player on my tennis team, I know that it is solely up to me whether I win or lose. There is no one else to count on if I am having a bad day. There is no one else to blame if a shot gets past me. Whether I win or lose, the responsibility is mine. I view my spot as a singles tennis player a lot like I view my life. I am responsible for the choices I make. The consequences of my choices are my responsibility. There is no scapegoat. I have always viewed my life through this lens. Last year, I lost three of my grandparents within months of each other. One of those losses was my great-grandmother. She was my biggest fan. She came to all of my sporting events, and although she was suffering from dementia, she would still give me pointers after every game or match. When she died, I didn’t know how I would ever play again. I couldn’t imagine my tennis matches without her inappropriately loud cheering, or my basketball games without her razzing the refs, or my volleyball games without hearing her yell, “OOOOh, what a serve”. I felt myself slipping into a very dark place. As my next game approached, I questioned whether or not I could even step out onto the floor. I began to think about how much she loved watching me play sports, and I knew that giving up wasn’t an option. That's not who I was. That's not who she would want me to be. I truly believe it is because of the perseverance I have learned in sports, particularly tennis, that I was able to push past that darkness and refocus on my life. Perseverance, leadership, mental toughness, and self-reliance are all skills that will continue to help me in my future in nursing. I was granted early acceptance to the University of Louisville’s nursing program where I will start in the fall. My goal is to become an emergency room nurse, gain several years of experience, and then pursue hospital administration. The skills I have gained playing tennis have no doubt shaped me into the strong, hard-working, resilient person I am today. I am so thankful I found tennis.