Hi I’m Madison I’m 18 years old and I’m currently enrolled in Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. There is not a definitive moment that sticks out to me when I realized I wanted to pursue nursing. Instead, my interest in nursing developed gradually through my experiences helping people emotionally and becoming more interested in the medical science behind how and why our bodies react to different situations. Over time, these interests came together and led me to realize that nursing is the career I want to pursue. I want a career where I can combine my compassion for others with my interest in science and medicine. Nursing will allow me to support people during some of the most difficult and meaningful moments of their lives. My goal is to become a hospice nurse. I have always believed that caring for someone is about more than treating an illness. It is also about making sure that person feels heard, respected, comfortable, and valued. Hospice nursing is especially meaningful to me because it focuses on providing comfort and dignity to patients who are nearing the end of their lives while also supporting their families. I understand that this career will come with emotional challenges, but I believe that being able to provide kindness and reassurance during such an important time is a meaningful way to serve others. Through my medical career, I plan to make a positive impact in my community by providing compassionate care to every patient I meet. I want my patients to feel that they are more than a diagnosis or a medical condition. I want to listen to their concerns, understand their needs, and treat them with patience and respect. I also hope to support families who may be struggling with the emotional challenges that come with having a loved one in hospice care. Sometimes, simply having someone who is willing to listen and offer comfort can make a significant difference. Pursuing a nursing degree will give me the education, knowledge, and skills I need to turn these goals into reality. I know that nursing school will require dedication, hard work, and perseverance, but I am prepared to challenge myself and continue learning. I want to grow not only as a healthcare professional but also as a person who can make others feel cared for during difficult times. Receiving this scholarship would help me move closer to my goal of becoming a nurse and serving my community. I hope to use my education to build a career based on compassion, respect, and meaningful patient care. Most importantly, I want to leave a positive impact on the lives of the people I care for. Becoming a hospice nurse would give me the opportunity to help patients experience comfort and dignity while reminding them and their families that they do not have to face difficult moments without support.

My educational goal is to earn a four year degree at Fayetteville State University, where I will build the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become a compassionate hospice nurse. I have chosen this path because I want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families during some of the most difficult moments they will ever face. Hospice nursing is about more than providing medical care. It is about offering comfort, preserving dignity, and giving emotional support to people at the end of life. I believe every person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and I want my career to reflect those values every day. Attending Fayetteville State University will give me the opportunity to receive a quality education while becoming part of a community that values academic excellence, leadership, and service. During my time in college, I plan to work hard in my classes, gain hands on clinical experience, and learn from healthcare professionals who will help me grow into a skilled nurse. I also hope to participate in campus organizations and volunteer opportunities that will strengthen my leadership, communication, and patient care skills. By staying committed to my education, I will be prepared to begin a career where I can provide comfort and support to patients and their loved ones. I am also committed to civic and public service because I believe making a difference starts with helping the community around me. One cause that is especially important to me is protecting the environment. I enjoy participating in beach cleanups and other environmental service projects because I understand that taking care of our planet benefits everyone. These experiences have taught me that even small actions can create meaningful change when people work together toward a common goal. Another way I serve my community is by volunteering at school programs that teach children about caring for the Earth, especially during Earth Day events. I enjoy helping young students learn about recycling, reducing waste, and protecting natural resources. Watching children become excited about taking care of the environment reminds me that education is one of the most powerful ways to inspire positive change. I hope the lessons they learn today will encourage them to become responsible leaders in the future. The values I have gained through community service, including compassion, responsibility, teamwork, and dedication, are the same qualities I will bring to my career as a hospice nurse. Whether I am caring for patients, supporting families, or volunteering in my community, I want to make people feel valued, respected, and cared for. Service is not simply something I do. It is a part of who I am and the person I want to become. Receiving this HBCU scholarship would allow me to focus on achieving my educational goals while continuing to give back to my community. It would reduce some of the financial burden of college and allow me to dedicate more time to my studies, volunteer work, and professional development. I am determined to use my education to build a career centered on compassion, service, and excellence. By attending Fayetteville State University and becoming a hospice nurse, I hope to improve the lives of my patients while continuing to serve my community and inspire others through meaningful acts of service.

Throughout my high school career I have always tried to push myself and become someone who is willing to take on challenges instead of avoiding them. Academically I challenged myself by completing Honors Human Anatomy and AP English Language and Composition because I wanted to take classes that would help me grow and support my future career. Honors Human Anatomy was one of the classes I am most proud of because it required me to stay organized, study consistently, and learn difficult material. AP English Language and Composition helped me improve my writing, communication, and ability to look at different ideas from new perspectives. I did sociology for one year to better understand the thinking behind our minds by the root of the problem approach. I also completed three years of Spanish which allowed me to develop a better understanding and appreciation for another language and culture and am now kindergarten fluent. While my academic accomplishments are important to me, I believe the experiences I gained outside of the classroom helped shape me just as much. Through my activities and personal growth, I became a more confident student who is willing to work hard and continue improving. During high school I made an effort to become involved in activities that allowed me to help others and be part of something meaningful while having fun and meet new people . I joined Leo Club for two years where I participated in community service at different events and learned the importance of giving back to the people around me. I was also part of Environmental Club for three years and that became the activity I was most passionate about because protecting the environment is something I truly care about. Being involved in Environmental Club showed me that even small efforts can create a positive impact when people work together. This year I joined the Spanish Honor Society which was an accomplishment that represented my dedication to learning and improving my Spanish skills successfully in the last three years. These experiences helped me meet new people, become more comfortable working with others, and develop skills that I will carry with me in the future. They also helped me realize that some of the best opportunities come from stepping outside of my comfort zone. The biggest challenge I faced during high school was overcoming my fear of rejection and failure. For a long time I allowed that fear to affect the way I approached school, friendships, and new opportunities. I worried about making mistakes and being judged for them or losing an opportunity because of it. This made me hold myself back because I thought failing would mean I was simply not good enough. Or stupid for even trying in the first place. Eventually I got so upset about my situation and realized that I did not want fear to control my decisions or stop me from experiencing everything high school had to offer. I started pushing myself to participate more by joining clubs. Challenge myself academically with high level classes. And to my surprise ninety nine percent of the time I succeed. At that moment I accepted that rejection and failure are a natural parts of life I can’t. However I also learned that failure is not the default outcome for every situation. And that every mistake or setback can become a chance to learn and improve. Overcoming this mindset was not easy and took a lot of mental will power to push through it. But it became one of the most important accomplishments of my high school experience. Because of this challenge, I have become a person who is more confident, determined, and willing to take chances. I no longer let the possibility of failure stop me from trying because I understand that growth comes from taking risks and learning from experiences. My academic accomplishments, community involvement, and personal growth all represent the effort I have put into becoming a better version of myself. Furthermore receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and allow me to keep working toward my future goals of being a hospice nurse . I want to continue being someone who helps others, accepts challenges, and looks for ways to make a positive difference. I believe my experiences have prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that will come with the next stage of my education. I hope you will consider me for this scholarship because I have shown dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to grow even when things are difficult.

In high school, I had a friend who was part of the LGBTQIA+ community who had a strong impact on me. At the time, I knew them by a different name, and they were someone who was kind, supportive, and helpful to those around them. They were also someone who helped me better understand myself in ways I did not fully realize at the time. Being around them made me feel more open to asking questions about who I was and how I saw the world. As high school continued, I became more aware that they were experiencing bullying from other students. I did not fully understand the seriousness of what they were going through until later, but I remember noticing that things were becoming harder for them at school. Eventually, the situation became so overwhelming that they were allowed to leave class early and ultimately leave the school system. That realization stayed with me because it showed me how deeply someone can be affected by their environment even when they try to stay strong on the outside. Even though we were not able to stay in contact after they left, their experience changed the way I view school environments and how students treat one another. It made me think about how important it is for people to feel safe being themselves without fear of judgment or harassment. I also began to understand how easily someone can feel isolated when they are not supported by those around them. This experience shaped how I think about future activism. It made me want to focus on creating safer and more inclusive spaces in schools where students feel respected for who they are. I believe that no one should feel like they have to hide their identity or leave their education because of bullying or discrimination. In the future, I want to support efforts that promote kindness inclusion and awareness in school communities. I hope to be involved in programs that address bullying and encourage students to respect differences. I also want to be someone who speaks up when something is wrong and supports others who may feel like they do not have a voice. Overall, my experience with this friend showed me how important it is to create environments where everyone feels safe and accepted. Their strength and the challenges they faced influenced my desire to be more intentional about how I treat others and how I can contribute to making schools better for all students.

I want to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector because I care about helping people and strengthening communities. I am motivated by work that focuses on service and long term change. I want to use my skills to support organizations that address education health and poverty challenges. I want to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector because I care deeply about helping people and strengthening communities. I am motivated by work that focuses on service and long term change. Nonprofit organizations play an important role in addressing needs that affect everyday life such as education health housing and economic stability. I want to be part of that work because it connects directly to improving lives and creating fairness. I have always been drawn to helping others and I feel most fulfilled when I can contribute to something larger than myself. I believe that everyone deserves access to opportunity and support. I want to work with communities that face barriers and help create pathways that lead to stability and success. I also want to learn from the people I serve because their experiences shape meaningful solutions. I plan to bring strong communication problem solving and teamwork skills to the nonprofit field. I enjoy working with others and listening carefully to different perspectives. I also value organization and responsibility which help when managing projects and supporting programs. I am willing to learn new skills and adapt to different challenges because nonprofit work often requires flexibility and creativity. I hope my work will create positive impact by improving access to resources and opportunities for people who need them most. I want to support programs that focus on education job readiness and community development. By helping organizations run effective programs I hope to strengthen communities and build trust between people and services. I also hope to contribute to efforts that reduce inequality and support long term growth for families and individuals. In the long term I want to be part of creating lasting change that helps communities become stronger and more self sufficient. I believe nonprofit work is one of the most meaningful ways to serve others and contribute to society. I am committed to dedicating my time and effort to this field because I want my career to reflect my values and make a real difference in the lives of others. I also understand that nonprofit work requires patience resilience and consistent dedication. I am prepared to face challenges and continue learning throughout my career. I want to grow as a professional while staying focused on service and impact. Every experience whether success or challenge will help me improve and better serve others. I am excited to contribute my energy and commitment to work that supports communities and creates meaningful change.

Serving my community is important to me because I believe we are all connected in ways that are easy to overlook until something goes wrong. When one part of a community is struggling it affects everyone in it. When one part grows and succeeds it creates opportunities for others to do the same. I have come to understand that community is not just where you live but something you actively contribute to and take responsibility for. To me strength in a community comes from collective effort. It is the idea that we are stronger together than we are alone. If a neighborhood is cared for clean and supported it creates a sense of pride and safety for everyone who lives there. On the other hand if it is neglected filled with litter or lacking resources everyone feels the impact of that environment. Even people who try to rise above their circumstances are still influenced by the space around them. That is why I believe caring for your community is not optional. It is something that affects everyone whether they realize it or not. A community is also a reflection of the people within it. Sometimes it becomes how others see you before they ever meet you. That is why representation matters. I want to be someone who contributes positively to that image not just for myself but for the people who come after me. I want to be part of creating a community that reflects care opportunity and growth instead of limitation or neglect. At the same time I recognize that not every community automatically gives back what you put into it. There are people who grow up feeling unsupported or overlooked. That is where the idea of breaking cycles becomes important to me. Even if you did not receive the support or environment you deserved you still have the power to change what the future looks like for someone else. You can decide that your experience will not be the end of the story. Serving my community means choosing to be part of that change. It means showing up in ways that may seem small but still matter. It can be as simple as helping someone feel seen encouraging others to keep going or contributing to spaces that need care and attention. I have learned that impact does not always have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes it is consistent quiet effort that slowly shifts things in the right direction. As I continue my path toward becoming a hospice nurse I see community service as an extension of that same mindset. In healthcare especially in hospice care I will be serving not just individuals but families and the larger community around them. I want to be someone who brings comfort dignity and support during difficult times. I want people to feel that they are not alone in what they are facing. Ultimately serving my community matters to me because I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I want to contribute to spaces that shaped me and also help improve them for those who come after me. Even if change starts small I believe it still matters. One person choosing to care can influence many others to do the same and that is how stronger communities are built.

I originally thought I would become a family lawyer. I liked the idea of speaking up for people, understanding their stories, and helping them through difficult situations. That path made sense to me for a long time, and I never really questioned it. But sometime in 11th grade, my perspective started to shift in a way I did not expect. It did not come from a classroom or a big life event. It started with a nurse named Hadley I came across on social media. At first, I did not think much of it. But the way she spoke about nursing stayed with me. She did not just talk about it as a job or a routine. She talked about it as a human experience, especially the emotional side that people do not always see. I found myself going back to her content and then branching out to learn more on my own. I started researching different areas of nursing, from registered nursing to more specialized roles like nurse anesthetists. The more I learned, the more I realized how wide and meaningful the field actually is. What stood out to me most was hospice nursing. There was something about it that felt different from everything else. It was not about fixing everything or chasing a cure. It was about presence, comfort, and dignity. It was about meeting people in one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and choosing to stay with them anyway. That idea stayed with me because it felt deeply human in a way I had not fully appreciated before.I also started to understand that nursing is not easy. It is emotionally heavy, and it asks a lot from the people who choose it. There are days that will be draining, moments that will be heartbreaking, and experiences that stay with you long after your shift ends. Even knowing that, I found myself respecting the profession more, not less. There is something powerful about showing up for people in their hardest moments, even when it is difficult. It takes strength, compassion, and a level of emotional honesty that I have come to admire. Over time, I realized that I am drawn to that kind of work. Not because it is easy, but because it is meaningful. Hospice nursing especially feels like a calling rather than just a career choice. It is about helping patients feel seen and cared for, and helping families feel supported when everything feels overwhelming. That is the kind of impact I want to have. That moment of discovering nursing through Hadley’s perspective did not instantly change everything, but it opened a door I had never considered before. The more I learned, the more I stepped away from my original plan of becoming a family lawyer and toward healthcare instead. I still value advocacy and understanding people’s stories, but I now see nursing as a way to do that in a more direct and human way. Now, as I move forward, I carry both curiosity and respect for the profession. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I am committed to growing into a nurse who shows up fully for patients, even in difficult moments. Nursing taught me that caring for people is not always about having the right answers. Sometimes it is about being present enough to make someone feel less alone. That is the kind of nurse I hope to become.

I think one of the easiest things to do is believe the world looks like the place where you grew up. It is familiar, predictable, and it quietly becomes the standard for how you think life works. Even when we are open minded, we still tend to interpret everything through what we already know. We hear stories about other countries and cultures, but they can still feel distant, almost like they belong to another version of reality. Over time, I have realized that there is only so much you can truly understand about people if you never step outside your own environment. That is why studying abroad matters to me. I do not just want to learn about the world. I want to experience it in a way that changes how I see it. I often think about how many different ways there are to live a life. Different cultures have different ways of expressing love, handling conflict, celebrating life, and grieving loss. These differences are not just interesting to me, they are important. I want to understand what compassion looks like in other parts of the world, especially in moments when people are most vulnerable. I know I cannot get that kind of understanding only from books or classrooms, even though I value learning in those spaces. There are some lessons that only happen when you are present in someone else’s world, listening, observing, and respecting what they hold as meaningful. As someone pursuing hospice nursing, I already know I will be stepping into deeply personal moments in people’s lives. I will meet patients and families who come from many different backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions. I want to be the kind of nurse who does not assume what comfort looks like for someone else. Instead, I want to understand it. I want to learn how different cultures approach dignity, end of life care, and grief so I can provide care that truly respects the person in front of me. I believe becoming a better nurse starts long before clinical skills. It starts with becoming a better listener, a better observer, and a more thoughtful human being. Studying abroad would push me outside of everything familiar. It would challenge me in ways I cannot fully prepare for, and I know that is part of the point. Growth does not happen when everything is comfortable. It happens when you are forced to pay attention in new ways, to ask better questions, and to realize how much you still do not know. I want that kind of experience because I do not want my understanding of the world to stay small or limited. Tia Lukeya Woods believed that learning was something you actively chased, whether through books that sharpened your thinking or through experiences that expanded your view of the world. That idea resonates with me because I never want to stop being a student of life. If I am given the opportunity to study abroad, I want to return home changed, not just in knowledge but in perspective. I want to carry more questions, more empathy, and a deeper respect for the lives and cultures of others. If I can grow into someone who sees the world with more humility and curiosity, then I will be honoring Tia’s legacy in the way she valued learning, thinking, and truly understanding the world around her.

Some of the most meaningful moments of care do not happen in hospitals or clinics. Sometimes they happen in ordinary places when someone chooses compassion instead of pride. I experienced one of those moments during my high school prom with my friend, Angeliese. Looking back, I realize that experience helped shape the kind of healthcare professional I want to become. It taught me that healing can begin simply by listening. Our friendship had fallen apart after a serious argument in middle school. We stopped speaking, and for a long time I carried hurt and disappointment from everything that happened between us. By the time high school prom came around, I never expected us to have another conversation. That night we unexpectedly ran into each other, and she suddenly broke down crying in the bathroom as she talked about everything that had happened years before. Part of me wanted to argue back and tell my side of the story, but instead I chose to stay quiet and truly listen. As I listened, I realized she was carrying pain that I had never fully understood. She was not looking for someone to judge her or prove her wrong. She simply needed someone who would hear her and acknowledge her feelings. That moment asked me to put aside my own emotions and choose empathy over being right. By the end of our conversation, we forgave one another, and today we are close friends again because we were both willing to open our hearts and move forward. That experience revealed that showing up for someone is not always about fixing a problem. Sometimes it means offering your presence, your patience, and your willingness to listen without judgment. Reading about Shaunterrio “Shaun” Hudson reminded me of that truth. His legacy shows that healthcare is not only about knowledge and technical skill but also about treating every person with kindness, dignity, and compassion. His ability to make people feel cared for is the kind of example I hope to follow throughout my own career. My dream is to become a hospice nurse because I want to care for patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Hospice nurses cannot always change a diagnosis, just as I could not change what happened between Angeliese and me. What we can do is listen, offer comfort, and remind people they do not have to face their pain alone. I want every patient and family I care for to feel seen, respected, and supported until the very end. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and honor Shaun Hudson’s legacy by becoming a hospice nurse who leads with compassion, empathy, and the courage to show up for others when they need it most.

People often say that math is the universal language, and I completely agree. No matter where you are in the world, numbers mean the same thing. Math doesn’t depend on the language you speak because it is based on logic, patterns, and facts. One thing I have always liked about math is that there is no guessing. Even if you don’t know the right formula yet, there is still a path to the answer. You just have to keep working through the problem until you find the solution. As a recent high school graduate, I think it’s funny when my friends say they’ll “never use math again.” I always laugh because we use math every single day without even thinking about it. Whether it’s figuring out how much money we can spend, calculating a tip at a restaurant, measuring ingredients while cooking, or planning how long it will take to get somewhere, math is always there. It’s something we can never really escape, and honestly, I don’t think we’d want to. I’ve always loved math because it challenges me to think differently. It teaches me to be patient and not give up when something seems difficult. Every problem has an answer, even if it takes time to find the right method. That lesson has helped me outside of school too. Life doesn’t always have easy answers, but just like math, there is usually a way to work through a challenge if you’re willing to keep trying. Math is also behind so many things we use every day, from our phones and cars to buildings and medicine. It helps people create, invent, and solve problems that make the world a better place. That’s why I believe math is truly the universal language. It connects people, shapes our everyday lives, and reminds me that every challenge has a solution if I’m willing to put in the effort to find it.

Sabrina Carpenter is someone I admire because of the positive influence she has had on me since her Disney days. I first watched her on Girl Meets World and was impressed by her confidence kindness and dedication. She always seemed to give her best in every episode and showed that hard work can help someone achieve their dreams. Watching her grow during those years made me realize that success comes from staying committed and continuing to improve. One of the reasons I became a fan is because she balanced many responsibilities at a young age. She acted while also working on her music and always seemed determined to reach her goals. Her willingness to keep learning and growing inspired me to do the same in my own life. She showed me that it is important to stay focused even when life becomes challenging. Her Disney career also left me with many positive memories. The stories she helped tell often focused on friendship compassion and supporting others. Those lessons stayed with me long after I finished watching the show. They encouraged me to treat people with respect and kindness and to understand the importance of helping those around me. These values are some of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in nursing. As I prepare for nursing I know that dedication patience and compassion are essential qualities. Watching Sabrina during her Disney years reminded me that making a positive difference in the lives of others starts with treating everyone with care and respect. Her example of working hard and staying true to herself motivates me to give my best in school and eventually provide excellent care for my future patients. Overall Sabrina Carpenter has had a meaningful impact on my life. Her Disney days introduced me to someone who worked hard remained positive and inspired others through her performances. While my career path is very different from hers the lessons I learned from watching her continue to influence me. She taught me that success comes from perseverance kindness and believing in yourself. Those are qualities I hope to carry with me throughout nursing school and into my future career as a nurse. Her journey has encouraged me to work hard stay compassionate and always strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

I have a road map for my future that starts with college. I plan to complete four years of school so I can become a hospice nurse. My goal is to build a career that allows me to support myself and my family while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I have always wanted a career where I can help people during some of the most important moments of their lives. Hospice nursing gives me the opportunity to provide comfort kindness and compassion to people during their final stage of life.I want every patient I care for to feel safe comfortable and respected. I know that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. I hope to build real connections with my patients and their families by listening to them understanding their needs and being someone they can trust. Helping people feel less alone during such a difficult time is something I believe is truly meaningful and I want to be that source of comfort for others.While having a successful career is an important part of my future I want my life to be about more than just working. I want to experience the world and continue learning throughout my life. I hope to travel to new places meet different people and learn about other cultures. I also want to use the money I earn to help support projects that make a positive impact. One dream of mine is to help protect and rebuild the Great Barrier Reef because I believe it is important to care for our planet for future generations. I am also interested in learning more about sociology because I enjoy understanding people and the ways communities grow and support one another.My road map for the future does not end with one career or one goal. It is filled with dreams that continue far beyond graduation. I want to keep growing as a person while helping others and giving back whenever I can. I believe that success is not only measured by what you achieve for yourself but also by the positive impact you have on the lives of others. This scholarship would help me take the first step toward making these goals a reality. Paying for college can be challenging and receiving this support would help me focus on my education and my future career. It would also remind me that others believe in my potential and my dreams. That encouragement means just as much as the financial support because it gives me confidence to keep working toward the future I have planned. This scholarship would help me begin my journey and bring me one step closer to becoming the person I hope to be.

To me women’s empowerment means helping women believe they can do things they never thought were possible even when life gets stressful or people doubt them. As a young black woman and a first generation college student starting my freshman year in nursing I know how important it is to see women who keep pushing forward because sometimes that is all someone needs to believe they can do it too. Nobody in my family has taken this path before so going to college feels like I am opening a new door not just for myself but for the people who come after me. It is exciting but also scary sometimes because I am figuring things out as I go and there is no guide for it. Even with that I have stayed focused because I know education can change my life and I hope when younger girls see someone who looks like them working toward their goals they realize they can do the same thing. I have always believed that making an impact does not have to mean doing something huge because the little things matter too. Being kind to someone encouraging them when they feel like giving up or simply listening can make a bigger difference than people realize. That is one of the reasons I chose nursing. I want to be the kind of nurse who makes people feel comfortable and safe especially women who may be scared or feel like nobody is listening to them. Healthcare can be overwhelming and I want every patient I meet to know they deserve respect and compassion no matter who they are. I also want to become more involved in volunteering and community outreach during college because giving back is important to me and I know helping even one person can create a ripple effect. Sometimes people remember how you made them feel more than anything else and I want people to remember that they were treated with kindness. I also think empowerment is about leading by example even when you do not realize people are watching. There are younger girls in my family and in my community who might look at me and think college is something they can do too because they see me doing it. That means a lot to me because representation matters and sometimes seeing someone who shares your background can make your dreams feel more realistic. I know nursing school will not always be easy and there will be long nights studying and moments when I question myself but I also know those moments will help me grow into a stronger person. I want to prove to myself that I can finish what I started and hopefully encourage someone else to keep going too. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue working toward my degree and becoming the nurse I want to be. My goal is to use my education to care for others while showing women that they deserve to be heard respected and supported. Being a first generation college student has taught me that success is not about having everything figured out it is about continuing to move forward even when things feel uncertain. I am proud of the path I am creating and I hope to honor Charlene Howard’s legacy by using my education to serve my community encourage other women to chase their goals and remind them that they are capable of more than they sometimes believe.

Everyone has something that makes them stand out. For me it is animation. It is my favorite art form. Most people think of cartoons as something made for kids but I see so much more than that. I see years of hard work creativity and storytelling coming together to create something meaningful. I can spend hours watching behind the scenes videos learning about different studios and studying how each one has its own style. After watching enough films I can usually tell what kind of animation I like and even recognize the small details that make one studio different from another. The awkward part is that I know way too much about it. I will be having a normal conversation when someone mentions an animated movie and suddenly I have ten random facts ready to share. Most of the time I keep them to myself because I know not everyone wants to hear about frame rates voice acting or why one scene took years to finish. Other times I cannot help myself because I genuinely love talking about it. It is a little embarrassing when people look at me like I am a walking animation encyclopedia. People have also called my interest childish. Since I plan to study nursing they expect my hobbies to match that career. Instead I get excited about animated films and the artists who create them. For a while I wondered if they were right. Then I realized that loving animation does not make me immature. It means I appreciate creativity and the amount of effort it takes to turn an idea into something that can make people laugh cry or see the world in a different way. I think my passion says a lot about the kind of person I am. I am naturally curious and I love understanding how things work instead of only seeing the finished product. I enjoy paying attention to details that most people overlook. I believe there is always something new to learn if you are willing to look a little deeper. That curiosity is one of the reasons I want to become a nurse. Medicine is always changing and every patient has a different story. I want to keep learning throughout my life so I can give people the best care possible. Animation may not have anything to do with my future career but it has shaped the way I think. It has taught me patience curiosity and appreciation for the work that often goes unnoticed. It has also taught me that it is okay to have a passion that other people do not understand. If my awkward thing is knowing too much about animation then I would rather embrace it than hide it because it is part of what makes me who I am.

Growing up in New Jersey has taught me that there is much more to this state than what people see on TV or at the beach. Whenever I tell people where I’m from, they immediately mention the Jersey Shore or assume I grew up surrounded by the ocean. The truth is, my experience has been very different. Having lived in both North and South Jersey, I’ve seen how every part of the state has its own identity, culture, and sense of community. New Jersey isn’t just one place. It’s a collection of unique neighborhoods, towns, and people who each contribute something special.Growing up here has given me the opportunity to experience different perspectives and adapt to new environments. Whether it was adjusting to different schools, making new friends, or learning to embrace change, I discovered that home isn’t defined by a single location. It’s built through the people who support you and the experiences that shape you. Those lessons have made me more resilient, open-minded, and appreciative of the diversity that exists within my own state.Like many students, one of my biggest challenges has been the financial reality of pursuing higher education. I have always known that I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, which is why I chose nursing. Nursing is a demanding field that requires dedication, compassion, and years of education. While I am excited to pursue this path, I also understand the financial burden that comes with earning my degree. Instead of letting that discourage me, I have stayed focused on my goals. I remind myself why I chose this career: to care for others during some of the most important moments of their lives. Every challenge I overcome brings me one step closer to becoming the nurse I hope to be. The obstacles I face today are helping me build the determination and work ethic that will make me a better healthcare professional tomorrow. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial stress of paying for college and allow me to focus more on my education and clinical experiences. It would bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a nurse and serving the communities that have shaped me. One day, I hope to give back to New Jersey by providing compassionate care to the people who call this state home. I am proud to be from New Jersey, not because of the stereotypes people associate with it, but because of the resilience, diversity, and sense of community that I have experienced growing up here. Those qualities have shaped who I am, and they will continue to guide me as I work toward my future.

Being a first generation student is a bunch of emotions in one. It’s scary since I’m the first one to be attending and no one’s exactly sure what to do so we’re all discovering it at the same time. Like when I was applying we didn’t know we had to have all the information together and was scrambling to get it. And I’m proud that my younger siblings can look up to me and say my big sister is in college. Being the first also means there are a lot of unknowns. There isn’t someone at home who can tell me exactly what to expect or how everything works, so I’ve had to learn by asking questions, doing research, and figuring things out as I go. At first that was intimidating, but now I see it as something that has helped me become more independent and confident in myself and my choices . Every challenge I’ve faced has taught me that it’s okay not to have all the answers as long as I’m willing to keep learning and looking for them. My family has always supported me, even if they couldn’t guide me through the college process. Seeing how hard they work motivates me to take advantage of every opportunity I have. I want my education to be something that not only changes my future but also gives back to the people who have always believed in me. Their encouragement reminds me why I keep pushing forward, even when things get difficult. My dream is to earn my degree and build a career that allows me to be financially stable while making a positive impact on others. I want to show my younger siblings that college is possible, even if no one in our family has done it before. I hope that by sharing everything I learn, I can make their journey easier than mine was. I want them to know they don’t have to be afraid of taking the next step because someone in our family has already gone through it. Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with college. It would allow me to focus more on my education, participate in opportunities that help me grow, and continue working toward my goals without worrying as much about the cost. More than that, it would remind me that my hard work is recognized and that people believe in students like me who are determined to succeed. To wrap it all up to me it feels that I’m leaving a pathway of success that future generations of my family can not only walk on but continue to build, creating opportunities that once felt out of reach.

Hello, my name is Madison. I’m an high school senior at Winslow Twp. High School in New Jersey. At school I’m involved in many clubs, which brought me on a path to meet some really great people, that truly influenced my life and love for helping people. Joining those clubs at school allowed me to get involved with my community. Visiting the elementary school student-teach program, that allowed me to come up with lesson plans and activities to teach children. Cleaning my neighborhood parks and local beaches, participating in a soup kitchen, learning to reuse and repurpose things to help save our environment. All of those things helped me to become committed to making a positive impact in the world and in people's live through helping and giving back. In the fall I will be going to college for Nursing. I can’t wait to begin my career in the nursing field. I am so excited to grow, learn, and contribute to the healthcare community while making a meaningful difference in the world every day. Mother Teresa said it best “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving” Which is why I chose to be a nurse. Whether it is offering comfort, listening to someone’s concerns, assisting in their recovery, or advocating for those who can not advocate for themselves. I find fulfillment in knowing that my actions can positively impact someone’s life. Nurses are often the ones who spend the most time with patients, forming connections with the patients, caregivers, and family members. That goes beyond basic care. I admire the way nurses advocate for their patients, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect. Nursing is a profession that requires lifelong learning and adaptability. I am excited by the opportunity to continuously grow, develop new skills, and stay informed about advancements in healthcare. This not only benefits me personally but also ensures that I can provide the best possible care to those I serve. In conclusion, my plan is to make a positive impact on the world through nursing, compassion, and service. I want to dedicate my life to helping people, healing people, supporting my community, and making a lasting difference. With God I believe that all things are possible, and I pray everyday that I am bless enough for my dreams to come true. For my only wish is to be able to help others.

It feels weird being called compassionate. I didn’t even think I was being compassionate but I was told by others and the mom in the situation. So I often find myself thinking about it. I worked at a small theme park called Diggerland during the summer. I always got stuck at this red claw area that never gets a full line. But there was a kid who loved the ride. Since there was no one there but his parents and I would say hey no ones here do you guys want to keep going. The kid always excitedly said yes and kept going until it got to a point where I would look at the parents. They nodded their heads and I restarted the machine before the time ran out. He and his family were season pass holders and were there everytime I wasOver time he started getting comfortable and talked with me. As embarrassing as it was I knew about the shows and jokes he was talking about. If I didn’t I would look it up so it would be easier to understand what he’s talking about or ask him to explain it to me. After a while I even learnt his name was Ian. On the rare occasions they moved me to work on another ride Ian would still come find me to talk or update me on his shows or even his life. Even if I was on line for food on my break Ian would run up to me and we would talk while I waited. At the end of the summer I let Ian know it was my last day. While he was playing on the claw his parents came up to me and thanked me for being so compassionate and patient with him throughout the summer. She told me he’s autistic and that people often find him annoying especially with the sticking with the ride and trying to talk with workers while they are busy but I had been really patient with him. That stuck with me since I never saw it like that. I was just making sure he had a good time. If anything he was just being an excitable hyper kid. I thanked her and sat with that and still thank her even now how I simply being kind and compassionate made someone whole summer without knowing it. I tried to be more aware of this fact more when talking. The whole situation showed me a real world example in how small nice acts can really make someone happy. Or just help out in a situation you may not even know there going through.