Hi! My name is Makayla Allende. Growing up, I was taught that resilience and kindness are not just values to carry, but ways of life. My journey has been shaped by challenges that tested my strength, as well as by opportunities that reminded me of the importance of giving back. As I pursue my dream of becoming a registered nurse and, one day, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), I carry with me the same belief that Sloane Stephens honors through her foundation: education and service are the most powerful tools we have to transform lives. I am a first-generation college student, raised in a household where resources were limited but love and determination were abundant. My sister, who has special needs, taught me patience and compassion from an early age. At the same time, the loss of my other sister reminded me how fragile life can be, and how deeply healthcare workers can impact families in their most vulnerable moments. These personal experiences ignited my passion for nursing, giving me a purpose far beyond a career, it is really my calling to provide care, comfort, and advocacy for others when they need it most because I was once that little girl who looked up with admiration and looking for support from the nurses that took care of my sick siblings. Balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities has not been easy, but each obstacle has strengthened my determination. I currently juggle classes, a part-time job as a bartender, and caring for my dog, Nova, who is my constant companion. Time management has become one of my greatest skills, teaching me how to prioritize what matters while maintaining resilience under pressure. Nursing school, beginning this fall, will demand even more of me, but I am ready. My experiences have proven that I can rise to challenges with persistence and grace. Beyond academics, I am passionate about community. I have seen firsthand the difference that mentorship, and encouragement can make. I strive to embody that spirit by uplifting those around me, whether it’s encouraging a classmate who feels overwhelmed, offering care to a struggling customer at work, or using my social media platform to create authentic content that inspires others. My goal as a nurse extends outside the hospital: I want to show young women, especially those from underrepresented communities, that resilience and self-belief can take them farther than they think. Although I could use the financial support, this scholarship represents more than that, it symbolizes validation of the path I have chosen. With the need to reduce work hours during clinical rotations, this award would ease the financial burden that often weighs heavily on first-generation students like myself. It would allow me to dedicate more energy to my studies and patient care, instead of worrying whether I can keep up with bills and tuition. Most importantly, it would honor the values instilled in me: resilience in the face of adversity, kindness in every interaction, and unwavering belief in the power of education. Like Sloane Stephens’ grandparents, my family has instilled in me lessons that guide me daily: to work hard, to help those in need , and never give up on my dreams. I hope to honor their sacrifices and legacy by becoming a nurse who not only provides skilled care, but also compassion, empathy, and representation in healthcare. Just as the Sloane Stephens Foundation has touched the lives of over 10,000 young people, I hope to impact thousands of patients and families throughout my nursing career. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to fulfilling that mission.

Hi, my name is Makayla Allende. Growing up as a first-generation college student, I quickly learned the value of resilience and determination. My path toward nursing has not been simple, but it has been deeply shaped by personal experiences that made me passionate about health and wellness. When I was younger, I watched one of my sisters battle cancer, and later, I saw another live with Down syndrome. These moments taught me that health is more than just medical treatment, it is about compassion, dignity, and support for both patients and their families. Those experiences became the foundation of my drive to pursue a nursing career, where I can dedicate myself to helping people feel seen, cared for, and understood. Empathy, to me, is the ability to step into someone else’s world and genuinely feel with them. It is not just about kindness; it is about listening, understanding, and responding in a way that honors each person’s unique journey. In healthcare, empathy is not optional, it is essential. A nurse who takes the time to understand a patient’s fears or frustrations can transform a clinical interaction into one of trust and healing. I have experienced firsthand how a lack of empathy can make someone feel invisible, and how the smallest act of compassion can bring comfort during the hardest times. That is why empathy is at the heart of the nurse I strive to become. In my future career, I intend to ensure that all my efforts are done through a human-centered lens. To me, this means never reducing a patient to just their diagnosis or chart. Instead, I want to recognize them as whole individuals with families, goals, and stories that matter. I believe that providing quality care means balancing science with humanity. While I will rely on my clinical training to guide treatments, I will always let empathy and respect guide my interactions. Whether it is advocating for a patient who feels unheard, taking the extra moment to explain something clearly, or simply sitting in silence with someone who is grieving, I will strive to meet people where they are. My journey has not been without challenges. After leaving LaSalle University due to financial constraints, I experienced the frustration of being unable to access my own transcript for years. Yet this obstacle did not stop me, it fueled me. I worked, I saved, and I returned to school determined to keep moving forward. These struggles gave me perspective: I know what it means to fight for an opportunity, and I do not take education lightly. It is because of these challenges that I am even more determined to succeed, not only for myself but for the patients and families I will one day serve. Nursing, to me, is not just a career; it is a calling rooted in compassion, empathy, and service. Every patient I encounter will be someone’s parent, child, or sibling, just like my own family members who inspired me. By committing to a career centered on empathy and human connection, I hope to bring comfort to those in pain, dignity to those who feel overlooked, and strength to those who are fighting battles often unseen. This scholarship would not only support my education but also help me continue walking the path I have been called to, one where empathy and human connection are at the heart of everything I do. My story is proof that challenges can be turned into fuel, and I intend to use mine to become the kind of nurse who makes a difference in every patient’s life.

Healthcare is not just a career path for me it is deeply personal and rooted in my life experiences. Hi my name is Makayla Allende. Growing up with a sister who has Down syndrome and another sister who passed away from leukemia has shaped my understanding of the importance of compassionate skilled healthcare and inspired my commitment to this field. My sister with Down syndrome has taught me the true meaning of resilience love and patience. I have seen firsthand the challenges she faces and the extraordinary care she requires. Through her journey I have developed a deep appreciation for healthcare workers who support individuals with special needs and their families. Their dedication ensures that people like my sister can live fuller happier lives. I want to be part of that support system to provide care that goes beyond treatment to include understanding respect and encouragement. At the same time my other sister’s battle with leukemia and her passing in 2009 the day before my birthday left an indelible mark on me. That heartbreaking loss revealed the fragility of life and the critical role healthcare professionals play in both fighting disease and offering comfort when hope feels distant. The kindness and compassion shown by her doctors and nurses during that difficult time inspired me to pursue healthcare so I could one day offer the same comfort to others facing unimaginable challenges. These personal experiences have given me a profound sense of purpose. I want to make a difference as a healthcare professional who sees each patient as a whole person and honors their unique story. I am passionate about advancing medical knowledge and delivering care that is both innovative and deeply empathetic. As a woman entering this field I recognize the importance of diversity and gender equality in healthcare. Women bring unique perspectives and strengths such as empathy communication and collaboration that enhance patient care and healthcare systems as a whole. I am motivated to break down barriers that women have historically faced in education and leadership roles. My goal is not only to succeed personally but also to advocate for inclusivity and support other women who aspire to make an impact in healthcare. The financial challenges of pursuing a healthcare degree are significant for me and my family. This scholarship would provide much-needed support to help alleviate those burdens allowing me to focus on my education and clinical training. It would be a meaningful investment in my ability to continue striving toward a career where I can bring hope healing and advocacy to patients and their families. With this support I am confident I can complete my degree and become a healthcare professional who makes a lasting positive difference. Inspired by my sisters’ journeys I will dedicate myself to compassionate care leadership and fostering a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting women like me who are committed to shaping the future of healthcare through empathy resilience and dedication.

My name is Makayla Allende, and I am a proud Hispanic woman and first-generation college student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am currently pursuing a degree in nursing with the goal of specializing in pediatric or critical care. My journey has not been easy, but it has been shaped by strength, resilience, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I grew up in a home where financial hardship was a daily reality. There were many times when we had to stretch every dollar and prioritize essentials over anything else. Higher education felt out of reach, not because I lacked the passion or ability, but because I knew how much it would cost. Even with these obstacles, I kept pushing forward. I believed that education was my path to creating a better life and to giving back to others in meaningful ways. My path toward nursing started with personal loss. When I was just eight years old, my sister passed away from leukemia. She died one day before my ninth birthday. I still remember everything about that time the hospital rooms, the fear, the sadness, and the nurses who did everything they could to ease the pain. They treated our family with so much compassion and dignity. They were calm, patient, and supportive. That was the moment I first knew I wanted to be a nurse. I did not have the words for it then, but I knew I wanted to help people the way those nurses helped us. Also, my other sister was born with Down syndrome and multiple medical complications. Our family spent even more time in hospitals, attending appointments and supporting her through surgeries. As I grew older, I realized that nurses were more than just medical professionals. They were emotional lifelines for families like mine. They made a lasting impact on me, and I knew I wanted to do the same for others. I began my nursing education in 2018, but due to financial hardship, I had to make the difficult decision to pause my studies. It was heartbreaking, but I never gave up on my dream. I worked hard, saved money, and returned to school with an even stronger sense of purpose. Being a nontraditional student is not easy. Balancing academic responsibilities with work and personal life takes discipline and sacrifice. Still, I remain focused and determined because I know this is the career I was meant to pursue. My experiences have taught me deep empathy and strengthened my commitment to helping others. I want to become a nurse who serves children and families in underserved communities. I want to work in places where high-quality care is not always accessible and help close those gaps. I also want to be a voice for families who feel unheard and provide comfort during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Nursing is not just a job for me. It is a calling. It is the combination of everything I have lived through and everything I hope to give back. I understand struggle. I understand loss. But I also understand hope and the power of compassion. Receiving this scholarship would not only relieve the financial burden I carry as I complete my education, but it would also remind me that my journey matters. It would show me that others believe in my ability to make a difference in the world through healthcare. I am ready to continue moving forward with purpose and heart.

My name is Makayla Allende, and I am a nursing student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a strong passion for pediatric care. I am a first-generation college student, and my journey to this point has been anything but easy. However, the challenges I have faced have taught me strength, determination, and purpose which are qualities that will define me as a future pediatric nurse. The most defining moment of strength in my life came when I lost my sister to leukemia. She passed away on August 13, 2009, just one day before my ninth birthday. I was young, but the pain was deep and lasting. The experience of watching my sister suffer and then saying goodbye to her has stayed with me in ways I cannot fully put into words. She was not just my sister; she was my best friend. Losing her shattered my sense of stability and left a hole in my heart that will never fully heal. But even in that heartbreak, something meaningful grew. I remember being in the hospital with her, watching the nurses who cared for her with so much compassion. They did not just treat her illness. They took care of her spirit and supported my family through the worst time in our lives. Even as a child, I admired them. I saw them as heroes. That admiration grew into inspiration, and over time, it turned into a dream: I wanted to become a nurse and give that same comfort to other children and families. After my sister passed, life did not get easier. I struggled with anxiety and depression, especially during my teenage years. My mental health challenges made school harder and daily life feel overwhelming at times. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, how to stay focused even when everything felt heavy, and how to keep going even when my motivation ran low. It was not a smooth path. I had to pause my education once due to financial hardship, but I never let go of my dream. I returned to school with even more drive and clarity, knowing that my calling was to help children and families like mine. Pediatric nursing is not just a career goal for me, it is personal. I know what it is like to sit in a hospital room as a scared sibling. I know the importance of having someone who not only knows what to do clinically but also knows how to comfort a child and reassure a worried parent. I want to be that nurse. I want to bring a steady, kind, and skilled presence into pediatric hospital rooms. I want to offer children safety and families hope, especially during the most uncertain times. The strength and determination I have developed through my own life will shape how I care for others. I will be a pediatric nurse who listens, advocates, and stands strong even in emotional and high-stress situations. My past has prepared me to show up fully and to care with empathy and professionalism. To me, honoring Kylee Govoni’s legacy means not just surviving hardship, but turning it into something meaningful. I hope to live that legacy by becoming a nurse who leads with both strength and heart, and by being someone children and families can rely on during their most difficult moments.

My name is Makayla Allende, and I am currently a nursing student who recently returned to school after stepping away due to financial hardship. I am a proud Hispanic woman, a first-generation college student, and someone whose passion for nursing was shaped through years of personal experience with illness, grief, and resilience. My journey has not been traditional, but it has been purposeful, and every step has brought me closer to becoming the nurse I have always wanted to be. I first began my nursing education in 2018. At that time, I was filled with excitement and determination, ready to pursue a career I had dreamed about since childhood. But not long into the program, I faced financial and personal challenges that made it impossible for me to continue. Having to walk away from school was devastating. It felt like I was letting go of something I had waited so long for. Still, I knew it was only temporary. I held onto the dream and promised myself that one day, I would come back and finish what I started. Now, years later, I am proud to say I have returned to school. I am stronger, more focused, and more motivated than ever. This time, I am bringing with me not just a sense of purpose, but life experience that has deepened my understanding of what it means to care for others. Returning as a non-traditional student is not easy, but I believe my unique perspective is an asset. I know how to persevere through adversity. I know the value of education because I fought to come back to it. And I know that nursing is exactly where I belong. My “aha” moment came when I was just a child. One of my sisters had Down syndrome and a range of medical complications, and my other sister passed away from leukemia the day before my ninth birthday. Hospitals were like a second home for us. I spent countless hours in waiting rooms, watching my sisters go through treatments and surgeries. In those moments, it was not just the doctors who made an impact—it was the nurses. They were the ones who explained what was happening, who brought calm to chaos, and who made us feel like we were not alone. I remember thinking, even as a little girl, “I want to be like them.” That feeling never left me. I want to be the person who brings compassion, patience, and skill to families who are scared and overwhelmed. I want to be the kind of nurse who does not just treat a patient, but truly sees them. I believe that my life experiences have prepared me to do this work with empathy and strength. As I continue my education, I am committed to working in underserved communities and giving back to those who are often overlooked. My goal is to become a pediatric or critical care nurse, supporting families in the most vulnerable times of their lives. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than just financial support. It would be a reminder that my journey matters and that there is value in returning to school, no matter how long it takes. Like Joseph Joshua Searor, I believe in the power of education at every stage of life. I hope to honor his legacy by becoming the kind of nurse who leads with heart and never stops learning.

My name is Makayla Allende, and I am a proud Hispanic student from Philadelphia Pennsylvania pursuing a career in nursing. I am a first-generation college student and someone whose life has been permanently changed by cancer. On August 13, 2009, just one day before my ninth birthday, my oldest sister passed away after a battle with leukemia. Her loss changed my life in ways I am still learning to understand, but it also planted the seed for who I am becoming today. My sister was not just my sibling. She was one of my first best friends. I remember her as kind, playful, and brave. She was the one who made me laugh when I was upset and the one who knew how to comfort me when no one else could. She was my second mom. Watching her go through treatment was painful and confusing, especially at such a young age. I did not understand the science behind the IVs, medications, or the words the doctors were saying. But I understood the fear I saw in her eyes. I understood what it felt like to see someone you love hurting and not be able to fix it. When she passed away, it felt like the world had stopped. I was eight years old, but I remember every moment of that day. The next morning, instead of celebrating my ninth birthday, my family and I were grieving. Since then, birthdays have always felt different, always heavier. There is an unspoken layer of sadness that comes with every candle, every cake, and every year I grow older without her. As I grew up, I carried that grief quietly. It affected my mental health in ways I did not fully understand until I was older. I struggled with anxiety and depression, often triggered by loss and fear of losing others. Still, I pushed forward. I worked hard in school and volunteered in my community. I focused on turning my pain into purpose. My sister’s memory was never far from my mind. Eventually, I realized that the hospital memories that once caused me pain also inspired me. I remembered the nurses who comforted my family when we were breaking. I remembered the way they looked us in the eye, explained what was happening, and treated us like human beings, not just visitors. That compassion stayed with me. I decided I wanted to be that person for someone else. Today, I am pursuing a nursing degree with the goal of working in pediatric or oncology care. I want to support children and families facing the same journey my sister did. I want to bring comfort where there is fear, clarity where there is confusion, and hope where it feels like there is none. I believe that losing my sister gave me a depth of empathy that will allow me to care not just with knowledge, but with heart. Cancer has taken a lot from me, but it has also given me something to fight for. I want to dedicate my life to helping others get through what my family went through. Whether through direct care, advocacy, or simply being present in someone’s darkest moment, I want to honor my sister’s memory by living a life of service. Receiving this scholarship would help ease the financial burden of school and allow me to stay focused on becoming the nurse I have always dreamed of being. More importantly, it would be a way of turning something painful into something powerful. That is what my sister would have wanted, and that is what I am determined to do.

My name is Makayla Allende, and I am a first-generation Hispanic college student from Philadelphia pursuing a career in nursing. My goal is to work in underserved communities where care is needed most. I come from a family that has been deeply affected by health challenges, but even more so by healthcare inequalities. Those experiences shaped my worldview and inspired me to become a medical professional who not only treats illness, but also advocates for better access, respect, and equity in care. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in hospitals with my sisters. One has Down syndrome and faced ongoing medical complications. My other sister battled leukemia and sadly passed away in 2009. These moments were some of the hardest of my life, but they also introduced me to the power of compassionate, skilled nurses. I remember the way they comforted our family when we were scared, how they explained things clearly, and how they made us feel cared for even in the worst moments. That is when I knew I wanted to be one of them. At the same time, I witnessed the harsh realities of our healthcare system. As a Hispanic family navigating serious illnesses, we were often overlooked or treated differently. Access to specialists was limited. Appointments were delayed. There were times when assumptions were made about us based on how we looked or where we lived. The difference in care between neighborhoods just a few miles apart was impossible to ignore. It made me realize that health outcomes are not always based on effort or need, but on race, income, and location. This is why I am passionate about becoming a nurse who serves underserved communities. I want to be someone who provides excellent care in places where people have grown used to being ignored. I want to work with children and families who remind me of my own and help them feel supported, informed, and respected. I believe that good healthcare should not be a privilege. It should be a right, regardless of background or zip code. Throughout high school and college, I have volunteered in community programs, food drives, and local clinics. These experiences showed me the challenges people face every day just trying to access basic health resources. They also taught me that change starts with people who care deeply enough to show up, even when it is difficult. That is the kind of nurse I want to be. I also hope to mentor other Hispanic and underrepresented students pursuing medical careers. Representation matters. I know what it feels like to not see yourself reflected in your doctors or nurses, and I want to help change that. I am committed to using my education and life experience to make a real difference in healthcare. Through compassion, advocacy, and service, I hope to carry on the legacy of Dr. Alan V. Lee and serve the communities that need it most.

I want to pursue a degree in nursing because nursing has lived in my heart for as long as I can remember. My desire to become a nurse was shaped by the life I lived growing up, spending countless hours in hospitals beside my sisters. One of my sisters has Down syndrome and several serious health complications, and my other sister passed away in 2009 after a battle with leukemia. From a young age, I witnessed both the heartbreak of illness and the strength of the people who cared for them. Through every hospital stay and every emergency, the nurses stood out to me the most. They were not just skilled professionals. They were the calm in the storm. They took the time to comfort us, explain what was happening, and treat my sisters with dignity and kindness. Watching them in action planted the first seed in me. I knew I wanted to grow up and be that kind of person for someone else, someone who brings comfort, hope, and strength in times of fear. My nursing journey has not been easy. I first enrolled in school in 2018, but financial hardship forced me to step away. It was a painful choice, but I never gave up on the dream. I have since returned to school, now with even more purpose and resilience. Becoming a nurse is no longer just a childhood dream. It is a mission built from real-life experience, personal growth, and the desire to make a difference. As a nurse, I want to serve my community in the same way nurses once served my family, with heart, compassion, and excellence. I am especially drawn to pediatric and critical care nursing because of my personal connection to children facing serious health challenges. I know how overwhelming it is for families to navigate medical crises, and I want to be the steady presence that helps them feel seen, heard, and supported. Beyond the hospital walls, I want to be a nurse who contributes to broader change. Mental health advocacy is important to me, as someone who grew up struggling with anxiety and depression. I want to help break the stigma and promote emotional well-being as part of overall healthcare. I also hope to participate in outreach efforts for underserved communities, bringing access to care and education where it is needed most. Nursing, to me, is about showing up with both knowledge and compassion. I have lived on both sides of the hospital bed, as the worried family member and now as a future healthcare provider. That perspective gives me a deep empathy and a strong drive to make a real difference. I do not just want to treat symptoms. I want to help people heal in every sense of the word. Earning my nursing degree will give me the tools to do what I believe I was meant to do. I want to care deeply, serve others, and bring light into difficult moments. That is the kind of nurse I hope to become for my community.

Growing up, I battled anxiety and depression, long before I had the words to name them. A lot of it stemmed from my childhood environment, which was filled with fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight that felt too heavy for someone my age. One of my sisters was born with Down syndrome and multiple medical complications, and my other sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Sadly, she passed away in 2009. I was constantly in and out of hospitals with them, surrounded by machines, worried faces, and conversations about life or death that no child should have to overhear. Watching my sisters go through so much, not knowing whether they’d be okay, created a deep-rooted anxiety in me. I often felt helpless, scared, and emotionally exhausted. Even when things were calm, I found myself worrying about what might happen next. I became quiet, hyperaware, and filled with a sadness I couldn’t fully explain. That’s when depression crept in. I didn’t feel like other kids my age. While they were out playing and carefree, I was processing things I didn’t understand such as grief, fear, and uncertainty about the future. This experience had a huge impact on the way I view mental health. I now believe that mental and emotional struggles often go unnoticed, especially in children and teens who don’t know how to express them. My own silence as a child taught me that the strongest people can still be struggling, and that we all deserve compassion and support. I also learned that mental health isn’t separate from physical health but instead they’re deeply connected. That’s a belief I carry with me in everything I do. These early experiences shaped my relationships as well. Because I know how it feels to carry emotional pain in silence, I try to create safe, open spaces in my relationships, the ones where people feel like they don’t have to hide how they’re really doing. I lead with empathy, patience, and understanding. I never assume someone is fine just because they’re smiling. Most of all, my experience with mental health and the medical journeys of my sisters inspired my career path. I want to become a nurse because I know what it’s like to sit in those hospital rooms, to be scared, and to wish someone would just understand. The nurses who cared for my sisters were more than professionals, they were lifelines. They gave us information, but they also gave us comfort. They treated us like human beings during the scariest times of our lives. That’s who I want to be for others. I want to be the nurse who sees the whole person, not just the diagnosis. I want to recognize emotional pain as much as physical symptoms. I want to support patients and families not just with medicine, but with compassion rooted in real understanding. My battles with anxiety and depression didn’t define me but they absolutely shaped me into someone who leads with heart, and who’s committed to healing inside and out.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because I’ve witnessed firsthand the deep impact nurses have not only on patients, but on entire families. My passion began early in life. I grew up in hospitals, not because I was sick, but because my sisters were. One of my sisters has Down syndrome with other health complications that required frequent medical care. My other sister was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2009. I was just a child, but those experiences left an imprint on me that has shaped the course of my life. What stood out to me most during those hospital stays wasn’t just the procedures or the treatments, it was the nurses. They cared for my sisters with such compassion, patience, and skill. They never treated us like a burden. They listened, explained, comforted, and showed us warmth in the darkest moments. As a kid, I didn’t have the words for it, but I remember thinking, I want to be like them when I grow up. That desire never faded. Nursing, to me, is not just a career but it’s a calling. It’s about showing up for others in their most vulnerable times and offering not just care, but hope. I enrolled in nursing school for the first time in 2018, but unfortunately had to withdraw due to financial hardship. It was a difficult decision, but one that taught me how much this dream truly meant to me. I never let go of it. After working for several years and regaining my footing, I’ve now returned to school with renewed determination to finish what I started. My goal is to become a pediatric or critical care nurse, two areas that have touched my life personally and that I feel deeply connected to. I want to care for children like my sisters and support families who are going through what mine once did. I want to bring a sense of calm to situations filled with fear and uncertainty. Ultimately, I hope to not only provide excellent care at the bedside, but also advocate for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses who often face gaps in access and understanding. While I don’t have clinical experience yet, I’ve spent my life learning through caregiving. I’ve developed patience, empathy, and resilience which are all qualities I believe will make me a strong nurse. I’m also planning to begin a nurse extern position after my first semester, which will give me the hands-on experience I need to grow into this role with confidence. I am proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m even more excited about where I’m going. Nursing is personal for me and I’m ready to serve, learn, and give back to the field that helped shape my life. I found this scholarship on my own while browsing through Bold.org and thought I would be a great match.

The nursing industry interests me as a career choice because it represents everything I value: compassion, resilience, service, and human connection. My passion for nursing began in childhood, shaped by the personal experiences I had growing up with two sisters who were often in and out of hospitals. One of my sisters has Down syndrome with multiple medical complications, and the other was diagnosed with leukemia. Sadly, she passed away in 2009. Spending so much time in hospitals during those early years gave me a firsthand view of how powerful nursing care can be, not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually. The nurses we encountered cared for my sisters with such kindness and skill. I admired their strength and presence in times of crisis and healing, and from that point on, I knew I wanted to be like them. My goal for a successful career is to become a Pediatric Nurse, someone who can care for children and families facing the kind of challenges I’ve personally experienced. I want to be the nurse who helps a child feel safe and comforted during uncertain times and who supports parents who are doing their best to stay strong. Long-term, I also hope to be an advocate for healthcare access in underserved communities, especially for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. While I don’t yet have any formal medical experience, I believe my life has prepared me in many meaningful ways. Growing up in a caregiving environment has taught me patience, empathy, and how to stay calm under pressure. These are skills that can’t be taught in a classroom but are essential to being a great nurse. I’ve also worked hard to return to school after my nursing journey was interrupted in 2018 due to financial hardship. Restarting my education has been a personal accomplishment I’m proud of because it reflects my dedication and commitment to finishing what I started. Now that I’m back in school, I’m even more motivated to stay on this path. After completing my first semester, I plan to apply for a nurse extern position to gain hands-on clinical experience. I’m eager to begin learning in a hospital setting, observing seasoned nurses, and building the practical skills I’ll need to succeed in the profession. While I may not have direct experience yet, I am driven, teachable, and ready to take every opportunity to grow. Nursing is not just a career to me but it’s a deeply personal mission. It’s about honoring the memory of my sister, showing up for families like mine, and using my heart and knowledge to make someone’s life just a little bit better. I know I have what it takes to be a great nurse, and I am committed to putting in the work to get there.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to nursing—not just as a career, but as a calling. My passion comes from deep, personal experiences. I grew up in hospitals, not as a patient, but as a sister. One of my sisters has Down syndrome and multiple medical complications, so hospital visits became a part of everyday life. I spent countless days and nights in waiting rooms, watching nurses not only care for her physical needs, but also bring comfort and dignity to my family during some of our hardest times. Then August 2009 my world changed forever. My other sister passed away from leukemia, the day before my 9th birthday. She was brave and strong, and the nurses who cared for her were nothing short of angels. They held our hands, answered our questions, and treated us like family. Watching them work so calm under pressure, and so full of compassion planted a seed in me that has only grown stronger over the years. In 2018, I took my first steps toward becoming a nurse. I enrolled in school with so much hope, ready to follow the path I had dreamed about for years. But not long into the journey, financial hardship forced me to put my education on hold. It was heartbreaking to walk away from something I cared about so deeply. Still, I never gave up on the dream. Now, I’m back in school with renewed determination. I know what it means to have a second chance, and I’m ready to make the most of it. I want to specialize in pediatric or critical care nursing, two fields where I can give back in the same way nurses once gave to my family. I believe that no child should ever feel alone or afraid in a hospital, and I want to be the kind of nurse who brings peace and comfort in the midst of pain. To prepare for this next step, I’ve spent the last few years learning, working, and growing. I’ve volunteered in healthcare settings, studied anatomy and medical terminology, and stayed close to the world of medicine through caregiving roles. These experiences have only strengthened my passion and commitment. Returning to school hasn’t been easy. Balancing classes with bills and responsibilities is a daily challenge. But what keeps me going is the vision I have for the future: standing at a hospital bedside, advocating for a child, supporting a family, and using both my knowledge and my heart to make a difference. Receiving this scholarship would not only help ease the financial stress that once forced me to pause my education but it would help me move forward with full focus, ready to become the nurse I’ve always wanted to be.