
Memphis, TN
Age
17
Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Black/African
Hobbies and interests
HOSA
Nursing
Medicine
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Makayla Springfield
1x
Finalist
Makayla Springfield
1x
FinalistBio
Nursing is my lifelong dream. I have taken several heath related classes, including anatomy, to prepare for my future in the medical field. I also hold both my own OSHA 10 and CPR certification. There words I would use to describe myself are the extroverted, passionate, and empathetic. Coming from single parent household
Education
White Station High School
High SchoolGPA:
3.9
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Adam Montes Pride Scholarship
I learned how to read a room before I ever learned how to feel at home in one.
Growing up, it was just me and my mom. We moved a lot, so nothing ever felt permanent. New houses, new schools, new starts. I would unpack my things and think, this time we will stay. Sometimes we did, but not always. After a while, I stopped getting too comfortable. That is when I became more observant. I paid attention to people their tone, their moods, the things they did not say. It was easier to adjust that way.
We did not always have much either. Some nights dinner was noodles, or cereal without milk. It was not something I talked about, but I noticed it. I noticed how hard my mom worked and how she still tried to make things feel normal. Watching her handle everything on her own taught me what strength looks like, even if I did not fully understand it at the time.
Being raised like that shaped me in ways I am still figuring out. I am more aware of people than I used to be. If someone seems off, I notice. If someone feels left out, I feel it too, in a way. I think that’s part of what makes me different. I do not just move through spacesI pay attention to them.
I am also a first generation college student, which honestly can feel confusing sometimes. There is no guidebook at home, no one to walk me through every step. I have had to ask questions, figure things out on my own, and sometimes just hope I am doing things right. But instead of letting that stop me, I have pushed myself harder.
One of the things I am most proud of is graduating a year early while doing night school and completing my Health Science classes. It was not easy. There were days I was tired and did not feel like I was doing enough, even though I was doing a lot. I also earned my OSHA 10 certification, which made me feel like I was building something for my future.
I plan to go into nursing and earn my BSN. I do not know every detail of my future yet, but I know I want to help people in an authentic way. I want to be there for people during moments when they feel scared or unsure. My past gave me that kind of understanding.
I am not perfect, and I do not have a perfect story. But I have learned how to keep going, even when things feel uncertain. And that is what makes me stand out I do not give up, and I do not forget where I came from.
Hearts on Sleeves, Minds in College Scholarship
I remember a moment when I knew I should speak, and I did not. It was a normal class day, nothing special, but the teacher asked a question, and I knew the answer right away. I felt that quick moment of confidence like, okay, I know this. But I did not raise my hand. I just sat there, looking down, waiting. Someone else answered, and the class moved on. It was small, but it stayed with me longer than I expected.
For a while, that was just how I was. Quiet. Not because I did not have thoughts, but because I was not always sure they were worth sharing. Growing up, I moved around a lot and never really felt settled, so I got used to seeing first. Speaking up felt like a risk I did not always want to take. I would overthink everything what if I p wrong, or what if it did not come out right? Most of the time, staying quiet felt easier.
But something shifted during one of my Health Science classes. We were working in a group, and I noticed something in our assignment that did not seem right. I remember going back and forth in my head, almost hoping someone else would point it out so I would not have to. No one did. I hesitated, longer than I should have, and then I said something. It was not confident I even started with, “I might be wrong, but…” Still, I said it.
And I was right.
It was not a big moment to anyone else, but it mattered to me. It made me realize how often I held myself back, not because I did not know, but because I doubted myself. After that, I started trying to speak up more, even when I felt unsure. Not perfectly, and not every time, but more than before.
What I have learned is that confidence does not always come first. Sometimes you must speak, even when you are unsure, and let the confidence build after. I still hesitate sometimes, but I do not let it stop me the way it used to.
As I plan for a future in nursing, I know using my voice will matter. Nurses must speak up for their patients, for safety, for care. I want to be someone who does that, even in difficult moments.
Looking back, I understand why I stayed quiet. But I also know I am growing into someone who does not stay silent when it matters.
Second Chance Scholarship
When I think about my childhood, I picture a little girl who was often quiet and a little sad, even if people did not notice. My mom raised me on her own, and she worked hard to keep us going, but life was not always stable. We moved around a lot when I was younger new homes, new schools, new rooms. I would unpack my things and hope, this place will be the one we stay in. Sometimes it was. Sometimes it was not.
That kind of instability can make a kid feel lost. I did not always know how to explain it, but I carried a lot of quiet emotions. I was sensitive, more more than most people realized. There were times when I felt lonely or unsure of where I belonged. At the same time, I watched my mom keep going. She did not have much help, but she kept trying to build a better life for us. Looking back, that took a lot of strength. It taught me that even when life is not perfect, effort and care matter.
Those experiences shaped me and made me more aware of people’s feelings. When someone looks tired, overwhelmed, or just off, I notice. Empathy comes from remembering what it felt like to be that little girl carrying more than she could say. It is also why I want a future where I can help people, even in small ways, through support and care.
I want to make a change in my life because I want to take my experiences and use them for good. That is why I have chosen nursing and why I plan to earn my BSN. I have taken steps toward this goal by focusing on academics, completing Health Science courses, earning my OSHA 10 certification, and attending night school to stay on track while juggling responsibilities. I am graduating a year early, which has been challenging but rewarding. Late nights and extra effort have taught me discipline, time management, and that I can push through even when things feel overwhelming.
This scholarship would help me continue pursuing my goal by easing financial stress and allowing me to focus on school and clinical experience. I also hope to pay it forward by using what I learn to support others comforting patients, mentoring students, or simply being someone who notices when others feel unseen. In some ways, I am still that little girl moving from place to place, hoping someone would notice but now I get to be the person who notices others.
Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship
When I think about my childhood, I picture a little girl who was often quiet and a little sad, even if people didn’t always notice it right away. My mom raised me on her own, and she worked hard to keep us going, but life wasn’t always stable. We moved around a lot when I was younger. New places, new cities , and very often new schools. I remember unpacking bags and thinking, maybe this place will be the one we stay in for a while. Sometimes it was. Sometimes it wasn’t.
As a kid, that kind of instability can make you feel a little lost. I didn’t always know how to explain it then, but I think I carried a lot of quiet emotions. I was sensitive, maybe more than most people realized. There were moments when I felt lonely or unsure about where I belonged. At the same time, I watched my mom keep pushing forward. She didn’t have much help, but she kept trying to build something better for us. Looking back now, I think that took a lot of strength.
Growing up that way shaped me more than I probably understood at the time. It made me more aware of peoples feelings. When someone looks tired, or overwhelmed, or just a little off I tend to notice. Maybe that comes from remembering what it felt like to be that quiet kid who was dealing with a lot inside. I think those experiences gave me a kind of empathy that you can’t really learn from a textbook.
Because of that, I often imagine a future where I can use that empathy to help others. I don’t have every step of my career completely planned yet, and honestly I’m still figuring parts of it out. But I know I want to do something meaningful. Something where I can support people who might be going through difficult moments in their lives. Whether that’s through healthcare or another path that helps people feel seen and cared for, I think that’s where my strengths are.
In a way, the little girl who moved from place to place and sometimes felt sad taught me something important. She taught me how much stability, kindness, and understanding matter. Those things might seem small from the outside, but to someone who really needs them, they can mean everything.
So when I think about the future, I don’t just see a career. I see the chance to create the kind of support and care that I once needed myself. And maybe, in some quiet way, that’s how I turn those early experiences into something good for someone else.
Nabi Nicole Grant Memorial Scholarship
The night the lights went out in our apartment, my mom lit a small candle so we could still see the table. Dinner was just noodles. I remember sitting there, kind of quiet, thinking about how strange it felt that something as simple as electricity could disappear and suddenly everything felt heavier. My mom didn’t panic, though. She just said softly, “God will make a way.” At the time I didn’t fully understand what she meant, but I think that was one of the first moments where I started relying on faith without really realizing it.
I grew up mostly with my mom. She handled everything on her own, which I didn’t appreciate fully when I was younger, but I do now. My father was around for a while when I was little, but his behavior was abusive and created a lot of tension in our home. It made things confusing and sometimes frightening. Eventually he was permanently removed from my life. That change was difficult in its own way, but it also brought a sense of safety that had been missing before.
During that time, faith slowly became something I leaned on. Not in a dramatic way, just in small moments. Sometimes it was praying quietly before bed, or reminding myself that things would not always feel this hard. I think faith gave me a sense that my story was still being written, even when parts of it felt messy.
One challenge where I really relied on that belief was when I decided to graduate a year early. It sounded exciting when I first thought about it, but once I actually started planning it out, I realized how much work it would be. I had to stay on top of my classes, meet with counselors often, and constantly check that I was still on track with work. There were a few moments when I wondered if I had pushed myself too far. I remember sitting with my planner one night, looking at everything I had to finish, and just feeling overwhelmed for a minute.
That’s when I went back to what my mom always said trust God and keep going. So I did. I kept showing up to class, kept asking questions when I wasn’t sure about something, and kept reminding myself why I started in the first place. Eventually things started falling into place. I completed my Health Science classes, earned my OSHA 10 certification, and stayed on track to graduate early.
Looking back, I don’t think faith magically removed the obstacles in my life. If anything, the obstacles were still very real. But faith helped me keep moving through them instead of feeling stuck. It gave me patience and a little bit of hope when things felt uncertain.
I believe maybe that’s what faith really did for me it helped me believe that difficult beginnings don’t have to decide the rest of your story. I still carry that belief with me as I keep working toward my goals.
Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship
Strength isn’t loud in my life. It looks like my mom coming home tired but still asking about my homework. It looks like noodles for dinner or cereal with no milk, but still hearing, “Keep going.” Growing up with a divorced single mom taught me early that nothing is promised. If I want something, I have to work for it.
I skipped 11th grade and went straight to 12th because I refuse to move at an average pace when I know I’m capable of more. I take health related classes and dual credit courses because I plan to become a Registered Nurse. I want to work in healthcare not just for a paycheck, but because I know what it feels like to need help and not always have it. I want to care for families who are scared, confused, or struggling. Nursing is more than a career to me its everything
In my community, I try to lead by example. I help classmates when they don’t understand assignments and encourage younger students to take school seriously. Sometimes being there for someone just means listening. I check on people who seem left out and remind them they matter. I believe small actions make a big difference. You don’t have to be famous to change someone’s day.
Financially, college feels heavy. My mom works hard, but we live paycheck to paycheck. Tuition, books, fees it all adds up fast. There isn’t extra money saved for college. Scholarships would take real pressure off my family. It would mean I can focus on my education instead of stressing about how to afford it. It would mean less debt and more freedom to chase my goals.
Keeping kids and teens safe from bullying is important to me because I’ve seen how fast words can hurt. In person, I speak up if I see someone getting picked on. I don’t laugh at jokes that cross the line. Online, I’m careful about what I post and share. I remind others that screens don’t make words less painful. I encourage friends to block, report, and tell a trusted adult if cyberbullying happens. Staying silent only helps the bully.
I may not come from a wealthy background, but I come from resilience. I carry my mom’s sacrifices with me every day. Higher education isn’t just about getting a degree it’s about breaking cycles and building something better. I’m ready to work for it.
Wicked Fan Scholarship
My love for Wicked began long before the movie was ever announced. As a kid, I grew up listening to Ariana Grande, and she quickly became the first artist I truly admired. Her voice, her confidence, and the way she carried herself made me feel like anything was possible. So when I learned she would be playing Glinda in the Wicked movie, it felt like two worlds I loved were finally coming together.
But my connection to Wicked goes deeper than just the cast. The story itself especially the journey of Elphaba has always resonated with me. Watching a character who feels misunderstood learn to embrace her power and identity is incredibly inspiring. The musical’s themes of friendship, courage, and staying true to yourself hit even harder as I’ve gotten older. Songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” aren’t just beautiful they’re emotional reminders that growth often requires bravery, and that the people we meet can change us in lasting ways.
Seeing Ariana step into Glinda’s shoes has made the story feel even more personal. She has always represented confidenceand watching her take on such an iconic role encouraged me to step into my own challenges with more courage. Wicked reminds me that even when the world misunderstands you, you can still rise, still shine, and still choose kindness.
I’m a fan of Wicked because it combines everything I love powerful music, unforgettable characters, and a message that encourages me to believe in myself. It’s a story that has stayed with me, shaped me, and continues to inspire me to “defy gravity” in my own life.
Sabrina Carpenter Superfan Scholarship
From the moment I first watched Sabrina Carpenter bring Maya Hart to life on Girl Meets World, I felt like I had discovered someone who understood the messy, funny, complicated process of growing up. Maya’s mix of humor, vulnerability, and resilience reflected so much of what I was feeling at the time, and Sabrina’s performance made me feel seen in a way few characters ever had. What started as admiration for a TV character quickly grew into a deep appreciation for Sabrina as an artist, musician, and person.
As I got older, her music became the soundtrack to some of my most defining moments. Songs like “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please” showed me how powerful it can be to blend honesty with humor to acknowledge your flaws, your desires, and your fears without apologizing for them. Sabrina’s ability to write lyrics that are both playful and emotionally sharp taught me that vulnerability doesn’t have to be heavy, it can be empowering, witty, and even joyful.
Her evolution from Disney star to confident, genre bending musician has inspired me to embrace my own growth. Watching her fearlessly reinvent herself encouraged me to pursue opportunities I once felt unqualified for. When I doubted my abilities, I thought about how Sabrina kept pushing forward experimenting, taking risks, and refusing to be boxed in. That mindset helped me apply for leadership roles, audition for programs, and share my creative work publicly for the first time.
Beyond her performances, Sabrina’s use of her platform to address issues like self expression and empowerment has shaped the way I think about my own impact. She shows that artistry isn’t just about talent it is about connection. It’s about using your voice to uplift others, spark conversations, and remind people they’re not alone. That’s the kind of impact I hope to make in my own career, whether through creative work, community involvement, or simply showing up authentically in the spaces I occupy.
Being a fan of Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just about enjoying her music or following her career. It’s about learning from her example: to stay ambitious, to stay curious, and to stay true to myself even when the world feels overwhelming. Her journey has taught me that growth is not a straight line, reinvention is a strength, and confidence is something you build not something you’re born with.
Sabrina has inspired me to dream bigger, work harder, and believe that my voice has value. That’s why I’m proud to call myself a fan and why her career continues to shape the person I’m becoming.
Taylor Swift Fan Scholarship
The first time I truly understood the power of Taylor Swift as a performer was when I watched her sing “All Too Well” at the Grammy Awards. I had heard the song before, but that live performance felt different. It wasn’t just a song it felt like a story unfolding right in front of me.
The stage looked simple, almost like a fall scene from a memory. Taylor performed with so much emotion, but she wasn’t overly dramatic. She stood confidently, telling the story with small expressions and soft movements that made it feel real. You could hear the quiet in the audience. Everyone was locked in. It felt like she turned a huge award show into a personal conversation.
What moved me most was how she showed growth. The song is about heartbreak, but when she performed it, she didn’t seem broken. She seemed strong. It felt like she was reclaiming her story instead of being hurt by it. That really inspired me because it showed that pain can turn into power. You can go through something hard and still stand tall later.
As someone who finds comfort in her music, that performance reminded me why so many people connect to her. Taylor doesn’t just sing songs she relives them, reshapes them, and shares them in a way that makes fans feel understood. That Grammy performance wasn’t just entertaining. It was healing, empowering, and unforgettable
Love Island Fan Scholarship
As a big fan of Love Island, I think the best challenges are the ones that expose real feelings while still being fun and a little messy. My new challenge is called “Switch the Spark.”
In this challenge, each Islander writes down the name of the person in the villa (besides their current partner) they feel the most curious about. They also write one reason why whether it’s physical attraction, personality, or just unfinished tension. The answers stay secret at first.
Then, the Islanders randomly draw names and are paired up for a 10-minute “spark date.” During the date, they must complete three mini tasks: hold eye contact for 30 seconds, answer one deep question about relationships, and give each other one genuine compliment. Meanwhile, their current partners watch short clips of the dates from the villa.
After all the dates are finished, everyone gathers around the firepit. The host reveals who wrote whose name down. If two people chose each other, they win a private sunset date. If someone picked a person who didn’t pick them back, that gets revealed too which definitely brings tension.
This challenge would add excitement because it exposes hidden crushes and tests loyalty in a real way. “Love Island” is all about connection, temptation, and bold moves, and “Switch the Spark” would push Islanders to either stay solid in their couple or finally explore more relationships and keep it fun.
Sammy Hason, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
When I think about healthcare, I don’t picture a quiet hospital hallway with perfect lighting and calm music playing in the background. I think about my aunt sitting on the edge of her bed, leaning forward, trying to catch her breath like it kept slipping away from her. I remember pretending not to stare. Pretending it was normal. But it wasn’t. Breathing is supposed to be automatic. Watching someone have to fight for it changes how you see everything.
That’s probably where this started for me to be honest .
I didn’t grow up knowing medical terms or understanding lung disease. I just knew that something as basic as air could become a struggle. I noticed how tired she looked after simple tasks. How conversations had pauses in the middle because she needed a second. It made me realize that illness doesn’t just affect the body. It affects confidence. Mood. Even the way someone moves through their own house.
I want to start my career in nursing because nurses are the ones who stay. They’re in the room when things get overwhelming. They notice the small changes even when a patient’s breathing sounds tighter, when their shoulders rise a little higher with each inhale. For people with lung disease or rare medical conditions, those details matter. These patients sometimes feel like medical mysteries, like their charts are thicker than everyone else’s. That can make them feel isolated, even in a hospital full of people.
I want to be the kind of nurse who doesn’t treat rare as strange. I want to ask questions, learn constantly, and advocate for patients when they feel unheard. Especially in communities like mine, where sometimes people don’t always feel fully listened to in healthcare settings. As a young Black woman, I have seen the hesitation in them , the quiet distrust. I want to be part of changing that. I want patients to see someone who understands, or at least tries to.
Improving someones life does not always mean curing them. I had to learn that. At first, I thought if I couldn’t fix the disease, then what was the point? But I’ve realized helping someone manage their symptoms better, educating families so they aren’t scared of every cough, or simply sitting beside a patient during a breathing treatment that’s real impact. That’s real care.
Long term, I hope to specialize in respiratory care or work closely with patients who have rare conditions. I want to stay curious. Research. Push for better treatment options. Maybe even help connect families to clinical trials or support groups so they don’t feel alone in it.
I don’t have every detail figured out yet. Some days the path feels clear. Other days it feels overwhelming. But I know this, I want to help people breathe easier. Not just physically, but emotionally too and if my career can give someone even a little more comfort or a little more strength, then I’ll know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Zedikiah Randolph Memorial Scholarship
When I was younger, I spent hours playing Roblox. I liked the games where you took care of characters, built things, or helped others “survive” challenges. Back then, it just felt fun. Looking back, I think it was something else too. I liked being responsible. I liked helping. I liked making sure everyone was okay, even if it was just a screen and a character with a blinking health bar.
I’m a Black student raised by a single mother, and growing up with her shaped how I see the world. She carried a lot on her own. Some days were rushed, some days were exhausting, but she never stopped showing up. Watching her taught me early that care isn’t always soft or quiet sometimes it’s strong, consistent, and done without recognition. I didn’t call it resilience then. I just knew it mattered.
As I got older, my interest in helping people became more real. I gravitated toward health related classes like Anatomy and Health Science, and way before hand also Sociology. Anatomy showed me how complex and amazing the human body is. Sociology made me pause. It showed me that health is deeply connected to race, income, stress, and access. It opened my eyes seeing how everything in different perspectives than one.That hit close to home. People don’t experience healthcare the same way, and many communities especially including black communities are underserved and unheard.
I chose nursing because it blends science with humanity. Nurses are often the ones patients see the most. They listen. They explain. They comfort. That role feels right to me. I’m friendly by nature, observant, and I care deeply about how people feel in stressful moments. Earning my CPR and OSHA 10 certifications confirmed that I belong in healthcare, not just academically, but emotionally too.
I also challenged myself by graduating early and skipping 11th grade. It wasn’t easy. Life already felt fast, and that choice made it faster. I doubted myself at times. But I finished, and in doing so, I learned discipline, confidence, and grit.
Black nurses remain underrepresented in healthcare. Representation matters. When patients see someone who looks like them, trust can grow faster. Comfort comes easier. I want to be part of changing that. I plan to work in underserved communities and mentor younger Black students so they can see nursing as something possible, not distant.
What started as helping characters in a game grew into a real purpose. I want to care for real people, in real moments, when it matters most. That’s how I plan to make a difference not perfectly, but sincerely.
Losinger Nursing Scholarship
1. I don’t think my interest in nursing came from one big moment. It was more like a buildup of small ones that kept tapping me on the shoulder. Waiting rooms. Late appointments. Watching how quickly fear shows up when health feels uncertain. I remember noticing nurses more than doctors. The way they explained things again, softer the second time. The way they could tell when someone needed reassurance instead of information. That stuck with me.
Growing up, I saw how medical issues didn’t just affect the patient, they affected everyone around them. Emotions ran high. Stress sat heavy. Sometimes answers came fast, sometimes they didn’t come at all. What made a difference was when a nurse treated people like they mattered beyond the problem they walked in with. Even on rushed days, there were nurses who tried. Who cared enough to notice small things. I think that effort meant more than they probably realized.
As I got older, I started thinking seriously about my future, and nursing kept coming back up. I like that it’s practical and emotional at the same time. You’re using science, but you’re also using intuition. You’re working with your hands, your mind, and your heart, all at once. That feels right to me. It feels honest. Nursing isn’t glamorous, but it’s impactful, and that matters more.
I want to be a nurse because I want to show up for people when they feel vulnerable. I want to offer care that’s skilled, but also personal. Nursing feels like a way to turn empathy into something useful, something steady. And I think, in my own imperfect way, I’d be good at that.
2. When I hear the phrase “human touch,” I don’t only think about physical contact. I think about presence. About intention. About the small ways someone shows they care when they don’t have to. Human touch is a nurse sitting down instead of rushing out. It’s explaining a procedure like the patient has never heard it before, because maybe they haven’t processed it yet. It’s treating people gently, even on hard days.
In healthcare, everything can start to feel mechanical. Charts, numbers, schedules. Necessary things, but cold if that’s all there is. Human touch brings warmth back into the room. It reminds patients that they aren’t a burden or an inconvenience. Sometimes that reassurance is just as healing as the treatment itself. I’ve seen how a calm voice or patient explanation can ease anxiety almost instantly. That matters.
Human touch builds trust, and trust changes outcomes. When patients feel respected, they speak up more. They’re honest about symptoms. They ask questions instead of pretending they understand. That leads to better care. It also helps patients feel less alone, which is important, especially in moments when fear is loud. Illness can make people feel powerless. Human touch gives some of that power back.
For nurses, human touch isn’t always easy. Long shifts, emotional exhaustion, and pressure can make it tempting to disconnect. But I think that’s exactly why it’s so important. It keeps the work meaningful. It reminds nurses why they chose this profession in the first place. Human touch doesn’t mean perfection. It means effort. It means showing up as a person, not just a professional.
To me, human touch is the heart of nursing. It’s what turns care into comfort. It’s what patients remember long after they forget the details. And it’s what I hope to bring into every room I walk into as a future nurse.
Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship
I think the first time money really clicked for me was over something small. Not a huge crisis just standing in a store with my mom while she quietly put an item back on the shelf. Nothing dramatic happened but I remember the pause. That tiny moment said a lot, it made me realize money isn’t just about buying things, it’s about decisions you don’t always want to make. I didn’t fully understand it then but I felt it and that feeling stayed with me.
Most of my financial education didn’t come from a class. It came from watching. Listening. Picking up on tension when bills were due or relief when something extra worked out. I saw how quickly money could disappear, even when people worked hard for it and sometimes, honestly, it felt unfair, like no matter how much effort went in, there was still stress on the other side. I learned early that not having a plan makes everything harder. At the same time, I learned resilience. I saw people stretch dollars, adjust, and keep going anyway.
School didn’t really fill in the gaps. Financial education felt rushed or surface level and a lot of the real learning happened through trial and error. I’ve made small mistakes, spending without thinking, assuming I’d “figure it out later.” Later comes fast. Those moments taught me that money needs attention, even when you’re busy, tired, or overwhelmed. Especially then. I realized that being unprepared financially doesn’t just cost money, it costs peace of mind.
As I’ve grown, I’ve started to see financial literacy as a form of self respect. Knowing how to budget, save, and manage credit feels like protecting my future self. I don’t want money to be something I avoid or fear. I want it to be something I understand well enough to use wisely, even imperfectly. I’m still learning, still unsure at times, but I know knowledge gives me options, and options matter.
In the future, I plan to use what I learn about finances to build stability first. Not perfection! just stability . I want to save consistently, manage my money intentionally, and make decisions that support my long term goals instead of just surviving the moment. Financial education will help me break cycles of stress and replace them with confidence .I want a future where money doesn’t control my choices, but supports them. And maybe that sounds simple but honestly that’s the goal.
Carolyn Hawkins Memorial Scholarship
The IB Learner Profile traits that are most prominent in my character are caring, reflective, communicator, thinker, and balanced. These traits influence how I interact with others, how I handle challenges, and how I grow as a person. I may not always notice them in the moment, but when I look at my everyday actions and decisions, these qualities clearly show who I am.
One of the strongest traits I demonstrate is caring. I genuinely care about the people around me and try to be supportive whenever I can. If a friend is struggling, I make an effort to listen and offer help instead of ignoring the situation. Even small actions, like checking in on someone or giving encouragement, matter to me. Being caring also means showing empathy and patience, especially when people are having a hard time. I understand that everyone is dealing with something, so I try to be kind and respectful in how I treat others.
Another important trait I have is being reflective. I often think about my choices and how they affect my life and the people around me. When I make mistakes, I don’t just brush them off. I take time to think about what went wrong and what I can learn from it. This helps me grow and make better decisions in the future. Being reflective also helps me understand my emotions and reactions, which is important for personal growth and maturity.
I am also a strong communicator. I feel comfortable expressing my thoughts and feelings in class discussions, group projects, and everyday conversations. I try to explain my ideas clearly and listen to others with an open mind. Communication helps me work well with different people and understand different perspectives. Outside of school, being a good communicator helps me build and maintain strong relationships by being honest and respectful.
Another trait that stands out is being a thinker. I try to approach problems carefully and think through my decisions before acting. In school, this helps me analyze information, solve problems, and make thoughtful choices. I don’t like rushing into decisions without understanding the situation first. Being a thinker helps me stay focused and responsible.
Lastly, I work toward being balanced. I understand the importance of managing my time between school, responsibilities, and personal life. I try to make time for rest, family, and activities I enjoy so I don’t feel overwhelmed. Staying balanced helps me maintain my mental and emotional well being.