Greetings! I am Mikayla Simms, and I'm stoked to share my journey and aspirations. Originally I am from Annapolis, MD but I am currently living in Glen Burnie, MD, I've always had a passion for Human Sciences. Following this, I am currently a Freshman studying Pre-Nursing at Towson University. Not to mention, as I finished my first semester in College, I am proud to announce that I made it on the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA. However, before attending Towson, I've had the opportunity to delve into numerous Medical Terminology courses and obtain a certification in Clinical Medical Assisting. This experience has ignited my interest and sealed the love I have always had for Nursing/Human Sciences. Outside of academics, I'm committed to making a positive impact in my community. I've been actively involved with Sophisticated Grands Non-Profit Organization for the past 5 years, where I've had the privilege of engaging with a diverse range of individuals, each with a unique story to share. I was lucky enough to help aid in the academic improvement of students in Elementary and Middle School who struggle with reading, writing, math, or science(a personal favorite). After each Tuesday and Thursday session, seeing the gratitude on each student's face afterward was truly a rewarding experience. However, every person I have encountered has not only enriched my perspective but has also honed my skills in empathy and leadership. Looking ahead, my career aspirations revolve around becoming a Nurse Practitioner, where I hope to build lasting relationships with other healthcare professionals to create a healthy patient-focused environment. I also aspire to be a patient advocate and work towards addressing disparities in healthcare. As I look further to the future, I see the opportunity to grow as a leader and possibly aid in the healthcare system globally. Overall, I am committed to success and bringing people into the community of success with me. I believe that each experience, whether in education or community involvement, has shaped me into the resilient individual I am today. To return to the heart of this essay, since I am dedicated to excellence, I was willing to take any risks necessary to attend a University to reach the goal of my dreams! In return, my student debt in the first year averages out to be $6,000. Paying down my student loans will aid in significant financial relief. My primary focus has always been on financial stability and future planning. A portion of the saved money will go towards building an emergency fund for the upcoming college semester. Not to mention, I would have enough money to take the Math 135/ Statistics course at the Anne Arundel Community College, which I need to apply for the Nursing Program. Not only will this save me an academic and financial burden, but it creates a larger opportunity for me to look beyond furthering my education, possibly getting a step into the hospital on a internship, or obtaining a new certification. In conclusion, repaying my student loans is a pathway to personal and professional growth. As I navigate this process, my commitment to a life of leadership and continuous learning will guide my decisions. By strategically using the funds saved, I aim to build a solid foundation for both immediate stability and long-term success. The earning of this scholarship will always have a point of gratitude in my life because of the opportunities that it reveals to me.

I want to be a person who experiences and provides genuine happiness but never stops learning.

Being an advocate is more than supporting a cause, being an advocate means taking the risks and challenges to be the change. With research, in 2022, there were over 19,000 medical malpractice lawsuits, this seemed to be the rate for a few years now. Many of these lawsuits followed racial discrimination allegations. Unfortunately, this is not a new occurrence in the United States. In fact, these allegations surrounding racial discrimination have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic. I have known I wanted to be a nurse for years now and to create equality and show advocacy has always been a main goal of mine in my nursing career. Since birth, racial discrimination was inevitable for me to get away from. My Aunt has shared stories about her experiences of giving birth to my cousins. Though she lived in Annapolis, MD she has to travel all the way to a hospital in Baltimore(while in labor) because they were the only hospital at the time that treated African American birthing mothers. This personal story, along with many I have read about how doctors or nurses have disregarded symptoms of a patient, and shown many acts of negligence because of their race or many other factors. Though with many acts and laws in place you would think that by it being illegal, people would refrain from acting on these things. As a nurse or a doctor, your only duty is to provide exceptional care. Race, age, gender, and other distinctive characteristics should not dictate the basic level of care. With lasting efforts to be a continuous advocate by taking risks. This has led to my decision to be a Family Nurse Practitioner in the end. I would be surrounded by all different ages and people to be a positive reflection of someone. Maybe a little brown girl would feel like it's possible despite what the world says. I want to create a sense of comfort in a person by being a friendly and representative face. Importantly, not only will I add color to the health community, I will be adding comfort. Also, as an advocate, I believe you have to stand for everyone who is unrepresented. My goal is not solely based on aiding in the lives of African American people, that is just a personal cause that has motivated me. As a nurse, It is a must that l will represent everybody by treating them as their own. I plan to analyze and listen carefully to each and every person I encounter. I also want to be a safe space for others to be able to express their concern and listen to what they complain about as they are the ones experiencing it. As I have been in a lot of clubs and scientific classes in high school, with my complex level of communication. I am very certain that I will be sure to communicate directly with other healthcare workers to be sure that the standard precautions and necessary things are met. Most importantly, I will allow and speak up about the patient's rights if I witness any person neglecting their rights. There are many people have an irrational fear when it comes to going to doctors offices and it is my duty to try and reverse that fear. Healthcare workers should be able to be one of the safest people as people come to them at some of the worst moments of their lives.

"You have one minute remaining"... As an African American individual in America, I statistically will end up in two places in life: jail, or six feet under the ground. Unfortunately, I do get some slack as I am a woman, and men have it tougher. However, this stigma inflicted an underlying fear in my heart as I was in constant worry about my older brothers. Not only has the thought of incarceration altered my way of thinking, but incarceration has altered my life. As an infant, my father adored me, at least that is what photos, and other family members may argue. However, when I was old enough to remember, I only spoke to my father through a small glass, or over the phone for a limited amount of time. There have been continuous weeks where I couldn't even speak with my father because the jail has been on lockdown. Our relationship has been fulfilled through promises. Unfortunately, he did not keep it. My father was a unique man, who had struggles of his own, and made many promises that were not kept. I feel as though, in the early years of my life, if my father was not incarcerated and near me, I would be way more forgiving. To be fair, I do not turn my father away, but I do not trust him, as he continues to make promises he fails to keep. Sometimes, he will re-enter my life and quickly turn away, which triggers the little girl in my body who sits by the phone waiting for my father to call. I believe that incarceration has modified my trust in men, specifically greatly. It has left me with a fear of being abandoned, and I believe this experience is why I am so protective over my brothers, as I do not want them to be non-existent to me as my father was following his incarceration. As I become the Nurse I want to be, it is taking me miles away from the little girl my father thought he knew. As a nurse, I believe I could instill trust in those who lack trust in those who are supposed to care for them, as I lacked trust in my father. The lack of support from my two parents has pushed me even harder to reach for what I want as a healthcare professional. Nursing is such a career filled with love for helping a variety of people that I have always wanted to be a part of. Admittedly, it is emotionally tough, yet awarding and I would love to be a part of it. Lacking a parent means lacking finances and paying for my dream is rigorous and expensive as well. This scholarship could honestly give me the boost that I truly do need to succeed.