Coming from a hardworking immigrant family, education has always been viewed as a pathway to creating a better future, not just for myself, but for my entire family. As the first in my family to attend college, I carry the weight of their sacrifices and the determination to build a career that makes a meaningful impact. That’s why I chose nursing. My passion for healthcare began in 2019 when my father had a total knee replacement. It was a difficult time for my family. Emotionally and financially but it also became a turning point for me. I was just a teenager, but I remember watching my dad go through the pain, the long recovery, and the moments of frustration when he couldn’t move the way he wanted to. Throughout the process, the nurses stood out to me more than anyone. They were the ones who explained what was happening in a way we could understand. They brought my dad warm blankets when he was cold, made sure his pain was under control, and reassured my worried mom when things were unclear. Their kindness and knowledge stuck with me. I remember thinking, “I want to do what they do. I want to be someone’s peace in the middle of all that fear.” As a Latina, I’ve also witnessed how language and cultural barriers can affect the quality of care people receive. I’ve seen family members struggle to communicate with healthcare professionals, leading to confusion, misdiagnoses, or simply feeling ignored. I want to be a nurse who helps close that gap. Someone who can connect with patients not only through medical expertise, but through shared language and understanding. Representation matters, especially in healthcare, and I’m proud to be part of a new generation of bilingual, culturally aware nurses. Being a first-generation college student comes with challenges. Navigating college systems alone, juggling jobs, and managing self-doubt but it’s also one of my greatest sources of pride. I’ve learned to be resilient, resourceful, and deeply motivated. Every exam I study for, every clinical I attend, and every late night I push through is done with the knowledge that I’m breaking barriers not just for myself, but for my family and future patients. My ultimate goal is to work in a hospital or clinic where I can serve diverse and underserved communities. I want to specialize in areas like pediatrics or rehabilitation—something that hits close to home after seeing my dad’s recovery process. No matter where this journey takes me, I will never forget why I started: to be a source of healing, advocacy, and dignity for every person I care for.

My name is Miranda, and I am a first-generation Mexican-American student currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Midland University. I also work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, gaining hands-on experience in patient care while continuing my education. I come from a family of immigrants and hard workers. People who have taught me that faith, perseverance, and compassion are some of the most powerful tools a woman can carry. Growing up in a rural community, I saw the quiet strength of women everywhere. I saw mothers juggling full-time jobs while caring for their children and elderly parents. I saw women who worked in fields, factories, and homes, who always put others first, often at the cost of their own health. My mother, one of the strongest women I know, often reminded me, “Dios está en todas partes.” God is in every corner of our lives in the blessings, in the struggles, and in the work we do for others. That message has shaped my values and the nurse I am becoming. I am passionate about making a positive impact in rural areas because I’ve witnessed the gaps in care that so many people, especially women, face. In small towns, healthcare access can mean long drives, language barriers, financial strain, or limited appointment availability. For women who are often the caretakers of the family, those challenges multiply. Some go without preventative care, mental health support, or reproductive services because they simply can’t access or afford them. I want to help change that. My goal is to return to a rural community as a registered nurse and provide direct, culturally competent care to the women who are so often overlooked. I plan to work in community clinics or hospitals where I can provide bilingual care, health education, and emotional support. I want to be the nurse who explains things clearly, who listens without rushing, and who treats every woman with the dignity and respect she deserves. Whether she’s coming in for a routine checkup or for something much more serious. I also hope to be involved in outreach efforts like mobile health clinics and educational workshops, especially in Spanish-speaking communities. Many women I grew up around avoided healthcare because of fear, embarrassment, or previous bad experiences. I want to be part of rebuilding trust between patients and providers, offering support not just as a nurse, but as someone who understands where they’re coming from. Mental health is another area I’m passionate about. As someone who lives with anxiety, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to ask for help. In rural areas, where resources are limited and stigma is still strong, many women suffer in silence. I want to help change that by creating spaces where women feel safe talking about their emotional health, and by connecting them with the care they deserve. This scholarship would not only help relieve financial stress, but also allow me to dedicate more time to my studies and service work. Every bit of support I receive now helps me give back in greater ways in the future. Rural women are the heart of their communities. They work hard, love deeply, and sacrifice daily but they shouldn’t have to do it alone. I plan to stand with them, serve them, and uplift them through healthcare that honors who they are and where they come from.

Living with anxiety has taught me more about strength, empathy, and resilience than any textbook ever could. While it’s something I’ve quietly carried for years, it’s also become one of the most powerful forces shaping who I am. Anxiety has a way of making even simple things feel overwhelming. It’s the racing thoughts, the tight chest, the overthinking, and the fear of not being “enough.” For a long time, I thought I had to hide that part of myself to be taken seriously. But over time, I’ve learned that vulnerability is not weakness, it’s strength. And now, I carry that belief into every part of my life. My experience with mental health has made me more compassionate and patient with myself and with others. I’ve learned to give people grace, because you never know what silent battles they’re fighting. This has changed how I show up in my relationships. I’m more intentional. I check in more. I listen more. I don’t just hear people, I feel them. That emotional awareness has helped me build deeper, more supportive connections, and it's something I carry into every room I walk into. It’s also played a major role in my career choice. As a first-generation, Mexican-American nursing student, I already knew I wanted to advocate for underserved communities. But struggling with anxiety has added another layer to that passion: mental health awareness in healthcare. Too often, mental health is overlooked, especially in communities of color. There’s stigma, lack of access, and a dangerous belief that we have to “just tough it out.” I want to be a nurse who not only treats the physical body but recognizes the emotional and mental struggles patients carry with them. As a CNA, I already see how small moments can mean everything, offering a calming presence, being patient with someone who’s scared, or simply reassuring them that they’re not alone. These are the moments that matter. My own experience with anxiety helps me pick up on the little signs others might miss. I’ve been the person who needed comfort, and now I get to be that person for someone else. Anxiety hasn’t been an easy part of my journey, but it’s one I’ve learned to embrace. It’s taught me to breathe, to slow down, and to keep going especially when things feel heavy. It’s also taught me that we don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. We just have to be present, real, and willing to care. In the future, I want to continue advocating for mental health in nursing. Whether it’s through patient care, education, or simply being someone who “gets it.” My hope is that by being honest about my own experience, I can help others feel less alone and more empowered to seek help and healing. My anxiety doesn’t define me—but it has shaped me into someone who leads with heart, listens without judgment, and aspires to heal in every sense of the word.

I come from a family of relentless workers and dreamers. My parents crossed borders, faced barriers, and sacrificed comfort so I could have a shot at something they never had: a college education. Every time I step into a classroom, I carry that legacy with me. I am the living proof of their courage. I am the breakthrough of generations of sacrifice. Being a first-generation, Mexican-American college student is more than just a personal milestone. It is a powerful statement that I am capable, I belong, and I will rise. I am passionate about being a first-generation college graduate because it represents the culmination of generations of sacrifice. Every early morning my parents spent working long hours, every bill they stressed over, every barrier they pushed through, it all leads to this. When I graduate, it won’t just be my diploma. It’ll be theirs, too. Being Mexican-American, I carry the richness of my culture everywhere I go. I carry our language, our warmth, our work ethic, and our pride. But I also carry the weight of the challenges we’ve faced. Whether it’s underrepresentation, language barriers, or being told we don’t belong in academic spaces. I've felt the sting of imposter syndrome and the frustration of having to figure everything out on my own. But I’ve also felt the strength of perseverance, and the fire that comes from proving people wrong. I am currently working as a Certified Nursing Assistant while pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Even though I haven’t started clinicals yet, I’ve already made an impact in my role. I care for patients with compassion, patience, and dignity. I comfort them when they’re anxious, advocate when they feel ignored, and take the time to listen when others rush by. I’m often the one who can bridge the gap for Spanish-speaking patients giving them comfort and understanding when they need it most. These moments remind me that I’m not just working toward a career. I’m already living my purpose. My goal isn’t to become a nurse for the title or the paycheck. I want to be the nurse who understands where her patients come from, who advocates fiercely, and who represents the communities that are often left behind. I want little girls who look like me to see me in scrubs and think, If she can do it, so can I. That’s the kind of ripple effect I’m working toward. Graduating as a first-gen, Mexican-American student is about more than breaking the cycle. It’s about rewriting the story entirely. It’s about showing the world that we’re not statistics, we’re not stereotypes. We’re strength, intelligence, and heart. I am not just earning a degree. I am building a legacy, one that honors my family and inspires my community. And I will keep rising, not just for me, but for all those who never got the chance. Este logro no es solo mío, es de mi familia, de mi cultura, y de todos los que soñaron con este momento antes que yo.