Statement 1 My goal is to become a registered nurse, specializing in emergency or trauma care. I am currently pursuing my second bachelor’s degree through Chamberlain University’s BSN program. After graduating from San Diego State University in 2016, I wasn’t sure what direction to take. That changed in 2017 when my brother was diagnosed with cancer. I became his full-time caregiver, and through that experience, I witnessed the profound impact nurses have on patients and families. Their compassion and skill inspired me to follow this path and dedicate my life to nursing. This award would help alleviate the financial burden of returning to school and allow me to fully focus on my studies. As a non-traditional student returning to the classroom after several years, the transition has had its challenges—but my commitment to this career is unwavering. I do not qualify for most federal grants and only receive limited federal loans, which means I have to cover the remaining cost of my education out of pocket. In honor of my brother, I created a nonprofit foundation that supports cancer patients and their families. Through this foundation, I’ve organized fundraising events and helped raise over $10,000 to provide direct support to those in need. This work has strengthened my leadership skills and deepened my connection to the healthcare community. I believe that personal experiences like mine not only shape strong future nurses, but also bring valuable empathy and perspective to the profession. Statement 2 My goals align strongly with the mission of the American College of Healthcare Executives of Southern California to support leadership, education, and equity in healthcare. As a future nurse, I’m passionate about providing care to underserved communities, especially in regions like the Imperial Valley, where I grew up. This area faces significant healthcare disparities, and I believe equitable access starts with professionals who are both clinically skilled and culturally aware. ACHE’s emphasis on mentorship, professional development, and fostering diverse leadership in healthcare resonates deeply with me. Through my nonprofit work, I’ve led efforts to raise awareness about cancer care inequities, organized fundraising events, and supported families facing overwhelming medical expenses. I hope to continue this impact as a nurse by being a patient advocate and helping others through acts of service, education, and compassion. With the support of this scholarship, I will be one step closer to graduating and bringing compassionate, high-quality care to communities that need it most. ACHE’s purpose to elevate healthcare leaders reflects my own commitment to being more than just a provider—I aim to be a change-maker. I am inspired by the opportunity to be supported by an organization that champions ethical leadership, and I hope to one day give back to the same mission that helped shape my own.

In 2016, I graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree, but at the time, I wasn’t sure what I truly wanted to do with my life. I had always been interested in healthcare, originally imagining myself as a registered dietitian. But it wasn’t until my world shifted in 2017 that I found the path I was meant to take. That year, my brother was diagnosed with cancer. As his full-time caregiver, I witnessed both the devastation of illness and the power of compassionate care. I spent countless hours by his side—managing medications, attending appointments, and staying with him during long hospital nights. What stood out to me most during this painful period wasn’t just the medical knowledge of his nurses, but their empathy, their patience, and their ability to make even the hardest moments a little bit lighter. Caring for my brother changed everything. The strength it required and the love that fueled it revealed to me that nursing was more than a profession—it was a calling. When he passed away, I made a promise to myself and to his memory that I would pursue nursing, not just as a career, but as a way to give back to others the same compassion that helped carry us through. Returning to school to pursue my second bachelor’s degree has come with its challenges—financial strain, the weight of grief, and the fear of starting over—but I’ve never been more certain about a decision. I am currently enrolled in a BSN program, and while the road hasn’t been easy, it has been deeply meaningful. I walk this path not only for myself, but for my brother, and for every future patient I will have the honor of caring for. My “aha” moment wasn’t a single flash of clarity—it was a journey. It was holding my brother’s hand in the hospital, watching how nurses connected with patients, and realizing that I wanted to be one of those people who could offer strength, relief, and comfort in someone’s darkest hours. It was the realization that my greatest heartbreak had shaped my greatest purpose. I am determined to become a nurse who leads with both knowledge and heart. This scholarship would not only support me financially, but it would also carry on the legacy of someone who, like my brother, inspired others through their dedication to nursing and education. Thank you for considering my story.

When my brother was diagnosed with cancer, my life changed in an instant. I became his primary caregiver and spent countless days and nights by his side—at doctor appointments, during treatments, and often sleeping on the hospital couch in his room just to be near him. Those quiet overnight hours in the hospital gave me a front-row seat to the heart of healthcare. I saw the good days and the hard ones, but what stood out most was the care and compassion of the nurses. They didn’t just treat my brother’s illness—they cared for our whole family. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I lost my brother in 2020 after his 2½-year battle with cancer. His passing was the most painful experience I’ve ever lived through. He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and my inspiration. But even through the grief, I knew my purpose had become clear. Nursing wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling. I wanted to be the kind of nurse who brings comfort, strength, and hope to families walking through the darkest moments of their lives, just as others had done for us. Today, I’m a nursing student at Chamberlain University working toward my BSN while balancing a full-time job. I also serve as the president of the Joshua L. Holmes Foundation, which my family and I created in honor of my brother. Through this foundation, we raise funds and provide resources to cancer patients and their families. This year, through one of our annual events, we raised over $10,000 and were able to help four local families in our community. This work has reinforced my passion for care and advocacy and has shown me how powerful small acts of support can be. I plan to specialize in trauma and emergency nursing because I thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where critical thinking and quick action can save lives. Eventually, I hope to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and continue serving patients in trauma care. My long-term goal is to bring quality emergency care to underserved communities like my hometown of El Centro, California. When I read about this scholarship and how Wieland recognizes the power of comfort, design, and environment in patient healing, it deeply resonated with me. I’ve lived the experience of sleeping on hospital recliners, trying to rest while being emotionally and physically exhausted. Those spaces—though simple—mattered. They supported caregivers like me and allowed us to remain close to our loved ones when they needed us most. I discovered this scholarship while browsing Bold.org for nursing opportunities, and I’m so grateful for the chance to apply. Thank you for honoring the work of future nurses—and for recognizing how care, healing, and compassion extend far beyond medicine.

Honoring the Spirit of Nursing My name is Neva Holmes, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Chamberlain University. I was inspired to become a nurse through one of the most defining and heartbreaking experiences of my life—losing my brother to cancer in 2020. I was his primary caregiver for most of his 2½-year battle, up until I began working at Scripps Health nine months before he passed away. That time in my life was filled with emotional, physical, and mental challenges, but it also shaped my heart and purpose in a profound way. During his illness, I witnessed the incredible impact nurses had—not just on him as a patient, but on our entire family. Their empathy, knowledge, and presence during our darkest moments left an impression I could never forget. That experience revealed my calling. I wanted to become a nurse who could offer that same kind of strength, compassion, and care to others. I’ve chosen to specialize in trauma and emergency nursing because I thrive under pressure and am drawn to fast-paced environments where every second matters. I want to be the calm in the storm; someone patients and families can rely on during life-threatening situations. Eventually, I plan to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and continue working in trauma care. My long-term goal is to serve in high-need areas, including my hometown of El Centro, California, where access to emergency care is limited. Beyond my education and work experience, I’ve poured my heart into helping others in my brother’s memory. My family and I founded the Joshua L. Holmes Foundation to support current cancer patients and connect local families with resources. As president of the foundation, I’ve helped lead fundraising and outreach efforts. Through one of our annual events this year, we raised over $10,000 and were able to provide financial relief to four families in the Imperial Valley. This work fuels my passion and reminds me of the difference one person can make. Balancing nursing school, work, and nonprofit leadership has been far from easy. But through these experiences, I’ve developed discipline, resilience, and a sense of purpose that guides me every day. I’ve learned to manage my time, stay grounded in my values, and persevere even when life feels heavy. Every assignment I complete and every new concept I learn is a step closer to fulfilling the promise I made to myself—and to my brother. This scholarship would not only help lift some of the financial burden of nursing school, but it would also be a meaningful affirmation of the path I’ve taken. I strive to embody the same qualities that defined Kelly O.—compassion, dedication, and empathy—and I hope to carry those forward into every patient interaction I’ll have as a future nurse. With your support, I will continue building a career defined by heart, service, and the unwavering belief that healing goes far beyond medicine.

Losing my brother to cancer in 2020 changed the entire course of my life. He was more than my sibling—he was my best friend and biggest supporter. During his two-and-a-half-year battle, I helped care for him while trying to hold my own life together. I witnessed the compassion, strength, and knowledge of the nurses who cared for him, and it planted a seed I couldn’t ignore. When he passed, my grief was overwhelming, but it also clarified something deep inside me: I was meant to become a nurse. My “why” for entering the nursing field is rooted in love, loss, and the belief that I can help others the way nurses once helped my family. I want to be a source of calm and care in people’s darkest hours—just like those nurses were for my brother. I want my career to mean something beyond a paycheck or a title. I want it to be service. After his passing, I didn’t just dream about becoming a nurse—I made a plan. I enrolled in the BSN program at Chamberlain University and currently balance school with full-time work. Managing both has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It’s taught me time management, discipline, and perseverance. Some days are overwhelming, but when I think about the impact I want to make, I find the strength to keep going. I’ve also taken that passion beyond the classroom. My family and I founded the Joshua L. Holmes Foundation in honor of my brother. As president, I help lead efforts to raise money for cancer patients and connect families with resources, especially in our hometown of El Centro, California, where support is limited. Just this year, through one of our annual events, we raised over $10,000 and were able to provide financial relief to four local families. This foundation is a direct reflection of my heart for others and my commitment to turning pain into purpose. Academically, I’ve made steady progress in my BSN program and continue to work toward my goal of graduating and becoming a trauma nurse. Eventually, I plan to go back to school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), specializing in emergency care. It’s a long road, but every step I take honors my brother’s memory and gets me closer to a future where I can make a real difference. What drives me is not just the memory of what I’ve lost, but the possibility of what I can give. I truly believe I was made to serve, and nursing is the path that allows me to do just that. This scholarship would not only ease the financial stress of school but would also be a meaningful recognition of the work I’ve put in so far and the heart that continues to lead me forward.

Losing my brother to cancer in 2020 was the moment my world shifted. His passing shattered the sense of normalcy in my life and forced me to confront grief and loss in a way I never had before. Everything I had once taken for granted—family, time, even life itself—suddenly seemed fragile and precious. That experience reshaped my perspective entirely. I began to see the world through a lens of deeper appreciation, realizing how important it is to live with intention, to love without hesitation, and to pursue goals that truly matter. It was through this loss that my dream of becoming a nurse evolved from a vague idea into a personal mission. But grief doesn’t move in a straight line. In 2023, after trying to hold everything together for years, the weight of my loss finally caught up with me. I found myself in a dark place—depressed, unmotivated, and emotionally numb. I had lost the will to live, feeling disconnected from everything and everyone around me. It was the lowest I had ever felt, and it scared me. Admitting that I needed help was hard, but it was the turning point. I reached out to my therapist and my primary care doctor. Together, they helped me understand that depression is not a weakness—it’s a health issue that deserves care and compassion. With therapy and medication, I began the slow process of healing. Those treatments didn’t just help me survive—they helped me return to myself. Coming through that darkness gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I realized that I didn’t want to just live—I wanted to make my life meaningful. I wanted to be someone who could help others through their hardest moments, just like others had helped me. That’s when I decided it was time to act on my dream of becoming a nurse. I applied to nursing school, got accepted, and I’m now fully committed to that path. Every class I take, every exam I pass, brings me one step closer to a future I once thought I wouldn’t have. My experience with mental health has taught me how essential empathy, support, and self-awareness are—not just in life, but in healthcare, too. It has made my relationships more honest and open. I’m more intentional with my time, more understanding of others’ pain, and more aware that strength often looks like vulnerability. Most of all, I carry with me the memory of my brother, whose fight with cancer continues to inspire me. I know he’s proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m proud of the person I’m becoming. Mental health challenges tried to stop me, but instead, they became the reason I keep moving forward. I’m not just surviving anymore—I’m building a future with purpose, and I’m doing it for both of us.

Today, I can truly say that I am walking by faith and not by sight as I take the next steps toward becoming a nurse. My desire to serve others has always been at the heart of who I am, but my path became clearer in 2017 when my brother was diagnosed with cancer. I became his full-time caregiver, and through that experience, my life was forever changed. His care team became an extension of our family, demonstrating the kind of compassion and dedication that left a lasting impression on me. They didn’t just care for him; they nurtured all of us, and their impact fueled my determination to pursue a career in healthcare. For two years, I was my brother’s advocate, learning to navigate his care, access his port, and coordinate his treatments. These moments taught me that nursing is not just about treating a patient’s illness but about nurturing their spirit as well. My time as his caregiver inspired me to serve others in the same way his medical team served us. Eventually, I found myself working at Scripps Health, first at the front desk in family medicine, and now as a surgery scheduler for endoscopy, cardiothoracic, and eye procedures. Over the past five years, I’ve gained valuable experience, from training new staff to supporting COVID vaccine clinics, each role deepening my understanding and passion for healthcare. These opportunities have not only honed my skills but have strengthened my sense of purpose as I prepare for a nursing career. In 2020, my brother lost his battle with cancer, and for a moment, I felt lost too. The pain of losing him was profound, but I have since realized that I must transform that pain into strength. His life, and his loss, has fueled my drive to help others. I know there are many families walking the same difficult path we once did, and I believe that my heart, compassion, and spirit can bring hope to those in need. My brother’s journey taught me that I was made to serve others, and though he is no longer here, I am not done serving. My calling to nursing is a reflection of my desire to be a light for others, and I will continue to honor that purpose with humility and dedication. I approach this next chapter of my life with the understanding that nursing is not simply a career but a vocation. My passion for learning, my unwavering commitment to service, and my belief in the healing power of compassion will shape the nurse I will become. I am devoted to this path, and I look forward to using my education and experiences to make a difference in the lives of those I am privileged to care for.

Since I am attending college later in life, I do not qualify for much financial aid or certain scholarships.Receiving financial help would relieve some of the stress and allow me to focus more on school. I have a deep passion for healthcare, and I’m finally taking the steps to become a nurse. I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but my path became clear when my brother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. I became his full-time caregiver and learned so much from the experience. We spent weeks with his nurses and doctors during treatment, and they became an extension of our family. They celebrated the good news with us and provided support during the tough times. Their compassion inspired me, and I knew I wanted to offer the same love and care to other families facing difficult moments. Over the two years I cared for my brother, I learned to be his advocate and caregiver, from accessing his port to coordinating his care. Eventually, I was hired at Scripps, starting at the front desk in family medicine. Now, I work as a surgery scheduler for endoscopy, cardiothoracic, and eye departments at the hospital. Throughout my five years here, I’ve gained valuable experience, from training new staff to supporting COVID vaccine clinics. These experiences have shaped my passion for healthcare and will contribute to the nurse I will become. My desire to serve others as a nurse is closely aligned with ACHE of SoCal’s purpose and objectives. I’ve wanted to pursue nursing for years, but financial barriers have always stood in my way. The older I get, the more challenging it becomes to return to school due to mounting financial responsibilities. While finances remain a concern, I am deeply committed to becoming a nurse. Nurses make a difference in people’s lives every day, but their ability to provide quality care is compromised when they are overworked. From my experience working with hospital departments, I’ve seen the impact of chronic understaffing, which results in delayed patient care and postponed procedures. This shortage directly affects patient outcomes, and I feel a strong desire to contribute and help alleviate these challenges. Although I wish I could help now, I know that once I am a nurse, I will be able to offer my patients the dedicated care they deserve. Receiving financial support would allow me to continue on my path to nursing, giving me the opportunity to positively impact the healthcare field and provide the compassionate care that inspired me from the very start.