My name is Nora Burns, and I am currently a freshman undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management. I chose this major because I am passionate about people and believe that creating positive and supportive environments is essential for both personal and organizational success. Human resources is about more than policies and procedures—it is about fairness, empathy, and fostering growth. These values resonate deeply with me, and I see them reflected in the legacy of Kalia D. Davis, whose dedication, leadership, and encouragement continue to inspire others. Academically, I have always pushed myself to perform at a high level. Maintaining a strong GPA requires focus and consistency, but I embrace these challenges because I know education is the foundation for achieving my goals. At SIUC, I am not only learning technical skills but also developing the interpersonal abilities that will allow me to become a leader in the workplace. I want to use my education to support people, resolve conflicts, and build inclusive communities—whether in an office setting, through mentorship, or in future leadership roles. Much of my personal growth has come from serving others through my church. For many years, I have volunteered to help set up our community giveaway, an event where people in the church and surrounding community donate clothing, toys, and household items they no longer need. Members of the community are then invited to take what they need at no cost. My role has included helping organize donations, arranging tables, welcoming families, and ensuring the event runs smoothly. Through this work, I have seen firsthand the difference that kindness and generosity can make. What may seem like a small contribution—such as a warm coat, a set of dishes, or a toy for a child—can bring comfort, dignity, and joy to someone else. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and compassion. It has also reinforced my belief that impact does not always come from grand gestures, but often from consistent service and showing up for others. Like Kalia, I strive to be someone who can be counted on—whether for encouragement, a helping hand, or simply contributing to a positive environment where others feel supported. My long-term goal is to become a Human Resources professional who leads with integrity, empathy, and vision. I want to help create workplaces where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. This scholarship would help ease the financial challenges of pursuing my education and allow me to focus more fully on my coursework, leadership development, and continued service to my community. The story of Kalia D. Davis is a powerful reminder that true excellence comes from living a life of purpose, kindness, and impact. If honored with this scholarship, I will carry her memory with me as motivation to excel academically, serve my community faithfully, and pursue my career with ambition and drive.

I used to believe I was invincible behind the wheel. Like most new drivers, I was confident—maybe a little too confident. Driving felt easy, natural, even relaxing. But that mindset changed the day I got into a car accident that shook me both physically and mentally. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was running late to meet a friend. I remember checking my phone quickly at a red light, replying to a message with one hand on the wheel. When the light turned green, I accelerated—but I never noticed the car in front of me hadn’t moved yet. My brakes squealed, but it was too late. I rear-ended the car at about 20 miles per hour. The sound of the impact was deafening. My heart raced. The other driver was understandably upset, and while no one was seriously hurt, both vehicles were damaged. I sat there, drenched in guilt and adrenaline, fully realizing that one moment of distraction had led to a completely avoidable accident. In the following days, the emotional impact hit harder than the physical one. I replayed the moment over and over, thinking about how easily things could have been worse. What if I had been going faster? What if there had been a pedestrian? I kept asking myself why I had thought that one text was worth the risk. The experience changed my relationship with driving—and with responsibility. I started to see how much trust we place in ourselves and others every time we get behind the wheel. I learned that confidence doesn’t mean carelessness, and that small choices—like glancing at a phone—can carry enormous consequences. More importantly, I realized that failure isn’t just about poor outcomes—it’s about awareness. The accident forced me to confront my habits, my priorities, and my sense of maturity. I began to take ownership of not only my driving but also how I approached responsibility in general. I became more focused, more mindful, and more intentional in everything from schoolwork to how I interacted with others. The insurance process, the repairs, and the honest conversations with my parents weren’t easy, but they were part of the growth. I didn’t just become a better driver—I became a more thoughtful person. I learned that failure, especially when it results from your own actions, can be the most powerful teacher. Looking back, that accident was a wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. It was a harsh lesson, but one that fundamentally changed how I navigate not just the road, but life.

Success, to me, is a deeply personal and evolving concept. It is not just about external accomplishments or societal measures of wealth and status, but about personal growth, fulfillment, and contributing to something greater than myself. Success is found in the balance between professional achievements, emotional well-being, and meaningful relationships. It’s about resilience in the face of challenges and the ability to learn from both failures and successes. What differentiates my mindset from that of many peers is my focus on intrinsic motivation rather than external validation. While others might chase recognition or material rewards, I prioritize the satisfaction of mastering a skill, learning, and aligning my actions with my values. I believe that fulfillment comes from the journey, not just the end goal, and this process-oriented approach keeps me grounded and adaptable. This mindset will guide me toward lasting success by fostering resilience, preventing burnout, and allowing me to build authentic relationships. By focusing on growth, both personal and professional, I will be able to find deeper satisfaction in everything I do. Ultimately, I believe that success is not a fixed destination but a continual process of learning, evolving, and positively impacting the world around us.

After I graduate from high school, I plan to go to college to get a degree in Human Resource Management. A career in Human Resources mainly consists of the hiring and firing of employees, managing compensation and benefits, administering training, and performing conflict resolution. While this degree provides a broad spectrum education to cover all of these areas, one may find they have an opportunity to specialize in a particular area of practice. This is especially true in larger corporations. Regardless of the specialized area that may be chosen, a role in Human Resources is meant to serve the employees of the company. I am generally a very caring and empathetic individual who desires to help people and I am also drawn to a corporate business environment. My outlook on life is fairly positive due to this. I was first thinking I wanted to pursue a degree in Business Management, however upon further research, I found that Human Resource Management was a better fit to my personality. I find myself most excited about the opportunity to dive into conflict resolution. I have always been one to try and solve conflicts due to the fact that I do not want to see anyone hurting. I am also a very positive and upbeat person, as has been highlighted by some of my teachers saying I always light up the room. In the future, I plan on using my Human Resource Management degree to get a corporate job with a focus on conflict resolution to allow me to solve conflicts that arise. I also hope to bring a positive light into all situations that arise to lower the tension levels and to achieve and maintain a high level of company morale. I will lift the spirits of others and allow this to be dispersed throughout the company. I feel that I will personally benefit from a position like this as it will bring to me a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and purpose. I will not just have a job to make money, but one that I can be proud of due to the aid I am providing to the company and to each individual employee. I would achieve additional benefits if I were able to be recognized for my accomplishments within the industry and use this recognition to start a consulting company focused on conflict resolution and morale building in corporations. I am truly looking forward to studying Human Resources Management in college as I know this will set a firm foundation on which I can launch my career. If I am allowed to study at your university, I will commit to the highest level of excellence and participate to my fullest abilities.