Hello, my name is Olivia Smith. I am 44 years old and have three children. For nearly six years, I have worked remotely for a medical billing company, where I research workers' compensation claims. Currently, I am enrolled in nursing school at ICTC School of Practical Nursing. The program consists of three levels, and I am currently in level two. My work background is diverse, encompassing experiences in retail, food service, and office settings. Most of my experience has been in clinical and non-clinical roles. Throughout my children’s lives, I have sacrificed time and opportunities for their betterment, and I would do it all over again. Before becoming a parent, I chose a different educational path, which I realize now was a mistake. However, I believe that my experiences in retail and food service were not in vain; they have provided me with valuable skills that I carry into my current pursuits. At 44 years old and back in school, I love learning and cannot wait to become a nurse and embark on this new and exciting career. My time in food service taught me the importance of sanitation, while working as a short-order cook helped me learn to prioritize tasks. Starting my days at 5 a.m. in a busy setting has equipped me with the wisdom to manage long hours effectively. My retail experience has taught me how to communicate with people, even in challenging situations, and to remain humble throughout it all. I plan to carry everything I have learned into my next chapter in nursing. I am excited to use my education to make a positive impact in my community. I hope to contribute my skills and expertise by serving on the medical team at my church, providing compassionate care and support to those in need. I am also eager to share my knowledge at our local homeless mission, working to improve the health and well-being of the community’s most vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, if I become aware of any nursing needs in our area, I am committed to offering my assistance wherever I can, ensuring that everyone receives the care they deserve. This scholarship will play a crucial role in helping me achieve my academic and career aspirations by alleviating the financial burden on my family. My husband and I are dedicated to maintaining a debt-free lifestyle during my time in school, allowing us to focus on my education without the stress of additional financial obligations. This support will empower me to pursue my studies and ensure that we can continue to thrive together as a family, free from the weight of debt.

I am currently enrolled at the ICTC School of Practical Nursing, where I am in Level 2 out of 3. My GPA is 3.2, and I am the president-elect of my class. My graduation date is set for November 2025. My desire to become a nurse has been with me for many years, inspired by my grandmother, who instilled in me a passion for serving others. Since 2010, I have held various nursing positions, ranging from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to dialysis technician. My ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse. Nursing is a fulfilling profession that offers both tangible and intangible rewards. It provides a stable income and is a career to be proud of. When people are afraid or uncertain, I take comfort in providing them with reassurance, security, and, above all, compassion. Nursing is a skilled art that I aspire to master. After graduation, I plan to work in a jail or prison setting because I believe that everyone deserves quality care, regardless of their past actions. During my clinical rotations, I potential received job offers from two alternative departments, and I am particularly interested in working in the GI lab and again in dialysis. For now, however, my primary focus is on correctional nursing. I am also committed to pursuing further education beyond practical nursing, aiming for an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). Additionally, I intend to use my skills to serve others. With my nursing skills, I hope to participate in short-term mission trips to Central America, and I also plan to contribute to the medical team at my church when I return home. I am confident that I will be successful in my chosen field because I possess a strong work ethic. I take full ownership of my work, recognizing that my success is my responsibility. I do not use phrases like “it’s not my job.” Instead, I embrace every opportunity for overtime to achieve my financial goals. I plan to arrive early, stay late, and go the extra mile, just as I do in my current position. My primary motivation is to become debt-free. A successful life is all about maximizing your efforts, embracing your job with a positive mindset, and being a force for good wherever you are, not just at work. Success, to me, is knowing that I’ve given my all each day when I come home and living free from the constraints of debt. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. The nursing field is near and dear to my heart. I sincerely appreciate your generous offer of this scholarship and the thoughtful consideration behind it. Thank you for the opportunity.

I am currently enrolled at the ICTC School of Practical Nursing, where I am in Level 2 out of 3. My GPA is 3.2, and I am the president-elect of my class. My graduation date is set for November 2025. My desire to become a nurse has been with me for many years, inspired by my grandmother, who instilled in me a passion for serving others. Since 2010, I have held various nursing positions, ranging from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to dialysis technician. My ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse. Nursing is a fulfilling profession that offers both tangible and intangible rewards. It provides a stable income and is a career to be proud of. When people are afraid or uncertain, I take comfort in providing them with reassurance, security, and, above all, compassion. Nursing is a skilled art that I aspire to master. After graduation, I plan to work in a jail or prison setting because I believe that everyone deserves quality care, regardless of their past actions. During my clinical rotations, I potential received job offers from two alternative departments, and I am particularly interested in working in the GI lab and again in dialysis. For now, however, my primary focus is on correctional nursing. I am also committed to pursuing further education beyond practical nursing, aiming for an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). Additionally, I intend to use my skills to serve others. With my nursing skills, I hope to participate in short-term mission trips to Central America, and I also plan to contribute to the medical team at my church when I return home. I am confident that I will be successful in my chosen field because I possess a strong work ethic. I take full ownership of my work, recognizing that my success is my responsibility. I do not use phrases like “it’s not my job.” Instead, I embrace every opportunity for overtime to achieve my financial goals. I plan to arrive early, stay late, and go the extra mile, just as I do in my current position. My primary motivation is to become debt-free. A successful life is all about maximizing your efforts, embracing your job with a positive mindset, and being a force for good wherever you are, not just at work. Success, to me, is knowing that I’ve given my all each day when I come home and living free from the constraints of debt. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. The nursing field is near and dear to my heart. I sincerely appreciate your generous offer of this scholarship and the thoughtful consideration behind it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Receiving nurse training and becoming a nurse has been a lifelong dream. The dream began many years ago with my grandma. She sowed the seeds of nursing in me. She was a nurse in World War 2, and listening to her stories and seeing pictures of her in her uniform cultivated a desire for self-sacrifice for others. For almost 6 years, I have been employed by a medical billing company. During the pandemic of COVID 19, we were all considered essential, and we pushed through so patients could continue receiving treatment. I was blessed to work from home and still do. While the company has been a blessing to me and my family, it does not fill the career void in my heart. I have more to offer than being an office worker. For me, this is a calling from the LORD. This has been confirmed through much prayer and the fact that I am in nursing school which is no small miracle. Everyone's journey to nursing is unique, and the time it took me to pursue this path allowed me to gain valuable experiences and insights that have shaped my commitment to the profession. I believe that the challenges I faced have strengthened my resolve and prepared me for the demands of nursing. Rather than a lack of commitment, my journey reflects perseverance and a thoughtful decision to enter a field that requires dedication and compassion. The people in my community deserve care and for someone to listen and love them. I can do that, and I can do it well. I love to help people, and I like to be an ear for them, a voice, and be in their corner. I also enjoy the excitement of the job. Being challenged is stimulating. Encountering people is rewarding. Making them smile, feel loved, feel appreciated and that they are known is rewarding. It is like a mission trip. Mission trips are described like this. People sign up for the trip to serve others but something else happens. You are the one being served. That is how nursing is converted in my life. My mission is to serve others, but the people I give care to are blessing me. I am incredibly excited for November to arrive, as it will open up new opportunities for my training and career, allowing me to pursue my dreams without limits. Looking back, I realize my grades never reflected my aspirations. I believe there was an undiagnosed learning disability that went unnoticed. I didn’t fully understand that it was my responsibility to improve my poor academic performance. In 2009, I became aware of my potential and recognized that I wasn’t unintelligent. This realization prompted me to begin taking nursing prerequisites at CCAC. From that time until 2019, I encountered significant challenges in finding the time and resources to enroll in nursing school. Balancing a full-time job with the responsibilities of raising young children made it difficult to take advantage of those opportunities. Now, I believe that nothing can hold me back—only my determination. Thank you for your time and consideration.

What trade are you pursuing education in? What are your goals or dreams for the future that this trade will help you with? What are your plans after completion or graduation from the program? Trades run deep in my family, and they are the backbone of America! Hello, my name is Olivia Smith. I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my husband and three children. I am pursuing a trade in practical nursing to become an LPN. Currently, I am a level 2 (three-level) student nurse enrolled at ICTC School of Practical Nursing. My goal is to graduate in November 2025, and as I write this essay, I am on track to do so. Plans for the future include pursuing a job in corrections, to be a correctional nurse. The aim is for either at the county or state level. When I tell people my plans to work in a jail, they are usually taken aback. I can understand why, but everyone deserves a level of care. Incarcerated men and women need compassionate nurses. I will be that nurse. I hope to make an impact in the life of every inmate I encounter. Whether or not an inmate ever sees the outside again, my goal for their life is to be rehabilitated in some way. I believe in the power of rehabilitation and have seen miracles through good nursing. The work I will do is not confined to a prison. My community will also be impacted. Big hopes are in my mind for our local homeless shelter. That shelter is always in need of a nurse to assess a potential resident and then provide care during their stay. We also have a fantastic pregnancy resource center for women. I plan on giving them my time also to provide warm and compassionate care. I will also join the medical team at church. Our church has a team that is there every Sunday and during church events in case someone falls or faints. Trades run very deep in my family, but serving others runs deeper. My community has been so good to me, and it would be selfish to not give back. Providing care and education to people who are in the worst times of their lives is an important mission for me. My education does not stop at ICTC though. After getting some experience under my belt, about 6 months, I will be enrolling in a program that is called LPN-to-RN Bridge. There are a few in my area that offer this program. Becoming a registered nurse will open up a whole new world. This isn't a career; this is a calling. I am not burdened with the thought of going back to school once again, as it is truly an honor even to be considering moving from LPN to RN. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Once again I knew in my heart that I am going to have to wait to be a nurse. Hello. My name is Olivia Smith. Thank you for your time reading this essay. Presently, I am 43 years old, married with 3 children (21,19,17). I currently work full-time in a medical billing position, and plan to continue working while obtaining my education to become a licensed practical license. The nursing program begins September of 2024, and finishes September of 2026. Because I need to work, I will not be attending full-time, but part-time for 3 nights a week. My husband and I take a different approach on education and how to pay for it. We firmly believe in no student debt. This means that student loans are not an option. Our options to pay for continuing education is tuition reimbursement, extra work, scholarships or grants. We are implementing this for our children and it works exceedingly well. On top of working fulltime, we collectively work extra via overtime. When I am not working, I make time to apply for grants and scholarships. If I were to be chosen for the Morgan Levine Dolan scholarship, it alone will pay for the entire program. That in turn will enable to me to focus on my studies without daily stress of tuition costs. Even though I work overtime every week sometimes life does get in the way, especially with teens, and if I need to use PTO for an appointment, my overtime will get forfeited. This scholarship will help me with my first goal. Historically, I have attempted to apply for this program twice, and money and tuition has been a roadblock both times. While we don't let roadblocks get in the way for our kids, we do allow them for us. I think that the challenges of overcoming such roadblocks are character builders, however we can't do for it all and need some help. So this scholarship would be a huge blessing to us if you were to consider me for it. I hope this is the last time that I have to wait to be a nurse. Serving my community is very important to me, and I want to be able to use my skills and abilities at our local homeless shelter. At the City Mission, there is a place people can go to for medical care, and it is volunteer run. Looking beyond the practical nursing achievement, I would then like to acquire my bachelors in nursing where many more opportunities for advancement are possible. This scholarship alone would make my future career goals very possible.

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to learn how I am inspired to pour into my community. My inspiration to be involved in my community began with and was modeled by my mom. She always showed her daughters that if a group didn’t exist, to start one. She started a Girl Scouts troop and started a local 4H group. She either showed us directly or brought someone in to teach others. She and others showed the groups how to sew, cook, camp, and how to work with others and accomplish a goal. She wanted to share with others what had been shared with her, and in turn, I now do the same. When Covid started, the folks teaching Sunday School at my church stopped, not because they wanted to but because the church was closed per state mandate. Later when the doors opened again, hardly anyone returned. It was very sad. Now prior to COVID, I had taken a leave of absence from teaching Sunday School. But when I heard and when I saw the few who had returned, I was prompted to return to service. These little kids were without a teacher. Not anymore. I soon returned, determined to be a constant for them. Each week I would bounce around different age groups, but eventually settled with kindergarten. They were just the sweetest little things. They had no idea what was going on in the world. They couldn't understand why we had to sit apart and wear masks. It would be months and months until I saw the faces of these little children, as most of the face had been hidden under a mask. I enjoyed our time singing, giggling, and learning about Jesus- still do! When I was tired and didn’t ‘feel’ like teaching that morning, their sweet faces and hearts inspired me to push through and serve them. I followed them to every grade. We are now in 3rd-grade together and still giggling- no masks. I am not sure if I have made a change or a difference in my community. I hope that my time and investment in others has made a difference. If I could just make a change in one child’s life, by letting them know that Jesus loves them no matter what, then the investment is returned. What I am sure of, is that there has been a change in me from my community. Yes, I have made sacrifices to be present for the kids, but the kids have blessed me and made a difference to me. It's a beautiful and mysterious turnaround. There is a deep desire to help others- it has always been a part of me. Someday I would like to offer my time to those who are young, scared, and pregnant, who need help navigating the next steps. I will be able to do that once I become a nurse and can offer some medical care and guidance. In the future, I would like to go global and help in Central America, offering medical care to those who are diagnosed with kidney disease. Helping people with kidney disease was my mission for a number of years. That mission went on the backburner when my dad passed away from the same disease, but it still lives inside me. As for the present, the kids at third grade (class B) are my mission field. They encourage me so much just by being themselves.

Hello. My name is Olivia Smith. I have been married to Michael for twenty-two years, and together we have three children. We have two boys, Nathan (21) and Aaron (17), and one daughter, Rebekah (19). I love dogs, cats, and horses. Working outside is where I am happy and how I flourish. For the past three years, I have worked remotely for a medical billing company in the accounts receivable department. My job is to research claims and analyze payments. My background is pretty diverse. Like many, I started working in a department store during high school. Working in retail was enjoyable in the late 90’s. Stores were very busy and there was room to grow. When I graduated, I worked at a beauty counter selling makeup, skincare, and perfume. That sparked an interest in the beauty industry and would lead me to obtain a diploma in the Cosmetology umbrella of Esthetics. However in southwest Pennsylvania, Esthetics wouldn’t pay the bills in the early 2000’s, so I shifted to my first love; nursing. Most of my background revolves around a clinical and non-clinical setting. I started off working in nursing homes as a certified nursing assistant. Then I moved up to a hemodialysis technician in a dialysis clinic. When my father passed away in 2017, I left dialysis for a bit. My father was a dialysis patient, and when he died I lost my mission. I bridged the gap working in a doctor’s office but did return to dialysis. For the past 5 years, I have since shifted to an office setting doing medical billing for physical and occupational therapy. In this area, most of our trade schools include a practical nursing program. I am motivated to pursue this career because this is what I should be doing. I should have been a nurse all along. A nursing career pays well, it rewards exceedingly great and I am urgently needed to serve many people as a nurse. People will always need medical attention. My job will not go away, and the opportunities beyond trade school are only limited by me. The trades are also near and dear to my heart. Most of my family have completed a trade program. Trade school is where my family has always started, and the programs they chose never let us down. The trades are my backbone; I just chose the wrong one for me twenty-plus years ago! The school I am aiming for is called Western Area Career & Technology Center. It has produced many nurses in its many years, and it allows me to attend part-time so I can continue to work my full-time job and render care to my family. I hope you will consider me a worthy candidate and offer me a scholarship. Thank you for your time reading this. ( I did not upload an Image. Cameras are not allowed near patients or patient info, even at home. )

The Lord captured my heart at 20 years of age. Now at 43 years of age, I am seeking the Lord and His counsel for every move in my life. That’s why I’m looking for scholarships, and I know He will provide. My husband and I do not know how we are paying for school and are desperately avoiding taking out student loans. So I’m seeking His plan and His wisdom for the next paths in my life, and by faith, I am attempting to get scholarships. I know the LORD will provide; He provides for us every day . For instance, to enroll in the practical nursing program, I will take an entrance exam. Much of the entrance exam is knowledge I don’t use daily. My prayer has been to expand my brain, allow me to remember these forgotten bits of knowledge so I can pass, and finally enroll. Every day, I make time to refresh math and sciences. I know He will provide, and He is building my faith to be more strong. More recently, I experienced another faith builder. On June 9th, 2023, we sold our home and moved to our current home. Back in April of 2022, we wanted to move and could not due to many variables. So every day from April 2022 until we closed on our house last year, I clung to Him, asking for guidance and patience. I prayed through every challenge and every setback. At the same time, I praised Him for every challenge, setback, and victory. He met our every need. Going through the process of returning to school has been another faith builder because earlier in my life, I would’ve just had an idea and acted upon it. Whether it is wisdom or maturity, I’ve learned I need God’s guidance with every decision and plan that comes my way. He is teaching me to slow down, think, and rely on Him. The next question in this essay is, how will my faith assist in my career? Well, I think on the surface that question is easy to answer. At first, I wrote down this long and complex answer, but I have condensed my answer to this. My faith will assist me in my career just like every day for the past twenty-four years. Because of my faith, I’ll be loving and patient with coworkers, doctors, and everyone that I encounter. I’ll share Jesus when the Holy Spirit moves me to. I’ll be kind and compassionate. I’ll speak up when I need to speak up. I’ll let Him mold, challenge, and test me through every circumstance, all by faith! Thank you for your time and this special scholarship.

What skilled trade are you planning to study or are currently studying and why have you chosen it? I plan on entering a practical nursing program at Western Area Technical School. I have always wanted to be a nurse. In the past, many times, I have come close to starting a program but have had to stop due to family and job priorities. Nursing is a great job with rewarding benefits, both tangible and intangible. It will provide a stable income and is a job to be proud of. Why do you plan/have you planned a career in this chosen trade? Post-graduation, I plan on working in a hospital. Perhaps starting off in the ER. I am not sure where my career will take me. Children and babies and the care I can give to them is something I would like to explore, either in child and labor or in a Children's hospital. I know that I will not stop at practical nursing. Pursuing a degree like Associates in Nursing (ADN) is the next goal. In addition, I will use my skill to serve others. With this skill, I can go to Central America and serve on a short-term mission trip, and when I am home I can swerve in the medical tram at church. Why will you be successful in your trade? I am motivated to be debt-free, so I will work overtime every time it is offered to achieve my goal. I will show up early, stay late and go over and above, just as I do now in my current job. My work ethic is very strong. I own everything I do, and so for me, my success will be my responsibility. The use of words like, ‘it’s not my job’, will not be spoken by me. In general, what does a successful life look like and why will you be successful? Making the best of what you do, not complaining about your job, and being the light in every place you go, not just the workplace. Coming home from work and knowing you did the best you could, that to me is success. Success is also not having debt hanging over your head. This scholarship would help offset the cost of tuition for my family. The worry of money may ease a little bit with a scholarship and I can focus more on studying and doing well. Thank you for this scholarship. The trades are near and dear to my heart.

My name is Olivia Smith. Thank you for your time reading this. The journey I have taken in my life has been unpredictable, yet has matured into a bountiful bouquet of life experiences. To briefly share my journey, I began my education and employment in the beauty industry and after bearing and raising children did not return to that industry. I knew I needed to return to a stable and moderate means of employment, yet at that time, the beauty industry did not provide that in our region. So, to generate some income I took a job in nursing, as an aide. The job fit my family’s schedule and paid the bills. It would also cultivate something in me that I suppressed when I was in middle school (to be a nurse) and set me on a path that takes me to today. Over the years, many attempts were made to return to school and obtain a nursing license. I even attempted the Navy as a means. I have taken some prerequisites, but have yet to enter into a nursing program. Working full-time and raising three children has been my priority, and over the years, I could not see a way to fit a program into our busy schedule. Through it all though, I learned how to be patient through sacrifice. It hasn't at all been for nothing! At 43 years old, my maturity level and academic level is greater than it has ever been. Perseverance, patience, hope, and frustrations have primed me daily to bide my time and look ahead. So, my career aspirations have been shaped by setbacks, for instance, one time I had the chance to leave my job and attend school full-time, but my husband was furloughed. Also, I have experienced rejection at work from not being chosen to perform a side role for lack of accreditation. My goals, in addition to becoming a nurse, are to use my skills voluntarily in Panama with my church on short-term mission trips, and at church on Sundays with the medical team. For 7 years I worked as dialysis technician, and the company I worked for sent volunteers to central America to help those in kidney failure. The desire the be on that team was ever present, but my lack of education prevented me from going. Through that disappointment, I knew I had to wait for my children to get older so I could return to school when I wasn’t needed so much at home. When I obtain this license, I also have a desire to help young and exhausted mothers with their young babies via the WIC program that the state of Pennsylvania provides. My husband and I do not plan on taking out any loans. We do not desire to take on debt and are proud to pay for our own things, but if this scholarship could offset this tuition just a bit, I personally would be so grateful. If you chose me for this scholarship, I would not disappoint. I have waited 20+ years to return to school. I met someone once, when I was in my scrubs, who asked if I was a nurse. Quickly I corrected them saying I was not a nurse but an aide, and they said ‘do not sell yourself short- if you take are of anyone, you are a nurse’. I have held onto that for a long time and hope someday to make that noun an official title. Thank you again for your time.

My name is Olivia Smith. I am 43 years old, married with 3 children (21,19,17). I currently work full-time in a medical billing position, and plan to continue working while getting my license. My plan for school is to start the program in September of 2024, and finish September of 2026. I will not be attending full-time, but part-time for 3 nights a week. I aspire to work as a nurse and am seeking a scholarship to help reduce the costs of tuition. Student loans are not an option; debt is something that we as a family steer from. This trade will enable me to obtain a license which will provide a more stable income, with job opportunities in abundance, and job security. In addition, the school I have chosen meets my needs. Trade school is my chosen path for mainly two reasons. First, it is affordable. There are community colleges nearby that offer this same program, but its tuition soars above the trade school tuition. With the help of some scholarships, I can afford this program without the use of a loan. Second, I can obtain my education around my schedule. The option to stop working and be a student first is not applicable to me, and this school, historically, has been there for the working adult to achieve their goals. So, I can still work my 40-47 hours a week and go to school. May I finish by adding that choosing the path of the trades is not only the backbone of this country but is near and dear to my heart. My dad was a long-haul trucker, my mom a hairdresser (now bus driver), and my son an automotive technician. Without these jobs, and many others, life in this country would be less comfortable. Even if comfort was not important, we still need trades to build, be competitive and maintain our businesses and homes. Thank you for your time.