At 17 years old, I've learned that making impact on the world doesn't always have to mean doing something huge. Sometimes, it's the small things that matter most. For the past two years, I've volunteered every Saturday ay CHI Health Bergan mercy, and that experience has changed the way I look at helping people and my community. When I first started volunteering at the hospital, I was honestly nervous because I didn't know what to expect. Over time, though, I became more comfortable talking to patients, visitors, and staff. Even simple things like helping someone find where they needed to go, delivering items, or just smiling and being friendly made me realize how much small acts of kindness can help people. Hospitals can be stressful places, and I saw how being kind and helpful could make someone's day a little better. Volunteering every Saturday for two years has also taught me a lot about responsibility and commitment. Balancing school, my personal life, and volunteering hasn't always been easy, but it's something I'm proud of. There were definitely weekends where I wanted to sleep in, but knowing I could help people motivated me to keep showing up. It taught me that making a difference takes consistency, not just good intentions. One of the biggest things I've learned from volunteering is how important compassion is. Watching nurses, doctors, and hospital workers care for patients inspired me because they work hard every day to help others, even during difficult situations. It showed me the kind of person I want to be in the future. I want to become a pharmacist because I want to help people improve their health and feel better during difficult times. Pharmacists do more than just give out medicine, they help patients understand their medications, stay healthy, and feel supported. I want to be someone people can trust and rely on. In the future, I plan to continue volunteering and giving back to my community while working toward my career goals. I also want to encourage other students my age to get involved in volunteering because it can really change your perspective on life. through my experience at Bergan Mercy hospital, I've learned that even small actions can make a big difference in someone's day. Overall, volunteering has helped me grow as a person and understand the importance of helping others. Even though I'm still young, I know I want my future career and life to be centered around making a positive impact. By becoming a pharmacist and continuing to serve my community, I hope to help people feel cared for, supported, and healthier throughout their lives.

Healthcare influences individuals and communities every day, and the people who work in this field provide comfort, healing, and hope. My decision to pursue a career in healthcare, specifically pharmacy, comes from my own medical challenges, the experiences of my family, and the service opportunities that have shaped who I am. These experiences taught me resilience, responsibility, and compassion, all of which guide my passion for medicine and pharmaceutical care. When I was four years old, I had a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Doctors explained that I would depend on epinephrine for the rest of my life, and since then, I’ve had to read every label and stay aware of even the smallest risk of contamination. Living with a life threatening allergy has made me aware of how powerful and essential medications can be. Epinephrine is more than a prescription for me, it is a constant reminder that pharmacy saves lives. My curiosity about how medications work, how they are developed, and how they improve health grew out of this personal experience. My interest in healthcare deepened when my dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was eleven. Watching him go through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation was terrifying, and I feared the possibility of losing him. Seeing those treatments help him recover made me deeply grateful for modern medicine and the people behind it, especially the pharmacists who ensured his medications were safe, effective, and tailored to his needs. My younger brother, who has severe non-verbal autism, has also shaped my understanding of healthcare. Growing up with him taught me patience, empathy, and an appreciation for the complexity of the human body and mind. These experiences showed me the power of pharmaceutical care not only to treat illness, but to give families hope. My volunteer work at Bergan Mercy Hospital and my job as a City of Omaha lifeguard strengthened my interest in healthcare even more. At the hospital, I learned that compassion and kindness can ease someone’s fear during difficult moments. I was inspired by how healthcare workers balanced scientific skill with emotional support. As a lifeguard trained in CPR and first aid, I realized the importance of being prepared to save lives anywhere, not just on the job. These roles taught me that healthcare is a blend of science, accuracy, problem solving, and service to others. As a woman pursuing a career in pharmacy, I hope to contribute not only through my education, but also by increasing representation in a field where women have historically faced barriers. I want to help advance treatments for conditions like anaphylaxis, cancer, and autism, whether through clinical pharmacy, medication safety, or research. I also hope to encourage young women to follow their interests in science confidently and to see themselves as leaders in healthcare. Women bring empathy, collaboration, and unique insight to pharmacy, and I am proud to be part of that growing representation. The challenges I have faced in the past have given me strength, courage and understanding. While I cannot control every situation, I can control my response, my work ethic, and my determination. With this scholarship, I hope to continue climbing toward my goal of becoming a pharmacist and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.