My journey toward a career in healthcare has been shaped by resilience, family, and a determination to build a better future. I was born and raised in Venezuela, a country where instability and lack of opportunities made it difficult to imagine long-term goals. Moving to the United States gave me the chance to pursue those dreams, but it also came with challenges. Although I had family here, I still had to adapt to a completely new culture, language, and way of life. It was overwhelming at times, but the experience taught me strength, independence, and perseverance, qualities that now guide me in my path toward nursing. One of the greatest influences on my decision to pursue healthcare has been my younger sister, who is autistic. Growing up, I helped care for her and supported her in everyday tasks. Watching her face the world in her own unique way taught me patience and compassion. It also made me realize how important it is for children with different needs to feel understood and supported. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career where I could provide that same sense of care and advocacy for other children and families. I want to dedicate my life to making sure every child feels seen, respected, and valued, no matter their challenges. Currently, I am working toward a career in nursing with the goal of specializing in pediatrics. My dream is to become a pediatric nurse who not only provides medical treatment but also emotional support for families during some of their most difficult times. I want to be a comforting presence for parents who are worried, and a source of reassurance for children who may feel scared or vulnerable. In the future, I also plan to advance to become a registered nurse so I can expand my expertise and continue growing in my ability to care for others. The path to this goal has not always been easy. Balancing full-time work while pursuing my education has been a significant challenge, requiring discipline and sacrifice. At times, I have had to push through feelings of doubt and exhaustion, but each challenge has strengthened my commitment to my future. These obstacles remind me of the importance of persistence and have prepared me for the demanding yet rewarding nature of healthcare. I also connect deeply with the idea that education is a lifelong journey. I am determined to become an expert in my field, not only because I want to succeed academically, but because I know my knowledge will directly impact the lives of others. The responsibility of being a nurse is great, and I want to be fully prepared to meet it with skill, empathy, and dedication. My hope is to impact the world by being more than just a nurse, I want to be an advocate, a source of strength, and a guide for families navigating difficult circumstances. Healthcare is not just about treating illness; it is about restoring dignity, offering hope, and creating trust. I believe that through my personal experiences, my compassion, and my determination, I can carry these values forward and make a meaningful difference.

When I read about Malgorzata “Maggie” Kwiecien’s life, I felt an immediate connection to her journey. Like Maggie, I left behind the familiarity of my home country and came to the United States determined to create a better future. I am from Venezuela, where instability made it difficult to pursue education and long-term goals. While I had family here when I arrived, I still had to learn how to adapt to a completely new culture, system, and way of life. It took courage to start over and determination to keep going, even when the path felt uncertain. The challenges of moving to a new country were not just logistical, but deeply personal. I had to build my independence quickly, learning how to balance school, work, and responsibilities in a world that often felt overwhelming. It wasn’t easy to find my place, but I was determined not to give up. Maggie’s bravery in stepping into the unknown resonates with me because I know the strength it takes to begin again in a place where everything feels different. Like Maggie, I also push myself through challenges because I know that growth comes from perseverance. My greatest motivation has always been my younger sister, who is autistic. Growing up, I often helped care for her, and through that experience, I learned patience, compassion, and resilience. Watching her navigate life in her own way inspired me to pursue nursing, especially pediatrics. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only cares for children medically but also understands the challenges and emotions that families experience. My sister taught me that everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and cared for, and that has become the foundation of my career goals. Maggie’s devotion to knowledge and her intellectual boldness also inspire me. She was determined to master whatever she set her mind to, and I strive to carry that same spirit into my studies. I am pursuing nursing with the goal of advancing to become a registered nurse in the future. For me, education is not simply about earning a degree; it is about gaining the tools to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to become an expert in my field so I can provide children and families with the best possible care. I also admire that Maggie was never afraid of a challenge, whether physical or intellectual. While my challenges may look different, I share that determination. I balance full-time work with my studies, stay disciplined in my goals, and keep moving forward despite obstacles. Every day, I remind myself that persistence is the key to building the future I envision. Maggie’s story is more than inspiring, it is a reminder of the power of resilience, curiosity, and courage. I see myself in her journey: a woman who left her home country, faced uncertainty, and chose to pursue education and growth with determination. This scholarship would not only support me in continuing my education but would also allow me to honor Maggie’s legacy by carrying forward her values of perseverance, boldness, and commitment to knowledge as I work toward becoming a pediatric nurse.

I was inspired to pursue an advanced certification and degree in nursing because I want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families. Moving to the United States presented many challenges, including learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and starting my education from scratch. Earning my GED in 2024 was a pivotal moment that demonstrated the power of perseverance, discipline, and self-motivation. These experiences instilled in me a strong work ethic and a commitment to helping others, which have guided every step of my journey toward a career in healthcare. My motivation is deeply personal. I have a little sister who is autistic, and seeing her navigate daily challenges inspired my passion for pediatric nursing. I remember one afternoon when she became overwhelmed by a noisy environment and had a meltdown. I stayed with her, calmly guiding her through the situation and helping her feel safe. Watching her gradually relax made me realize how crucial patience, empathy, and individualized care are, not only for children with special needs but for all patients. This experience strengthened my desire to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to children and their families. After earning my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in 2025, I gained hands-on experience working directly with patients. I learned the importance of empathy, active listening, and professionalism, and I witnessed how small acts, offering reassurance, explaining procedures clearly, or simply providing comfort, can make a huge difference in a patient’s experience. These lessons, combined with my personal connection through my sister, reinforced my belief in the transformative power of nursing and inspired me to continue my education. I am currently completing my nursing prerequisites in preparation for the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program at North Central Texas College. My immediate goal is to become an LVN specializing in pediatric care, providing both medical treatment and emotional support to children and their families. In the long term, I plan to advance my education to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Becoming an RN will allow me to take on greater responsibilities, deepen my clinical knowledge, and expand my ability to advocate for patients while making a broader impact on the community. Through my career, I hope to inspire others in my family and community by demonstrating that perseverance, education, and dedication can overcome challenges. I want to provide care that addresses both the physical and emotional needs of patients, helping children and families feel safe, understood, and supported. Nursing is more than a career for me, it is a calling, a way to serve others while making a lasting and meaningful difference. By completing my LVN program and eventually becoming an RN, I will be prepared to combine skill, compassion, and advocacy to improve lives, uplift families, and positively impact my community.

I am a 26-year-old student and aspiring nurse who has overcome many challenges on my journey to pursuing a career in healthcare. Moving to the United States required me to adapt to a new culture, learn a new language, and start my education from scratch. At first, even simple tasks were overwhelming, and I often struggled to communicate effectively. However, through determination and hard work, I earned my GED in 2024, which gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my dreams. This experience taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of setting and achieving goals, qualities that have become foundational in both my personal life and my professional aspirations. My motivation to enter the medical field is deeply personal. I have a little sister who is autistic, and seeing her navigate daily challenges has inspired me to focus on pediatric nursing. I remember one afternoon when she became overwhelmed by a noisy environment and had a meltdown. I stayed with her, calmly guiding her through the situation and helping her feel safe. Watching her gradually relax made me realize the critical importance of patience, empathy, and individualized support. This experience strengthened my desire to provide compassionate care to children and their families, ensuring they feel understood, supported, and safe during vulnerable moments. In 2025, I earned my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience in patient care. Working directly with patients reinforced the value of empathy, communication, and professionalism in healthcare. I learned that even small acts, offering reassurance, listening attentively, or simply providing comfort, can make a significant difference in a patient’s experience. Combining these professional experiences with my personal connection to my sister has shaped my understanding of how much of an impact nurses can have on both patients and families. Currently, I am completing my nursing prerequisites in preparation for the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program at North Central Texas College. These courses are equipping me with the foundational knowledge I need to provide high-quality, evidence-based care. My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse, where I can care for children and support their families through medical challenges, using empathy, communication, and clinical skill to improve their health and well-being. I also hope to inspire others in my community, demonstrating that perseverance, education, and dedication can help anyone overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful goals. Through my medical career, I plan to make a positive impact on the world by combining my clinical skills with compassion and advocacy. I want to provide care that goes beyond treating physical conditions, addressing emotional and social needs as well. By creating safe, supportive environments for children and families, I hope to foster trust, confidence, and hope in the patients I serve. Additionally, I aim to serve as a role model, showing others that challenges can be overcome and that dedication to helping others can create meaningful change in both local and broader communities. Nursing is more than a career to me,it is a calling. Every step of my journey, from learning English and earning my GED to becoming a CNA and completing my prerequisites, has prepared me to serve with skill, empathy, and resilience. By pursuing pediatric nursing, I will be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, families, and the community, leaving a positive impact that extends far beyond the bedside.

I am pursuing a career in the medical field because I want to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, especially children, by providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Moving to the United States was a challenge, learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and starting my education from scratch tested my perseverance and determination. Earning my GED in 2024 was a pivotal moment, showing me that with hard work and focus, I can overcome obstacles and achieve my goals. These experiences shaped my commitment to helping others and gave me the confidence to pursue a career in healthcare, where I can combine my skills, empathy, and dedication to make a lasting impact. My motivation is also deeply personal. I have a little sister who is autistic, and witnessing her daily challenges has inspired my passion for pediatric nursing. I remember one afternoon when she became overwhelmed by a noisy environment and had a meltdown. I stayed by her side, calmly guiding her through the situation and helping her feel safe. Seeing her gradually relax reminded me how crucial patience, empathy, and individualized support are, not only for children with special needs but for all patients. This experience reinforced my desire to provide compassionate care that addresses both physical and emotional needs. After earning my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in 2025, I gained hands-on experience caring for patients, which strengthened my understanding of empathy, communication, and professionalism. I witnessed how small acts, offering reassurance, listening attentively, or simply providing comfort, can significantly improve a patient’s experience. These lessons, combined with my personal connection through my sister, have shown me the profound impact a nurse can have in supporting families and building trust with patients. I am currently completing my nursing prerequisites in preparation for the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program at North Central Texas College. This program will provide me with the technical skills and clinical knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality care. My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse, supporting children and their families through healthcare challenges while modeling resilience, compassion, and dedication. Pursuing this career also allows me to create stability for my family and inspire others to persevere despite obstacles. Nursing is more than a profession to me, it is a calling. Through my training and future work, I hope to combine my experiences, skills, and empathy to improve lives, uplift families, and make a meaningful contribution to my community. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me achieve these goals but also allow me to continue serving others with focus, determination, and heart.

My name is Paula Gonzalez, and I’m currently working toward my Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) certification. I chose this path because of my experiences growing up in Venezuela. Access to healthcare was limited, and I often saw families, including my own, struggle when medicine or care wasn’t available. Those experiences had a lasting impact on me and made me want to help people when they’re most vulnerable. Nursing allows me to combine technical skills with compassion, and it feels like the right path for me because it gives me the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives every day. After completing my LVN program, I plan to work in a hospital or clinic to gain hands-on experience. My long-term goal is to become a pediatric nurse. I have always loved working with children and hope to provide comfort and support to families during difficult moments. Nursing isn’t just a career for me, it’s a way to give back to the community that welcomed my family when we started over in the United States. I want to use my skills to help others, just as others have helped my family and me. Being able to care for people in their times of need is not only meaningful work but also a way to honor the challenges my family overcame to reach this country. One of the biggest challenges I have faced was leaving Venezuela as a political asylee. My family and I had to leave behind our home, our friends, and everything familiar. Arriving in a new country with a different language and culture was overwhelming. At first, I felt lost and unsure of myself. Learning English, adjusting to school, and figuring out how to navigate life here was difficult. I remember feeling frustrated at times, but I refused to let those struggles stop me. I focused on my goals, worked hard, and leaned on my family for support. Over time, I adjusted and began to feel more confident in my abilities. That experience taught me resilience and patience, and it gave me the confidence to face new challenges without giving up. Receiving the Uniball’s Skilled Trades Scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to my goal of becoming a nurse. Beyond the financial support, this scholarship represents perseverance, strength, and dedication, qualities that Dan “Uniball” Lansing embodied throughout his life. His story of overcoming challenges inspires me, and I hope to carry that same spirit forward. By working hard, caring for others, and making a positive impact in my community, I want to honor his legacy and build a meaningful future for myself and those I serve.