Cindy worked as a registered nurse, caring and channeling her love for the people in her community. I also decided to pursue a career in nursing for that same reasons. Nursing is more than just a career, it was a vocational calling. I wanted to do something that was impactful. I knew that if I was going to dedicate hours of my life to a job, I wanted it to be something selfless and beneficial to others. Just as Cindy loved her children, grandchildren, and husband, she also loved and gave so much of herself as a nurse. Reading the words about Cindy, I can feel her warmth and her strong legacy that she has left behind to all those who she has impacted. Coming from a small town, I didn't know college was even an option for me. Without the push and dedication of my mom assisting me with to pursue higher education, I am not confident to say that I would have. I was fortunate enough to get accepted into Florida State University right out of high school. This was a shocking experience for me. My high school graduating class had 90 students--FSU had 40,000. I started working at Mayo Clinic on the Heart Transplant Unit. Over the past 4 years of working as a bedside hospital nurse, I felt an itch to apply back to graduate school. The idea toyed around in my brain over the next year. The decision was finalized when I put in applications to various MSN programs in the south east. I was blessed to receive admission in the the University of South Carolina's MSN-FNP cohort for Fall 2021. Coming from a girl that did not think college was even an option, to being accepted into a graduate level school, I want to encourage others to dream big and work towards goals that seem impossible. I hope to graduate in 2024 with my Nurse Practitioner license and work in the field of dermatology. I want to work with a population of people struggling with skin afflictions that cause them insecurities. I want to help these people feel confident in their skin. I am so passionate about this goal and I cannot wait until that day comes.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because it was more than just a career, it was a vocational calling. I wanted to do something that was impactful. I knew that if I was going to dedicate hours of my life to a job, I wanted it to be something selfless and beneficial to others. Coming from a small town, I didn't know college was even an option for me. Without the push and dedication of my mom assisting me with to pursue higher education, I am not confident to say that I would have. I was fortunate enough to get accepted into Florida State University right out of high school. This was a shocking experience for me. My high school graduating class had 90 students--FSU had 40,000. Even though it was a culture shock, I jumped right in to the culture. I joined a sorority, auditioned for the school of dance, became certified as a fitness instructor, made friends, and found new hobbies. I decided on a major. I worked towards my nursing degree. I graduated in 4 years with my BSN in August of 2017. I started working at Mayo Clinic on the Heart Transplant Unit. Over the past 3 years of working as a bedside hospital nurse, I felt an itch to apply back to graduate school. The idea toyed around in my brain over the next year. The decision was finalized when I put in applications to various MSN programs in the south east. I was blessed to receive admission in the the University of South Carolina's MSN-FNP cohort for Fall 2021. Coming from a girl that did not think college was even an option, to being accepted into a graduate level school, I want to encourage others to dream big and work towards goals that seem impossible. I hope to graduate in 2024 with my Nurse Practitioner license and work in the field of dermatology. I want to work with a population of people struggling with skin afflictions that cause them insecurities. I want to help these people feel confident in their skin. I am so passionate about this goal and I cannot wait until that day comes.

I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. Spending time with this underserved community has been a highlight of my nursing career. Providing this care in an intimate and unassuming environment helps the community members feel valued and heard. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses. I value the opportunity to be selfless and create a positive impact on my local community. There is no better way to do this than by being impactful on a small scale. Working in a primary care retail health setting allows for just that. This career develops personal relationships in a unique way. I would enjoy the accountability of having a reoccurring patient population. I would feel fulfilled being able to see I can make an active difference in the community. As a nurse, working in a primary care retail health setting would allow me to address many concerns. In this role it is crucial to be a ‘jack of all trades’. The opportunity for growth and lifelong learning skills comes with the territory. This is a wonderfully intriguing career choice that I am passionate about pursuing.

In the spring of 2020, I lost my career as a bedside nurse. I was forced to take a leave-of-absence from my dream job, working as a heart transplant nurse. I developed an allergy to surgical masks. I could not fulfill the basic requirement of my job due to my masking intolerance. My skin would form open sores and ulcers that would bleed constantly during my 12 hour hospital shifts. These open sores became a high risk source of opportunistic infection when I was caring for immunocompromised patients. Being removed from this position due to an allergy was devastating. I have struggled for years with incessant cystic acne related to allergies. However, nothing aggravated my cystic acne as much as wearing a mask. I am allergic to everything from dust, graphite, pine, peanuts, honey, feathers, perfumes, and many more items. This physical condition can leave the person feeling emotionally debilitated. Skin conditions effect not only physical health but mental and emotional health. I want to work in this field to help others find answers and help them to gain confidence through treatments that are effective. As a registered hospital nurse, losing their job during the pandemic, my mental health was heavily impacted. When I felt that I had no other career path to pursue, I applied to graduate school in the fall of 2020. I was blessed to gain admission into the University of South Carolina’s MSN-FNP program. My desire to work in dermatology, developed from a passion to help others when it comes to physical insecurities related to skin sensitivities and allergies. It was time for me to make a positive change in my life. Nursing is emotionally rewarding, but financially stagnant. Attending an out-of-state university was a big financial endeavor, but I believe in my long-term goal. I have poured so much of myself into my patients, I pray that a scholarship donor would be kind enough to pour back into my life in the form of financial relief to assist me with reaching my goals. This degree will allow me more autonomy and increased mental clarity. I am excited, focused, and highly motivated to succeed in my graduate level courses. However, funding graduate school has been a huge stressor. With the assistance of this scholarship, I would be able to pay for textbooks and lab supplies. I am very thankful to be considered.

During my undergraduate years, I was voted Chapter President of my sorority-- Alpha Phi. I managed to balance leading an organization as well as remaining on the Dean's List for multiple academic semesters. My philanthropic efforts were focused on raising money and awareness for the number one killer of women in the united states--heart disease. I also served as a collegiate ambassador for the American Heart Association in both Tallahassee and Jacksonville. After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue working in the cardiology sector. I was offered a position as a heart transplant nurse at Mayo Clinic in a field that I continued to be engaged and fundraise through in a unique way, with the support of my employer. I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. Spending time with this underserved community has been a highlight of my nursing career. Providing this care in an intimate and unassuming environment helps the community members feel valued and heard. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses. I value the opportunity to be an active leader in my local community. There is no better way to do this than by being impactful on a small scale. Working in a primary care retail health setting allows for just that. This career develops personal relationships in a unique way. I would enjoy the accountability of having a reoccurring patient population. I would feel fulfilled being able to see I can make an active difference in the community. As a nurse, working in a primary care retail health setting would allow me to address many concerns. In this role it is crucial to be a ‘jack of all trades’. The opportunity for growth and lifelong learning skills comes with the territory. This is a wonderfully intriguing career choice that I am passionate about pursuing.

I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. Spending time with this underserved community has been a highlight of my nursing career. Providing this care in an intimate and unassuming environment helps the community members feel valued and heard. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses. I value the opportunity to have a positive impact on my local community. There is no better way to do this than by being impactful on a small scale. Working in a primary care retail health setting allows for just that. This career develops personal relationships in a unique way. I would enjoy the accountability of having a reoccurring patient population. I would feel fulfilled being able to see I can make an active difference in the community. As a nurse, working in a primary care retail health setting would allow me to address many concerns. In this role it is crucial to be a ‘jack of all trades’. The opportunity for growth and lifelong learning skills comes with the territory. This is a wonderfully intriguing career choice that I am passionate about pursuing.

In just 18 months, I have solo traveled to 27 of the 63 National Parks! My favorite hobby is traveling to national parks, preserves, and monuments. I feel a calling to learn about the world around me. I am fascinated by people. I am fascinated by other cultures. I am fascinated with history. This passion developed from growing up in a small rural community. I felt isolated and uneducated about the world around me. Family vacations were not a part of my childhood. I knew that if I wanted to see the world, it would have to be on my own accord. I takes a lot of bravery to solo travel, but I knew I had it in me to do! After graduating with my nursing degree, I took it upon myself to make a bucket-list of dream destinations. I meticulously spent hours researching and formulating trip itineraries to those places. My itineraries are catered to people looking to maximize their hiking and outdoor adventure time when traveling. These bold trips cover all the sites in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, California, Nevada, and Colorado. There is so much to see in these states. The hikes are amazing, and the Native American culture is thriving. Each solo flight landed me in a mirage of destinations. I have had the honor of seeing more National Parks than most see in a lifetime. I have snorkeled with whales and climbed a volcano. I have been in a 113F heatwave in the morning, and by the afternoon I was caught in a freak snowstorm. I have had the honor of meeting many indigenous peoples and hearing their stories. This is now I live boldly!

My favorite hobby is traveling to National Parks and National Monuments. I feel a calling to learn about the world around me. I am fascinated by people. I am fascinated by other cultures. I am fascinated with history. This passion developed from growing up in a small rural community. I felt isolated and uneducated about the world around me. Family vacations were not a part of my childhood. I knew that if I wanted to see the world, it would have to be on my own accord. After graduating with my nursing degree, I took it upon myself to make a bucket-list of dream destinations. I meticulously spent hours researching and formulating trip itineraries to those places. My itineraries are catered to people looking to maximize their hiking and outdoor adventure time when traveling. I have trips planned that cover New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, California, Nevada, and Colorado. There is so much to see in these states. The hikes are amazing, and the Native American culture is thriving. With each 14-hour shift working at the hospital, I would tell myself that work was just the means to an end. That end goal was having money to fund my passion for travel. Each airplane flight landed me in a mirage of destinations. I have had the honor of seeing more National Parks than most see in a lifetime. I have snorkeled with whales and climbed a volcano. I have been in a 113F heatwave in the morning, and by the afternoon I was caught in a freak snowstorm. I have had the honor of meeting many indigenous peoples and hearing their stories. In just 18 months, I have visited 27 of the 63 National Parks. I have goals of tacking a couple more in 2022. However, I am in graduate nursing school now. My dream is to become a Nurse Practitioner. While my National Park hobby might have to take a backseat during graduate clinical rotation, I know I will get back to the passion that I love soon!

I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. Spending time with this underserved community has been a highlight of my nursing career. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses.

I was blessed to gain admission into the University of South Carolina’s MSN-FNP program for Fall 2021. My desire to work in dermatology, developed from a passion to help others when it comes to physical insecurities. I personally struggled for years with incessant cystic acne. This physical condition can leave the person feeling emotionally debilitated. Skin conditions effect not only physical health but mental and emotional health. I want to work in this field to help others find answers and help them to gain confidence through treatments that are effective. My short-term goal is to attain my MSN degree. Shortly after, I hope to sit for the boards in which I will become a licensed nurse practitioner. I would like to shadow a NP working in a dermatology clinic. I want to gain all the knowledge I can. My goal is to open up my own dermatology office in south Florida. I have always had an eye for symmetry. I hope to be able to become the top in my field with non-surgical facial contouring procedures. I want to make others feel and look their best. I will strive to provide quality care in a welcoming environment.

I was blessed to gain admission into the University of South Carolina’s MSN-FNP program for Fall 2021. My desire to work in dermatology, developed from a passion to help others when it comes to physical insecurities. I personally struggled for years with incessant cystic acne. This physical condition can leave the person feeling emotionally debilitated. Skin conditions effect not only physical health but mental and emotional health. I want to work in this field to help others find answers and help them to gain confidence through treatments that are effective. My short-term goal is to attain my MSN degree. Shortly after, I hope to sit for the boards in which I will become a licensed nurse practitioner. I would like to shadow a NP working in a dermatology clinic. I want to gain all the knowledge I can. My goal is to open up my own dermatology office in south Florida. I have always had an eye for symmetry. I hope to be able to become the top in my field with non-surgical facial contouring procedures. I want to make others feel and look their best. I will strive to provide quality care in a welcoming environment.

I have enjoyed and excelled at taking on many leadership positions in both my collegiate and professional careers. I was founding Chapter President of Alpha Phi sorority. I was tasked with organizing, leading, and establishing legacies on my college campus. I fostered my leadership skills by attending two leadership conventions during my presidency. Balancing nursing school curriculum and leadership within my Chapter was not an easy feat. However, if gave me an opportunity to develop time-management and self-motivation skills. I also served as a liaison for the American Heart Association. This opportunity encouraged me to foster public speaking skills. I used the lessons learned in college to stand out in my Mayo Clinic interview. I was extended an offer as a heart transplant nurse and I gladly accepted the position. In 2020, I was voted Mayo Clinic Nurse of the Year after just 2 years. I have represented the cardiology department in weekly CNO lead meetings since I was hired in 2018. I am also a certified preceptor. This allows me to step up and train new graduate nurses after they are hired. I believe I am making a difference as a leader because I lead with respect, honor, and kindness. Often times, leadership goes hand in hand with affirmative action and harsh critique. I believe that working with women during my collegiate years, greatly helped me to address tough conversations with tact, mutual respect, and love. This view has not gone unseen by management and colleagues.

I have enjoyed and excelled at taking on many leadership positions in both my collegiate and professional careers. I was founding Chapter President of Alpha Phi sorority. I was tasked with organizing, leading, and establishing legacies on my college campus. I fostered my leadership skills by attending two leadership conventions during my presidency. Balancing nursing school curriculum and leadership within my Chapter was not an easy feat. However, if gave me an opportunity to develop time-management and self-motivation skills. I also served as a liaison for the American Heart Association. This opportunity encouraged me to foster public speaking skills. I used the lessons learned in college to stand out in my Mayo Clinic interview. I was extended an offer as a heart transplant nurse and I gladly accepted the position. In 2020, I was voted Mayo Clinic Nurse of the Year after just 2 years. I have represented the cardiology department in weekly CNO lead meetings since I was hired in 2018. I am also a certified preceptor. This allows me to step up and train new graduate nurses after they are hired. I believe I am making a difference as a leader because I lead with respect, honor, and kindness. Often times, leadership goes hand in hand with affirmative action and harsh critique. I believe that working with women during my collegiate years, greatly helped me to address tough conversations with tact, mutual respect, and love. This view has not gone unseen by management and colleagues.

Being a leader means, "practicing what you preach". If the desire is to have people respect you, then you must be a leader worth respecting. This comes in the form of being a good listener. Often times this stark contrast is seen between upper management and frontline workers. Listening and hearing the concerns of colleagues is key to success in any role. Administrators tend to enforce unrealistic expectations onto their staff members that they themselves do not adhere. There is nothing more disheartening than seeing your superior do the exact opposite of what they expect of you. When a leader is able to sit down and truly hear the concerns of their staff, changes are able to be made. If the work culture encourages kindness and empathy, and good listening skills, then the manager should go above and beyond to embody these values. With larger career titles, comes larger career stressors. However, this should never be an excuse for a leader forgetting the importance of treating all below them with respect and integrity. Being a leader is being intellegent enough to know that these things are not worth cutting corners to get ahead with. Taking the extra time to acknowledge others with kindness and love will gain a leader support.

I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses.

I have spent many hours working alongside underserved populations in Duval County. One of the most notable partnerships I have is with Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center. This is a community partnership program that addresses a wide variety of needs among families at risk of economic, social, and emotional challenges. While the idea of a community-based outreach program is not a new concept, Schell-Sweet is based on an innovative model of service delivery and social change. In the northwest area of Duval County, many underserved persons go without quality healthcare, fresh food choices or educational opportunities. Schell-Sweet plays a major role in identifying and enacting effective interventions to address many challenges facing at-risk families. This includes availability to computer technologies, basic life skills courses, GED classes, health improvement models, diabetes education, cooking classes, partnerships with child welfare agencies, parenting mentor programs, physical fitness equipment, and fresh produce deliveries. As a registered nurse, I educate the members about positive lifestyle changes and chronic health conditions. I help to organize free health screenings. I also volunteer as a fitness line dance instructor for the elderly population. I also am an active member of the philanthropic organization, Junior League. This community organization specifically works to address food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association to help newly transitioning graduates find community during job relocations. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association which lobbies for increased funding for underprivileged minority graduate level nurses.

I love coffee. It makes me happy. I particularly love taking artsy photos of my coffee with photogenic landscapes in the background. What does this have to do with writing an essay for a college scholarship you might ask? Well, the instructions were to captivate the reader by telling them about simple pleasures in your life. I would argue that the most simple of pleasures are the most meaningful. I find peace in walking the beach at sunrise. I feel joyous when I check off yet another National Park bucket-like hike. I feel fulfillment when I strum my guitar to the beat of my favorite Johnny Cash song. These are all the small pleasures that make me, me. Appreciating the small things in life is what makes this big wide universe, feel like a home. I enjoy studying humans. I enjoy learning about their particular mannerisms and decision making processes. I find comfort studying world history. If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that throughout time, humans have remained the same. We all need support, love, a sense of community, and a good laugh to find pleasure in.

Being a leader means, "practicing what you preach". If the desire is to have people respect you, then you must be a leader worth respecting. Often times this stark contrast is seen between upper management and frontline workers. Administrators tend to enforce unrealistic expectations onto their staff members that they themselves do not adhere. There is nothing more disheartening than seeing your superior do the exact opposite of what they expect of you. If the work culture encourages kindness and empathy, then the manager should go above and beyond to embody these values. With larger career titles, comes larger career stressors. However, this should never be an excuse for a leader forgetting the importance of treating all below them with respect and integrity. Being a leader is being intellegent enough to know that these things are not worth cutting corners to get ahead with. Taking the extra time to acknowledge others with kindness and love will gain a leader support. I have enjoyed and excelled at taking on many leadership positions in both my collegiate and professional careers. I was founding Chapter President of Alpha Phi sorority. I was tasked with organizing, leading, and establishing legacies on my college campus. I fostered my leadership skills by attending two leadership conventions during my presidency. Balancing nursing school curriculum and leadership within my Chapter was not an easy feat. However, if gave me an opportunity to develop time-management and self-motivation skills. I also served as a liaison for the American Heart Association. This opportunity encouraged me to foster public speaking skills. I used the lessons learned in college to stand out in my Mayo Clinic interview. I was extended an offer as a heart transplant nurse and I gladly accepted the position. In 2020, I was voted Mayo Clinic Nurse of the Year after just 2 years. I have represented the cardiology department in weekly CNO lead meetings since I was hired in 2018. I am also a certified preceptor. This allows me to step up and train new graduate nurses after they are hired. I believe I am making a difference as a leader because I lead with respect, honor, and kindness. Often times, leadership goes hand in hand with affirmative action and harsh critique. I believe that working with women during my collegiate years, greatly helped me to address tough conversations with tact, mutual respect, and love. This view has not gone unseen by management and colleagues.

During my undergraduate years, I was voted Chapter President of my sorority-- Alpha Phi. I managed to balance leading an organization as well as remaining on the Dean's List for multiple academic semesters. My philanthropic efforts were focused on raising money and awareness for the number one killer of women in the united states--heart disease. I also served as a collegiate ambassador for the American Heart Association in both Tallahassee and Jacksonville. After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue working in the cardiology sector. I was offered a position as a heart transplant nurse at Mayo Clinic in a field that I continued to be engaged and fundraise through in a unique way, with the support of my employer. I am an active member of the prestigious philanthropic organization, Junior League. I volunteer my time to work in the local community specifically addressing food insecurities in the local Jacksonville community. I hold the G.O.L.D. title as a member of Alpha Phi Alumnae Association. I reach out to members and inform them about volunteer opportunities hosted by the American Heart Association focused on raising awareness and money for heart disease. I am also a member of the Graduate Student Nursing Association that lobbies for funding for graduate level nurses and underprivileged minorities. I have learned that giving selflessly to the service of others creates a rebound joy inside myself. Serving others allows one to see the bigger picture. We often see ourselves in an egocentric way. Getting out in the local community and realizing that the world has many wonderful resources and organizations to get engaged with is refreshing and heartwarming. Taking the extra time to acknowledge others with kindness and love will fill the volunteer member with the same.

Passion to me is an exterior physical manifestation of an interior dream and vision. This can be seen in many ways including the relentless pursing of a goal, the desire to see the fruition of a lofty idea, or even the triumph over an unrelenting obstacle. One of the most attractive qualities in an individual is their level of passion for what they choose to pursue. As individuals, we are equipped with unique skill sets and qualities. We have the chance to educate ourselves and pursue the passions in which bring us the most joy and emotional fulfillment. Passion is a fire inside us that is set. That passion grows into a raging flame as our time and love is poured into it. I was accepted into the MSN-FNP program at the University of South Carolina. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner, working in the specialty of dermatology. During my undergraduate years, I was voted Chapter President of my sorority-- Alpha Phi. This was my first interaction with women run organizations that empower and uplift women. I got a taste of what it was like to be surrounded by courageous, strong, educated, forward-thinking females. It fascinated me that an organization was created to foster women in a unique way. Women are strong. Women are uniquely designed to be multidimensional, useful, creative and a force to reckon with. Society does not put enough love and time into bringing up women with the mindset that they are enough, and they can chase their dreams. Thanks to my sorority giving me support and a home, I managed to balance leading an organization as well as remaining on the Dean's List for multiple academic semesters. My philanthropic efforts were focused on raising money and awareness for the number one killer of women in the united states--heart disease. I also served as a collegiate ambassador for the American Heart Association in both Tallahassee and Jacksonville. After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue working in the cardiology sector. I was offered a position as a heart transplant nurse at Mayo Clinic. Working at Mayo Clinic placed me a wonderful environment where I could develop into the nurse I am today. I was voted Mayo Clinic Nurse of the Year for 2020. This was a fantastic honor awarded to a nurse that embodies and exemplifies Mayo Clinic's core values. I serve as Unit Council Chair, in which I am the liaison to the CNO. I represent all cardiology departments at Mayo Clinic. After working as a bedside nurse over the last three years, I now feel a calling to pursue higher education in the form of an MSN degree. I was able to achieve this goal and gain acceptable in the MSN-FNP program at USC. During my first semester I maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Passion to me is an exterior physical manifestation of an interior dream and vision. This can be seen in many ways including the relentless pursing of a goal, the desire to see the fruition of a lofty idea, or even the triumph over an unrelenting obstacle. One of the most attractive qualities in an individual is their level of passion for what they choose to pursue. As individuals, we are equipped with unique skill sets and qualities. We have the chance to educate ourselves and pursue the passions in which bring us the most joy and emotional fulfillment. Passion is a fire inside us that is set. That passion grows into a raging flame as our time and love is poured into it. I was accepted into the MSN-FNP program at the University of South Carolina. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner, working in the specialty of dermatology. During my undergraduate years, I was voted Chapter President of my sorority-- Alpha Phi. I managed to balance leading an organization as well as remaining on the Dean's List for multiple academic semesters. I was heavily influenced by the book, 'How to Make Friends & Influence People'. This book fueled my interest and structured my interactions with other. The book helped me to steer how I was going to shape my goals and position myself in a way to make my goal attainable. My philanthropic efforts were focused on raising money and awareness for the number one killer of women in the united states--heart disease. I also served as a collegiate ambassador for the American Heart Association in both Tallahassee and Jacksonville. After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue working in the cardiology sector. I was offered a position as a heart transplant nurse at Mayo Clinic. Working at Mayo Clinic placed me a wonderful environment where I could develop into the nurse I am today. I was voted Mayo Clinic Nurse of the Year for 2020. This was a fantastic honor awarded to a nurse that embodies and exemplifies Mayo Clinic's core values. I serve as Unit Council Chair, in which I am the liaison to the CNO. I represent all cardiology departments at Mayo Clinic. After working as a bedside nurse over the last three years, I now feel a calling to pursue higher education in the form of an MSN degree. I was able to achieve this goal and gain acceptable in the MSN-FNP program at USC. During my first semester I maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Generosity is more than just giving money to a religious organization. Generosity, to me, means taking the time to acknowledge and make a difference in someone else's life. Being encouraging, being present, being available are all small examples of how we can be generous to those we care about. Being generous with money is the first thing we think of when we picture an image of generosity. However, time is just as valuable. Giving our time and energy is just as important, and arguably, more generous than financial assistance.

As a registered hospital nurse, working through the pandemic, my mental health was heavily impacted. It was time for me to make a positive change in my life. I decided to pursue higher education in the form of an MSN-FNP. This degree will allow me more autonomy and increased mental clarity. I am excited, focused, and highly motivated to succeed in my graduate level courses. However, funding graduate school has been a huge stressor. With the assistance of this scholarship, I would be able to pay for textbooks and lab supplies. I am very thankful to be considered.

Coming from a small town, I didn't know college was even an option for me. Without the push and dedication of my mom assisting me with to pursue higher education, I am not confident to say that I would have. I was fortunate enough to get accepted into Florida State University right out of high school. This was a shocking experience for me. My high school graduating class had 90 students--FSU had 40,000. Even though it was a culture shock, I jumped right in to the culture. I joined a sorority, auditioned for the school of dance, became certified as a fitness instructor, made friends, and found new hobbies. I decided on a major. I worked towards my nursing degree. I graduated in 4 years with my BSN in August of 2017. I started working at Mayo Clinic on the Heart Transplant Unit. Over the past 3 years of working as a bedside hospital nurse, I felt an itch to apply back to graduate school. The idea toyed around in my brain over the next year. The decision was finalized when I put in applications to various MSN programs in the south east. I was blessed to receive admission in the the University of South Carolina's MSN-FNP cohort for Fall 2021. Coming from a girl that did not think college was even an option, to being accepted into a graduate level school, I want to encourage others to dream big and work towards goals that seem impossible. I hope to graduate in 2023 with my Nurse Practitioner license and work in the field of dermatology. I want to work with a population of people struggling with skin afflictions that cause them insecurities. I want to help these people feel confident in their skin. I am so passionate about this goal and I cannot wait until that day comes.