The first time I put on my JROTC uniform, I didn’t just see myself I saw the leader I wanted to become. Marching in step, serving at community events, and learning discipline all showed me that leadership isn’t about rank. It’s about impact. JROTC taught me that when you serve others, you create a ripple effect that builds stronger, more connected communities. Through JROTC, I’ve been able to give back in ways that shaped me into someone who sees service as a lifestyle, not a requirement. From wining toys or tots queen for the 24-25 school year, to working with the Boys & Girls Club, to serving at the Augusta Boxing Club where I also help with social media, I’ve seen firsthand how small acts can inspire big change. Even at the Launch Nursing Academy, where I earned the Cidney O’Neil Award, I learned that care and compassion can uplift people who often feel overlooked. My future career in nursing continues that mission I want to serve underserved communities, ensuring that access to healthcare isn’t a privilege, but a right. But it hasn’t all been easy. Balancing school, cheer, work, and jrotc while maintaining my GPA taught me resilience. At times, I doubted myself especially when my GPA dipped lower than I wanted.. Instead of quitting, I reframed my mindset: setbacks don’t define me, they refine me. That challenge made me more determined to chase opportunities like scholarships and military service, so I can graduate debt-free and focus on building the future Ive always envision. If I could be the world’s next superhero, my theme song would be “Love Yourz” by J. Cole. The message is simple but powerful: appreciate your journey, because there’s beauty in the struggle. That song represents who I am a young woman who has faced obstacles, but uses them as fuel to push harder. It reminds me to stay grounded, uplift others, and never forget that true wealth is in the lives you touch and the way you carry yourself, not the titles you hold. JROTC sparked my passion for leadership and military, and every experience since has only deepened that fire. Whether it’s through nursing, continued service, or simply being present for the people around me, my mission is clear to build stronger communities wherever life takes me. Because at the end of the day, service is not just something I do it’s who I am.

When I think about why I want to become a nurse, one memory always stands out. I was sitting in a hospital room, watching a nurse care for someone close to me. What amazed me wasn’t just her medical knowledge, but the way she spoke with compassion, offered comfort, and made us feel like we weren’t alone. In that moment, I realised something important: nurses don’t just heal bodies they restore hope. That experience lit a fire in me, and it’s the reason I am determined to pursue nursing as my career. For me, nursing is about more than a profession it’s about impact. I don’t just want a career, I want a calling. I have always been ambitious and driven, but my goals are bigger than personal success. I see nursing as a pathway to serve my community while also challenging myself to grow. My dream is to work as a nurse and eventually serve in the military, which will allow me to use my training on a global scale. Whether in my hometown or across the world, I want to be the person who shows up in the hardest moments and reminds others that they still have strength left in them. The phrase “human touch” perfectly describes the kind of impact I want to make. In healthcare, “human touch” isn’t just about physical contact it’s about empathy, understanding, and connection. During the COVID 19 pandemic, when patients were separated from their families, nurses became the bridge between fear and comfort. A smile, a reassuring word, or holding a patient’s hand wasn’t small it was life changing. That is the power I want to carry into every patient interaction: the power to remind someone that they are not alone. The truth is, medicine can treat the body, but human touch heals the spirit. When patients feel seen and respected, they gain confidence in their recovery. Trust becomes medicine, and hope becomes part of the healing plan. Human touch transforms healthcare because it creates connection something no machine or textbook can replace. Nurses who embrace this don’t just change patient outcomes; they change lives. I want to be that kind of nurse the one who walks into a room and brings more than skill, but also strength, reassurance, and dignity. My ambition is to provide care that heals physically while also uplifting emotionally. My drive is rooted in the belief that every patient deserves to feel valued, no matter their circumstances. Looking ahead, my vision is bold. I want to graduate college, step into the nursing field, and take every opportunity to expand my knowledge and service. I plan to combine nursing with military service, because I see myself not only serving locally but also reaching people globally. I want to be on the front lines of change, using my skills to serve in times of crisis, and proving that compassion has no borders. My journey is about more than personal success it’s about creating a legacy. A legacy of care, leadership, and impact that shows future generations what’s possible when you follow your purpose with determination. I don’t just want to be in the room where care happens I want to be the reason hope stays alive. Nursing is not just my career choice it is my purpose. It is where my ambition meets compassion, where my drive becomes service, and where I can leave a lasting mark on every life I touch. With every step I take, I am preparing not just to enter a profession, but to answer a calling: to heal, to lead, and to impact the world.