Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, the nursing realm is the idea that's stuck with me through it all. The concept of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a meaningful difference in their lives, even for a moment, has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, I aim to show my community that compassionate nurses still exist. Too many stories of mistreated patients have been told in past years, and unfortunately, I’ve dealt with it to a small degree. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. I became overwhelmed with panic as I learned the hospital staff had decided I should go to a facility for a week or two. My nurse looked at me coldly and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." This experience has stuck with me for years. It’s taught me that if someday I ever make a patient feel the way I did in that moment, extremely alone— I’ve failed at my job. Nursing is more than healing the physical embodiment of a soul; it's about healing the mind of a soul, too. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me grow financially and mentally during my years as a young adult. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I thrive by staying busy. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. With the hard work I put into my time in college, the best outcome would be for everything I am learning to pay off someday soon. I'll run bedside to bedside, ensuring my patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that this field is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question if the struggle is worth it, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. This first year has tested me in ways I never could’ve imagined. There were moments I questioned whether or not I would truly get the chance to start my dream. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I’ve made it this far; giving up now is useless.

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many poor experiences they have had within the field. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced the lack of empathy myself. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. It felt like my nurse did not care about how I was feeling, being cooped up in the hospital for so long, in the state I was in. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. I could hear my own heartbeat as the fight-or-flight instinct fired off in my nerves. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me knowing that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a safe place; under my care someday, no kid will ever. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me financially and mentally since I was about sixteen years old. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I enjoy being on the move. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. The hard work I put into my time in college will soon pay off, and I'll be running bedside to bedside, ensuring my younger patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that nursing is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. I’ve shown myself that I am capable of doing this. This first year has been rough, and I questioned whether or not I could make my dream happen; the thought of giving up got potent. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be. I found this scholarship via bold.org

Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, nursing has seemed to be my calling from the beginning. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world the most. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, this field has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many poor experiences they have had within the field. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced the lack of empathy myself. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric/pediatric patient. It felt like my nurse did not care about how I was feeling, being cooped up in the hospital for so long in the state I was in. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. I could hear my own heartbeat as the fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me knowing that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a safe place, and under my care someday; no kid ever will. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me financially and mentally since I was about sixteen years old. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I enjoy being on the move. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. The hard work I put into my time in college will soon pay off, and I'll be running bedside to bedside, ensuring my younger patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that nursing is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. I’ve shown myself that I am capable of doing this. This first year has been rough, and I questioned whether or not I could make my dream happen; the thought of giving up got potent. After countless teary nights and stress-induced headaches, I learned how to study effectively in ways that work for me. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

Nursing has always been my calling. It is the field where I see myself thriving and positively impacting the world. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday as a kid, my answer never changed: "I want to be a nurse." Although I explored alternative pathways leading up to my graduation from high school, nursing is the one field that has stuck with me through it all. The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling, being cooped up in the hospital for so long. She made me feel crazy for feeling shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a safe place. I crave the fast-paced work environment of a hospital; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation, as it has helped me financially and mentally since I was about sixteen years old. When I think of work now, I think of running table to table as a waitress and ensuring my customers are comfortable. The hard work I put into my time in college will soon pay off, and I'll be running bedside to bedside, ensuring my young patients are comfortable instead. Throughout my first year of college, I've realized that nursing is challenging and requires a specific mental and physical strength to get the work done. I expect several more instances throughout the next three years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times stop me from doing what I have longed for since childhood. I’ve shown myself that I am capable of doing this. This first year has been rough, and I questioned whether or not I could make my dream happen; the thought of giving up got potent. After countless teary nights and stress headaches, I figured out how to study effectively. Through these new study skills I’ve picked up, I’ve become more confident in my knowledge and understanding of topics discussed in lectures. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing. I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

It's normal; for things in the real world to constantly go wrong, at least. After all, we humans aren't always the brightest. Sometimes, it's not even humans who cause things to go wrong; instantaneous disasters can happen any day to the simplest of people, whether it's planned or not. It's eerie to think of how we all close our eyes some nights, thinking about how we will go about our everyday lives the following morning, to wake up and have fate dictate how each day will go. That is if you're lucky enough to open your eyes for that following morning. The reaper has never discriminated. You could be a six-year-old girl waiting for Dad to get home from his twenty-four-hour shift at the fire station so you and your little brother can attend the town trick-or-treat on a chilly autumn evening. Mom is boiling the box of Spongebob Squarepants Mac' Cheese and cooking up some seasoned french fries for dinner when, out of nowhere, she comes over to you with her phone in hand, and all you can hear is your father's muffled voice on the other end saying, "Rosie, I'm going to be ok. I got into a car accident." He had rolled over his blue Jeep Wrangler on some train tracks and into a ditch without the hard top on the roof. He was one of the lucky ones. What about when you're eight at your First Communion after-party and walk into the den to find Papa slumped over in the recliner? The chemo had taken its toll on him as he battled the evil illness of cancer. Seeing him so tired and out of it while everyone else was having fun in the kitchen should've been a sign. Papa passed away in the hospital a few months later at one of his favorite spots to go to with Nana, that being Daytona Beach in Florida. The last words anyone in this state heard him say was over a Skype call a few nights before his untimely departure, "Nana and I will be back up to Massachusetts soon, you guys! I love you." Maybe years pass, and you're now seventeen years old, wide awake and all alone at midnight on a random Wednesday night, finding out that the boy you loved with your heart and soul for two years cheated on you with another girl and then went on to start dating her. Another girl whose veins rushed with poison instead of blood, as she knew exactly what she was doing from the start. Those two never got their happy ending though; there is no need to fret. To put it briefly, the once kind, loving, gentle boy that poor girl grew to know and adore had seemingly vanished. When she got the heart-stopping, blood-curdling news a few weeks after the affair of the reaper's visit, that's when she knew there was no such thing as "trying again." With all the wrongs, many other rights exist to follow up with. At that time, the little blonde girl was trying to ride her bicycle without the training wheels for the first time, and she scratched a car with her handlebar. Her dad had to comfort her for at least a half hour, and when they knocked on the owner's front door, an older lady answered, and she was more than understanding. Or the time when all the neighborhood kids played hide-and-go-seek on a Summer night in 2015. The answer to "what could go wrong" is anything. Anything could go wrong at any time. It's a scary thought, but have you ever questioned, "What could go right?"

As a child, I was carefree and happy, but growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping away from me. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they were starting to talk about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night, when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed or room. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I really like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. High school also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Playing music has helped me get out of my shell, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

I realize now just how naïve I was when I was a kid. But that’s how kids should be anyway, happy and carefree. Growing up as the eldest daughter has been a different kind of experience from most of my “middle-child” friends. I was considered a “gifted child” because of my intelligence and maturity from a young age, and this in turn led to me feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders years later. With a good family and happy upbringing, one wonders, “Well, what happened?” To that, my answer is, “ A lot.” Towards the end of my middle school years, my mental health began to spiral. At thirteen, I felt as though my life was slipping through my fingers and out of reach. Home started to feel like a jail. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through hard times. After being together for 26 years they began talking about ending their chapter together. They would fight almost nightly, and for a bit, they were both pretty heavy on the bottle. The echoes of their yelling over their loud music and the door-slamming ringing up the stairwell is something I will never forget. I remember how surprised my parents were when they found my journal, they thought everything was fine. Nobody can blame them for their way of thinking though, as I was maintaining my A’s and B’s in school and I attended cheer practices regularly. In reality, the thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can seriously suck the spirit out of the person it has its grip around. When the quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up during the night. My thoughts always crept up on me at night, when the quietness of the world was the loudest. I wouldn’t leave my room or even my bed some days. Every day began to blend into one, and trying to motivate myself to do the basics like showering and eating became a challenge. With school being canceled for the rest of the school year, I felt trapped in an unhappy house with no escape. With all of the bad the pandemic brought, I believe that in a way the loneliness is what I needed. If I didn’t experience things the way I did, I wouldn’t be who I am today. And for the record, I really like who I am today. Now that years have passed, I can look back on it and see how far I have come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school. I was still struggling pretty badly, but being around people again was the first step to feeling better. High school is also what introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I have been a part of the school band as a flutist. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Not only has playing music helped get me out of my shell, but listening to it has become a healthy form of coping for me. I have noticed that learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of. I am confident that given my past experiences, I will continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “ I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked from. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander helplessly watching on. The disgusting stories I have heard of how some nurses treat their patients genuinely gets under my skin, and someday I want to be a prime example of who a nurse should be. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen years old. Shortly after getting my driver's license, I found my current job as a hostess at an Applebee's restaurant. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Working with people is what I’ve realized. I have had plenty of unpleasant experiences with others, but the small memories made with the sweetest customers I have met are worth dealing with the bad times. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It’s rare for me to call out of a shift. I value my work deeply, and working all of these jobs has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. Have I mentioned my love for music? The art of music and I have come a long way throughout the years. I went from being unbiased about music class, to despising it, to adoring it in twelve years. I have played the flute for three years with the help of my high school band, and I have recently started playing guitar. My freshman year of high school was when my music taste took a turn. My playlist was filled with mostly pop songs from the modern age, however, slowly but surely it began to fill up with more and more grunge bands. Nirvana, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Pierce the Veil, Foo Fighters; name the band and it is most likely on my playlist. The sounds of the electric and bass instruments, the rasp in the singers' voices; to me, it is one of the greatest works of art. My father is the person who introduced me to this genre of music, and I am forever thankful for it. I like to call it, “Dad Rock.” This scholarship would help me pay some of the high expenses of nursing school. Although my family is financially stable, my parents still have my little brother and sister to care for. In today's economy, their bank accounts would take a huge blow that I’m not sure they would recover from if they were to put me through all four years of college. Besides, I want to work for what I want in life. Help is help; but time, work, and skill lead to success.

Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “ I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked from. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander helplessly watching on. The disgusting stories I have heard of how some nurses treat their patients genuinely gets under my skin, and someday I want to be a prime example of who a nurse should be. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen. Shortly after getting my driver's license, I found my current job as a hostess at an Applebee's restaurant. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Working with people is what I’ve realized. I have had plenty of unpleasant experiences with others, but the small memories made with the sweetest customers I have met are worth dealing with the bad times. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It’s rare for me to call out of a shift. I value my work deeply, and working all of these jobs has shown me that hard work truly does pay- off. Have I mentioned my love for music? The art of music and I have come a long way throughout the years. I went from being unbiased about music class, to despising it, to adoring it in twelve years. I have played the flute for three years with the help of my high school band, and I have recently started playing guitar. My freshman year of high school was when my music taste took a turn. My playlist was filled with mostly pop songs from the modern age, however, slowly but surely it began to fill up with more and more grunge bands. Nirvana, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Pierce the Veil, Foo Fighters; name the band and it is most likely on my playlist. The sounds of the electric and bass instruments, the rasp in the singers' voices; to me, it is one of the greatest works of art. My father is the person who introduced me to this genre of music, and I am forever thankful for it. I like to call it, “Dad Rock.” I'm excited to begin my nursing career and ready to face the challenges that come with it. I'm committed to becoming the best nurse I can be and providing high-quality care to my patients.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I will be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

Hello there! My name is Rose DiMeco. I am seventeen years old and I have resided in the state of Massachusetts for my whole life. I am my parents' eldest daughter and I have two younger siblings. Most consider me the “easy child” in my family compared to my brother and sister. I am a pretty quiet person, I never have too much to say. That is until I am around the people I am comfortable with, then my mouth starts running. Sometimes I remind myself of a broken record. Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “ I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander helplessly watching on. The disgusting stories I have heard of how some nurses treat their patients genuinely get under my skin, and someday I want to be a prime example of who a nurse should be. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen. Shortly after getting my driver's license, I found my current job as a hostess at an Applebee's restaurant. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Working with people is what I’ve realized. I have had plenty of unpleasant experiences with others, but the small memories made with the sweetest customers I have met are worth dealing with the bad times. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It’s rare for me to call out of a shift. I value my work deeply, and working all these jobs has shown me that hard work truly pays off. This scholarship would help me pay some of the high expenses of nursing school. Although my family is financially stable, my parents still have my little brother and sister to care for. In today's economy, their bank accounts would take a huge blow that I’m not sure they would recover from if they were to put me through all four years of college. Besides, I want to work for what I want in life. Help is help; but time, work, and skill lead to success.

From a young age, I have always been interested in working in healthcare. As I grew older and began to understand the different roles within the field, I quickly realized that nursing was the perfect fit for me. The idea of being able to help people in their time of need and make a positive impact on their lives is what truly inspires me. As a woman, I am proud to have chosen a career in nursing. I believe that women have a unique ability to provide compassionate care and support to patients, and I am eager to be a part of that tradition. I am also determined to break down any barriers that may exist in the field and to show that women are just as capable as men in the healthcare industry. My passion for nursing is rooted in my own experiences as a patient. When I was a teenager, I found myself in the emergency room of a hospital, struggling with a mental health crisis. While I received medical attention, the lack of empathy and understanding from the nursing staff left a lasting impression on me. It was then that I realized the true value of having a nurse who is not only skilled in their work but also kind and compassionate towards their patients. As I prepare to embark on my nursing career, I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I know that this field can be demanding, both physically and emotionally, but I am ready to meet those challenges head-on. I am committed to becoming the best nurse that I can be and to providing high-quality care to all of my patients. In addition to my desire to make a positive impact on patients, I am also excited to be a part of a field that is constantly evolving and advancing. The healthcare industry is always changing, and I am eager to learn and grow alongside it. I believe that nursing is a career that will not only provide me with personal fulfillment but also with opportunities for professional growth and development. In conclusion, I am proud to be a woman pursuing a career in nursing. I am committed to providing compassionate care to my patients and to breaking down any barriers that may exist for women in the healthcare industry. I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and I am confident that I will be able to make a positive impact on the lives of those around me.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show not only my community but the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up overhearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show not only my community but the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show not only my community but the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up overhearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place,” and someday I want to be a good example of who a nurse should be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I would much rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best pediatric nurse I can be.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it bothers me knowing that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No child deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place.” The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I’d rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

I was carefree and happy just like any other average child. But growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the world's weight on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping through my fingers. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they began to discuss ending their marriage. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors those nights still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally returned to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling, especially in a new school with a different atmosphere. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. Because I chose to go to a trade school, I chose "Design and Visual Communications" as my trade. There, I learned how to film and edit video and audio, along with the art of photography and graphic design. High school has also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Music has helped me express myself, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

As I reminisce about my final moments on that blue turf under the Friday night lights, I can't help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia. The cheers of the opposing team's fans, the brisk Fall air, the familiar sight of my teammates gathered around me, all of it feels just like yesterday. In reality, it has been months since that night. As I left the field, I felt a sense of foreboding. The realization that I would never again be standing on that turf, cheering my heart out for my team, hit me hard. As I drove home in silence, a deep sense of loss washed over me. After four years, my journey under the Friday night lights had come to an end, and it was time to move on. Looking back, it's hard to believe that it all started when I was in seventh grade. My team, the Clinton Gaels, was nothing more than a recreational team, cheering on the football players and competing against other cheer teams from neighboring towns and states. But for me, it was so much more than that. It was a chance to showcase my skills, to be part of a team, and to make lifelong friendships. I still remember my stunt group, consisting of a tiny fifth-grade girl and four other seventh-graders, including myself. Alexis, the youngest member of the team, was our fearless flyer. With the strength of our group, we would make her soar high above the ground, and the feeling of pride that washed over us was indescribable. Even now, years later, I can still feel that sense of accomplishment. When I moved to a trade school in Marlborough for high school, I thought my days of cheerleading would continue as planned. But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. All sports were put on hold, and it seemed like my dreams of ever cheering again were thrown out the window. But then, in my junior year, I knew I had to give it one more shot. I wanted to taste that feeling of being part of a team again, of being part of something bigger than myself. Despite the challenges, I decided to return as a “Lady Azetc” for the Assabet Valley Aztecs. It wasn't easy, juggling work and practice, but it was worth it. The high school games were much more entertaining than the middle school ones, and the halftime routines we put on were always enjoyable. As I look back on my story, I can't help but feel grateful for every moment. Cheerleading was more than just a sport for me. It was a getaway, and it gave me the courage to face my troubles both at school and at home. Most importantly, it instilled in me a sense of teamwork and perseverance that I carry with me to this day. No matter where life takes me, I will always have a special place in my heart for cheer and the memories it gave me.

As a child, I was carefree and happy; just like any other average person around my age. But growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" in my family due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the world's weight on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping out of my grip. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they began talking about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors those nights still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally returned to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling, especially in a new school with a different atmosphere. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. Because I chose to go to a trade school, I chose "Design and Visual Communications" as my trade. There, I learned how to film and edit video and audio, along with the art of photography and graphic design. High school has also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Music has helped me express myself, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

From the time I understood what the word, “career” meant, I knew what I wanted mine to be. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it irks me to know that nurses like her are sadly everywhere nowadays. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be considered a “safe place.” The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. If I am going to be stuck somewhere for hours, I’d rather be up and about instead of standing around staring at the clock. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing; and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

Throughout my life, I have been perceived in different ways by different people. Some would describe me as a quiet girl, while others would say that I have no filter. For my part, I have always thought of myself as a quiet person, which has made it difficult for me to make friends over the years. To compensate for this obstacle, I have tried my best to excel in everything I do, both in school and out. However, this mindset has also caused me to develop a fear of failure. Even today, I sometimes find myself feeling nervous when I fail, whether it be a bad test grade or a failed stunt at cheer practice. My fear of failure has been a constant presence in my life, especially during my eighth-grade year when things at home were not going well. My parents were fighting almost every night, and I remember them discussing divorce at some point. It was a difficult time for me, and the memories of staying up late and listening to their arguments still haunt me to this day. Things only got worse when the pandemic hit my area in the Spring of 2020. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this, combined with my home life; pushed me into a deep, dark, and depressive hole. However, I didn't give up. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small hometown. During my freshman year, I got into the Design and Visual Communications shop, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally, in my junior year; I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet's news show, "Aztecs Live." Recently, I have found a part-time co-op position as a cameraman and editor that I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. Not only did my time in my shop benefit me, but being around new people and meeting others has also helped me feel less nervous about talking. Although I do not intend to stay in this field of work, I am proud of what I have learned and accomplished for myself. It took a lot of time, energy, and strength to get from the dark times to the brighter ones. With everything I have experienced, I am confident that one day I will be able to graduate from nursing school and become a successful, educated, and hard-working woman.

Hello there! My name is Rose DiMeco. I am seventeen years old and I have resided in the state of Massachusetts for my whole life. I am my parents' eldest daughter and I have two younger siblings. Most consider me the “easy child” in my family compared to my brother and sister. I am a pretty quiet person, I never have too much to say. That is until I am around the people I am comfortable with, then my mouth starts running. Sometimes I remind myself of a broken record. Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “ I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander on the sidelines helplessly watching on. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen years old. Shortly after getting my driver's license, I found my current job as a hostess at an Applebee's restaurant. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Working with people is what I’ve realized. I have had plenty of unpleasant experiences with others, but the small memories made with the sweetest customers I have met are worth dealing with the bad times. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It’s rare for me to call out of a shift. I value my work deeply, and working all of these jobs has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. Have I mentioned my love for music? The art of music and I have come a long way throughout the years. I went from being unbiased about music class, to despising it, to adoring it in twelve years. I have played the flute for three years with the help of my high school band, and I have recently started playing guitar. My freshman year of high school was when my music taste took a turn. My playlist was filled with mostly pop songs from the modern age, however, slowly but surely it began to fill up with more and more grunge bands. Nirvana, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Pierce the Veil, Foo Fighters; name the band and it is most likely on my playlist. The sounds of the electric and bass instruments, the rasp in the singers' voices; to me, it is one of the greatest works of art. My father is the person who introduced me to this genre of music, and I am forever thankful for it. I like to call it, “Dad Rock.” This scholarship would help me pay some of the high expenses of nursing school. Although my family is financially stable, my parents still have my little brother and sister to care for. In today's economy, their bank accounts would take a huge blow that I’m not sure they would recover from if they were to put me through all four years of college. Besides, I want to work for what I want in life. Help is help; but time, work, and skill lead to success.

As a child, I was carefree and happy, but growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping away from me. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they were starting to talk about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night, when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. Because I chose to go to a trade school, I chose "Design and Visual Communications" as my trade. There, I learned how to film and edit video and audio, along with the art of photography and graphic design. High school has also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Music has helped me come out of my shell, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

As a child, I was carefree and happy, but growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping away from me. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they were starting to talk about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night, when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed or room. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I really like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. Because I chose to go to a trade school, I chose "Design and Visual Communications" as my trade. There, I learned how to film and edit video and audio, along with the art of photography and graphic design. High school has also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Music has helped me come out of my shell, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

As a child, I was carefree and happy, but growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping away from me. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they were starting to talk about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night, when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed or room. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I really like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. Because I chose to go to a trade school, I chose "Design and Visual Communications" as my trade. There, I learned how to film and edit video and audio, along with the art of photography and graphic design. High school has also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Music has helped me get out of my shell, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

As a child, I was carefree and happy, but growing up as the eldest daughter came with its own set of challenges. Being considered a "gifted child" due to my intelligence and maturity from a young age, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders as I got older. Despite having a good family and a happy upbringing, my mental health began to spiral towards the end of my middle school years. At just thirteen years old, I felt like my life was slipping away from me. My parents, high school sweethearts since the 90s, were going through a difficult time. After being together for 26 years, they were starting to talk about ending their relationship. They would fight almost every night, and for a while, both of them became more hostile towards my siblings and I. The echoes of their yelling over loud music and slamming doors still ring in my mind. My parents were surprised when they found my journal because they thought everything was fine. But in reality, thoughts of darkness and pure hell lingered in my mind. Depression can be a soul-sucking experience. When quarantine happened in 2020, my mind went to the darkest places. I slept through most days and stayed up at night, when my thoughts would creep up on me. Some days, I wouldn't even leave my bed or room. Every day seemed to blend into one, and even simple tasks like showering and eating became a challenge. With school canceled for the rest of the year, I felt trapped in an unhappy home with no escape. Although the pandemic brought a lot of bad, I believe that the loneliness is what I needed to grow. If I hadn't experienced things the way I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today. And for the record, I really like who I am now. Looking back now, I can see how far I've come. When I finally went back to school in 2020, I was a freshman in high school and still struggling. But being around people again was the first step to feeling better. High school also introduced me to the world of music. Since my sophomore year, I've been playing the flute in the school band. In my senior year, I picked up the acoustic guitar and learned how to play it both in and out of school. Playing music has helped me get out of my shell, and listening to it has become a healthy form of coping. Learning new things and meeting new people has helped me become someone I can be proud of, and I'm confident that given my past experiences, I'll continue to cope with situations and my feelings better in the future.

Nursing has always been my calling. It is the field where I see myself thriving and making a positive impact in the world. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it to some degree firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about how I was feeling being cooped up in the hospital for so long, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over hearing what they were planning for me. The hospital staff decided I should go to a facility for a week or two, and I began to panic. My nurse looked at me straight-faced and said, "Why are you freaking out and getting so upset? There is no need for this." Although this experience was years ago, it is the reason why I am determined to pursue psychiatric and pediatric nursing. No kid deserves to feel that way in what's supposed to be a "safe place." The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. I put every negative feeling and every thought that makes me angry or anxious into what I do at work. I run around with the dirty dishes and menus to release those emotions, not to mention the money I make while doing it. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing, and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

Nursing has always been my calling. It is the field where I see myself thriving and making a positive impact in the world. Whenever someone asks me what I want to become someday, my answer never changes; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others, being there for them during their lowest points, and making a difference in their lives has been a driving inspiration for me. As a future nurse, my main goal is to show my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs mistreating their patients disgust me, and I have witnessed it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about my mental health, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. Although this experience was years ago, it is the reason why I am determined to pursue psychiatric and pediatric nursing. I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought and every feeling that makes me angry or anxious into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus to release those emotions, not to mention the money I make while doing it. I realize that nursing is a challenging field, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. There will be several times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood. I am determined, focused, and passionate about nursing, and I am willing to go above and beyond to become the best nurse I can be.

Nursing has always been the field I have envisioned myself in. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday, my answer never changed; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others and being there for them during their lowest points has been a driving inspiration for me. I aspire to be the one assisting others on their worst days and not just a bystander. As a future nurse, my primary goal is to demonstrate to my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have witnessed it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about my mental health, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. Although this experience was years ago, it is the reason why I am determined to pursue psychiatric nursing. I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought and every feeling that makes me angry or anxious into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus to release those emotions, not to mention the money I make while doing it. I realize that nursing is challenging, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to continue working hard. There will be several times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from pursuing my childhood dream.

Nursing has always been the field I have envisioned myself in. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to become someday, my answer never changed; "I want to be a nurse." The idea of helping others and being there for them during their lowest points has been a driving inspiration for me. I aspire to be the one assisting others on their worst days and not just a bystander. As a future nurse, my primary goal is to demonstrate to my community and the world that there are still wonderful nurses, regardless of how many "bad" ones exist. The stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have witnessed it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old, I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, and my nurse lacked empathy towards me. It felt like she didn't care about my mental health, and she made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. Although this experience was years ago, it is the reason why I am determined to pursue psychiatric nursing. I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has helped me financially and mentally during most of my high school career. I began working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after, I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days, but I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought and every feeling that makes me angry or anxious into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those emotions, not to mention the money I make while doing it. I realize that nursing is a challenging field to work in, and it takes a specific type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to continue working hard. There will be several times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from pursuing my childhood dream.

As I reminisce about my final moments on the sidelines under the Friday night lights, I can't help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia. The cheers of the opposing team's fans, the brisk Fall air, the familiar sight of my teammates gathered around me, all of it feels just like yesterday. In reality, it has been months since that night. As I left the field, I felt a sense of foreboding. The realization that I would never again be standing on that turf, the same turf that had stained my white sneakers blue for countless games, hit me hard. As I drove home in silence, a deep sense of loss washed over me. After four years, my journey under the Friday night lights had come to an end, and it was time to move on. Looking back, it's hard to believe that it all started when I was in seventh grade. My team, the Clinton Gaels, was nothing more than a recreational team, cheering on the football players and competing against other cheer teams from neighboring towns and states. But for me, it was so much more than that. It was a chance to showcase my skills, to be part of a team, and to make lifelong friendships. I still remember my stunt group, consisting of a tiny fifth-grade girl and four other seventh-graders, including myself. Alexis, the youngest member of the team, was our fearless flyer. With the strength of our group, we would make her soar high above the ground, and the feeling of pride that washed over us was indescribable. Even now, years later, I can still feel that sense of accomplishment. When I moved to a trade school in another town for high school, I thought my days of cheerleading were behind me. But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. All sports were put on hold, and it seemed like my dreams of ever cheering again were thrown out the window. But then, in my junior year, I knew I had to give it one more shot. I wanted to taste that feeling of being part of a team again, of being part of something bigger than myself. Despite the challenges, I decided to return as a “Lady Azetc” for the Assabet Valley Aztecs. It wasn't easy, juggling work and practice, but it was worth it. These girls were different from my old teammates in Clinton, but we formed a bond that would never be broken. The high school games were much more entertaining than the middle school ones, and the halftime routines we put on were always As I look back on my story, I can't help but feel grateful for every moment. Cheerleading was more than just a sport for me. It was a getaway, and it gave me the courage to face whatever comes hurdling my way. Cheerleading has instilled in me a sense of teamwork and perseverance that I carry with me to this day. As I head off to nursing school and the next chapter of my life, I will always have a special place in my heart for cheer and the memories it gave me.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Most people want to be remembered when they eventually leave this world. Maybe it’s a massive accomplishment like winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or even as little as growing the biggest pumpkin and getting recognition at the town fair in the fall. Regardless, it feels good to accomplish something and be remembered for it no matter how big or small it is. However, there are some people out there who are remembered in ways that many others can only dream of. I remember when I was younger and my father would have to leave for overnight shifts at the fire station. Tears would roll down my rosy cheeks, and not knowing if he would come home was scary, especially for a six-year-old. As was anticipated, he would come home the following day, and I would run into his arms to hug him. After all, it’s not like he was being shipped out of the country on a military assignment for months on end. I can only imagine how those poor kids felt having to say goodbye to their fathers in that way. It has taken years; obstacle after obstacle, to get to where I am today. I am my parents’ eldest daughter and hold the title of being their “easiest child.” I have always been highly independent and mature for my age, my family would even go as far as to say that I am one of the most fearless people they have ever met. However, I believe that for whatever reason, my family puts me on this pedestal of getting good grades, cheerleading, and overall perfection. Little do they know, imperfection is my greatest fear. It started from the time I was in first grade. I had a strict teacher. So strict in fact that she would start hollering at my class if as little as one or two kids were doing something wrong. I went from being completely carefree to being overly careful in an instant. My father knows exactly what it’s like to have people believe that he is “fearless,” due to his sixteen-year streak of firefighting. To be fair, he does run into burning buildings for a living. How could he not have that attribute plastered on his name? The truth is though, countless things rattle fear within his mind. Growing up, my father taught me how to do the basics; like riding my bike without training wheels, ice skating, and fishing. He has also taught me important life skills because of his experiences. One time the pair of us walked into a store to get school supplies, and one of the employees was an older lady having a diabetic episode a few feet away from the cash registers. The other employees told him they already called 911 and we were both about to walk off. However, instead of casually walking away to enjoy the rest of his day off, my father turned around and stayed to comfort the poor lady by having an employee run to find her a tube of toothpaste; calming her blood sugar levels until the ambulance rushed its way into the parking lot. The fact that he never lets his worries trouble him from doing what he loves, even if it gets scary sometimes, or even using his experiences to help others outside of work makes me proud and most of all; motivates me to succeed every day. I got to thinking, and I believe I know undoubtedly how I want to be remembered someday. I want to be like him, a hero without a cape.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric or pediatric nursing. No child deserves to feel like that around someone who is supposed to be caring for them in times of need. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Living in a small town is what I believe gives me the motivation to aim high. I have resided in the quiet, small town of Clinton, Massachusetts for most of my life. I am my parents' eldest daughter and I have two younger siblings. Most would consider me the “easy child” in my family compared to my brother and sister. I have always been a pretty quiet person, I never have too much to say. That is until I am around the people I am comfortable with…then my mouth starts running. Sometimes I remind myself of a broken record player. Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “ I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander on the sidelines helplessly watching on. Another reason why my mind has never wavered away from nursing is who I am as a person. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen years old. Shortly after I got my driver's license, I found my current job at an Applebee's restaurant as a hostess. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It is rare for me to call out of a shift. When I have to I feel defeated; like I have let someone down. But hey, the world still hasn’t ended because of it. This scholarship would help me pay some of the high expenses of nursing school. Although my family is financially stable, my parents still have my little brother and sister to take care of. In today's economy, their bank accounts would take a huge blow that I’m not sure they would recover from if they were to put me through all four years of college. Besides, I want to work for what I want in life. Help is help; but time, work, and skill is what leads to success.

Hello there! My name is Rose DiMeco. I am seventeen years old and I have resided in the state of Massachusetts for my whole life. I am my parents' eldest daughter and I have two younger siblings. Most would consider me the “easy child” in my family compared to my brother and sister. I have always been a pretty quiet person, I never have too much to say. That is until I am around the people I am comfortable with…then my mouth starts running. Sometimes I remind myself of a broken record player. Whenever somebody would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same, “I want to be a nurse.” There is something about the field of nursing that has captivated me since I was a little girl. My father has been a firefighter and EMT for as long as I can remember, so maybe that is where my curiosity sparked from. I have concluded that I want to be helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander on the sidelines helplessly watching on. Another reason why my mind has never wavered away from nursing is who I am as a person. I have worked for most of my time in high school. I started working in a grocery store as a cashier when I was fifteen years old. Shortly after I got my driver's license, I found my current job at an Applebee's restaurant as a hostess. It may not seem like all that much, but I also have a co-op position with Westborough TV that I attend on my shop weeks for school. Not to sound pompous, but I am confident enough to know that my work ethic is excellent. It is rare for me to call out of a shift. I value my work deeply, and working all of these jobs has shown me that hard work truly does pay off. Have I mentioned my love for music yet? The art of music and I have come a long way throughout the years. I went from being unbiased about music class, to despising it, to adoring it in twelve years. I have played the flute for three years with the help of my high school band, and I have recently started playing guitar. My freshman year of high school was when my music taste took a turn. My playlist was filled with mostly pop songs from the modern age, however, slowly but surely it began to fill up with more and more grunge bands. Nirvana, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Pierce the Veil, Foo Fighters; name the band and it is most likely on my playlist. The sounds of the electric and bass instruments, the rasp in the singers' voices; to me, it is one of the greatest works of art. My father is the person who introduced me to this genre of music, and I am forever thankful for it. I like to call it, “dad rock.” This scholarship would help me pay some of the high expenses of nursing school. Although my family is financially stable, my parents still have my little brother and sister to care for. In today's economy, their bank accounts would take a huge blow that I’m not sure they would recover from if they were to put me through all four years of college. Besides, I want to work for what I want in life. Help is help; but time, work, and skill is what leads to success.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. It felt as though my nurse had zero empathy towards me. To say it hurt more than everything else I was going through in the moment would be an understatement. She was very nonchalant as she told me I was being booked into a facility, and made me feel as if I was crazy for being shaken up over that news. “Why are you freaking out, there is no need for this,” she said. Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. This scholarship would not only help me pay for the high expenses of nursing school, but it would also give me a boost of motivation to keep working hard. There will be plenty of times throughout the next four years of my life that will make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. I was young, not much younger than I am now; but young enough to not understand what was happening and why. Out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. I was young, not much younger than I am now; but young enough to not understand what was happening and why. Out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. I was young, not much younger than I am now; but young enough to not understand what was happening and why. Out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. I was young, not much younger than I am now; but young enough to not understand what was happening and why. Out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping others on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have seen it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient, my mental health at the time was, to say the least, in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. I was young, not much younger than I am now; but young enough to not understand what was happening and why. Out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings; not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was in dire need of attention. My nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my driver's license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I work so hard and run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings. Not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've I have been longing for it since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply, in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me both financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my drivers I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I work so hard and run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings. Not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply, in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me both financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my drivers I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I work so hard and run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings. Not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me both financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my drivers license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebee's restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I work so hard and run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings. Not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I enjoy always being on the move. I like to use work as a source of motivation as it has managed to help me both financially and mentally for most of my high school career. I started working in a grocery store when I was fifteen, and shortly after I got my drivers license I found a job as a hostess and busser at an Applebees restaurant. Most of my co-workers dread busy days. Which is understandable, it does get tiring after a while. However, I believe that the busier it is, the better. I put every negative thought, everything that makes me angry or anxious, into what I do at work. I work so hard and run around with dirty dishes and menus as a way to release those feelings. Not to mention the money I make while doing it. I know that nursing is a rocky field to work in, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be plenty of times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I've been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. For the past couple of years I have put a lot of my time into working and making money. There is something about work that motivates me. As of now, I work as a hostess and a busser at an Applebees restaurant. Although most would dread very busy days, I am the opposite. The busier it is, the faster the time flies by. I also like to challenge myself while I am bussing specifically. I try to get all of the plates and glasses back to the kitchen in just one trip, especially when it gets busy and I am by myself to bus and host. I have managed to perfect it most times. Another source of encouragement comes from my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is a challenging one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of encouragement comes from my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is a challenging one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply, in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to a program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of encouragement comes from my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is a challenging one that takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. Hearing the stories of some nurses and CNAs out there who mistreat their patients disgust me, and I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of encouragement comes from my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is a challenging one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses, regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. It breaks my heart to hear stories of patients getting mistreated by their nurse or CNA; I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having the panic attack of a lifetime. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of encouragement comes from my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is a challenging one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field of work I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday when I was younger, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses out there regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. It breaks my heart to hear stories of patients getting mistreated by their nurse or CNA; I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having a panic attack. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of encouragement comes in the form of my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is not an easy one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field of work I have pictured myself in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday when I was younger, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses out there regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. It breaks my heart to hear stories of patients getting mistreated by their nurse or CNA; I have experienced it firsthand. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of attention. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns over, I started crying and shaking; having a panic attack. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight-faced and say, “Why are you freaking out? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Although this experience was years ago, it is exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. Since that day, I have promised myself that someday I will become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of inspiration comes in the form of my father and his profession as a firefighter and an EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the hard calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is not an easy one; it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing, but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since childhood.

Nursing has always been the field of work that I have pictured myself being involved in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday when I was younger , my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses out there regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. It breaks my heart to hear stories of patients getting mistreated by their nurse or CNA; I have experienced it first hand as well. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of help. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns away, I started crying and shaking; basically having a panic attack. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight faced and say, “Why are you freaking out over this? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Again, one of my many inspirations and exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. I have promised myself for the past 4 years that I will someday become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love always being on the move. Another source of inspiration comes in the form of my father and his profession as a firefighter and EMT. Although he hasn't followed in the footsteps of his own father and grandfather in being in the military; he has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the harder and sorrowful calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is not an easy one, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing; but I refuse to let those difficult circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since my childhood.

Nursing has always been the field of work that I have pictured myself being involved in. Every time someone would ask me what I wanted to be someday when I was younger, my answer never changed; “I want to be a nurse.” The thought of helping other people and being there for them at some of their lowest points has been a peak inspiration for me. I want to be the one helping people on some of their worst days, not just a bystander. My main goal as a future nurse is to show not only my community, but the whole world that there are still amazing nurses out there regardless of how many “bad” ones there are. It breaks my heart to hear stories of patients getting mistreated by their nurse or CNA; I have experienced it first hand as well. When I was thirteen years old I was sectioned in the emergency room as a psychiatric patient. My mental health at the time was, to put it simply; in dire need of help. As my nurse was telling me about how they were planning on sending me away to some program a few towns away, I started crying and shaking; basically having a panic attack. And out of anything this lady had to say to me, she chose to look at me straight faced and say, “Why are you freaking out over this? Calm down, there is no need for this.” Again, one of my many inspirations and exactly why I am planning on going into psychiatric nursing. I have promised myself for the past 4 years that I will someday become a better nurse than that woman ever will be. The fast-paced work environment of a hospital is something that I crave; I love being on the move. Another source of inspiration comes in the form of my father and his profession as a firefighter and EMT. He has adored his job for 16 years, even with all of the harder and sadder calls he has had to respond to. The stories he has told me over the years drive me to one day be like him, and be there for the people. I know this field of work is not an easy one, it takes a certain type of strength to get the job done. There will be times that make me question what I am doing; but I refuse to let those difficult times and circumstances stop me from doing what I have been longing for since my childhood.

Hero Many people want to be remembered when they eventually leave this world. Maybe it’s a massive accomplishment like winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or even as little as growing the biggest pumpkin and getting recognition at the town fair in the fall. Regardless, it feels good to accomplish something and be remembered for it no matter how big or small it is. However, there are some people out there who are remembered in ways that many others can only dream of. I remember when I was younger, my father would have to leave for overnight shifts at the fire station. Tears would roll down my rosy cheeks, and not knowing if he would come home was scary, especially for a six-year-old. As was anticipated, he would come home the following day, and I would run into his arms to hug him. After all, it’s not like he was being shipped out of the country on a military assignment for months on end. I can only imagine how those poor kids felt having to say goodbye to their fathers in that way. It has taken years; obstacle after obstacle, to get to where I am today. I am my parents’ eldest daughter and hold the title of being their “easiest child.” I have always been highly independent and mature for my age, my family would even go as far as to say that I am one of the most fearless people they have ever met. However, I believe that for whatever reason, my family puts me on this pedestal of getting good grades, cheerleading, and overall perfection. Little do they know, imperfection is my greatest fear. It started from the time I was in first grade. I had a strict teacher. So strict in fact that she would start hollering at my class if as little as one or two kids were doing something wrong. I went from being completely carefree to being overly careful in an instant. My father knows exactly what it’s like to have people believe that he is “fearless,” due to his sixteen-year streak of firefighting. To be fair, he does run into burning buildings for a living. How could he not have that attribute plastered on his name? The truth is though, countless things rattle fear within his mind. Growing up, my father taught me how to do countless things, like riding my bike and fishing. He has also taught me important life skills because of his experiences. One time the two of us walked into a store to get school supplies, and one of the employees was an older lady having a diabetic episode a few feet away from the cash registers. The other employees told him they already called 911 and we were both about to walk off. However, instead of casually walking away to enjoy the rest of his day off, my father turned around and stayed to comfort and help the poor lady by having an employee run to find her a tube of toothpaste to help with her blood sugar until the ambulance rushed its way into the parking lot. The fact that he never lets his worries trouble him from doing what he loves; even if it gets scary sometimes, or even using his experiences to help others outside of work makes me proud, and most of all, motivates me to succeed every day. I got to thinking, and I believe I know undoubtedly how I want to be remembered someday. I want to be like him, a hero without a cape.

I was always an anxious and quiet girl. In elementary school, I was always trying to do my best and perfect everything I did. With that kind of mindset, I stressed myself out to the point I developed a fear of failure. Even now, I still sometimes find myself trying so hard to the point of breaking down and beating myself up over small things I do wrong. It has thankfully gotten better over the years. However, that anxiety never completely went away. It followed me throughout every year of school, including my eighth-grade year in the Fall of 2019. Things at home were not great, my parents began to fight almost every night and discuss getting a divorce. There is no way to put into words how much anxiety I felt at the time. Four years later the memories of staying up those late nights, listening to every word that echoed throughout the house, have thankfully faded a little bit. Nonetheless; this part of my journey was without a doubt the rockiest yet. And to top it all off with a cherry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit my area that Spring. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this combined with my home life made me fall into a deep, dark, and depressing hole. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it out, the light seemed dim. Although I was stressed and anxious every waking second of the day, I pushed through it all. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small, tight-knit hometown. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet’s news show, "Aztecs Live" in my junior year I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Beginning in September, I have found a part-time cameraman/video editing job I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. Although I am getting ready to leave high school and pursue my dream of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my future. It got me out of my tight-knit hometown and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I have made more friends, had some of the best experiences, and learned many leadership skills that I will remember and use throughout my life.

Many people want to be remembered when they eventually leave this world. Maybe it’s a massive accomplishment like winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or even as little as growing the biggest pumpkin and getting recognition at the town fair in the fall. Regardless, it feels good to accomplish something and be remembered for it no matter how big or small it is. However, there are some people out there who are remembered in ways that many others can only dream of. I remember when I was younger, my father would have to leave for overnight shifts at the fire station. Tears would roll down my rosy cheeks, and not knowing if he would come home was scary, especially for a six-year-old. As was anticipated, he would come home the following day, and I would run into his arms to hug him. After all, it’s not like he was being shipped out of the country on a military assignment for months on end. I can only imagine how those poor kids felt having to say goodbye to their fathers in that way. It has taken years; obstacle after obstacle, to get to where I am today. I am my parents’ eldest daughter and hold the title of being their “easiest child.” I have always been highly independent and mature for my age, my family would even go as far as to say that I am one of the most fearless people they have ever met. However, I believe that for whatever reason, my family puts me on this pedestal of getting good grades, cheerleading, and overall perfection. Little do they know, imperfection is my greatest fear. It started from the time I was in first grade. I had a strict teacher. So strict in fact that she would start hollering at my class if as little as one or two kids were doing something wrong. I went from being completely carefree to being overly careful in an instant. My father knows exactly what it’s like to have people believe that he is “fearless,” due to his sixteen-year streak of firefighting. To be fair, he does run into burning buildings for a living. How could he not have that attribute plastered on his name? The truth is though, countless things rattle fear within his mind. Growing up, my father taught me how to do countless things, like riding my bike and fishing. He has also taught me important life skills because of his experiences. One time the two of us walked into a store to get school supplies, and one of the employees was an older lady having a diabetic episode a few feet away from the cash registers. The other employees told him they already called 911 and we were both about to walk off. However, instead of casually walking away to enjoy the rest of his day off, my father turned around and stayed to comfort and help the poor lady by having an employee-run to find her a tube of toothpaste to help with her blood sugar until the ambulance rushed its way into the parking lot. The fact that he never lets his worries trouble him from doing what he loves; even if it gets scary sometimes, or even using his experiences to help others outside of work makes me proud, and most of all, motivates me to succeed every day. I got to thinking, and I believe I know undoubtedly how I want to be remembered someday. I want to be like him, a hero without a cape.

I was always an anxious and quiet girl. In elementary school, I was always trying to do my best and perfect everything I did. With that kind of mindset, I stressed myself out to the point I developed a fear of failure. Even now, I still sometimes find myself trying so hard to the point of breaking down and beating myself up over small things I do wrong. It has thankfully gotten better over the years. However, that anxiety never completely went away. It followed me throughout every year of school, including my eighth-grade year in the Fall of 2019. Things at home were not great, my parents began to fight almost every night and discuss getting a divorce. There is no way to put into words how much anxiety I felt at the time. Four years later the memories of staying up those late nights, listening to every word that echoed throughout the house, have thankfully faded a little bit. Nonetheless; this part of my journey was without a doubt the rockiest yet. And to top it all off with a cherry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit my area that Spring. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this combined with my home life made me fall into a deep, dark, and depressing hole. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it out, the light seemed dim. Although I was stressed and anxious every waking second of the day, I pushed through it all. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small, tight-knit hometown. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet’s news show, "Aztecs Live" in my junior year I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Beginning in September, I have found a part-time cameraman/video editing job I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. Although I am getting ready to leave high school and pursue my dream of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my future. It got me out of my tight-knit hometown and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I have made more friends, had some of the best experiences, and learned many leadership skills that I will remember and use throughout my life.

I was always an anxious and quiet girl. In elementary school, I was always trying to do my best and perfect everything I did. With that kind of mindset, I stressed myself out to the point I developed a fear of failure. Even now, I still sometimes find myself trying so hard to the point of breaking down and beating myself up over small things I do wrong. It has thankfully gotten better over the years. However, that anxiety never completely went away. It followed me throughout every year of school, including my eighth-grade year in the Fall of 2019. Things at home were not great, my parents began to fight almost every night and discuss getting a divorce. There is no way to put into words how much anxiety I felt at the time. Four years later the memories of staying up those late nights, listening to every word that echoed throughout the house, have thankfully faded a little bit. Nonetheless; this part of my journey was without a doubt the rockiest yet. And to top it all off with a cherry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit my area that Spring. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this combined with my home life made me fall into a deep, dark, and depressing hole. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it out, the light seemed dim. Although I was stressed and anxious every waking second of the day, I pushed through it all. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small, tight-knit hometown. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet’s news show, "Aztecs Live." I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Recently, I have found a part-time cameraman/video editing job I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. Although I am getting ready to leave high school and pursue my dream of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I have ever made for myself and my future. It got me out of my tight-knit hometown and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I have made more friends, had some of the best experiences, and learned many leadership skills that I will remember and use throughout my life. This scholarship would help me pay for nursing school and the supplies I will need to one day succeed. The more I learn, the better I get. I want to continue learning new things for the rest of my life.

Many people want to be remembered when they eventually leave this world. Maybe it’s a massive accomplishment like winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or even as little as growing the biggest pumpkin and getting recognition at the town fair in the fall. Regardless, it feels good to accomplish something and be remembered for it no matter how big or small it is. However, there are some people out there who are remembered in ways that many others can only dream of. I remember when I was younger, my father would have to leave for overnight shifts at the fire station. Tears would roll down my rosy cheeks, and not knowing if he would come home was scary, especially for a six-year-old. As was anticipated, he would come home the following day, and I would run into his arms to hug him. After all, it’s not like he was being shipped out of the country on a military assignment for months on end. I can only imagine how those poor kids felt having to say goodbye to their fathers in that way. It has taken years; obstacle after obstacle, to get to where I am today. I am my parents’ eldest daughter and hold the title of being their “easiest child.” I have always been highly independent and mature for my age, my family would even go as far as to say that I am one of the most fearless people they have ever met. However, I believe that for whatever reason, my family puts me on this pedestal of getting good grades, cheerleading, and overall perfection. Little do they know, imperfection is my greatest fear. It started from the time I was in first grade. I had a strict teacher. So strict in fact that she would start hollering at my class if as little as one or two kids were doing something wrong. I went from being completely carefree to being overly careful in an instant. My father knows exactly what it’s like to have people believe that he is “fearless,” due to his sixteen-year streak of firefighting. To be fair, he does run into burning buildings for a living. How could he not have that attribute plastered on his name? The truth is though, countless things rattle fear within his mind. Growing up, my father taught me how to do many things, like riding my bike and fishing. He has also taught me important life skills because of his experiences. One time the two of us walked into a store to get school supplies, and one of the employees was an older lady having a diabetic episode a few feet away from the cash registers. The other employees told him they already called 911 and we were both about to walk off. However, instead of casually walking away to enjoy the rest of his day off, my father turned around and stayed to comfort and help the poor lady by having an employee run to find her a tube of toothpaste to help with her blood sugar until the ambulance rushed its way into the parking lot. The fact that he never lets his worries trouble him from doing what he loves; even if it gets scary sometimes, or even using his experiences to help others outside of work makes me proud, and most of all, motivates me to succeed every day. This scholarship would not only help me achieve my dream of becoming a nurse, but also help me be remembered in the same way my father is; a hero without a cape.

Many people want to be remembered when they eventually leave this world. Maybe it’s a massive accomplishment like winning a Nobel Peace Prize, or even as little as growing the biggest pumpkin and getting recognition at the town fair in the fall. Regardless, it feels good to accomplish something and be remembered for it no matter how big or small it is. However, there are some people out there who are remembered in ways that many others can only dream of. I remember when I was younger, my father would have to leave for overnight shifts at the fire station. Tears would roll down my rosy cheeks, and not knowing if he would come home was scary, especially for a six-year-old. As was anticipated, he would come home the following day, and I would run into his arms to hug him. After all, it’s not like he was being shipped out of the country on a military assignment for months on end. I can only imagine how those poor kids felt having to say goodbye to their fathers in that way. It has taken years; obstacle after obstacle, to get to where I am today. I am my parents’ eldest daughter and hold the title of being their “easiest child.” I have always been highly independent and mature for my age, my family would even go as far as to say that I am one of the most fearless people they have ever met. However, I believe that for whatever reason, my family puts me on this pedestal of getting good grades, cheerleading, and overall perfection. Little do they know, imperfection is my greatest fear. It started from the time I was in first grade. I had a strict teacher. So strict in fact that she would start hollering at my class if as little as one or two kids were doing something wrong. I went from being completely carefree to being overly careful in an instant. My father knows exactly what it’s like to have people believe that he is “fearless,” due to his sixteen-year streak of firefighting. To be fair, he does run into burning buildings for a living. How could he not have that attribute plastered on his name? The truth is though, countless things rattle fear within his mind. Growing up, my father taught me how to do countless things, like riding my bike and fishing. He has also taught me important life skills because of his experiences. One time the two of us walked into a store to get school supplies, and one of the employees was an older lady having a diabetic episode a few feet away from the cash registers. The other employees told him they already called 911 and we were both about to walk off. However, instead of casually walking away to enjoy the rest of his day off, my father turned around and stayed to comfort and help the poor lady by having an employee run to find her a tube of toothpaste to help with her blood sugar until the ambulance rushed its way into the parking lot. The fact that he never lets his worries trouble him from doing what he loves; even if it gets scary sometimes, or even using his experiences to help others outside of work makes me proud, and most of all, motivates me to succeed every day. I got to thinking, and I believe I know undoubtedly how I want to be remembered someday. I want to be like him, a hero without a cape.

I was always an anxious and quiet kid. In elementary school, I was always trying to do my best and perfect everything I did. With that kind of mindset, I stressed myself out to the point I developed a fear of failure. Even now, I still sometimes find myself trying so hard to the point of breaking down and beating myself up over small things I do wrong. It has thankfully gotten better over the years. However, that anxiety never completely went away. It followed me throughout every year of school, including my eighth-grade year in the Fall of 2019. Things at home were not great, my parents began to fight almost every night and discuss getting a divorce. There is no way to put into words how much anxiety I felt at the time. Four years later the memories of staying up those late nights, listening to every word that echoed throughout the house, have thankfully faded a little bit. Nonetheless; this part of my journey was without a doubt the rockiest yet. And to top it all off with a cherry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit my area that Spring. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this combined with my home life made me fall into a deep, dark, and depressing hole. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it out, the light seemed dim. Although I was stressed and anxious every waking second of the day, I pushed through it all. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small, tight-knit hometown. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet’s news show, "Aztecs Live" in my junior year I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Beginning in September, I have found a part-time cameraman/video editing job I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my future. It got me out of my tight-knit hometown and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I have made more friends, had some of the best experiences, and learned many leadership skills that I will remember and use throughout my life.

I was always an anxious and quiet kid. In elementary school, I was always trying to do my best and perfect everything I did. With that kind of mindset, I stressed myself out to the point I developed a fear of failure. Even now, I still sometimes find myself trying so hard to the point of breaking down and beating myself up over small things I do wrong. It has thankfully gotten better over the years. However, that anxiety never completely went away. It followed me throughout every year of school, including my eighth-grade year in the Fall of 2019. Things at home were not great, my parents began to fight almost every night and discuss getting a divorce. On top of that, I was beginning to come to the realization that I was pansexual. I "dated" a girl for the first time, and I got picked on by a lot of kids for it. There is no way to put into words how much anxiety I felt at the time. Four years later the memories of staying up those late nights, listening to every word that echoed throughout the house, have thankfully faded a little bit. Nonetheless; this part of my journey was without a doubt the rockiest yet. And to top it all off with a cherry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit my area that Spring. Everyone had to isolate themselves from one another, and this combined with my home life made me fall into a deep, dark, and depressing hole. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it out, the light seemed dim. Although I was stressed and anxious every waking second of the day, I pushed through it all. I applied to Assabet, a trade school in a busier city a couple of towns over from my small, tight-knit hometown. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet’s news show, "Aztecs Live" in my junior year I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Beginning in September, I have found a part-time cameraman/video editing job I will be going to instead of attending school on my shop weeks. I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my future. It got me out of my tight-knit hometown and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I have made more friends, had some of the best experiences, and learned many leadership skills that I will remember and use throughout my life.

My name is Rose. I am an upcoming senior in high school, set to graduate in 2024. I have known for years that I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I noticed by the time I was in middle school that I had feelings for both boys and girls. My junior high years were quite a time for me. I was trying to figure out who I was, and who I wanted to be. I remember my first crush on another girl, it was my best friend. I didn’t know what to do, or how to handle the fact I had a crush on her. It scared me in a way. Not only was she my best friend, but I didn’t know how anyone would take it. I knew some people wouldn’t support me, and that fear was dreadful. I got lucky, however, because my best friend actually confessed her feelings to me before I could. She was just like me, and we ended up “dating” for a short period of time. It was a middle school relationship, but at the time, I wanted to be with her forever. She made me happy, and she also happened to be my first “gay” kiss. We “mutually” broke up a short time later. I pretended to be ok with the break-up to keep our friendship alive, but my feelings for her remained in the back of my mind until the end of eighth grade. High school began, and because I switched schools, we grew apart. And that was for the best, she changed and I did as well. During my freshman year, I started experimenting with my pronouns and I cut my hair pretty short. I miss my short hair. My hair is blonde and wavy, so when I cut it I had cute, curly bangs on my forehead. With my time in high school almost at a close, I think I’ve finally figured almost everything out. I’ve made the decision to major in nursing and receive my RN license. Nursing has been a main interest of mine since my elementary years, and this scholarship would help me pursue my dream. Having surrounded myself with family and friends who have supported me and my decisions, I feel better about my future as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As long as I am happy, nothing and nobody will stop me from achieving my goals and future successes.

Disney was the staple of my childhood. Growing up, most of the movies and TV shows I watched were produced by Disney. From the classics to the present, I still have so many memories of Disney and the innocence it gave me as a child. When I was a toddler, I loved Tinkerbell. It was such a coincidence because, at the time, I looked so much like her. My hair was naturally bleach blonde, I had rosy cheeks, and most of all, I had her temper. I was a very sassy and attitude-ridden toddler, to say the least. I remember watching the 2008 ‘Tinkerbell’ movie on loop, it would drive my parents crazy after a while. I even dressed up as Tinkerbell for Halloween when I was four years old. When I was six years old, my family and I visited Disney World. Although I was so young, I managed to keep a lot of the memories. I remember I ran into a glass sliding door at the time-share because I thought it was open. I got a bloody nose, but thankfully it wasn’t anything serious and my family still laughs about it all the time. I also remember watching the fireworks at Disney World. It felt so magical, and I think that's the best thing Disney achieves. My dad was holding me up so I could see better. And as the glow of the fireworks hit the castle, I remember watching Tinkerbell fly by. I think that was the best part of my trip. For a six-year-old, being at Disney World is a dream come true. Besides Tinkerbell, most Disney movies and their characters still stick with me. Although I love the classic movies, I also enjoy the newer ones as well. Movies like ‘Big Hero 6’, ‘Monsters Inc’, and ‘Moana’ were and still are some of my favorites. When I was eight, my little sister was born. And instead of Tinkerbell, she was obsessed with Moana as a toddler. The songs from that movie echoed through the hallways of my house most days. It got annoying, but at least now I understand what I put my parents through with my Tinkerbell phase. The Moana soundtrack is beautiful, however. My sister grew out of her Moana phase, and I haven’t seen the movie much since then. I miss hearing the music echo from the TV downstairs sometimes. Disney has impacted my childhood in the greatest, and most magical way possible. I know I will never be able to experience that kind of innocence again, seeing as how I am seventeen now. But knowing and remembering that at some point I felt Disney’s touch of magic, that is a gift on its own.

Joining band is the best mistake I've made in my high school career. Most students think of their high school band and think of all the “weirdos” who play instruments. I can say that because I was one of those students at one point. I never could’ve imagined what was about to happen. I was picking my electives for my sophomore year when I accidentally signed up for band. I didn’t realize it for months. So by the time I got my schedule for that year, it was too late for me to switch. My schedule read, “Band: Mr. Tenzar, period two.” I walked in and at first, I felt out of place. I was inexperienced with music and I had no history of playing instruments. I awkwardly went up to my teacher, Mr. Tenzar, and asked him, “Hey. I’m not going to lie, I have zero experience with music. Do you know where I can get my hands on a flute?” He was understanding and gave me the phone number of a music place nearby. When I finally got my hands on a flute, an instrument I have always been interested in, I had no clue how to play it. It was frustrating, to the point I made a guidance appointment to see if I could switch out of band. My appointment was scheduled for after band the next day. So I went to class, ready to get it done and over with. That is until I realized just how fun the class and people are. I canceled my appointment after band ended. Mr. Tenzar got the nickname of just “Tenzar.” I can say without a doubt that he is one, if not the best teacher at my school. He finds a way to make sure everyone is included, no matter what skill level each person is at. For my sophomore year, he went easy on me because he knew I was just learning. I was given flute two music instead of flute one. Adjustments like that made me feel comfortable and helped me learn faster. My junior year came along, and he leveled me up to flute one music. It was a lot trickier than flute two, with higher and more advanced notes. But nonetheless, I figured a lot of it out easily due to my experience with flute two. Tenzar still tried to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy in his class, just like a good teacher should. I remember one time in my junior year, there was a freshman who played the clarinet. The problem, however, is that she didn’t want to be in band. Her mom was making her. As messed up as that is, Tenzar knew of this, and he continued to try his hardest to make her happy. He wanted her to stay. But this freshman ended up back-stabbing him. She went to the school and complained of “not feeling comfortable” in his class, blaming the junior students as well, even though we tried helping her too. She ended up leaving band, and Tenzar was distraught when he found out what happened. He told me and another one of my bandmates, “I just wanted to make her happy. It kills me that she felt like that.” He was torn up over it, and to see him hurt over what she said about him and his class was saddening to see. Needless to say, we need more teachers like Tenzar. Not only does he make his classes fun and educational, but he also knows when to get serious and be an amazing director.

My name is Rose. I am an upcoming senior in high school, set to graduate in 2024. I go by she/they pronouns and I identify as pansexual. I noticed from the time I was in middle school that I had feelings for both boys and girls. My sixth-grade and seventh-grade years were quite a time for me. I was trying to figure out who I was, and who I wanted to be. I remember my first crush on another girl, it was my seventh-grade best friend. I didn’t know what to do, or how to handle the fact I had a crush on her. It scared me in a way. Not only was she my best friend, but I didn’t know how anyone would take it. I knew some people wouldn’t support me, and that fear was dreadful. I got lucky, however, because my best friend confessed her feelings to me before I could. She was just like me, and we ended up “dating” for a short period. It was a middle school relationship, but at the time, I wanted to be with her forever. She made me happy, and she also happened to be my first “gay” kiss. We “mutually” broke up a short time later. I pretended to be ok with the break-up to keep our friendship alive, but my feelings for her remained in the back of my mind until the end of eighth grade. High school began, and because I switched schools, we grew apart. And that was for the best, she changed and I did as well. During my freshman year, I started experimenting with my pronouns and I cut my hair pretty short. I miss my short hair. My hair is blonde and wavy, so when I cut it I had cute, curly bangs on my forehead. With my time in high school almost at a close, I think I’ve finally figured almost everything out. I’ve decided to major in nursing and receive my RN license. Nursing has been a main interest of mine since my elementary years. Having surrounded myself with family and friends who have supported me and my decisions, I feel better about my future as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. To me, I’ve been a proud member of the community for years. Although it has been a long, hard, and somewhat scary journey, I’ve learned to not worry about what others think of me. As long as I am happy, nothing and nobody will stop me from achieving my goals and future successes.

I believe that people underappreciate music and the escapism it brings. Without music, the world would be dark and cold, just like some parts already are. It makes all the stress go away. And one of the best things about music? Most songs tell a story. Whether it be a sad story, angry story, love story, and so on. Music is what helped me through the COVID-19 pandemic. I was in the Eighth grade, and my mom was taking me to Drama rehearsal. She said that we all might be out of school soon. Just like everyone else, I didn’t believe her. Until it happened, that is. Being cooped up in my house with my family, and not being able to see friends or anyone weighed on me greatly. Along with this, my parent's marriage was in a bad spot. Fight after fight, the yelling and crying echoing down the hallways of my small house, it never seemed to end. The only times it would finally let out was if it was past one in the morning, or if my Airpods were charged, and I put them in my ears with the volume on full blast. Every bad thing I was feeling at the moment became silent. The stress of the pandemic, my family, and the future came to a halt for just a little bit. This is when I started to appreciate music more. There are a few rare occasions throughout the day when one would find me without my AirPods in my ears. One song written by the band "AJR" has stuck with me for a few years now, “Karma”. I found this song in the Fall of 2020, and this is the main song that helped me through that year. The lyrics spoke to me the most. “Karma” is a song about the aftermath of trauma, and asking why nothing has gotten better. The lyrics remind me of what I was thinking to myself. “Why don’t I feel better?” “I’ve done everything right.” These were thoughts that constantly rushed through my head. When I finally got to go back to school, I ended up joining my high school band. At this time, I was now a sophomore. Although I didn’t have much experience with music theory or instruments, I picked up the flute. With hard work and dedication, I figured it out on my own, with help from some friends of course. The flute is such a pretty instrument. The high-pitched notes it can make mix well with a lot of other instruments. I am now an upcoming senior, set to graduate in 2024. I can say without a doubt, that music will remain a huge part of my life for many more years to come.

My dad has wanted to be a firefighter since he was young. Whenever he’d see a fire truck fly by, he would tell himself that was what he wanted to do someday. And sure enough, he did it. He was a volunteer firefighter for 4 years and has been working as a full-time firefighter for the past 16 years. Needless to say, my dad has been a firefighter for my whole life. And because of the path he’s chosen to take, I have learned a lot of different and important things about myself and the world. One of those things being that the world is not always sunshine and rainbows. In eighth grade, I started developing depression. With school and things going downhill at home, I was stressed. I also began self-harming, and on the night of November 9th, 2019, I took it too far. I contemplated suicide and wrote my note, and I went too deep. Not enough for stitches, but enough to leave a scar across my right arm that still haunts me to look at. I panicked after I cleaned it up and I passed out, completely forgetting about my note sitting on my bed. My parents found my note while I was still sleeping, When I woke up my dad took me to the hospital, where I sat for fifteen hours straight. They took my clothes and gave me these uncomfortable, ugly, blue scrubs. I felt like some type of crazy person. An eighth-grade girl sitting in the hospital, wearing ugly blue scrubs because she was tired of life, a sad reality I was living. My dad made it all less scary. He lay with me in the bed and we watched a movie on his phone until I was transported to the emergency department. This is when things went from scary to terrifying. The hospital separated me from my dad. They brought in the social workers, and they told me I was going to go into a one-week treatment program and that I would not be going home with my dad. They were accusing my parents of child neglect for not knowing about how I was feeling to begin with. I remember begging and pleading with the case worker to let me go home with him and that he did nothing wrong. My begging turned into a full-blown panic attack, and the nurse did nothing to help me other than threaten me to calm down or else I’d make things worse for everyone. My dad was in the same boat, begging them to give me back to him. That was the first time I’ve seen him cry. Thankfully, the hospital agreed to let me go home with him if I found a therapist within the week, which I did. My dad’s taught me that even when life gets hard, you can’t give up and that there will be people willing to help. Since 2019, I have gotten much better. I’ve been 2 and ½ years sober from self-harm, and I’ve had many new friends and experiences throughout high school. Because of him and what he does for my family and the community, he has inspired me to someday become a registered nurse. And although he may not realize it, he is my hero.

Books can play a major part in everyone's life. They can be a way to learn new things and they can simply be a way to get away for a bit. However, some books can be relatable in ways. For me at least, the novel “For One More Day” by Mitch Albom, started out as my summer reading book during my Freshman year of high school. It also ended up becoming one of my favorite stories. In summary, the story focuses on the guilt of the main character Charles. His mom was very old when she passed away and Charles was guilty for so long because he wasn’t there to say goodbye to her. Instead, he was out playing at a baseball game. This along with his ongoing divorce drove him to attempt suicide. Although his attempt does not work, He gets to spend one more day with the soul of his mom. This story is very powerful. It is also an amazing Summer time read. The story takes place sometime in the 80s or 90s, but Charles tells stories from his childhood (the 50s’ and 60s’) as the story goes along. I believe everyone should read a book like this at least once in their lives because it gives a quick snip-it of what some people in the world go through every day. Issues at home, divorce, loss, guilt, suicide, and so on. A great summer read but also an amazing way of portraying the life of someone like Charles.

The time has flown by. It feels like I blinked for a millisecond and suddenly I'm seventeen, getting ready to graduate next year and attend nursing school. Nursing has always been my field of interest. The thought of helping people has always stuck out to me as heroic, and to think I could do that for someone makes me happy and determined to do well in school. Being a nurse is my dream job, if I'm a registered nurse within the next 4 or 5 years, I'll know that I made it. It would mean I achieved my number one goal in my life, and it would also mean that I made my parents proud. I want to not only make my parents proud but everyone I care for. And I know it's not going to be an easy trip, but I can already imagine the feeling of graduating college, and I imagine it to be the best feeling. I was first introduced to the medical field somewhat by my dad. My dad is a firefighter and an EMT and ever since I figured out what his job was about, I was intrigued. To this day he still tells me many stories, both good and bad from the ambulance. I've noticed that the older I get, the more my dad tells me. For instance, when I was younger he would tell me things like, "A few days ago we got a call for a girl jumping on her bed and she cracked her skull open, Stop jumping!", to scare me out of doing something like what I just described. But now, some nights me and him will sit outside on an Autumn night with a campfire burning, and he'll go more into detail about some pretty scary calls he's had to attend to. Not too long ago, we talked about how I wanted to go into the medical field and become a nurse. He supports me fully and believes I have the guts for it. He opened up some more about his job and told me about a few calls that still stick with him even years later. He brought up the story mentioned above, about the girl jumping on her bed and cracking her skull open. For all these years, I thought the girl survived. When my dad told me she didn't I had no idea what to say. He also mentioned that it sticks with him the most because the girl reminded him of me. She had blonde hair and was around my age when it happened. My point is, being a nurse is not going to be an easy thing, but I am willing to give it my all and grow to be someone my dad can be even prouder of.

This is a tough story to look back on for me. In the late Fall of 2019, my parents were in a terrible spot. They would stay up fighting every night it felt, they even told me they were planning on filing for a divorce. At the time I was still in eighth grade, and this weighed on me horribly. I felt like everything was my fault. I’ve already had anxiety since I was young, so this along with the pressure of being the oldest child, the depression came on. I started self-harming and one night, I took it too far. I ended up contemplating suicide and writing my note, and I went too deep. Not enough for stitches, but deep enough to leave a scar across my right forearm that is still there to this day. I started panicking after I cleaned it up and I passed out, completely forgetting my note sitting on my bed. My dad came up to my room to check on me before bed, and he found my note. He ensured I was still breathing and let me sleep until the next morning. I woke up and my dad took me to the hospital, where I sat for fifteen hours straight. The hospital took my clothes and gave me these uncomfortable, ugly, blue scrubs. I felt like some type of crazy person. An eighth-grade girl sitting in the hospital, wearing ugly blue scrubs because she was tired of life, a sad reality I was living. My dad, however, is my hero in this story. He made it all less scary. He lay with me in the hospital bed and we watched the movie “Bird Box” on his phone until I was transported by ambulance to the emergency department. This is when things went from scary to terrifying. The hospital gave me another wristband, and they separated me from my dad. They brought in the social workers, and they told me I was scheduled to go into a one-week treatment program and that I would not be going home with my dad. They were accusing my parents of child neglect because they didn’t wake me up the night before when they found my note. I remember begging and pleading with the case worker to let me go home with him and that he did nothing wrong. My begging turned into a full-blown panic attack, and the nurse did nothing to help me other than threaten me to calm down or else I’d make things worse for me and my dad. My dad was in the same boat, begging them to give me back to him. That was the first time I’ve seen him cry. Thankfully, the hospital agreed to let me go home with him if I found a therapist within the week, which I did. Four years later, I am on the cusp of turning seventeen. I have been sober from self-harm since April 6th, 2021 and I am finally content with who I am becoming and everything in my life. I can not describe how proud I am of my younger self for pushing through until she finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It was a long journey, but it was well worth it. I would also like to give a lot of credit to my dad. He is and forever will be my hero.

I am going to successfully get into and pass nursing school, and graduate college with my RN.

I've noticed over the past few years I've been in high school that I've started to show more leadership skills. To start, I go to a trade school and I am from a small town. My school (Assabet), happens to be in the small city of Marlborough MA. And another thing to add on... I was an incoming freshman when the COVID-19 pandemic started. I had to leave all my friends in my small town (Clinton MA), not being able to say goodbye to many of them, and head off to newer and better things at Assabet. All of that stress on a 14-year-old girl's mind isn't a great mix. Depression set in and the anxiety became worse, but as always, I never let it win. I got into the Design and Visual Communications trade, earned my OSHA certification at the beginning of my sophomore year, and finally in my Junior year I produced, hosted, and edited Assabet's news show "Aztecs Live" for three episodes. And I am now working on getting my Adobe certifications for Photoshop and Illustrator. I full-heartedly believe that coming to Assabet was the best decision I've ever made. It got me out of my tight-knit small town and out into a broader and busier atmosphere. I've made more friends, learned to come out of my shell more often, had some of the best experiences, and learned a lot of life skills I will remember and use as I make my way toward college and life itself.

My education has been one of my top priorities since I was in grade school. To say the least, I have always been an overachiever. Every homework assignment, every quiz, every test, every project. If I did not get at least a 90 on everything, I would be upset with myself. However, things started to change when high school started. First and foremost, I was getting ready to go into my freshman year when the COVID-19 pandemic started. And as we all know, there was so much going on around the world at that point in time. With all of the stresses of the world running through my eighth-grade mind, I fell into a depression. I wasn't getting any of my online schoolwork done, I barely got out of bed for half of the year 2020. However, things changed towards the halfway point of 2021. It was the end of my freshman year, and finally, things began to look up. COVID-19 cases started to go down as Summer made its way, and on top of that school ended for the year. This gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do with my life going forward. From an early age, I've wanted to become a nurse. "Working in a big hospital in New York City," is what I would tell my dad when I was around six or seven years old. Although this idea slipped from my mind for a few years, it slowly but surely came back. From the moment the idea came back, I've promised myself that I'm going to stick with it, no matter how hard I know it will be. I want to become somebody my family, friends, and community will be proud of. And I understand that in order to achieve that goal, I will need to work hard and also balance my life at the same time. It is not going to be easy, but I will make sure it happens. I also started doing something that I've never done before when it came to school, I started taking care of myself and my mind before worrying about school. I started to get out more often, I got my driver's license and a job all in my Junior year. My grades may have very slightly dropped, but I would much rather make sure I'm happy than constantly have to worry about my grades. If getting A's, B's, and C's in some classes means I'll have more time to focus on myself and what's important in my life, then so be it.

Taylor Swift’s famous album ‘1989’ came out when I was just eight years old. As a young girl, Taylor Swift has always been my main Idol. I’ve listened to her music from her country era all the way up to the present day. I very vividly remember listening to her for the first time when I was about four or five years old. Taylor’s other album titled ‘Fearless’ was fairly new, only two years old, when I first heard her voice. As soon as I heard her song titled ‘Love Story’ for the first time, I immediately started thinking of her as my favorite artist and nothing has ever changed that. Even when she switched from Country to more of a Pop style of music. I remember when ‘1989’ came out. I was in 3rd grade and I remember hearing everyone talking about it. Out of every song on that album, ‘Wildest Dreams’ has always been my favorite. The funny part is, there is no particular reason for why this is. I have this feeling that ‘Wildest Dreams’ is underrated compared to the other songs in ‘1989’. I remember ‘Style’, ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Bad Blood’ were the ones people were mostly drawn to, and I can definitely see why. The beat, the rhythm, the themes, tone, etc, are what makes those songs so popular and they are outstanding to say the least. However, ‘Wildest Dreams’ does something a little differently. The music video is what stuck out to me the most. It starts off very slow and steady. The videography is beautiful and the big, beautiful, yellow dress Taylor is wearing is spot on. The beat is just right, and the lyrics steal the show. To me at least, Taylor is telling the audience about a man she started to fall for, and also one that she knew wouldn’t stick around forever. To me she seems to know that it’s temporary, which resonates with me a lot more now than it did back in 2014. The lyrics, “ Say you'll remember me Standing in a nice dress Staring at the sunset, babe Red lips and rosy cheeks Say you'll see me again Even if it's just in your wildest dreams”, sit very well in mind. As a Junior in high school, I’ve had my fair share of flings and relationships. Some end on good terms, while others end with an explosion. Watching yourself fall for someone to watching them become a stranger with memories is such a hard thing to have to go through as a teenager. But in the end, it’s a life lesson. People come, people go, but the world doesn’t stop spinning. That’s what ‘Wildest Dreams’ means to me.