Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons, and I am a senior at Rock Hill High School in Prosper, TX. My brother, Micah, and I were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later, but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to pursuing higher education in nursing at a four-year institution stems from personal experiences, such as my time in the NICU. If it is God's will, I will further pursue a Master's in Nursing or an MBA. My commitment and passion are genuine because they are personal. Not only do I have parents who have served as great role models as college graduates, I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I learned in church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says, "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family to lose a loved one. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he were with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect people of all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be my ultimate goal in healthcare. A college degree will go a long way in helping me to be a solution. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother, who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak about how challenging yet fulfilling her profession is, given the positive impact she has on patients' lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Showcasing the 'fruit of the Spirit' is something I have learned in my Sunday school classes at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Plano, TX. Being patient, loving, kind, and faithful will complement the skills I gain from a college degree to be the most complete nurse God has in His plan for me. This scholarship would be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams come true. I will be attending Texas State University in Fall 2026. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious Valerie Rabb Academic Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons

Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons. Me and my brother, Micah, were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later, but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to nursing and overall healthcare as a career is due to personal experiences like my NICU experience. My commitment and passion is soul-deep because they are personal. I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I have learned from church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family and friends to lose a loved one. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he was with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be an ultimate desire for me to fulfill in healthcare. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother, who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak on how challenging, yet fulfilling is her profession because of her positive effect on patient's lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Having the opportunity to 'shadow' my mother at work has further opened my eyes to her healthcare obligations and the people that she positively affects. I want to be the most complete healthcare professional that I can be. My journey to being a nurse started in 2008 when I was born and continues with me attending a college with a certified nursing program. This scholarship would help me be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams happen. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious Siv Anderson Memorial Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons

To God be the glory! Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons. Me and my brother, Micah, were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later, but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to pursue higher education in nursing at a four-year institution is due to personal experiences like my 90-day NICU stay. If it is in God's will, I will further pursue a Master's in Nursing or MBA. My commitment and passion is genuine because they are personal. Not only do I have parents who have served as great role models as college graduates, I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I have learned from church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family and friends to lose a loved one. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he was with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be an ultimate desire for me to fulfill in healthcare. A college degree will go a long way in helping me to be a solution. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother, who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak on how challenging, yet fulfilling is her profession because of her positive effect on patient's lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Showcasing the 'fruit of the Spirit' is something I have learned in my Sunday school classes at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Being patient, loving, kind, and faithful will complement my skills gained from a college degree to be the most complete nurse that God has in His plan for me. This scholarship would be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams happen. Thank you for the opportunity of being considered for this prestigious Evangelist Nellie Delores Blount Boyce Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons

To God be the glory! Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons, and I am a senior at Rock Hill High School in Prosper, TX. My brother, Micah, and I were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to pursue higher education in nursing at a four-year institution is due to personal experiences, such as my NICU experience. If it is God's will, I will pursue a Master's in Nursing or an MBA after attaining my undergraduate degree. My commitment and passion are genuine because they are personal. I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I learned in church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says, "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family and friends to lose a loved one. My mental health was naturally affected with the spiritual bond of my deceased twin; however, not having him physically with me. My parents placed me in counseling in my pre-teens as I emotionally showed my feelings of depression when thinking about a twin brother that I never got to speak with or hug. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he were with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be an ultimate desire for me to fulfill in healthcare. A college degree will go a long way in helping me to be a solution. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak about how challenging yet fulfilling her profession is because of the positive impact she has on patients' lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Showcasing the 'fruit of the Spirit' is something I have learned in my Sunday school classes. Being patient, loving, kind, and faithful will complement the skills I gain from a college degree to be the most complete nurse God has in His plan for me. This scholarship would be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams come true. I will be attending Texas State University in Fall 2026. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious JK and Mary Ann Newville Memorial Engineering and Nursing Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons

Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons, and I am a senior at Rock Hill High School in Prosper, TX. My brother, Micah, and I were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to pursue higher education in nursing at a four-year institution is due to personal experiences, such as my NICU experience. If it is God's will, I will pursue a Master's in Nursing or an MBA. My commitment and passion are genuine because they are personal. Not only do I have parents who have served as great role models as college graduates, I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I learned in church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says, "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family and friends to lose a loved one. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he were with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be an ultimate desire for me to fulfill in healthcare. A college degree will go a long way in helping me to be a solution. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak about how challenging yet fulfilling her profession is because of the positive impact she has on patients' lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Showcasing the 'fruit of the Spirit' is something I have learned in my Sunday school classes at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Plano, TX. Being patient, loving, kind, and faithful will complement the skills I gain from a college degree to be the most complete nurse God has in His plan for me. This scholarship would be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams come true. I will be attending Texas State University in Fall 2026. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this prestigious Summer Chester Memorial Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons

To God be the glory! Hello, my name is McKenzie Simmons. My brother, Micah, and I were born premature at 24 weeks old at 1 lb 12 oz and 1 lb 7 oz. My brother died seven hours later but through the grace and miracle works of God, I was nurtured through 3 months in NICU before I was released from the hospital at under 5 lbs. What followed was me being on a breathing machine while finally going home. I was blessed by the heartfelt and experienced care of the NICU doctors and nurses who saved my life, and I am forever thankful. My dedication to pursuing higher education in nursing at a four-year institution stems from personal experiences, such as my time in the NICU. If it is God's will, I will pursue a Master's in Nursing or an MBA, after attaining my undergraduate degree. My commitment and passion are genuine because they are personal. Not only do I have parents who have served as great role models as college graduates, I want to be a blessing and pay it forward to families who have sick loved ones and need not only good nursing but a medical professional who cares for them like it's their own family. I learned in church one of my favorite Bible verses, Mt. 13:34, which says, "to love one another." I want my love to be felt by everyone that I come in contact as a nurse. My twin brother did not survive our premature birth, so I know how sad it can be for a family and friends to lose a loved one. I think about my deceased twin brother quite often, wishing he was with me every day here on earth. I think about what memories we would have made growing up together as twins. I want to help families recover and avoid medical issues that affect their lives. I want to be part of the solution to healthcare issues that affect people of all ages; however, helping children as a pediatric nurse would be my ultimate goal in healthcare. A college degree will go a long way in helping me to be a solution. I have a tremendous role model for healthcare in my mother who is a RAD Tech at local hospitals in the North Texas area. She is certified and eligible to work in three modalities: X-ray, CT, and MRI. I see and hear my mom speak on how challenging yet fulfilling is her profession because of her positive effect on patient's lives. I have learned from her that healthcare is more than just a job. It is a God-inspired obligation of servanthood to our fellow humans who are sick and depressed. Showcasing the 'fruit of the Spirit' is something I have learned in my Sunday school classes at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Being patient, loving, kind, and faithful will complement the skills I gain from a college degree to be the most complete nurse God has in His plan for me. This scholarship would help be extremely helpful in making my nursing dreams happen. I will be attending Texas State University in Fall 2026. Thank you for the opportunity of being considered for this prestigious Evangelist Nellie Sammy Ochoa Memorial Scholarship. Be Blessed McKenzie Simmons