A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that came to light my senior year. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months of each other. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that came to light my senior year. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months of each other. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that came to light during my senior year. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months of each other. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier in 2023 I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months of each other. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier last year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult, and continue to care for her when I’m home from school. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, giving me the perspective of being a patient as well, can only benefit my career. Doctors, nurses, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners have made a huge impact on my life during a very stressful time. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can make that same impact on children who are being diagnosed with similar medical conditions. I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner! Being a recipient of this scholarship would give me the financial means to focus on my life-long career goals.

A senior year in high school is one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. It was also a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses as well. I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months of each other. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. The “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. This experience has taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. Being in the nursing field requires you to possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

My mom is my superhero and my greatest role model. Growing up, I have watched my mom work tirelessly to provide for our family. She’s a single mom who works 85-90 hours a week as a caregiver to make sure that we have food on the table and a roof over our heads. Despite the challenges, she never gave up and always made sure that we were happy and had everything we needed. My mom has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. While growing up, I saw how she never quit despite the difficulties and obstacles she faced. Her determination has inspired me to work hard toward my own goals and never give up in the face of adversity. Every time I'm struggling with something, and I feel like giving up, I remember my mom's hard work and dedication, and it motivates me to keep pushing through my challenges. A senior year in high school is one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

Life is like a rollercoaster. It has many ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns. It will turn you upside down when you least expect it. Then when you finally think the ride is over, it throws you for a loop again. This is my life! I am only 18 and I have already been on the biggest ride of my life! As we all know, a senior year in high school is one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with special needs adults assisting them with maintaining their personal hygiene, playing games and taking them to events so they can be part of the community. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. Doctors, nurses, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners have made a huge impact on my life during a very stressful time in my life. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can make that same impact on children who are being diagnosed with similar medical conditions. I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Currently I am attending Auburn University in pre-nursing and am in the Pediatric/NICU Nursing Club. We have made blankets and Halloween costumes for the babies and it’s extremely rewarding to be able to give back. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner! Being a recipient of this scholarship would be a blessing. I am being raised by a single mom, and our family struggles financially. This scholarship would give me the financial means to attend college and focus on my career goals.

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. And currently I have joined the Pediatric/NICU Nursing Club at Auburn University. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner! Being a recipient of this scholarship would be a blessing. I am being raised by a single mom, and our family struggles financially. This scholarship would give me the financial means to attend college and focus on my career goals.

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. I have also joined the Pediatric/NICU Nursing Club at Auburn University. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner! Being a recipient of this scholarship would be a blessing. I am being raised by a single mom, and our family struggles financially. This scholarship would give me the financial means to attend college and allow me to focus on my career goals.

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it was a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

Growing up, I have watched my mom work tirelessly to provide for our family. She’s a single mom who works 85-90 hours a week to make sure that we have food on the table and a roof over our heads. Seeing her dedication and hard work have made her my greatest role model. Despite the daily challenges, she never gave up and always made sure that we were happy and had everything we needed. My mom has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. While growing up, I saw how she never quit despite the difficulties and obstacles she faced. Her motivation and determination has inspired me to work hard toward my own goals and never give up in the face of adversity. Seeing her work ethic has also taught me the importance of taking responsibility and realizing it takes hard work to achieve success. Every time I'm struggling with something, and I feel like giving up, I remember my mom's hard work and dedication, and it motivates me to keep pushing through my challenges, whatever they may be. Seeing her sacrifice and determination has taught me the value of perseverance and the power of selflessness. My mom's work ethic and her ability to manage working the incredibly long hours also inspires me to become financially independent. She has taught me to always have a backup plan, to aim high and to never let adversity steer me away from my dreams. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, she is always the first person I turn to for advice and encouragement. My mom has also instilled in me important values such as kindness, empathy, and compassion. She works as a caregiver for 5 disabled and intellectually challenged special needs adults. Her kindness and patience towards others have shown me that it is important to treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background. My mom's selflessness, compassion, and generous heart have made me appreciate the importance of helping others and giving back to the community. My mom is my superhero and my greatest role model. She has taught me the value of hard work, the importance of family, and the power of determination. Despite the countless obstacles she has faced in life, she has never given up. I am so grateful for everything she has done and continues to do daily, and I am extremely proud to call her my mom!

Life is like a rollercoaster. It has many ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns. It will turn you upside down when you least expect it. Then when you finally think the ride is over, it throws you for a loop again. This is my life! I am very passionate and give my all to everything I set my mind to accomplish. I am only 18 and I have already been on the biggest ride of my life! I was raised by a single mother who works 85 hrs/week to support her family. l took Honors/Accelerated/Gifted courses throughout my school years and got great grades, very rarely a B. However when Covid hit everything changed. I struggled with digital learning and had difficulty understanding the work over zoom, especially math. " I was equally as crushed to get that D as I was thrilled to pass the class. Finally junior year came around and everything was going great. I liked my classes and my grades were finally back to normal. Then I found out I have a tumor at the base of my brain. This was a very scary and emotional time for me. My doctors decided to attempt to shrink the tumor with medicine. I missed a lot of school due to countless doctors appointments. Shortly after this diagnosis, as I was continuing to have health issues, I was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease, all of the diagnoses within 15 months of each other. All of these setbacks have not stopped me! Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care. Although life is like a rollercoaster, I have learned to deal with the ups and downs and overcome the challenges. I confront and tackle my obstacles head-on. I will work hard to become the best version of myself that I can be. These challenges have made me stronger. I will never give up and I will always persevere!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner! Being a recipient of this scholarship would be a blessing. I am being raised by a single mom, and our family struggles financially. This scholarship would give me the financial means to attend college and focus on my career goals.

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. And earlier this year I became employed as a caregiver for another special needs adult. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A senior year in high school has many different meanings for each and every one of us. It’s also one of the most challenging times transitioning from high school to college. For me, not only was it challenging in that respect, but it’s been a year of unexpected, life-changing medical diagnoses that I’ve been struggling with for many years that recently came to light. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, a tumor on my pituitary gland which sits at the base of my brain, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease all within the past 15 months. During this time, I’ve learned that there are very few pediatric specialists, and children must wait a long time to get appointments. The longest time I had to wait was 7 months. Waiting for that appointment seemed like an eternity, and the “not knowing” during that time was a very emotional time for me and my family. Living through these illnesses has proven to me my strength, motivation, and determination. Although I have been faced with insurmountable adversity, I could have easily given up on myself, but I chose to push through these obstacles. This experience has also taught me more about myself and is positive confirmation that my life-long passion for nursing is the right career path for me. It also made me reevaluate my career goals and helped me decide that I want to continue my education after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Being in the nursing field requires you to be compassionate, be a good listener, be kind and respectful, and be giving of yourself. You must also possess the desire to positively impact the lives of others which comes naturally to me. At the same time, you must keep your sense of humor. For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering weekly with a group of special needs adults that have physical and cognitive disabilities. They have come to know me and look forward to seeing me every week as I do them. I have built a personal relationship with every one of them. Being the person I am, combined with experiencing multiple chronic medical conditions, has also given me the perspective of being a patient as well, all of which can only benefit my career. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I can help children with rare medical conditions relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

The dream version of my future self is to become a pediatric nurse practitioner helping children with rare medical conditions as doctors and nurses have been doing for me, and to be able to relate to the fear of their diagnoses, encourage them through the process, and provide excellent professional care in a timely manner!

A person’s mental health is very important. Mental health affects how we feel, how we act and how we think. It is critical that we maintain our mental wellness. When the Covid-19 Pandemic hit, it created stress and anxiety for many people including myself. I was scared to go out in public. I was scared that I might get very sick. I was scared that my mom and sister might get sick. I was scared that one of us could possibly die, changing our lives forever. Schools started digital learning and that was very hard on me. I wasn’t used to being taught through a computer and my grades immediately started dropping. Even when we were allowed to go back to school, some still chose to learn from home. Because of these choices, teachers still taught digitally even if we were physically present at school. I have always had good grades. It was very rare that I got a B. But during the pandemic and the new way of learning, I struggled in my accelerated math class and ended the semester with a D. I felt like I had failed. This was a grade I never imagined getting and it created a huge amount of anxiety. Then last December, while trying desperately to get my GPA back up, I started to experience unusual symptoms. After multiple tests and an MRI, I was diagnosed with a tumor at the base of my brain. It was a very scary diagnosis that created even more stress and anxiety for me. I met with many doctors including a neurosurgeon and they decided before performing surgery, they wanted to try giving me medicine that would possibly shrink the tumor. I started taking the medicine the last week of December and 5 weeks later I began to experience severe pain and swelling in my left knee. Once again, I went to multiple doctors who performed tests and scans and they still do not know what is wrong with my knee. My mom thinks it’s a side effect of being on the tumor medicine. The tumor medicine makes me nauseous, so I take anti-nausea medicine which makes me very tired which is affecting how I perform in school and it’s creating more anxiety and stress for me. It’s been a vicious cycle and my mental health has definitely suffered. It was very important for me to stay focused on school and my mom suggested that I start to see a therapist. Although therapy has been going well, the therapist recommended that I see a psychiatrist and talk about being put on anxiety medicine. I have been on anxiety medicine for several months now, and it does help. Besides the medicine, there are other ways that I try to maintain my mental wellbeing. I started watching Mindfulness on Netflix to help calm me. I also started volunteering more at the special needs home where my mom works. I have picked up a couple more shifts at work. I have started to swim more. And I have found that if I can keep my mind busy with other things, and release some of my nervous energy, it helps me maintain my mental wellness. And slowly my grades are going up. Your frame of mind ultimately determines how you think, feel and act on a daily basis. You must work hard at calming your mind. I have found multiple ways to do that. It doesn’t take all of my stress and anxiety away but it does help a lot. That’s why a person’s mental health is so important.