When my mother decided suicide was the only way to take away her pain, I thought my world was over. I blamed myself, questioned everything I knew, and wondered what more I could have done. When the doctor came to talk to us in that tiny, claustrophobic room, I never imagined the words, “We did everything we could,” were going to slither out of his mouth. I instantly felt numb, not processing what was happening around me. I didn’t even realize a nurse had walked in at some point, sat down next to me, and held my hand. Once I had noticed her, I turned to her and looked her in the eye. The compassion, empathy, and love that poured from her gaze engulfed me. She was a breath of fresh air that snapped me back into reality, and I crumbled into her lap as tears fell out of my eyes. I fell into the most profound depression of my life. I had allowed myself to create my entire identity around ‘my mom killed herself.’ But I picked up this mantra from one of my mentors. He told me, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it.” I no longer wanted to let life create me; I wanted to be the creator of my life. I didn't want to feel empty. I didn't want to have my life revolve around this one incident. So, I put in the work. I started to see a therapist and a psychiatrist. It took a few different therapists before I found one who I thought was a good fit for me, but I was able to start working through the guilt, anger, and resentment. I found a mentor who helped me when I had no one to call. He and his wife changed my life, and I will forever be grateful for the time and energy they put into helping me. I tried medication after medication, read book after book, listened to podcast after podcast, and just in the last few years have I started to recognize myself again. I learned so much as I sifted through my emotions to find who I wanted to be. I learned more than anything that people matter, our past and circumstances do not have to define our growth, no one will change my life but me, and sometimes hurting people might just need love. I’m so grateful I learned these things I can implement into my future career as a trauma nurse. Now, as a pursue a degree in nursing, I want to give back to my community in one of the most important ways. I plan to gain the experience and certifications to become a field flight nurse. I want to sit with hurting people and their families and help them during their most vulnerable moments. I want to have the knowledge and confidence to assess and treat a patient out in the field and be part of the care team that helps save lives. I don't think there is a better way that I can give back than helping our members of my local community in their most desperate time of need. With the help of this scholarship, I can and will make a difference, and at the same time, healing a part of my soul that was lost when I couldn't help my mother.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others with its resilience and determination. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. I am ready to step up because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. Only a few people are able and willing to do flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. I am deeply committed to being part of the solution and making a significant difference in the healthcare system, and I want you to feel reassured about my dedication. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will deal with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and do everything possible to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. I am pursuing this not only to save lives physically but also to support these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything possible. There isn't a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I can proudly wear my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

I remember the phone call, the drive to the hospital, the little claustrophobic room, the palatable silence; I remember it all. I never thought I would be the “girl whose mom killed herself.” But there I was, a month before I was supposed to graduate high school, crumbling to the ground as I walked into a hospital room to see my deceased mother one more time before they took her lifeless body away. I didn’t understand the significance of this chapter of my life, but it would become a fuel that would catapult me to change the trajectory of my life significantly. It took me many years to realize how much the loss of my mother affected me and my mental health. But after she died, I decided I could no longer stay in my hometown, and I moved out of state. I needed to leave behind all of the trauma: the mental and emotional abuse, the neglect, the memories of my parents strung out of drugs, the domestic violence, the sexual abuse, all of it. I needed to leave it there and go. My journey of transformation began with the unwiring and rewiring of my brain to break the destructive thinking patterns instilled in me since childhood and ultimately losing my mother by suicide. Over the past decade, I have sought guidance from therapists, psychiatrists, and mentors. I have immersed myself in reading book after book and podcast after podcast and spent lots of time self-reflecting to understand and manage my mental health. This journey has not only transformed me but also equipped me with resilience and self-awareness. In recent years, I have started to see the fruits of my labor. Through that excruciating learning and healing experience, I learned core values and principles that I hold deep in my soul that have helped me decide who I want to be, what I want to stand for, and where I want to lead myself and my family. The biggest thing I learned is people matter. They matter more than stuff, more than social events, more than anything. The worth of a soul is greater than all the material things of life. I learned that integrity is incredibly significant, and I wanted to embody integrity, trustworthiness, and morality in all aspects of my life. I decided I would never allow my children to live in poverty, a contentious household, or an environment where drugs were present. I would never allow them to see what I did grouping up. I knew once my mom passed that I wanted to enter the medical field someday. I want to sit with patients and their families during the worst moments of their lives. I want to remind people that they are loved and cared for. I want to be part of the change of toxic healthcare settings where nurses are mean and borderline abusive. I want to advocate for patients against all who try to interfere with competent and compassionate healthcare. I want to remind people that life is a little less bright with them in it. I want to take care of hurting people. It is the only thing that will heal the hole in my heart left by the loss of my mom. While I had wanted to be part of the medical field for many years, I wondered if I would ever do it. Life got in the way. I got married, had kids, and started a business, but in the back of my mind, I always had this itch to return to school. While my mother was incredibly mentally ill, if there is one thing that she taught me, it was to fight and claw your way to your dreams. Over the past few years, I have quickly realized that no one will change my life but me. Now that I am a bit older, I have a steady head on my shoulders, and I am mentally and physically well, I knew it was time to delve back into school. The odds have always been stacked against me, but here I am, once again, aiming to beat the odds. I work full-time at a hospital as a phlebotomist, struggling with my health challenges, and taking care of my two daughters, my biggest cheerleaders. In September, I will begin my nursing program in the fall to receive my BSN. I no longer want to carry the badge of “the kid whose mom killed herself,” who is overcome with shame and insecurity. I am eager to become “Samantha Willie, RN,” who sits with patients and their loved ones, holds their hands, and reminds them that I am their most prominent advocate.

When I think about the most significant achievement I have accomplished in my 29 years of life, it is not what most people think. It isn’t graduating or receiving an award of some sort. It isn’t getting married or even having my two beautiful daughters. All those things are remarkable achievements, but the most significant achievement I believe I have accomplished is the work I have done to change the trajectory of my life. I grew up with a tumultuous childhood. My parents were chronic drug users; they used everything from perscription medications to heroin. In turn, I experienced everything from childhood homelessness and parental neglect to sexual assault and severe mental and emotional abuse. But after my mom ended her life by purposeful overdose when I was 17, I decided I never wanted to live in the situation I grew up in ever again. I wanted a different life for myself and my future family. I never wanted my children to experience homelessness or food insecurity. I never wanted my children to witness me strung out on anything. I never wanted my children to live in a house with domestic violence. But I didn’t know how to. I didn't think about what I needed to do to escape the cycle that my parents taught my brain. My journey of transformation began with the unwiring and rewiring of my brain to break the destructive thinking patterns instilled in me since childhood. Over the past decade, I have sought guidance from therapists, psychiatrists, and mentors. I have immersed myself in book after book, podcast after podcast, and spent lots of time self-reflecting to understand and manage my mental health. This journey has not only transformed me but also equipped me with resilience and self-awareness. And in recent years, I have started to see the fruits of my labor. I have learned emotional regulation, I have dealt with my trauma, and I have come out on the other side. My children are learning to self-regulate; they are happy and well-fed. They are kind and respectful. We do not express frustration with hitting in our home. My children can freely think and disagree appropriately. We have a roof over our heads and a warm and loving environment, and they don’t get in trouble for existing or making developmentally appropriate mistakes. I couldn’t have dreamed that I would have made it here alone. Now, I look toward the future. I am returning to school to earn my bachelor's of nursing to become an ER nurse and, ultimately, a flight nurse. I want to sit with patients and their loved ones in their worst moments and be part of the care team that saves lives. I have taken my trauma and unlearned all the bad habits, and now I can use the good things I learned and make a difference, just like I have made a difference in my children's lives forever. I am a cycle breaker, and I don’t think there is a more significant achievement than that!

My life is a testament to resilience. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, could easily be mistaken for fiction. But these experiences, rather than breaking me, have shaped me into who I am today, a story of triumph over adversity that I hope will inspire others. I have learned so much through these experiences. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments, driven by a deep-seated passion to make a difference in their lives. I don’t know if most people would consider compassion and empathy as a talent or skill, but those are things that my whole soul encompasses. As someone who has been through a traumatic upbringing, I can see past the surface of people’s ailments, and I can see what is going on within them mentally and emotionally. I have compassion for people going through anything: drug- addiction, sexual trauma, motorcycle accidents, etc., and I want to take care of them and show them love and understanding. I will set an example for everyone around me, including my coworkers and superiors. We should be leading our care with solicitude and humanity. Not only is my heart as big as the sun, but through the things I have seen, I can keep my composure through chaotic situations. My adrenaline hits, and I hyperfocus on the current situation before me. I can keep my feelings at bay until the tragedy ends and allow myself to feel the emotions. What better way to care for my community than to help them in the most critical moments of their lives with no judgment? My commitment to patient care is unwavering. I can spread love, kindness, and empathy by showing pure compassion to my patients and their families. They will always know that they have the most loving, dedicated nurses attending to them, a commitment that will never waver. Once I am in my career and thriving, I plan to teach the “art” of the human body and critical care to the nurses who also want to enter this career path and the “music” of chaos that comes with working in emergency medicine. Not many people in the world can work in this field, but I can, and I plan to help mentor and teach those who also want to become part of the symphony of a life-flight team.

When I first received my mental health diagnosis at 19, I was filled with uncertainty. I grappled with the fear of being labeled, the prospect of lifelong medication, and the worry that I would be shunned by those around me. However, I refused to let these fears define me. Instead, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and resilience that has shaped me into the person I am today. I remember when I first received my mental health diagnosis. I was 19. I was so scared for my future. What did this mean for me? How was it going to affect my life? Or my future family’s life? Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to understanding and managing my mental health. This journey has not only been transformative but has also equipped me with the resilience and self-awareness that I bring to my academic pursuits. As I re-enter school as a non-traditional student, I am confident in my ability to navigate the challenges and succeed. My mental health is essential to me as a student. Without taking the time to figure out how to keep my brain healthy, I do not think I would be successful in my career choice. With two children at home, working full time, and going to school, my mental health needs to be a big priority in my life. I plan to work as a nurse in the ER, and in those moments, most patients are scared and hurting—what better way to help my community than to take care of our vulnerable population? My personal experiences with mental health have deeply influenced my career choice. I want to sit with them in their worst moments and remind them they are loved and cared for. If there is one thing I have learned through my mental health journey, it’s that people matter! Sometimes, hurting people just need to be shown love and empathy. This is the approach I plan to bring to my patient care, understanding that mental health is just as important as physical health in the healing process. I get involved with my community in ways that allow me to spend more time with my kids. I coach their sports teams to help influence the other kids on the team and protect their mental health. Many parents are incredibly hard on their kids regarding sports, even at young ages. By being involved with coaching, I put the pressure aside and remind them to have fun, encourage their teammates, and create a healthy environment for them to learn, grow, and improve their skills. I also spend time teaching the children at my church. Too many religious organizations put so much pressure on people to be perfect when, in reality, we need to show more love, patience, and understanding. That is what I try to teach and exemplify when I teach. There are so many pressures in this world, and while I know nursing school is going to be full of pressure, I will be actively protecting my mental health while still being successful. I will be making sure to block off time for my family, where I can give them my undivided attention. I will focus on exercising and eating a balanced diet to keep my mind clear. I also plan to spend time with other family and friends to keep those connections strong and give me an outlet for school, work, and mom life stressors. Protecting my mental health comes first! I can do anything I want as long as I keep that at the forefront of my mind!

My life story is a narrative of resilience and determination. The challenges I've faced, from childhood homelessness and drug-addict parents to sexual assault and abandonment, have shaped me into the person I am today. Through these experiences, I have not only learned but also demonstrated strength. Over the last ten years, I have spent a lot of time learning about how my brain works, undoing some of the wiring in my brain that resulted from my traumatic childhood, and deciding who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. I am now a wife and mom of two, and we are thriving. But it is time for my stay-at-home mom life to end and for me to re-enter the workforce. The things I have gone through have taught me that hurting people might just need love, that people matter more than anything, and that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. That is why I want to take what I have been through and put all of that towards becoming a life-flight nurse to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. Through my education, I am eager to learn the most crucial systems of the human body to know the ins and outs of why, how, and where things happen within a person. Because there is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now, I am ready to step up. There are not many people who are able and willing to in flight nursing, and I am excited to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this kind of work. I am determined to be part of the solution and make a difference in the healthcare system. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those who are out in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will literally be dealing with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and doing everything I can to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. Not only am I pursuing this to save lives physically, but also to be a support to these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything we can. I don't think there is a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people, and I am fully committed to being by their side, holding their hands, and saving their lives. I can't wait to receive my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

Flying through the sky, touching down, getting to my patient, running through the checklist: ABCDE: airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure. Knowing exactly what to do to stabilize them and prepare for transport, I'm back in the air. Me, my patient, my paramedic, and my pilot working together as a well-oiled machine. This is what my future career looks like. Through my education, I will learn the most crucial systems of the human body to understand why, how, and where things happen within a person. After earning my Bachelor of Nursing, I plan to continue my education to become trauma certified, work in the level 2 trauma center emergency department, and eventually become a life-flight nurse, taking care of critical patients out in the field and during transport to the hospital. There is a massive shortage of nurses in our country right now. There are many reasons for that, including the demanding nature of the job and the lack of resources. But nothing will stop me from achieving my dream and caring for hurting people. After the things I have seen in my childhood, the only thing that can heal parts of my heart is stepping up and taking care of others during their traumatic experiences. I am determined to be part of the solution and make a difference in the healthcare system. As a first responder, I will be at the forefront of many disasters. It might be a natural disaster, motor vehicle accident, or those who are out in remote parts of the forest. It could even be a medical need for those struggling with addiction! I will literally be dealing with some of our community's biggest catastrophes and doing everything I can to get them to a hospital quickly and safely. Modern medicine is incredible. With the help of my education and the work I have done to prepare my heart and mind for the things I will see in the field, I can make a difference in this world. Only a few people are able and willing to work in this field, and I can't think of a better way to impact society than to be part of the select few who are knowledgeable and have the drive to do this work. With the pursuit of this work, I can help save lives. The patients I will be caring for may be experiencing the most intimidating experience of their lives. Not only am I pursuing this to save lives physically, but also being a support to these patients. Once I have stabilized a patient, I can hold their hand, remind them, “We got you,” and reassure them that we will do everything we can. I don't think there is a better career for me or a more significant way that I can give back to society and directly to my community by helping those in desperate medical need. I have a passion for medicine and helping hurting people. I want to be by their side, holding their hands and saving their lives. I can't wait to receive my badge: Samantha Willie, RN, BSN, Flight Nurse! What an honor and privilege it will be.

I vividly remember August 3rd, 2017. My brother, Brandon, hopped on his Harley, and I got onto my grandfather’s. We swept through the backroads of our small California town, looking out over the farm fields and rolling hills. Little did I know that would be our first and only ride together. My brother and I had a tumultuous childhood. We endured parental drug addiction, domestic violence, neglect, childhood homelessness, extreme poverty, emotional, verbal, and mental abuse, and ultimately maternal suicide. Brandon did everything in his power to shield me from much of the trauma placed on us. He would give me the last of his food to make sure I had enough; he would stick up for me at school if someone was making fun of me; he would even wash our clothes in the bathtub so that way we didn’t have to go to school with dirty clothes on. I never thought I would have to do life without him. On September 10th, 2017, I received a call in the mid-morning saying my brother was in a motorcycle accident and he was on his way to the hospital. I was scared, but I knew he would be fine; he was always fine. About a half hour later, my dad video called me. When he answered, he choked out through his hysterical crying, “Bran didn’t make it.” I fell to the floor as I sobbed. My world was crumbling. I went home, started packing a bag, and my husband and I got the first flight we could find to get back home. I never imagined my life without my brother right by my side. Now, as we approach the seven-year mark of his passing, I still cry during the big moments in my life. I was privileged to get a sign from him that he is still around. I believe he kept me pregnant way past my due date so that my first daughter could be born on his birthday. At the same time, part of my heart breaks that my girls will never get to know their uncle, Brandon. They will never know how good of a protector he was and how he would do anything to help his family. I realized quickly that our lives were forever changed. There was no more human garbage disposal to eat everyone's leftovers at Thanksgiving. There was no longer someone to dance with you like no one was watching. There was no longer the goofball who could lighten the mood in any circumstance. His smile was infectious, his laugh was annoyingly captivating, and his heart was as big as the sky. Things in our family have never been quite the same since that September day. The void left by my brother's absence is a constant presence in our lives. We reminisce about his life, laugh at his shenanigans, and mourn that he's no longer with us. Despite the support of those around me, there are times when I feel utterly alone in a world without him. Every time I pass his picture, I touch his picture to let him know that he's always in my thoughts. I eagerly await the signs that he's still with us, and I believe he sends them often. While a part of my heart may always ache, I find comfort in the hope of a future reunion with my big brother, my protector, my best friend. I can’t wait for the day I get to ride through the clouds with him.

When my mother decided suicide was the only way to take away her pain, I thought my world was over. I blamed myself, questioned everything I knew, and wondered what more I could have done. When the doctor came to talk to us in that tiny, claustrophobic room, I never imagined the words, “We did everything we could,” were going to slither out of his mouth. I instantly felt numb, not processing what was happening around me. I didn’t even realize a nurse had walked in at some point, sat down next to me, and held my hand. Once I had noticed her, I turned to her and looked her in the eye. The compassion, empathy, and love that poured from her gaze engulfed me. She was a breath of fresh air that snapped me back into reality, and I crumbled into her lap as tears fell out of my eyes. I fell into the most profound depression of my life. I had allowed myself to create my entire identity around ‘my mom killed herself.’ But I picked up this mantra from one of my mentors. He told me, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it.” I no longer wanted to let life create me; I wanted to be the creator of my life. I didn't want to feel empty. I didn't want to have my life revolve around this one incident. So, I put in the work. I started to see a therapist and a psychiatrist. It took a few different therapists before I found one who I thought was a good fit for me, but I was able to start working through the guilt, anger, and resentment. I found a mentor who helped me when I had no one to call. He and his wife changed my life, and I will forever be grateful for the time and energy they put into helping me. I tried medication after medication, read book after book, listened to podcast after podcast, and just in the last few years have I started to recognize myself again. I learned so much as I sifted through my emotions to find who I wanted to be. I learned more than anything that people matter, our past and circumstances do not have to define our growth, no one will change my life but me, and sometimes hurting people might just need love. I’m so grateful I learned these things I can implement into my future career as a trauma nurse. Now, I look at my life at 28. It isn’t sunshine and rainbows, but I have a dedicated husband, two beautiful daughters, two pups, a roof over our heads, and food in our bellies. When my husband gets home from work, my girls run to the front door yelling, “Daaaaddddy!” as they wrap themselves around his legs, I get the gulp of fresh air again. And it ever so slightly brings me back to April 24th, 2013. I get that slight gulp of fresh air, and it is a beautiful reminder that you are not your circumstances or your past. You can change your life if you are willing to put in the work. And, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with it. I can’t wait to be someone's gulp of fresh air.

In that little room, I felt claustrophobic. My palms were sweating, I had a lump in my throat, and I felt emptiness in my stomach. ‘What is going on?’ swirled in my brain. A tall, dark-haired, older gentleman walked in. I wasn’t sure who he was since he wasn’t wearing a white coat. Then he opened his mouth, and words started to escape his lips. “I am so sorry. But your mother is no longer with us.” The emptiness in my stomach felt like it spread to the rest of my body, and I was just an empty case of a human. My brother ran out of that tiny room and the emergency room doors. I didn’t even realize a nurse had walked in at some point, sat down next to me, and held my hand. Once I had noticed her, I turned to her and looked her in the eye. The compassion, empathy, and love that poured from her gaze engulfed me. She was a breath of fresh air that snapped me back into reality, and I crumbled into her lap as tears fell out of my eyes. Days turned into weeks, months into years. “What do I do without my mom? How do I go on? She is going to miss everything!” Questions constantly clouded my mind. The questions and grief engulfed me. It was the only thing my brain could focus on. When my mother decided suicide was the only way to take away her pain, I thought my world was over. I blamed myself, questioned everything I knew, and wondered what more I could have done. I spent the last ten years finding myself again. Now, I look at my life at 28. It isn’t sunshine and rainbows, but I have a dedicated husband, two beautiful daughters, a roof over our heads, and food in our bellies. When my husband gets home from work, my girls run to the front door yelling, “Daaaaddddy!” as they each wrap themselves around one of his legs, I get the gulp of fresh air again. And it ever so slightly brings me back to April 24th, 2013. It brings me back to that Wednesday night and that nurse–that nurse who didn’t say anything. She just held my hand. I remember getting that gulp of fresh air, knowing I wanted to become a nurse. It may have taken me many years to grow the courage to go back to school to get my BSN, but now that I am on the other side of my own struggles, I cannot contain the passion my soul encompasses. I have learned more than anything that people matter! People matter more than anything else in this life. With the non-judgemental compassion I have gained and the deep-rooted desire to help others, I want to sit with patients and their loved ones. I want to hold their hands, help them when it feels like smoke fills their lungs, and be their gulp of fresh air.

“I want mommy!” my 3-year-old screams as I peel her arms off from around my legs. “I know, baby. Mommy will be back. I always come back! Mommy always comes home!” I choke back tears as I push her into my husband's arms. “MOMMY!” She continues to scream and thrash around in my husband’s arms. My heart breaks, and I hang my head as I rush to my car, trying not to get my scrubs too wet from the rain. Every day, I question whether I want to do this. Is it worth it? Am I betraying my responsibilities as a mother? Will they forgive me for missing out on some of the important moments to better our lives? Every time I walk out the door, it is a battle in my head. Not only is it challenging to find the balance between motherhood and working to provide for them, but it is also more difficult to explain to my kids that mommy has to go to work to make a better life for us. Growing up in a tumultuous and uncertain environment, I decided early on in my life that I would never let my kids experience what I had. I knew I needed to find a career that would allow a good work-life balance and something I enjoyed. That is why I chose nursing. I am finding that balance between showing my kids they are important and showing them that my patients are important, too. When I am home, I spend as much time as possible with them. Whether we go to the park, play baseball in the backyard, or Play-Doh at the kitchen table, I always try to make time for them. I involve them in my other motherly responsibilities, like helping me move the laundry, cooking dinner, and cleaning the bathrooms. My little helpers are always on my heels. And at the night's end, I kiss their boo-boos, read them a book, and tuck them into bed. Through the “I love yous” I whisper to them as they fall asleep, I secretly hope that the sacrifices I am making right now teach them major life skills through my example—things like compassion, hard work, morals, charity, gratitude, and how to have fun! Even though it took me a while to reenter school, becoming a nurse is so deeply ingrained in my heart. Not only can I earn a full-time income by working three days a week, but I am doing something completely instinctual: taking care of others. Not every woman wants to be a mother, but I have this innate desire to care for others. So, while I love my family with every inch of my being, why not do something I am passionate about if I have to work to provide for them? As hard as it is to continue my education at this stage of my life, I keep pushing through the limitations I have set for myself. It is not going to be easy—not by a long shot. However, every day I come home, and my girls come and jump into my arms, I remember that I am doing this for them. I am taking care of my family, showing my children that they can do whatever they want in this life, that our circumstances do not have to define our growth, and that mommy always comes home!