1. What trade are you pursuing and why are you passionate about it? I have always been interested in seeing how things are built, but starting my education in carpentry has shown me that building is more than just putting materials together—it is turning an idea into something real. I am currently pursuing carpentry at Hinds Community College, where I am learning skills such as blueprint reading, framing, and construction. I am passionate about this trade because I enjoy working with my hands, solving problems, and being able to look at something I helped build and know that my work made it possible. Carpentry has also given me confidence because I entered the program knowing very little about construction, and every new skill I learn reminds me that I am capable of learning something new. 2. What are your future plans after your trade education? My goal is to graduate from Hinds Community College in July 2028 and begin working in the construction industry as soon as possible so I can gain real-world experience. I plan to continue my education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Science or a related engineering field. Ultimately, I want to combine my hands-on carpentry experience with higher-level construction and engineering knowledge. I want to become a professional who can understand a project from the blueprint to the actual construction site. My long-term goal is to build a successful career in construction and engineering while creating safe, quality structures that people and communities can depend on. 3. Describe a time in your life when you overcame adversity. How did you work through it? One of the biggest challenges I have faced was learning how to keep moving forward when things did not go the way I expected. There were times when school, personal responsibilities, and uncertainty about my future made me question whether I was on the right path. Instead of allowing those challenges to stop me, I learned to take things one step at a time. I started focusing less on what I could not control and more on what I could do each day to improve myself. I reminded myself why I started and continued showing up even when I felt discouraged. That experience taught me that success is not about never struggling; it is about having the determination to keep going. Now, when I face something difficult in carpentry or in life, I remind myself that I do not have to know everything immediately. I just have to be willing to learn, work hard, and keep building toward my future.

More Than a Financial Opportunity Growing up, I have learned that sometimes you have to work twice as hard to get the same opportunity. I come from a family where money has not always been easy, but I have never wanted my circumstances to decide what I can accomplish. I am currently a carpentry student at Hinds Community College. When I first started, I honestly did not know much about construction or how to use the tools. I could have let that discourage me, but instead, I decided to learn. Every class, blueprint, measurement, and hands-on project has pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I am learning that being successful is not about knowing everything from the beginning; it is about being willing to learn and not giving up when something is difficult. My goal is to graduate in July 2028 and begin working as soon as possible. I want to continue my education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Science or a related engineering field. Eventually, I want to combine what I learn in carpentry with engineering and construction knowledge so I can help design and build things that people and communities can depend on. I have also worked to prepare myself beyond the classroom. I have earned certifications in OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and forklift operation, and I continue looking for opportunities to gain experience. I have also volunteered in my community through my church, local daycares, libraries, shelters, and with the fire department. These experiences have taught me that success is not only about what you accomplish for yourself, but also about what you can do for others. Scholarships and grants are important to students like me because financial challenges should not be the reason someone has to give up on their goals. Receiving this grant would help me with the costs of college and allow me to focus more on my education and building the skills I need for my future. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I also know how hard I am willing to work. I am not asking for someone to build my future for me. I am asking for the opportunity to keep building it myself.

“Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” That quote reminds me of a moment I will never forget — a moment that showed me compassion is not just something you feel, but something you do. A few years ago, a close family member of mine was hospitalized unexpectedly. What was supposed to be a routine day turned into fear and uncertainty within hours. Machines were beeping, doctors were speaking in medical terms we did not fully understand, and my family felt overwhelmed. In the middle of all that anxiety, one nurse made all the difference. She did more than check vital signs and administer medication. She slowed down. She explained each procedure in simple terms. She made sure my family member felt heard instead of rushed. I remember her pulling up a chair and holding their hand while explaining what would happen next. She reassured us without giving false hope. She spoke with honesty, but also with warmth. That balance meant everything. At one point, when my family member became discouraged and afraid, the nurse gently reminded them that healing is not just physical, but emotional too. She encouraged them to stay hopeful and celebrate small improvements. I watched the tension in the room shift. The fear did not completely disappear, but it softened. My family member began asking questions instead of shutting down. They started to feel like a person again — not just a patient. Witnessing that interaction changed me. I realized that nursing is more than a career focused on medical skill; it is a calling rooted in compassion. The nurse’s actions showed me that small gestures — a steady voice, eye contact, patience — can transform someone’s darkest moment into something manageable. Compassion does not require grand speeches. Sometimes it is as simple as choosing to stay present. That experience deeply influenced my decision to pursue nursing. I want to be the kind of nurse who treats patients as whole people, not just conditions to be managed. I want to combine clinical excellence with empathy. Patients are often at their most vulnerable in medical settings. They may be scared, in pain, or uncertain about their future. In those moments, compassion can restore dignity and hope. Philippe Forton’s story reminds me that compassionate nurses leave lasting impressions. Even in difficult circumstances, their presence can bring comfort and peace. I understand that nursing requires ambition, discipline, and hard work. I am committed to excelling academically and preparing myself for the responsibility this profession carries. However, I also know that technical skill alone is not enough. Compassion must guide every action. The nurse I witnessed did not just care for a patient — she cared for a person and a family. That is the kind of nurse I aspire to become. Through dedication and empathy, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, just as she did for mine.

The first time I watched paramedics step out of an ambulance, I realized that real heroes do not wear capes — they wear uniforms and carry medical bags. There was chaos all around them. Sirens echoed. Family members were panicking. Fear was written on every face nearby. But the paramedics moved with calm confidence. They assessed the situation quickly, communicated clearly, and immediately began providing care. In a moment when everything felt uncertain, they were steady. Watching them made something click inside of me. I did not just want to witness that kind of strength — I wanted to become it for someone else. I am Saudia Olivia Stewart a Mississippi high school senior raised in a hardworking family that believes in faith, service, and resilience. My family has always taught me that helping others is not optional; it is a responsibility. We check on neighbors. We support each other through difficult times. We believe that your character is shown by how you respond when others are in need. Those values shaped who I am today. They are the reason I feel called to serve in a way that directly impacts lives during emergencies. I have chosen to pursue a career as a paramedic because paramedics are often the first medical professionals on the scene. They must think critically under pressure, make life-saving decisions within seconds, and provide advanced medical care in unpredictable situations. That level of responsibility requires discipline, emotional control, and dedication — qualities I am actively developing within myself. I am currently in the process of becoming EMT certified and earning my CNA certification. I chose to pursue both because I want to build a strong medical foundation early. Becoming an EMT allows me to gain real-world emergency experience, while earning my CNA certification strengthens my patient care skills and medical knowledge. My long-term goal is to become a firefighter as well, so I can serve my community in multiple capacities — providing emergency medical care and responding to dangerous situations that require courage and teamwork. I understand that this path will demand sacrifice, long hours, and continuous education. However, I am ambitious and driven. I am committed to training hard, studying diligently, and preparing myself mentally and physically for this career. I want to be the calm voice someone hears on the worst day of their life. I want to be the reason a family gets another chance with someone they love. This scholarship honors the memory of Bridgette Rochelle Horn by supporting students who share her calling to help others. I feel that calling deeply. Becoming a first responder is not just my career choice — it is my commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact in Mississippi. I am ready to answer that call.