For a long time, I thought strength meant carrying everything by myself. I smiled through difficult days, showed up to work, took care of the people around me, and convinced myself that asking for help meant I wasn't strong enough. From the outside, I looked like I had everything under control. On the inside, I was quietly battling anxiety, depression, and ADHD while trying to hold together every part of my life. Mental health has never been just my story. It has been woven through my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I watched addiction affect people I loved. As a child, I could not understand why someone would choose drugs over their family. As I got older, I realized addiction is often connected to pain that people never learned how to heal. That realization changed the way I viewed people. Instead of asking, "What's wrong with them?" I began asking, "What happened to them?" That question has stayed with me ever since. Later, I found myself in an abusive relationship. Leaving was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it taught me something I will never forget. Mental health struggles are not always visible. Fear can hide behind a smile. Anxiety can exist in someone who appears confident. Depression can live inside a person who still goes to work, laughs with friends, and takes care of everyone else. More recently, I experienced one of the greatest losses of my life when my mother passed away unexpectedly. Grief has a way of making even ordinary days feel heavy. There were moments when balancing work, preparing for nursing school, raising my son, and mourning my mom felt impossible. Even during those moments, I learned that healing does not always mean having all the answers. Sometimes healing simply means choosing to keep moving forward one day at a time. Those experiences have shaped every relationship in my life. They have made me more patient, more understanding, and much slower to judge others. I know firsthand that everyone is carrying something we cannot see. Working as a CNA and CMA has reinforced that lesson every day. I have cared for residents who were lonely, grieving, frightened, or simply needed someone to listen. Some days the most important thing I did was not pass medications or take vital signs. It was sitting beside someone who needed to know they mattered. That is the kind of nurse I want to become. When I begin nursing school, I will be learning how to treat illnesses, but I also want to be someone who recognizes the emotional weight people carry. Mental health deserves the same compassion, respect, and attention as physical health. No one should feel ashamed for asking for help, and no patient should ever feel like they have to suffer in silence. My experiences with mental health have not defined my future. They have deepened my empathy and strengthened my purpose. They have taught me that healing often begins when someone feels truly seen. If I can spend my career giving people that feeling, then every difficult chapter of my life will have become part of something meaningful.

When people ask me what I want to build, they usually expect me to talk about becoming a nurse. While that is certainly part of my future, it is not what I am most excited to build. I want to build a life that changes the direction of my family's story. Growing up, I learned early that life is not always predictable. My family faced addiction, instability, financial hardship, and broken relationships. As I got older, I experienced an abusive relationship that I eventually found the strength to leave. More recently, I unexpectedly lost my mom just as I was preparing to begin nursing school. There have been many moments where it would have been easy to believe that my circumstances would determine my future. Instead, they became the reason I refused to give up. Today I am a first generation college student, a single mother, and a healthcare worker preparing to begin nursing school. Every late night of studying, every shift I have worked as a CNA and CMA, and every sacrifice I have made has been building toward something much bigger than a degree. I am building stability for my son. I want him to grow up knowing what it feels like to have consistency, encouragement, and opportunities that I had to fight to create. I am also building trust within my community. Working in long term care has shown me that some of the most meaningful moments in healthcare happen outside of medications and treatments. They happen when someone feels heard, respected, and valued. I have seen residents light up because someone remembered their favorite story or simply sat with them during a difficult day. Those experiences have shaped the kind of nurse I hope to become. My education will allow me to care for people medically, but I also want it to allow me to advocate for them. I want to comfort frightened families, educate patients so they understand their health, and be the person who treats every individual with dignity no matter their circumstances. I know what it feels like to need someone who genuinely cares, and I want to be that person for others. Receiving this scholarship would not simply help pay for tuition. It would allow me to continue building the future I have spent years working toward. Every class I complete and every clinical experience I gain brings me one step closer to creating a better life for my son while making a lasting difference in the lives of my patients. I cannot change where my story began, but I have complete control over where it goes next. The future I am building is one rooted in compassion, resilience, and service. My hope is that years from now, the people I care for and my son will both be able to look at my life and know that difficult beginnings never have to define the ending.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned through my church is that serving others is not something you do when it is convenient. It is something you choose every day, even when life is difficult. That lesson has shaped the person I am, the mother I strive to be, and the nurse I am working so hard to become. Growing up, life was not always stable. I experienced broken relationships, financial hardship, and family struggles that could have easily made me bitter. Instead, my faith taught me that every person deserves compassion because we never truly know what they are carrying. That perspective has stayed with me through every stage of my life. My church encouraged me to put faith into action rather than simply talk about it. I became involved in food drives, helped distribute meals to families in need, participated in community clean up events, and volunteered whenever there was an opportunity to help someone else. Those experiences taught me that service is often found in the smallest moments. Sometimes it is handing someone a meal. Sometimes it is picking up trash in your neighborhood because you care about where people live. Sometimes it is simply showing kindness to someone who has not experienced much of it lately. Those values naturally carried over into my career in healthcare. For the past several years I have worked as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Certified Medication Aide. While those jobs involve medications, vital signs, and daily care, I believe the most important part of my work has always been making people feel seen. Many residents do not just need medical care. They need someone who will sit with them for a few extra minutes, remember their favorite stories, hold their hand when they are scared, or simply make them smile. I see those moments as an extension of the faith that has guided me throughout my life. This year has been one of the hardest seasons I have ever faced. My mother passed away unexpectedly just as I was preparing to begin nursing school. Becoming a first generation college student while raising my young son has already required tremendous determination, and losing my mom made that journey even more emotional. Through it all, my faith has reminded me that even during grief, I still have a purpose. That purpose is to continue serving others with compassion, patience, and love. As I begin nursing school, my goal is not simply to earn a degree. I want to become the kind of nurse who makes people feel safe during some of the hardest days of their lives. I want every patient to know they are cared for as a whole person, not just another diagnosis or room number. The service I have given to my community began with lessons I learned through my church, but it will not end there. I hope to spend my career using both my education and my faith to care for others with humility, kindness, and genuine compassion. If I can leave people feeling a little more hopeful than they were before they met me, then I know I am living out the values my church helped instill in me.

Technology has completely changed the way I learn. As a first-generation college student beginning nursing school, a full-time healthcare worker, and a single mother, I don't always have the luxury of sitting in a classroom for hours after lectures to review difficult material. Online learning tools have allowed me to continue learning whenever I have the time, whether that's during my son's nap, on a lunch break at work, or late at night after everyone else has gone to bed. One of the online resources I use most often is ChatGPT. Rather than simply asking for answers, I use it as a tutor. When I don't understand a nursing concept or medical procedure, I ask follow-up questions until I fully understand the reasoning behind it. It helps me break complicated subjects into manageable pieces, create study guides, explain anatomy and physiology in simpler terms, and prepare for exams. Having an interactive learning resource that can adapt to my questions has made me a much more confident student. I also use YouTube videos, online nursing demonstrations, digital flashcards, and reputable medical websites to reinforce what I learn in class. Watching procedures performed step-by-step helps me connect textbook knowledge with real patient care. As someone who has worked as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, I immediately apply what I learn online during my work caring for residents. Every new skill I develop becomes another way to provide safer, more compassionate care. Online learning has also taught me something beyond academics; it has taught me how to become a lifelong learner. Healthcare changes constantly, and nurses must continue learning long after graduation. Becoming comfortable with researching evidence-based information, evaluating reliable sources, and seeking answers independently will allow me to provide the highest quality care throughout my career. Technology has also supported me through some of the most difficult moments of my life. After unexpectedly losing my mother, I spent countless hours researching medical information, asking questions, and trying to better understand the circumstances surrounding her passing. While nothing could change what happened, the experience reinforced my desire to learn as much as possible so I can someday help other families during their most vulnerable moments. My goal is to become a licensed practical nurse and continue my education to earn my registered nursing degree. I want to provide compassionate, knowledgeable care while serving as an advocate for my patients. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden of school, allowing me to continue investing my time and energy into becoming the best nurse I can be. Learning no longer ends when I leave the classroom. Thanks to online tools and technology, education has become something I carry with me every day. They have helped me become a stronger student, a better healthcare professional, and a future nurse who is committed to continually growing for the benefit of every patient I serve.

Mental illness has touched nearly every part of my life, not only through my own struggles with anxiety and depression, but through the people I love most. It has affected my family in different ways, and watching those battles has shaped the person I have become. Growing up, I was raised by my older sister for several years. She loved me deeply and did everything she could to care for me, but she was also struggling with a cocaine addiction at the time. As a child, I didn't fully understand what addiction was or why life often felt unpredictable. Looking back, I now recognize that addiction and mental health challenges often go hand in hand. Those early experiences taught me that people who struggle with mental illness or substance use are not simply making bad choices; they are often fighting battles that others cannot see. Years later, after she was no longer raising me, my sister developed a heroin addiction. Watching someone I loved continue to struggle was heartbreaking. It taught me how mental illness and addiction affect entire families, not just the individual. They create fear, uncertainty, and helplessness, but they also teach compassion. I learned that recovery is rarely a straight path and that people deserve support rather than judgment. My own mental health has also been challenged. Anxiety and depression have been difficult at times, especially while balancing work, school, raising my son, and navigating significant family hardships. The recent loss of my mother was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Grief intensified emotions I was already trying to manage, but it also reminded me of the importance of asking for help, leaning on loved ones, and allowing myself to heal. Rather than allowing these experiences to define me, I have used them as motivation. They have inspired me to pursue nursing because I know firsthand how much compassion matters. Some of the strongest people I have ever met have been struggling silently. I want to become the kind of nurse who sees beyond a diagnosis, listens without judgment, and treats every patient with dignity and respect. Mental illness is often invisible, which is why empathy is so important. A kind conversation, patience, or simply making someone feel heard can have a lasting impact. I have learned that healing involves more than medicine; it involves human connection. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to becoming a nurse who advocates for patients facing both physical and mental health challenges. My experiences have taught me resilience, compassion, and perseverance. Although mental illness has brought hardship into my family's life, it has also given me a greater understanding of others and strengthened my commitment to serving people with empathy. My goal is to turn those difficult experiences into a career dedicated to helping others through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Thesis: Marcus Aurelius reminds us that we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can always control the character we choose to display in response. This philosophy has shaped how I approach hardship and why I believe resilience is one of the greatest strengths a person can develop. Selected Passage (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 5): "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." This single sentence appears simple at first glance, but it contains a profound truth about the human experience. Marcus Aurelius argues that obstacles are not merely interruptions on the path to success; they become part of the path itself. Rather than viewing adversity as something that prevents growth, he encourages us to see hardship as the very thing that develops strength, wisdom, and character. The obstacle is not separate from success; it is the process through which success is achieved. Many people naturally assume that a good life is one free from pain or difficulty. Under that interpretation, obstacles are viewed as unfair setbacks that delay happiness. Marcus Aurelius rejects that idea entirely. He believes our character is revealed not when life is easy, but when life is difficult. Every challenge presents an opportunity to practice patience, courage, discipline, and compassion. In other words, hardship is not an interruption of life; it is one of life's greatest teachers. This philosophy also challenges the modern tendency to focus on circumstances we cannot control. We often spend enormous amounts of energy wishing that the past had been different or worrying about events outside our influence. Marcus Aurelius instead directs our attention inward. While we cannot choose every circumstance we face, we can choose how we respond. That response ultimately defines who we become. I find this idea especially meaningful because resilience is rarely something people are born with. It is built one difficult experience at a time. Every obstacle forces us to make a choice: become discouraged or continue moving forward. Over time, those choices shape our identity far more than the obstacles themselves. This passage also speaks to leadership and service. People who dedicate their lives to helping others teachers, first responders, nurses, and countless others encounter difficult situations every day. They cannot eliminate suffering entirely, but they can choose to meet it with compassion and professionalism. Their ability to remain calm during hardship is developed through experience rather than comfort. In that sense, every challenge prepares them to better serve the next person who needs them. The phrase "what stands in the way becomes the way" also suggests that our greatest strengths often emerge from our greatest struggles. Someone who has experienced hardship may develop empathy that cannot be learned from a textbook. Someone who has faced disappointment may become more patient with others. Someone who has overcome adversity often understands perseverance at a deeper level than someone whose life has always been easy. Another important aspect of this passage is its optimism. Marcus Aurelius does not deny that suffering exists, nor does he pretend that every experience is pleasant. Instead, he offers hope by arguing that suffering can have purpose if we allow it to shape us positively. Difficult experiences can become opportunities for growth rather than reasons to surrender. This perspective transforms obstacles from barriers into stepping stones. Although these words were written nearly two thousand years ago, they remain remarkably relevant today. Students face academic pressure, families encounter financial hardship, communities experience tragedy, and individuals struggle with uncertainty about the future. Marcus Aurelius reminds us that while we cannot prevent every challenge, we possess something even more powerful: the ability to determine our response. That choice ultimately influences the kind of person we become. For me, the lasting message of this passage is that resilience is not about avoiding hardship but learning from it. Every obstacle has the potential to teach patience, perseverance, humility, or compassion if we are willing to accept the lesson. The obstacle itself may never disappear, but it can become the foundation upon which future success is built. That is why I believe Marcus Aurelius' words continue to endure across centuries. They remind us that our lives are not defined by the difficulties we encounter but by the courage, integrity, and determination we display while overcoming them. In the end, what stands in our way often becomes the very path that leads us toward becoming the person we were meant to be.

When I picture my future, I don't picture a paycheck or a job title. I picture myself walking into a patient's room knowing that, even on one of the hardest days of their life, I have the knowledge and compassion to make it a little better. That is why I am pursuing nursing. I want to build a career dedicated to helping people while creating the stable future that my son deserves. As a biracial, first-generation college student, getting to this point has not been easy. I grew up surrounded by instability and difficult circumstances. My older sister raised me while struggling with addiction, and I learned from a young age that life could change overnight. Instead of letting my upbringing determine my future, I decided it would motivate me to create a different life. The challenges did not stop there. I became a young mother, left an abusive relationship, and have balanced work while managing anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Most recently, I lost my mother unexpectedly, an experience that reminded me how precious life is and strengthened my commitment to healthcare. Through every setback, I refused to give up on my education because I know that earning my nursing degree will change not only my life but my son's as well. I have already spent years caring for others as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Certified Medication Aide. Those experiences confirmed that nursing is not simply a career for me—it is my calling. I have witnessed residents who needed someone to sit with them during difficult moments, families searching for reassurance, and patients who simply wanted to feel heard. Those moments taught me that kindness can be just as powerful as medicine. This fall I will begin nursing school with the goal of becoming a registered nurse and continuing my education throughout my career. I hope to work with patients who feel overlooked, advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and provide the same compassion that I have always tried to give throughout my healthcare career. I also want my son to grow up seeing that determination can overcome even the hardest circumstances. Receiving this scholarship would help remove one of the biggest obstacles standing between me and my goals: financial stress. As a single mother, every dollar matters. Reducing the cost of tuition, books, and school supplies means I can spend less time worrying about finances and more time focusing on becoming the best nurse I can be. It would allow me to continue building the future I have worked so hard to create without sacrificing the quality of my education. I hope to be remembered not for the hardships I experienced, but for what I chose to do because of them. My goal is to build a life centered on service, compassion, and resilience while giving my son opportunities I never had. This scholarship would not simply invest in my education; it would invest in a future nurse who is determined to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

The first time I walked into a nursing home as a Certified Nursing Assistant, I realized that healthcare was where I belonged. Caring for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives gave me a purpose that I had never experienced before. Every resident had a story, every family had worries, and every act of kindness mattered. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to become a nurse. Going to college is how I will turn that purpose into a lifelong career. As a biracial, first-generation college student, higher education represents something much bigger than earning a diploma. It represents breaking cycles that have affected my family for generations. I grew up in a home filled with instability and uncertainty. My older sister raised me while battling addiction, and I learned early that life is not always fair. Instead of allowing those circumstances to define me, I chose to let them motivate me. I discovered that my past could become the foundation for helping others rather than an obstacle that held me back. Since then, life has continued to test me. I became a young mother, escaped an abusive relationship, and have balanced work while living with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Most recently, I lost my mother unexpectedly, one of the most painful experiences of my life. Even through heartbreak and uncertainty, I never let go of my dream of becoming a nurse. Every challenge has strengthened my determination because I know what is waiting on the other side: the opportunity to create a better future for my son. Education means freedom to me. It means never having to wonder whether I can provide for my child. It means building a career that allows me to support my family while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It means proving that where someone begins does not determine where they will end up. I recently earned acceptance into nursing school, where I will continue building on my years of experience as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. My goal is to become a registered nurse and continue advancing my education throughout my career. I want to care for patients with the same compassion I have always tried to provide, while also advocating for those who feel unheard or overlooked. My experiences have taught me that healing is about more than medications and procedures; it is about making people feel seen, respected, and valued. As a minority student, I understand that pursuing higher education sometimes means overcoming additional obstacles. Financial barriers, family responsibilities, and personal hardships can make the journey feel overwhelming. Scholarships like this one help students like me focus less on surviving financially and more on becoming the professionals our communities need. One day, I hope my son will look back and see that every sacrifice was worth it. I want him to know that resilience is stronger than adversity and that education has the power to change not only one person's future but an entire family's. Going to college is not simply the next step in my life; it is the beginning of the legacy I want to leave behind.

When people ask who raised me, the answer isn't simple. My childhood wasn't what most people would consider traditional. My older sister became the person who raised me during a time when she was struggling with cocaine addiction. Years later, after she left, that addiction progressed to heroin. Growing up in those circumstances was difficult, but it taught me lessons that continue to shape the person I am today. It taught me that people are more than the mistakes they make, that love can exist even in imperfect situations, and that compassion has the power to change lives. I am a biracial, first-generation college student beginning my journey toward becoming a RN. Looking back, I realize that many of my experiences could have become excuses to give up. Instead, they became reasons to keep moving forward. I learned to adapt to uncertainty, become independent at a young age, and appreciate every opportunity I was given. Life continued to test me as I grew older. I became a young mother, left an abusive relationship, and have worked through anxiety, depression, and ADHD while balancing full-time work and preparing for nursing school. Recently, I experienced one of the hardest losses of my life when my mother unexpectedly passed away. There have been many moments when it would have been easier to quit. Instead, each challenge has strengthened my determination to build a better future for my son and to become someone others can depend on. Growing up with addiction in my family gave me a perspective that many people never experience. I know what it feels like to love someone who is struggling while wishing they could see the value in themselves. That experience taught me not to judge people based on the hardest season of their lives. It is one of the biggest reasons I chose healthcare. Every patient deserves kindness, dignity, and someone who sees the person behind the diagnosis. As a nurse, I hope to care for every patient with the same compassion I wished my own family had always received. Service has always been important to me. I spent years working as both a CNA/CMA, caring for elderly residents through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Outside of work, I have volunteered at church food drives, helped clean my community, delivered meals to families, worked with livestock through youth activities, and donated what I could to people in need. None of these experiences were about recognition. They were opportunities to make someone else's day a little easier. My goal is to earn my nursing degree and continue advancing my education so I can make a lasting difference in the lives of my patients. More importantly, I want my son to grow up watching perseverance instead of defeat. I want him to know that where you come from does not determine where you are capable of going. I want him to see that even when life feels unfair, education, hard work, and compassion can create a completely different future. Being raised by my sister was far from a perfect situation, but it shaped me into the woman I am today. It taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of extending grace to others. Those lessons have become the foundation of my life and the reason I am pursuing nursing. My past does not define me; it prepared me to serve others with understanding, humility, and hope. I believe those qualities will allow me to make a meaningful impact not only in healthcare but also in the lives of everyone I have the privilege of caring for.

The first time I realized what it meant to truly help someone, I was working as a CNA. I quickly learned that taking care of people goes far beyond passing medications or helping someone get dressed. Sometimes the greatest thing you can give another person is your time, your patience, and the reassurance that someone genuinely cares about them. Many of the residents I have cared for simply wanted someone to listen. I have stayed a few extra minutes to hear stories about their families, held a hand when someone was scared, celebrated birthdays with people whose loved ones could not be there, and comforted residents during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Those moments reminded me that kindness is not measured by grand gestures. It is measured by showing up consistently for people who need you. Helping others has also been a part of my life outside of work. I have volunteered through local churches by helping with food drives, delivering meals, cleaning up neighborhoods, and donating whenever I am able. I believe that even small acts of kindness matter because you never know what someone else is going through. One meal, one conversation, or one helping hand can completely change someone's day. Life has not always been easy for me. I have overcome difficult relationships, become a single mother, balanced work while preparing for nursing school, and recently experienced the unexpected loss of my mother. Those experiences could have made me bitter, but instead they made me more compassionate. I know what it feels like to need support, so I try to be the kind of person I once needed myself. My decision to become a nurse comes from that same belief. Nursing is not simply a stable career or a way to earn a living. It is an opportunity to make people feel seen during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether I am caring for a frightened patient, comforting a family member, or simply taking a few extra minutes to listen, I want every person I care for to know they matter. Being selfless does not mean ignoring your own dreams. To me, it means using your dreams to improve the lives of others. Every challenge I have faced has strengthened my desire to serve my community and become a nurse who leads with compassion, respect, and empathy. I hope my son grows up seeing that success is not defined by money or recognition. I hope he learns that the greatest measure of a person is how they treat others. If I can teach him that through the life I live and the example I set every day, then I know I have truly made a difference. This scholarship would help me continue my education, but it would also allow me to continue a lifetime of serving others. My goal has never been simply to build a career. My goal is to build a life that leaves people feeling cared for, respected, and a little better than they were before we met.

The first time I realized what it meant to truly help someone, I was working as a CNA. I quickly learned that taking care of people goes far beyond passing medications or helping someone get dressed. Sometimes the greatest thing you can give another person is your time, your patience, and the reassurance that someone genuinely cares about them. Many of the residents I have cared for simply wanted someone to listen. I have stayed a few extra minutes to hear stories about their families, held a hand when someone was scared, celebrated birthdays with people whose loved ones could not be there, and comforted residents during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Those moments reminded me that kindness is not measured by grand gestures. It is measured by showing up consistently for people who need you. Helping others has also been a part of my life outside of work. I have volunteered through local churches by helping with food drives, delivering meals, cleaning up neighborhoods, and donating whenever I am able. I believe that even small acts of kindness matter because you never know what someone else is going through. One meal, one conversation, or one helping hand can completely change someone's day. Life has not always been easy for me. I have overcome difficult relationships, become a single mother, balanced work while preparing for nursing school, and recently experienced the unexpected loss of my mother. Those experiences could have made me bitter, but instead they made me more compassionate. I know what it feels like to need support, so I try to be the kind of person I once needed myself. My decision to become a nurse comes from that same belief. Nursing is not simply a stable career or a way to earn a living. It is an opportunity to make people feel seen during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether I am caring for a frightened patient, comforting a family member, or simply taking a few extra minutes to listen, I want every person I care for to know they matter. Being selfless does not mean ignoring your own dreams. To me, it means using your dreams to improve the lives of others. Every challenge I have faced has strengthened my desire to serve my community and become a nurse who leads with compassion, respect, and empathy. I hope my son grows up seeing that success is not defined by money or recognition. I hope he learns that the greatest measure of a person is how they treat others. If I can teach him that through the life I live and the example I set every day, then I know I have truly made a difference. This scholarship would help me continue my education, but it would also allow me to continue a lifetime of serving others. My goal has never been simply to build a career. My goal is to build a life that leaves people feeling cared for, respected, and a little better than they were before we met.

The hardest part about being both a student and a single parent is knowing that someone else depends on every decision I make. When I became a mom, my dreams did not disappear. They simply became bigger than myself. Every class I take, every shift I work, and every late night studying is no longer just for me. It is for my son, Kylo. I want him to grow up knowing that no matter where you start or what obstacles life puts in front of you, you can build a better future through determination and hard work. Being a single parent means there are no days off. My responsibilities do not stop because I have an exam to study for or homework due at midnight. There are diapers to change, meals to make, doctor's appointments to schedule, laundry to fold, and countless moments where my son simply needs his mom. Some nights I study after he falls asleep because it is the only quiet time I have. Other days I have to remind myself that even if I cannot do everything perfectly, showing up is enough. Financially, the challenge can feel overwhelming. Nursing school is expensive, and balancing work with a demanding class schedule is something I think about every day. I have spent years working as a CNA and medication aide because I knew healthcare was where I belonged. Now I finally have the opportunity to attend nursing school, but tuition, books, childcare, transportation, and everyday expenses add up quickly. As a single parent, I cannot simply focus on my education. I also have to make sure my son has everything he needs. The past year has been one of the hardest of my life. I unexpectedly lost my mother while preparing to begin nursing school. Losing her changed me forever. There were days when the grief felt unbearable, but I knew I had two choices. I could let heartbreak define my future, or I could honor her by continuing to chase the dream she always believed I could achieve. I chose to keep going. Receiving this scholarship would do more than ease financial stress. It would allow me to spend more time focusing on my education instead of worrying about how every bill will be paid. It would help cover books, supplies, childcare, and other expenses that come with becoming a nurse. Most importantly, it would help me create a more stable future for my son. I want Kylo to grow up watching his mom accomplish something that once seemed impossible. I want him to see that success is earned through perseverance, not by having an easy life. One day, when he is old enough to understand, I hope he realizes that every sacrifice I made was because I believed in the future we could build together. My goal is to become a compassionate nurse who treats every patient with dignity and kindness. I know what it feels like to struggle, to grieve, and to worry about tomorrow. Those experiences have made me more empathetic and more determined to care for others. Nursing is not simply a career to me. It is a way to make a meaningful difference in people's lives while providing a stable future for my own family. Being a student and a single parent is not easy, but it has made me stronger, more disciplined, and more grateful for every opportunity I have been given. I am not asking for an easier path. I am asking for the chance to continue walking the one I have worked so hard to create. This scholarship would not only invest in my education, it would invest in the future of a little boy who is watching his mom prove that difficult circumstances do not have to determine the rest of your life.

Growing up, books were never just stories to me. They were places I could escape to when life felt overwhelming, teachers that challenged the way I thought, and reminders that difficult chapters eventually come to an end. Whether I was reading fiction that helped me understand different perspectives or textbooks that prepared me for a career in healthcare, every book has left me with something valuable. One lesson books have taught me is that every person has a story you cannot see on the surface. The best authors create characters with strengths, flaws, fears, and dreams that make them feel real. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life. Working as a CNA and medication aide, I have learned that patients are no different. Every resident has lived a lifetime before I met them. Some carry grief, some carry loneliness, and some simply need someone willing to listen. Reading taught me empathy long before I worked in healthcare. Books have also shown me the importance of perseverance. My journey has not been easy. I became a young mother while working full time and preparing for nursing school. I have experienced the pain of losing my mother unexpectedly, navigated difficult family circumstances, and faced challenges with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. There were times when it would have been easier to give up. Instead, I kept turning the page. Just like the characters I admired, I learned that growth often comes through hardship. As I prepare to become a nurse, reading has taken on a different purpose. I now spend as much time learning from anatomy, psychology, and nursing textbooks as I do from novels. Every chapter brings me one step closer to the career I have dreamed about for years. The more I learn, the more confident I become that nursing is where I belong. My goal is to become the kind of nurse who treats every patient with compassion and dignity. Knowledge is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, and books have been the foundation of that knowledge throughout my life. They have taught me to ask questions, to never stop learning, and to see the humanity in every person I meet. Barbara Cain dedicated her life to helping others discover the joy of reading. I hope to honor that same spirit by carrying what books have taught me into my own career. Every patient has a story worth hearing, every student has more to learn, and every chapter of my life has prepared me to serve others with empathy, curiosity, and kindness.

People often think mental health only matters when someone is in crisis. For me, it's something I work on every single day. I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Each one has affected me differently. Anxiety makes me overthink even simple decisions. Depression has made it difficult to find motivation during some of the hardest times in my life. ADHD can make it challenging to stay organized, focus on one task at a time, or keep my thoughts from racing. At one point, I thought these struggles meant I wasn't capable of reaching my goals. Now I know they simply mean I have to approach challenges differently. The past year has tested my mental health more than I ever imagined. I unexpectedly lost my mom, who was one of the biggest influences in my life. At the same time, I was preparing to begin nursing school, raising my young son, working in healthcare, and trying to build a stable future for my family. There were days when I felt overwhelmed, but giving up was never an option. I wanted my son to see that even when life feels impossible, you can keep moving forward one step at a time. Mental health is especially important to me because I know what it feels like to hide your struggles while still showing up every day. Many people assume healthcare workers always have everything together, but that's rarely true. We experience stress, grief, anxiety, and burnout just like everyone else. My own experiences have made me more compassionate toward the people I care for because I understand that not every struggle is visible. I advocate for mental health in simple ways. I make it a point to check in with coworkers when they seem overwhelmed. I encourage friends and family to ask for help when they need it instead of feeling embarrassed. I try to create a space where people feel comfortable talking without worrying about being judged. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is listen. As I begin my nursing career, I want every patient to know they are more than a diagnosis. Mental health and physical health are connected, and both deserve to be treated with compassion and respect. Whether I'm caring for an older adult who feels isolated or supporting a family through a difficult diagnosis, I want people to feel heard. Living with anxiety, depression, and ADHD has not defined me, but it has shaped me. It has taught me resilience, patience, and empathy. Those qualities will stay with me long after I graduate, and I believe they will make me not only a better nurse but also a better advocate for the people who need someone to believe in them.

When people ask why I want to become a nurse, my answer is simple. I want to be the person who makes someone's hardest day a little easier. I've worked as a CNA and CMA for several years, and I've learned that patients remember more than medications and treatments. They remember who sat with them when they were scared, who listened when they felt alone, and who treated them like a person instead of another room number. Those moments are what made me realize nursing is exactly where I'm supposed to be. The people who inspire me most are my mom and my son. My mom spent her life caring for other people, and even after she unexpectedly passed away this year, I still find myself asking what she would do in difficult situations. She taught me that kindness costs nothing but can change someone's entire day. Now I want to carry that lesson into my own career. My son gives me another reason to keep going. Becoming a mother changed the way I look at success. Success is no longer about what I accomplish for myself. It's about building a life that shows him what hard work, honesty, and compassion look like. I want him to grow up knowing that difficult circumstances don't have to decide your future. My education is giving me the opportunity to turn years of experience into something bigger. I'm beginning nursing school while working, raising my son, and finding my way through one of the hardest seasons of my life. It isn't easy, but I know it will be worth it. My goal is to become an LPN, continue on to earn my RN, and eventually complete my BSN. I hope to work with older adults because they deserve healthcare professionals who take the time to listen and truly care. Too many people feel forgotten as they age, and I want every patient I care for to know they matter. Giving back doesn't always require starting a charity or changing the whole world. Sometimes it looks like comforting a family after bad news, teaching a patient how to manage their health, or simply taking an extra minute to listen. Those small moments add up. Receiving this scholarship would help lift some of the financial stress that comes with nursing school, but more importantly, it would allow me to stay focused on becoming the kind of nurse my community deserves. My hope is that years from now, people won't remember me because I had all the answers. They'll remember me because I cared enough to make them feel seen.

When I think about Taylor Swift's most moving performance, I immediately think of Marjorie during the Eras Tour. The performance itself is beautiful, but what makes it unforgettable is the meaning behind it. Taylor sings about her grandmother while old recordings of her voice echo throughout the stadium, reminding everyone that the people we love never truly disappear. Watching thousands of people quietly honor someone they never met showed me how powerful music can be. This performance became especially meaningful to me after losing my own mom unexpectedly. Grief is something that changes you overnight. One day, life feels normal, and the next you're trying to figure out how to move forward without someone you thought would always be there. Marjorie doesn't try to fix that pain or pretend it doesn't exist. Instead, it reminds us that the love someone gave us continues through the way we live our lives. That message has stayed with me as I prepare to become a nurse. My mom inspired my passion for healthcare, and even though she isn't here to see me begin nursing school, I carry her with me every day. I think about the compassion she showed other people and the kind of person she wanted me to become. Every patient I care for will receive not only my medical knowledge but also the empathy I've gained from experiencing loss myself. Taylor Swift has always been known for telling stories that feel personal, but Marjorie reminds listeners that grief is something we all share. It encourages people to remember, to cherish their loved ones, and to keep moving forward even when life feels impossible. That's a lesson I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. As a young mother, healthcare worker, and nursing student, there are days when balancing everything feels overwhelming. During those moments, music reminds me that difficult seasons don't last forever and that strength often comes from continuing to take one step at a time. Taylor's performance of Marjorie gave me permission to grieve while also giving me hope that I can honor my mom through the life I build. Years from now, I probably won't remember every concert or every song I listened to. But I'll always remember the message behind that performance: the people we love continue to shape who we become. That's exactly the kind of nurse—and person—I hope to be.

One Olivia Rodrigo lyric that has always stayed with me comes from the grudge: "You have everything and you still want more." While the song tells a different story than mine, the emotions behind it remind me that carrying pain for too long only makes it heavier. Life has taught me that healing isn't about forgetting what happened. It's about choosing to keep moving forward anyway. Over the last few years, my life has looked very different than I imagined it would. I became a mother while I was still young, worked full time in healthcare, and prepared to begin nursing school. I've experienced an abusive relationship that I finally found the strength to leave, and more recently, I lost my mom unexpectedly. There have been days when it felt impossible to balance grief, work, school, and raising my son. During those moments, music became one of the few things that helped me slow down and process my emotions. That's one reason I admire Olivia Rodrigo. She doesn't pretend life is perfect or that difficult emotions should be hidden. Her music reminds people that it's okay to feel hurt, angry, confused, or heartbroken. More importantly, it reminds me that those feelings don't have to define who I become. As I've grown, I've realized that everyone carries struggles that no one else can see. Working as a CNA and medication aide has shown me that every patient has a story, just like every person listening to Olivia's music brings their own experiences to her lyrics. That perspective is one of the reasons I'm pursuing nursing. I want to care for people with compassion because I know how much kindness can matter when someone is going through one of the hardest moments of their life. My journey hasn't been easy, but it has made me stronger. Every obstacle has taught me resilience, patience, and gratitude for the people who choose to stand beside me. Instead of letting my hardships stop me, I've used them as motivation to build a better future for my son and to become a nurse who truly understands what people are carrying, even when they don't say it out loud. Olivia Rodrigo's music hasn't solved my problems, but it has reminded me that vulnerability isn't weakness. It's part of healing. That lesson has helped me face challenges with honesty, keep pursuing my education, and believe that even after heartbreak, there is still so much to look forward to.

When people hear "Sabrina Carpenter fan," they usually think of catchy pop songs and witty lyrics. While I definitely enjoy her music, what has made me such a fan is the confidence and authenticity she represents. Watching her career evolve from Disney Channel to becoming one of the biggest artists in the world has shown me what it looks like to grow, adapt, and keep believing in yourself despite criticism and setbacks. This past year has been one of the hardest of my life. I became a single mother at a young age, balanced work while preparing for nursing school, and recently experienced the unexpected loss of my mom. There have been many moments where it would have been easier to give up or put my dreams on hold. Instead, I've continued moving forward because I want to build a better future for my son and create a career that allows me to help others every day. Music has always been one of the ways I reset after difficult days. Whether I'm driving home after a long shift at work, cleaning the house after my son goes to sleep, or trying to clear my head before studying, Sabrina Carpenter's music reminds me that it's okay to be confident, laugh at yourself, and keep moving forward. Her songs have a way of making stressful days feel a little lighter, and sometimes that's exactly what I need. What I admire most is that she didn't become successful overnight. She continued improving her craft, took risks, and stayed true to herself while growing as both an artist and a person. That determination inspires me because I know my own goals won't happen overnight either. Becoming a nurse requires years of education, sacrifice, and perseverance, but every class I complete and every clinical experience brings me one step closer. I also appreciate that Sabrina embraces who she is without trying to fit into someone else's expectations. That lesson has become important in my own life. I have learned not to compare my journey to anyone else's. My path may look different because I'm raising a child while pursuing my education, but that doesn't make my goals any less achievable. Being a Sabrina Carpenter fan is about more than enjoying her music. It's about being inspired by someone who has worked hard, embraced change, and remained authentic throughout her career. Those are qualities I hope to carry with me as I work toward becoming the kind of nurse, mother, and person my son can always be proud of.

My long term goal is to become a registered nurse who not only provides excellent patient care but also advocates for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I know exactly how I plan to get there, and I have spent the last several years building the foundation for that career. The first step in my plan is completing my Licensed Practical Nursing program at Salina Area Technical College. I have already completed my prerequisites, earned President's Honor Roll at Colby Community College, and worked for several years as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. Those experiences confirmed that nursing is where I belong and gave me practical experience that will help me succeed in school and in my career. While attending nursing school, I plan to continue working PRN as a medication aide. Working PRN allows me to earn enough income to help support myself and my son while still dedicating the time necessary to succeed academically. My budget is simple and intentional. My income will primarily cover rent, utilities, childcare, transportation, groceries, and other household expenses. Financial aid and scholarships will help pay for tuition, books, uniforms, clinical supplies, licensing fees, and other educational costs. Every scholarship I receive reduces the financial pressure of balancing school, work, and raising a child. After earning my LPN license, I plan to begin working as an LPN to gain additional clinical experience while continuing my education toward becoming a Registered Nurse. My long term goal is to earn my BSN because I want to expand my opportunities to work in specialized areas of nursing and eventually mentor future healthcare professionals. Continuing my education while working will allow me to gain valuable experience without delaying my professional growth. I also understand that every plan should include preparation for unexpected challenges. Becoming a single mother, experiencing financial hardship, and recently losing my mother have taught me that life does not always follow the timeline we expect. Instead of allowing setbacks to stop me, I adjust, create a new plan, and continue moving forward. That mindset has helped me reach every milestone so far, and it will continue to guide me throughout nursing school and beyond. Beyond my career goals, I want to make a meaningful difference in my community. I want patients to remember me as the nurse who listened carefully, treated them with dignity, and made them feel safe during difficult moments. I believe compassion is just as important as clinical skill, and I want both to define my career. Joe Gilroy believed in planning your work and then working your plan. That philosophy describes my life perfectly. I have never expected success to happen overnight. I set clear goals, work consistently toward them, and adapt when challenges arise. My path to becoming a nurse has required determination, sacrifice, and careful planning, but I know every step is bringing me closer to the career I have dreamed of for years. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue following that plan while building a better future for my son, my future patients, and myself.

When I think about what gives me an advantage, it is not that my life has been easier or that I have had more opportunities. It is the opposite. Every obstacle I have faced has taught me how to keep moving forward when giving up would have been the easier choice. I am a first generation college student, a single mother, and a future nurse. Before I ever stepped into nursing school, I worked for years as a CNA and CMA because I knew healthcare was where I belonged. I earned my GED at college ready status, completed my prerequisites while working full time, and graduated from Colby Community College's President's Honor Roll with all A's. None of those accomplishments came from having extra time or resources. They came from choosing every day to keep working toward a future I believed was possible. This past year has tested me in ways I never expected. I lost my mother unexpectedly, someone who believed in me long before I believed in myself. At the same time, I was preparing for nursing school, raising my son, balancing work, and managing the financial realities that come with pursuing higher education. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, but every challenge reminded me why I started. I want to build a life that my son can be proud of and become the kind of nurse who makes patients feel seen, heard, and cared for. What sets me apart is not perfection. It is persistence. I know what it feels like to struggle, and those experiences have shaped the way I care for others. My patients are never just diagnoses or room numbers. They are people with stories, fears, families, and dreams. Because of what I have experienced, I approach every person with compassion, patience, and respect. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of nursing school, allowing me to spend more time focusing on my education and clinical training instead of worrying about how I will pay for books, supplies, and everyday expenses. More importantly, it would be an investment in someone who intends to give back for the rest of her career. My goal is to become an LPN, continue on to earn my RN and eventually my BSN, and spend my career improving the lives of patients and their families. I want my son to grow up seeing that difficult circumstances do not determine your future. Your determination does. I may not have had the easiest path, but I believe I have made the most of every opportunity I have been given. If selected, I will honor this scholarship by continuing to work hard, serve others with compassion, and prove that resilience can create lasting change.

When I think about what gives me an advantage, it is not that my life has been easier or that I have had more opportunities. It is the opposite. Every obstacle I have faced has taught me how to keep moving forward when giving up would have been the easier choice. I am a first generation college student, a single mother, and a future nurse. Before I ever stepped into nursing school, I worked for years as a CNA and CMA because I knew healthcare was where I belonged. I earned my GED at college ready status, completed my prerequisites while working full time, and graduated from Colby Community College's President's Honor Roll with all A's. None of those accomplishments came from having extra time or resources. They came from choosing every day to keep working toward a future I believed was possible. This past year has tested me in ways I never expected. I lost my mother unexpectedly, someone who believed in me long before I believed in myself. At the same time, I was preparing for nursing school, raising my son, balancing work, and managing the financial realities that come with pursuing higher education. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, but every challenge reminded me why I started. I want to build a life that my son can be proud of and become the kind of nurse who makes patients feel seen, heard, and cared for. What sets me apart is not perfection. It is persistence. I know what it feels like to struggle, and those experiences have shaped the way I care for others. My patients are never just diagnoses or room numbers. They are people with stories, fears, families, and dreams. Because of what I have experienced, I approach every person with compassion, patience, and respect. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of nursing school, allowing me to spend more time focusing on my education and clinical training instead of worrying about how I will pay for books, supplies, and everyday expenses. More importantly, it would be an investment in someone who intends to give back for the rest of her career. My goal is to become an LPN, continue on to earn my RN and eventually my BSN, and spend my career improving the lives of patients and their families. I want my son to grow up seeing that difficult circumstances do not determine your future. Your determination does. I may not have had the easiest path, but I believe I have made the most of every opportunity I have been given. If selected, I will honor this scholarship by continuing to work hard, serve others with compassion, and prove that resilience can create lasting change.

Working in long-term care has taught me that good nutrition is one of the most overlooked parts of healthcare. I've seen residents become stronger after improving their diets, wounds heal more effectively with proper nutrition, and medications work better when patients understand how food affects their health. Those experiences showed me that nurses do much more than administer medications. We have the opportunity to educate patients in ways that can improve their health long after they leave our care. As I continue my education to become a nurse, I want nutrition education to be part of every patient interaction whenever it is appropriate. Many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity, can be improved through healthier eating habits. Unfortunately, many patients are never taught practical ways to make those changes. They are often handed a pamphlet or told to "eat healthier" without being given realistic guidance. I want to change that by meeting patients where they are instead of expecting perfection. Every patient has different financial situations, cultural traditions, health conditions, and access to healthy food. Rather than recommending expensive diets or unrealistic meal plans, I want to help patients make small, sustainable changes that fit their daily lives. Sometimes replacing sugary drinks with water, choosing healthier snacks, or learning how to read nutrition labels can make a meaningful difference over time. My own experiences have reinforced the importance of realistic health habits. As a single mother balancing work, nursing school, and raising my son, I understand how difficult it can be to prioritize healthy eating when time and money are limited. Those challenges have taught me not to judge people for where they are, but to encourage progress one step at a time. I want every patient to leave my care feeling empowered rather than discouraged. In the future, I hope to continue my education beyond my LPN and become a registered nurse. Whether I work in long-term care, a hospital, or the community, I want to be known as a nurse who takes time to educate patients and their families. I believe prevention is just as important as treatment, and nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent illness and improve quality of life. Receiving this scholarship would help reduce the financial burden of nursing school so I can focus on becoming the compassionate and knowledgeable nurse I aspire to be. My goal is not only to care for patients when they are sick, but to give them the knowledge and confidence to live healthier lives long after they leave my care. By combining evidence-based nursing with practical nutrition education, I hope to make a lasting impact on the health of every patient I serve.

Growing up, college always felt like something other people did. No one in my immediate family had gone before me, so there wasn't anyone to explain FAFSA, scholarships, enrollment, or what it actually took to earn a degree. Everything I've learned has come from asking questions, making mistakes, and refusing to give up. Being a first generation college student means more than earning a diploma. It means changing the direction of my family's future. I earned my GED after my educational path was interrupted, and instead of letting that define me, I used it as motivation. I worked full time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide while completing my college prerequisites. I earned President's Honor Roll recognition and was accepted into nursing school, all while raising my son as a single mother. The past year has tested me in ways I never expected. I lost my mother unexpectedly only weeks before beginning nursing school. She believed in me long before I believed in myself, and she was excited to watch me become a nurse. Continuing forward without her has been one of the hardest things I have ever done, but quitting would mean giving up on a dream we both shared. My son is now my greatest motivation. Every assignment I complete, every clinical I attend, and every long night spent studying is an investment in his future. I want him to grow up knowing that difficult beginnings do not have to determine where you finish. I want him to see that perseverance, kindness, and hard work can open doors that once seemed impossible. My dream is to become a compassionate nurse who makes patients feel heard and cared for during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. After earning my LPN, I plan to continue my education to become a registered nurse and eventually earn my BSN. I hope to mentor future nursing students one day, especially those who are first generation students like me, because I know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate college alone. This scholarship would relieve some of the financial burden that comes with balancing school, work, and motherhood. More importantly, it would allow me to spend less time worrying about how to afford textbooks, tuition, and supplies and more time focusing on becoming the best nurse I can be. Being first generation has never felt like a disadvantage to me. It has taught me resilience, independence, and determination. I may be the first in my family to walk this path, but I have every intention of making sure I am not the last. I want my son to grow up believing that education is not something beyond our reach. It is something our family earned, together.

The day I became a mother, my future stopped being just about me. Every decision I make now is made with my son in mind. Becoming a single mom at a young age while pursuing higher education has been one of the greatest challenges of my life, but it has also become my greatest motivation. There are days when I feel like there are not enough hours in the day. Between working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, preparing for nursing school, caring for my son, studying, and trying to keep our household running, life rarely slows down. Every dollar has a purpose before I even earn it. Tuition, books, childcare, rent, groceries, and unexpected expenses all compete for the same paycheck. There have been times when I questioned how I was going to afford school while still giving my son the childhood he deserves. The emotional challenges can be just as difficult as the financial ones. My mother passed away unexpectedly this year, only weeks before I began nursing school. She was one of my biggest supporters and believed wholeheartedly that I would become a nurse. Losing her while trying to prepare for the biggest chapter of my education was heartbreaking. There were moments when giving up seemed easier than moving forward. Instead, I chose to keep going because I know my son is watching. I want him to grow up seeing that difficult circumstances do not determine our future. They shape our character if we allow them to. I want him to remember a mother who refused to quit, even when life became overwhelming. My journey has not been easy. I earned my GED after my educational path was interrupted, completed my college prerequisites while working full time, earned President's Honor Roll recognition, and was accepted into an LPN nursing program as a first generation college student. Every accomplishment represents countless nights of studying after my son was asleep, sacrificing free time, and believing in a future I could not yet see. My goal extends beyond earning a nursing license. I want to become the kind of nurse who makes people feel seen, respected, and safe during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Throughout my years working in long term care, I have learned that compassion can be just as healing as medicine. I hope to continue my education beyond my LPN, earn my RN and eventually my BSN, and spend my career serving patients while advocating for families who need someone in their corner. Receiving this scholarship would ease some of the financial pressure that comes with balancing parenthood and higher education, but it would also represent something even more meaningful. It would be a reminder that someone believes in my dream as much as I do. I am building a better future not only for myself, but for my son. Every class I complete, every clinical rotation I finish, and every obstacle I overcome brings us one step closer to a life filled with greater stability, opportunity, and the ability to give back to others. One day, I hope my son will understand that every sacrifice I made was an act of love. My education is not only changing my life. It is changing his future as well.

Growing up with an absent father and facing financial hardship taught me that perseverance is a choice I have to make every day. I learned early that nothing would be handed to me, so I worked for every opportunity. I earned my GED at a college ready level, graduated from community college with President's Honor Roll recognition, and have spent years working as a CNA and Certified Medication Aide while preparing for nursing school. Today, I'm also raising my young son while pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. My experiences have given me compassion for people who are struggling because I know what it feels like to need someone to believe in you. I volunteer in my community through church food drives, neighborhood cleanups, and helping families in need whenever I can. In healthcare, I strive to treat every patient with dignity, patience, and kindness because even small acts of compassion can make someone's hardest day a little easier. This scholarship would help remove financial barriers so I can focus on becoming the best nurse possible. My goal is not simply to earn a degree but to build a career serving others and showing my son that your circumstances do not determine your future. I hope my journey proves that resilience, hard work, and compassion can create opportunities not only for yourself but for everyone whose life you touch.

"Concrete roses bloom where people least expect them to." I have spent much of my life proving that circumstances do not determine someone's potential. I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and a woman of color pursuing a nursing degree. My journey has been anything but traditional. Instead of graduating through the typical high school path, I earned my GED at a college-ready level and immediately began building a future for myself. While working full-time in healthcare, I completed my prerequisite courses at Colby Community College, earning President's Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. Along the way, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, volunteered in my community through church food drives, neighborhood cleanups, and service projects, and continued raising my son while preparing for nursing school. My life has also been shaped by challenges that could have easily changed my future. I grew up with an absent father, watched people I love struggle with addiction and serious illness, survived an abusive relationship, and recently experienced the unexpected loss of my mother. Becoming a mother myself gave me an even greater reason to keep moving forward. Every obstacle strengthened my determination instead of weakening it. Rather than allowing hardship to define me, I chose to let it develop my resilience, compassion, and work ethic. My career goal is to become a registered nurse who provides exceptional care while advocating for patients who may not have someone else to speak for them. Working in long-term care has shown me that healing is not always about curing disease. Sometimes it is about preserving dignity, offering comfort, and making people feel seen during the most difficult moments of their lives. I want every patient I care for to know they matter, regardless of their background, age, or circumstances. Receiving the Concrete Rose Scholarship would allow me to continue focusing on my education while reducing the financial burden of nursing school. More importantly, it would represent an investment in someone who intends to give back for decades to come. My goal is not simply to earn a degree—it is to become the kind of nurse, mother, and role model who proves to other young women, especially women of color, that their beginnings do not determine their future. Like a concrete rose, I have learned that even in the hardest conditions, growth is still possible. I hope my story encourages others to believe the same.

The first time a resident forgot my name, I was surprised. The hundredth time, I learned that love and compassion are not measured by what someone remembers about you, but by how consistently you choose to remember who they are. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide has introduced me to some of the strongest people I have ever known—many of whom were living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Before working in long-term care, I thought memory loss simply meant forgetting names or dates. I quickly learned that dementia affects every part of a person's life, from recognizing loved ones to completing everyday tasks. What never disappeared, however, was the need to feel safe, respected, and genuinely cared for. Some days, residents greeted me with a smile and remembered exactly who I was. Other days, they believed they were decades younger, asked to go home to parents who had long since passed away, or became frightened because nothing around them felt familiar. Those moments taught me that my job was never to correct their reality. My job was to meet them where they were with patience, reassurance, and kindness. Sometimes that meant sitting beside someone for a few extra minutes, listening to the same story several times, or simply holding a hand during a moment of confusion. Those quiet moments often made the greatest difference. Watching dementia affect residents has also shown me how deeply it impacts families. I have seen spouses visit every day even when they were no longer recognized. I have watched adult children grieve someone who was still physically present but slowly losing pieces of themselves. Those experiences reminded me that dementia is not an illness that affects only one person—it touches entire families and communities. As healthcare workers, we have the opportunity to provide not only medical care but also comfort and dignity during one of life's most difficult journeys. These experiences are a major reason I chose to continue my education and pursue nursing. I want to become a nurse who advocates for older adults, treats every patient with compassion, and helps families navigate difficult diagnoses with honesty and empathy. Alzheimer's disease has taught me that quality healthcare is about much more than medications and treatments. It is about preserving dignity, creating moments of joy, and making people feel valued even when their memories begin to fade. As research continues to advance toward better treatments and, hopefully, a cure, I hope to play my own role by providing compassionate care to those living with dementia. Every resident I have cared for has reminded me that while memories may fade, kindness never loses its meaning. That lesson will stay with me throughout my nursing career.

"My definition of women's empowerment isn't standing on a stage giving speeches. It's quietly making choices that prove to other women they are stronger than they think." For me, empowerment has meant choosing courage even when fear would have been easier. As a young Black woman, first-generation college student, and single mother, I have faced obstacles that often make people question whether higher education is possible. I have balanced full-time work in healthcare, raising my son, financial hardship, and the heartbreaking loss of my mother while continuing to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. None of those experiences have made me want to give up. Instead, they have strengthened my belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to build the life she dreams of. One of the most important decisions I have ever made was leaving an unhealthy relationship to create a safer future for my son and myself. It was one of the hardest choices I have ever faced, but it reminded me that empowerment begins with believing you deserve better. Since then, I have worked to build a stable home, continue my education, and create a future my son can be proud of. I hope that by sharing my journey honestly, other women who feel trapped by their circumstances will see that starting over is difficult, but it is possible. Service has always been an important part of my life. I have volunteered through church food drives, community clean-up projects, and by helping families in need whenever I could. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide has also shown me the importance of treating every person with dignity and compassion. In healthcare, I have cared for women from every background—mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and caregivers—many of whom simply needed someone to listen and make them feel valued. Those moments remind me that empowerment is often found in kindness, encouragement, and helping someone believe in themselves again. As I continue my education, I hope to empower women not only through my words but through my actions. I want my son to grow up seeing a mother who refused to let hardship define her. I want young women who come after me to know that they can pursue higher education regardless of where they started. Most importantly, I hope to become the kind of nurse who helps every patient feel respected, heard, and worthy of excellent care. If my journey encourages even one woman to believe she is capable of overcoming her own challenges, then I will know that my life has made a meaningful impact.

"Life begins with sobriety." When I first read those words, I thought about how addiction doesn't just affect the person struggling with it. It changes entire families. It changes childhoods, relationships, futures, and the people left trying to hold everything together. Although I have never struggled with addiction myself, I have watched people I love fight battles that completely changed the course of my own life. One of those people was my sister. Watching her struggle with heroin addiction showed me that addiction is far more complex than I once believed. I saw someone I loved become consumed by a disease that affected every member of our family. It taught me that addiction is not simply a personal struggle—it is something that ripples through entire communities and leaves loved ones feeling helpless while still desperately hoping for recovery. Years later, addiction became personal in a different way. My son's father struggled with methamphetamine addiction, and it created an environment that was no longer safe for my son or me. Leaving that relationship was the hardest decision I have ever made. I wasn't just walking away from someone I cared about. I was walking into complete uncertainty. I didn't know if I could afford to raise my son alone, balance work with nursing school, or carry the responsibilities of being both his mother and father. I only knew that my son deserved a safe home, and I had to find the courage to give him one. Those experiences changed how I see people. Addiction taught me that behind every diagnosis, every relapse, and every difficult situation is a human being with a story. It also taught me that family members often carry invisible burdens of fear, grief, and hope. Because of that, I never want to be the healthcare professional who judges someone for where they are. I want to be the nurse who meets people with compassion while encouraging them to believe that healing is still possible. My experiences have also strengthened my faith and my commitment to serving others. Throughout my life I have volunteered through church food drives, community clean-up projects, and by helping families in need whenever I could. Service has always reminded me that every act of kindness matters, especially when someone feels forgotten. Today, I am beginning nursing school as a first-generation college student while raising my son as a single mother. I work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, and every day I am reminded that healthcare is about more than treating illness. It is about restoring dignity, offering hope, and making people feel seen during some of the hardest moments of their lives. The people I love who struggled with addiction helped shape the nurse I am becoming. They taught me empathy instead of judgment, resilience instead of bitterness, and courage instead of fear. My goal is to provide every patient—whether they are battling addiction, supporting a loved one, or simply facing life's hardest day—with the same compassion and grace that I know can change lives. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue pursuing a career dedicated to serving others with the belief that every person is worthy of hope, healing, and a second chance. I want my patients to leave my care knowing they were treated not as their circumstances, but as people whose lives still have immeasurable value.

The night I realized I would be raising my son on my own, I remember holding him close after he had fallen asleep. It was around one in the morning, and I knew I had to be up for work in just a few hours. I sat there wondering how I was going to do it. I didn't know if I would be able to afford rent, childcare, or nursing school. I didn't know if I would be strong enough to be both his mother and his father. I only knew one thing: I would never stop fighting for him. Being a single parent has shaped every part of my educational journey. There are no days off. Every class, every exam, every shift I work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide is balanced with raising my son, Kylo. I learned quickly that success isn't about having an easy path—it's about continuing forward even when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or uncertain. Along the way, life continued to test me. I escaped an abusive relationship, unexpectedly lost my mother, and faced moments when giving up would have been easier than continuing. Instead, those experiences strengthened my determination. I completed my prerequisites while working full-time, earned President's Honor Roll at Colby Community College, and am now beginning nursing school as a first-generation college student. Every accomplishment belongs not only to me but also to my son, who has been my greatest source of motivation. My mother spent decades caring for others as a nurse, and watching her compassion inspired my own career. After losing her unexpectedly, nursing became more than a profession I admired—it became a calling. I understand how much a kind healthcare professional can mean during someone's worst day. I want to become the nurse who treats every patient with dignity, compassion, and respect while remembering that every patient is someone's parent, child, or best friend. Giving back has always been important to me. Throughout my life I have volunteered at church food drives, helped clean my community, worked with livestock at local events, and supported families whenever I could. As a nurse, I hope to continue serving in ways that extend far beyond the walls of a hospital or nursing facility. I want to advocate for survivors of domestic violence, encourage young parents who feel like their dreams are over, and comfort families facing the unimaginable loss of someone they love. If I can give a patient a little more hope, help someone feel less alone, or even give a family a few more precious moments with someone they love, then I know I have made a difference. One day my son will ask about our journey. I hope he remembers more than the hardships we faced. I hope he remembers watching his mother choose faith over fear, perseverance over excuses, and compassion over bitterness. If he learns that serving others is life's greatest purpose, then every challenge we overcame together will have been worth it.

If you had asked me in high school what my future would look like, I never would have imagined it would lead me here. I was a track athlete who loved competing in hurdles, participated in horse shows, and learned early that success is earned through discipline, resilience, and showing up every day. Those lessons have stayed with me long after I left the track, but life has challenged me in ways no competition ever could. Today, I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and a nursing student preparing to begin the career I have dreamed about for years. My family looks different than I once imagined. Raising my son, Kylo, has become the greatest responsibility and greatest blessing of my life. Becoming a mother at a young age forced me to grow up quickly. Every decision I make is no longer just for me—it is for the little boy watching me every day. My educational journey has not followed a straight path. While working full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, I completed my prerequisites, earned President's Honor Roll at Colby Community College, and maintained the determination to continue toward nursing school. There were moments when life made continuing my education seem impossible. Escaping an abusive relationship, becoming the sole provider for my son, and unexpectedly losing my mother tested every ounce of strength I had. Each setback could have become an excuse to quit, but instead it strengthened my purpose. My family has taught me what perseverance truly means. Watching my mother dedicate her life to nursing inspired my own passion for healthcare long before I understood the sacrifices the profession required. After losing her unexpectedly, that passion became a calling. I know firsthand how quickly life can change and how meaningful compassionate healthcare professionals can be during life's hardest moments. I want to become the kind of nurse who not only provides excellent medical care but also offers comfort, hope, and dignity to every patient and family I encounter. Looking ahead, I plan to earn my LPN, continue to my RN and eventually my BSN. My goal is to build a career centered on compassion, service, and advocacy while giving my son the stable future he deserves. I want him to grow up knowing that difficult circumstances do not determine your future—your character and your perseverance do. The values Stephan Wolley was remembered for—family, faith, and determination—are the same values that guide my life today. Whether I was competing on the track, balancing school with full-time work, or overcoming life's greatest challenges, I have learned that success is not measured by how easy the journey is. It is measured by the courage to keep moving forward. I hope to honor those values by dedicating my life to serving others through nursing and by becoming someone my son can always be proud of.

At one o'clock in the morning, I picked up my six-month-old son from his crib and held him close as we both cried ourselves to sleep. In four hours I was supposed to be at work, but all I could think about was how I was going to protect him and build a life for us. Two hours later, at three in the morning, there was a knock on my door. The authorities had arrived, and my life changed forever. That night was the beginning of the hardest season of my life. I had finally escaped an abusive relationship, but freedom did not immediately feel like relief. It felt like uncertainty. I didn't know if I could afford rent, raise my son alone, or carry the emotional weight of becoming both his mother and father. I was admitted to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, and the hardest part of that day was leaving my six-month-old son with a friend. The moment I was released, I drove straight to pick him up. I wrapped him in my arms, kissed his little face, and for the first time in days, I felt peace. That experience taught me that showing up for someone isn't always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it means simply being present when someone feels afraid and alone. My son didn't understand everything that was happening, but he reminded me why I had to keep going. Holding him that day reminded me that compassion often speaks louder than words. Working as a CNA and medication aide has shown me that the same principle applies in healthcare. Many patients won't remember every medication I passed or every task I completed, but they remember how they were treated. Sitting beside someone who is scared, listening to their stories, holding a hand during difficult moments, or offering reassurance to a worried family can leave a lasting impact. Those quiet moments of compassion are often the ones people carry with them the longest. A few months later, my perspective deepened even more when my mother passed away unexpectedly. I never had the opportunity to tell her goodbye. Losing her taught me that time is never promised, and every interaction matters. It strengthened my commitment to becoming the kind of nurse who treats every patient as if they are someone's entire world. Whether I can help save a life, comfort someone during their final moments, or simply give a family more time together, I want every person I care for to know they are seen, valued, and never alone. Shaunterrio Hudson's legacy reminds me that healthcare is more than clinical skill—it is humanity. His story reflects the type of healthcare professional I hope to become: someone who brings both competence and compassion into every room. I want patients to remember that, even on their hardest days, someone truly cared. Every hardship I have faced has strengthened my purpose. I am pursuing nursing because I know what it feels like to need hope, comfort, and someone willing to simply show up. My experiences have taught me that healing begins with compassion, and I hope to spend my career offering that gift to every patient and family I have the privilege to serve.

The greatest lessons in my life have come from caring for others. Long before I was accepted into nursing school, I found purpose in helping people however I could. I volunteered at church food drives, cleaned up my community, helped families in need, and spent years working as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. Whether someone needed a meal, a listening ear, or help getting through another day, I discovered that kindness has the power to change someone's life more than we often realize. My own life has shown me that firsthand. I became a mother as a teenager while navigating an abusive relationship. There were many nights I questioned whether I would be strong enough to raise my son on my own or ever achieve my dream of becoming a nurse. After finally escaping that relationship and receiving a Protection From Abuse order, I experienced something I hadn't felt in a long time: freedom. That experience taught me that healing is possible and that one person can completely change another person's life simply by showing compassion, believing them, and helping them find hope. Not long afterward, my family experienced another devastating loss when my mother passed away unexpectedly. She was my biggest role model and one of the reasons I chose healthcare. Losing her changed how I see every interaction with another person. It reminded me that we never know when someone will hear "I love you" for the last time or when a family will need one more moment together. That perspective has become the foundation of the nurse I hope to be. I don't want to simply treat illnesses. I want to comfort frightened families, advocate for vulnerable patients, and remind people that they are never just another room number. If I can help save a life, I will. If I can't, I hope I can still provide dignity, compassion, and peace during the hardest moments a family will ever face. Even giving someone a few extra moments to say goodbye to the person they love would make a lifetime of work worthwhile. As a first-generation college student, a single mother, and someone from a low-income background, earning my nursing degree will not only change my own future but my son's as well. I want him to grow up watching perseverance instead of fear, compassion instead of bitterness, and faith instead of hopelessness. I want him to know that difficult circumstances never have to define the rest of your life. Receiving the Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care Scholarship would ease the financial burden of nursing school and allow me to continue pursuing a career centered on service. My goal is not simply to become a nurse—it is to become the kind of healthcare professional who leaves every patient feeling valued, every family feeling supported, and every community a little stronger than I found it. If I can spend my life making even one person's hardest day a little easier, then I will know I have fulfilled the purpose God placed on my heart.

At one o'clock in the morning, I picked up my six-month-old son from his crib and held him as we lay in bed together. I remember looking at him through tears, knowing I had to be awake for work in only a few hours but feeling completely overwhelmed by the life I was living. I quietly cried until I fell asleep with him in my arms, wondering how I was ever going to protect him and build the life he deserved. Two hours later, at three in the morning, there was a knock at my door. That night changed everything. Because of the abuse I had endured, I was taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. The hardest part wasn't being admitted—it was leaving my six-month-old son with a friend while I didn't know what would happen next. The moment I was discharged that morning, I drove straight to pick him up. Holding him again reminded me that no matter how difficult life became, I had someone worth fighting for. Becoming a mother as a teenager completely changed my educational journey. It meant balancing diapers, bottles, work, and college applications while many of my classmates only had to think about homework. There were moments when the future felt impossible. I questioned whether I could afford school, whether I could succeed as both a mother and a student, and whether I could ever give my son the life he deserved. Instead of giving up, I kept moving forward one step at a time. I earned my GED with college-ready scores, completed my prerequisite college courses while maintaining excellent grades, and was accepted into nursing school. Every achievement represents countless nights after work, early mornings, and sacrifices that most people never see. My son has been beside me through every one of those milestones, reminding me every day why I refuse to quit. My decision to pursue nursing is deeply personal. I have worked as a CNA and CMA for years, and I have learned that caring for people extends far beyond medications and procedures. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is compassion during the most difficult moments of their lives. After unexpectedly losing my mother, I gained an entirely new perspective on what healthcare means to families. I never had the chance to say goodbye to her, and that experience has shaped the nurse I hope to become. I want to comfort patients, advocate for them, and support families through moments they will remember forever. If I can help someone have more time with the people they love—or simply help them feel seen and cared for during their hardest day—then I will know I chose the right profession. Being a teen mother did not limit my future. It gave my future a purpose. Receiving the Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship would help relieve the financial burden of nursing school, but more importantly, it would honor the journey that brought me here. My hope is that one day my son will look at my story and understand that our circumstances never had the final say. Faith, perseverance, love, and determination did.

The night my life changed forever didn't happen in a classroom. It happened around one o'clock in the morning. After Kylo's father left, I quietly walked into my six-month-old son's room, lifted him out of his crib, and brought him back to bed with me. I held him while he slept and cried silently beside him. In a few hours I was supposed to wake up, go to work, and somehow pretend everything was okay. Instead, I lay there wondering if I was strong enough to raise him on my own. I wasn't just afraid of being a single mother. I was afraid of whether I could be everything he needed—a mother, provider, protector, and the steady foundation every child deserves. A few hours later, there was a knock at my door. Law enforcement arrived, and that morning changed the course of my life. After being taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, the only thing I wanted was to get back to my son. When I was discharged, I drove straight to my friend's house where he had been staying. I picked him up, held him tightly, and cried. He was only six months old, but somehow holding him again gave me the strength I couldn't find anywhere else. That day marked the beginning of a new chapter. Leaving an abusive relationship wasn't one act of courage. It was choosing, every day afterward, to move forward despite not knowing how I would pay the bills, finish school, or raise a child alone. Giving up was never an option because my son was depending on me. Today, I am a first-generation college student preparing to begin nursing school. I earned my GED at a college-ready level, achieved President's Honor Roll while completing my prerequisites, and have spent years working as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. Every milestone has required sacrifice, but each one has shown my son that our circumstances do not determine our future. Recently, my family faced another heartbreaking challenge when my mother passed away unexpectedly. I never had the chance to tell her goodbye. That experience changed how I live. I no longer assume there will always be another tomorrow to tell someone I love them or show my gratitude. It also strengthened my commitment to nursing. While I can't prevent every loss, I hope I can give another family something I never had—more time, another conversation, one last chance to say, "I love you." And if that isn't possible, I want every patient to know they are not alone. Receiving the George D. D. Turner Scholarship would do more than ease the financial burden of nursing school. It would help me continue building a future that once felt impossible while becoming the nurse, mother, and advocate I have worked so hard to become. I hope my son remembers more than the struggles we faced. I hope he remembers that when life tested us, we answered with faith, perseverance, compassion, and love. If he learns that from watching me, every difficult step of this journey will have been worth it.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that success is not measured by how easy your journey has been, but by the way you continue showing up when life asks more of you than you thought you could give. I am a first-generation college student, single mother, Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication Aide, and aspiring registered nurse. Before beginning college, I earned my GED at a college-ready level and worked full-time while preparing for nursing school. Education has never been something I have taken for granted. Every class I complete represents another step toward building a better future for my son and becoming the first person in my family to earn a college degree. Long before healthcare became my career, I learned the importance of discipline through athletics. Competing in track and field taught me that improvement rarely happens overnight. Winning hurdle events required consistency, preparation, and the willingness to keep practicing even when no one was watching. Those same lessons continue to guide me today. Whether I am studying late into the evening after putting my son to bed or caring for residents during a long shift, I understand that meaningful accomplishments are built through perseverance rather than shortcuts. Outside of school and work, serving my community has always been important to me. Through my church, I have participated in food drives, meal preparation, community events, and volunteer service. These experiences reminded me that making a difference does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes helping another person simply means giving your time, offering encouragement, or being willing to serve where you are needed. Working in long-term care has strengthened that belief even more. Every day, I have the privilege of caring for residents who trust me during some of their most vulnerable moments. Those experiences have shown me that kindness is not an extra part of healthcare—it is essential. The conversations I have with residents, the reassurance I provide when they are anxious, and the relationships I have built have confirmed that nursing is exactly where I am meant to be. Like many students, I have faced obstacles outside the classroom. I have overcome an abusive relationship, experienced financial hardship, and recently lost my mother unexpectedly while helping my family navigate funeral expenses. Although those experiences have been painful, they have also deepened my compassion for others. They remind me that every person I meet is carrying a story I may never fully understand, and that treating people with patience and dignity can have a lasting impact. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would help relieve the financial burden of nursing school while allowing me to continue pursuing the career I have worked so hard to achieve. More importantly, it would encourage me to continue living out the values this scholarship celebrates—hard work, kindness, service, and excellence. My goal is not only to become a registered nurse, but to become the kind of person whose compassion leaves every patient feeling respected, understood, and cared for. I hope that years from now, my son will look at my journey and see that perseverance, faith, and a willingness to serve others can transform even the most difficult circumstances into a life filled with purpose.

There is a quote that has stayed with me throughout my journey: "People may not remember exactly what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel." That is the kind of healthcare professional I hope to become. Long after a patient's treatment is finished, I want them to remember that someone cared enough to listen, explain, and treat them with dignity. I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and an aspiring registered nurse from rural Kansas. Before beginning college, I earned my GED at a college-ready level and worked as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide while preparing for nursing school. Balancing work, raising my son, and pursuing my education has required resilience, but every challenge has strengthened my commitment to serving others. Growing up in a small community taught me that access to healthcare can never be taken for granted. In rural areas, families often travel long distances for specialized care, wait longer for appointments, and have fewer resources available to them. I have seen how much a compassionate healthcare professional can mean to someone facing those barriers. It isn't only about providing medical treatment—it's about making people feel respected, informed, and cared for, regardless of where they come from or what they can afford. Working in long-term care has shaped my understanding of what excellent nursing truly looks like. Some of the most meaningful moments happen outside of medications and procedures. They happen when a resident is scared, and someone takes the time to explain what is happening. They happen when a family member needs reassurance after a difficult diagnosis. They happen when a patient simply needs another person willing to sit beside them and listen. Those experiences have shown me that kindness is not separate from healthcare—it is part of healthcare. My own life has reinforced that belief. I have overcome an abusive relationship, navigated financial hardship, and recently experienced the unexpected loss of my mother while helping my family manage funeral expenses. Those experiences have taught me empathy in ways no classroom ever could. They remind me that every person I care for is carrying a story I may never fully know, and that compassion should never depend on someone's circumstances. My long-term goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse serving women and families, particularly in rural communities where access to care is often limited. I hope to continue my education by earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and eventually specialize in cosmetic nursing while mentoring future first-generation students who may question whether they belong in higher education. I want my career to reflect the belief that every person deserves high-quality healthcare, encouragement, and the opportunity to build a better future. Being the first in my family to attend college is more than a personal accomplishment—it is the beginning of a new legacy. I hope my son grows up seeing that education, perseverance, and compassion can change not only one life, but generations to come. If I can spend my career helping others feel seen, respected, and hopeful during some of the hardest moments of their lives, then I will know I have made the difference I set out to make.

There are days when life feels overwhelming. Balancing nursing school, work, finances, and motherhood can feel impossible. On those days, I remind myself why I started. I look at my son, Kylo, and I remember that every assignment I complete, every clinical I attend, and every obstacle I overcome is building a better future for him. He is my greatest inspiration and the reason I refuse to give up. I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and an aspiring registered nurse. Before beginning college, I earned my GED at a college-ready level and went on to earn a 4.0 GPA while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. My journey has never been defined by an easy path. I survived an abusive relationship, experienced financial hardship, and recently lost my mother unexpectedly while my sisters and I worked together to cover her funeral expenses. Each challenge could have convinced me to stop pursuing my education, but instead, they reminded me why I chose nursing in the first place. Working in long-term care has taught me that the smallest moments often leave the greatest impact. Some residents simply need someone willing to sit down and listen. Others need reassurance when they don't understand a medication or are frightened by a new diagnosis. I have learned that compassionate care isn't measured only by medical knowledge. It's measured by patience, kindness, and making people feel valued during vulnerable moments. Becoming a mother gave me a new understanding of what healthcare should feel like. Patients and families place an incredible amount of trust in the people caring for them. I want every patient I meet to know they are more than a room number or a diagnosis. They are someone's parent, someone's child, someone's whole world. I hope to become the kind of nurse whose compassion is remembered just as much as her clinical skills. My long-term goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse before earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and eventually specializing in cosmetic nursing. No matter where my career leads, my purpose will remain the same: helping people through some of the most meaningful and vulnerable moments of their lives. I also hope to mentor young women who believe their circumstances have already decided their future, because I know firsthand that resilience can change the course of a life. Receiving this scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden as I work toward my degree, but its impact would extend far beyond tuition. It would allow me to continue building a future where my son grows up watching his mother achieve goals that once felt out of reach. More importantly, it would help me become the nurse I have always aspired to be—one who serves with compassion, integrity, and the belief that every person deserves to feel cared for. My life has not been easy, but it has given me something invaluable: the ability to understand hardship without losing hope. That is the kind of person I strive to be every day, and it is the kind of nurse I am determined to become.

When people ask why I want to become a nurse, they usually expect one defining moment. The truth is, my answer is built from many moments—small acts of kindness I witnessed, difficult seasons I survived, and the privilege I've already had caring for people as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. Growing up in rural Kansas, I learned that healthcare is about more than treating illness. In small communities, nurses become trusted neighbors, advocates, and a source of comfort during life's hardest moments. Watching the compassion healthcare workers showed to patients and their families made me realize that I wanted to have that same impact on other people's lives. My path to nursing has not been straightforward. I earned my GED at a college-ready level, became the first person in my family to attend college, and have worked in long-term care while preparing for nursing school. Along the way, I became a mother, survived an abusive relationship, and faced financial challenges that could have easily convinced me to give up on my education. Instead, those experiences strengthened my purpose. Working with elderly residents has shown me that the most meaningful part of healthcare isn't always found in a textbook. Sometimes it's sitting with someone who is scared. Sometimes it's explaining a medication in a way that helps a resident feel comfortable instead of confused. Sometimes it's simply listening. Those moments have taught me that compassion is every bit as important as clinical knowledge. Recently, my family experienced the unexpected loss of my mother. While grieving, my sisters and I also faced the responsibility of covering funeral expenses. It has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but it has reinforced why I chose this profession. During moments of fear, grief, and uncertainty, healthcare professionals become part of a family's story. I want to be the kind of nurse who helps people feel cared for not only physically, but emotionally as well. My long-term goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse serving women and families, especially in rural communities where access to healthcare can be limited. Becoming a mother gave me an entirely new perspective on the importance of compassionate nursing care. I know what it feels like to place your trust in someone during one of the most vulnerable moments of your life, and I hope to provide that same sense of confidence and comfort to my future patients. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of nursing school at a time when every dollar matters, but more importantly, it would bring me one step closer to the career I have worked tirelessly toward. I hope to honor every person who has believed in me by becoming a nurse who serves with skill, integrity, and compassion. My goal is not simply to earn a degree—it is to spend my career making sure every patient feels seen, respected, and cared for.

Growing up in rural Kansas taught me that where you live can shape the opportunities you have. In small communities, healthcare providers are more than medical professionals—they're neighbors, trusted advocates, and sometimes the only source of support during life's most difficult moments. Watching the impact compassionate caregivers had on families in my community is what inspired me to pursue nursing. Today, I am a first-generation college student, a single mother, and an aspiring registered nurse. I earned my GED at a college-ready level before continuing my education while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide. Balancing work, school, and raising my son has required discipline and determination, but those responsibilities have strengthened my commitment to building a career centered on serving others. My path has not been easy. I survived an abusive relationship, have experienced financial hardship, and recently lost my mother unexpectedly. In the midst of grieving, my family and I have also faced the reality of paying for funeral expenses while I continue preparing for nursing school. Those experiences have reminded me how quickly life can change and how important compassionate healthcare professionals are during moments of fear, uncertainty, and loss. Rather than allowing those challenges to define me, I have chosen to let them shape the kind of nurse I hope to become. Working in long-term care has shown me that excellent healthcare is about much more than medications and treatments. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when you simply listen to a patient, explain something they don't understand, or help them maintain their dignity. Those everyday interactions have reinforced my belief that empathy is just as important as clinical skill. My long-term goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse serving women in rural communities. Rural women often face longer travel times, fewer specialists, and limited access to healthcare throughout pregnancy and beyond. I want to be the kind of nurse who helps make those challenges feel a little less overwhelming. Every mother deserves to feel safe, respected, informed, and supported, regardless of where she lives. As a young mother myself, I understand how life-changing compassionate healthcare can be. I know what it feels like to have questions, fears, and uncertainty. I hope that perspective will allow me to connect with my future patients in a way that goes beyond clinical care. I want every woman I care for to know that she is heard, respected, and never alone. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my nursing education while easing the financial burden my family is currently facing. More importantly, it would be an investment in the future patients I hope to serve. My goal has never simply been to earn a nursing degree. It is to become the kind of nurse whose compassion is remembered long after a patient leaves the hospital—a nurse who gives back to the rural communities that first inspired her to serve.

I am dependable, resilient, and driven — traits I’ve developed not just in athletics, but in life. As a single mother, first-generation college student, and aspiring nurse, I’ve faced barriers that could have kept me from pursuing my goals. Instead, I’ve learned to push forward no matter the obstacles. I show up for myself, my son, and my community every day, whether that’s in the classroom, at work as a CNA, or in moments where others need encouragement. This scholarship would help cover the costs of tuition and childcare so I can focus on my nursing degree and continue building a future where I can give back to others. Tell us about the sport you compete in, how long you’ve been involved, and any accomplishments or awards you’ve received during your athletic career. In high school, I participated in track and field and recreational volleyball. Track taught me the discipline of setting personal records and pushing through mental barriers, while volleyball built my skills as a teammate and communicator. While I did not pursue sports at the collegiate level, the lessons I learned — perseverance, accountability, and teamwork — have carried into every area of my life, from my career in healthcare to my role as a mother. Can you share a time when you faced a challenge or setback and how you turned it into a moment of growth and empowerment? One of my greatest challenges came when I had to drop out of high school in my junior year to help support my family. Later, I became a young mother in an unhealthy relationship, facing domestic violence and instability. These experiences could have stopped me in my tracks — but instead, I used them as fuel to rebuild my life. I earned my GED at a college-ready level, began working full-time in healthcare, and enrolled in college to pursue nursing. These setbacks taught me resilience and self-belief, qualities I now carry into every goal I set for myself. Who is someone you admire and look up to, and what about them inspires you? I deeply admire my closest sister, Brittany. She battled a severe heroin addiction for years, losing custody of her daughter and nearly losing her life. After years of struggle, she found the strength to get sober, rebuild her family, and now she’s thriving — married, in nursing school, and raising her children in a healthy environment. Her journey inspires me because it’s a reminder that no matter how far you’ve fallen, redemption and change are always possible with faith, perseverance, and determination. At YGIG, we believe in backing future athletes building towards something bigger. How would this scholarship support your journey? This scholarship would help me afford tuition, textbooks, and childcare so I can continue my nursing education without sacrificing financial stability for my son and me. By reducing my financial burden, I can focus on my studies and clinical work, gaining the knowledge and skills I need to serve my future patients with excellence and compassion. My journey is about more than my success — it’s about showing my son and others that you can overcome adversity and build something better, no matter where you start. Is there anything else you’d like to share? While I may not currently compete in organized sports, I approach life with the mindset of an athlete: setting goals, working through challenges, and showing up with discipline and perseverance. The lessons I learned in sports continue to influence my teamwork in healthcare, my leadership in my church community, and my determination in my education. I believe the “You Got It Girl” spirit is about grit, resilience, and lifting others as you climb — and that’s exactly how I aim to live every day.

My faith is the foundation of who I am and how I lead. After experiencing some of the darkest and most difficult seasons of my life — from growing up in an unstable home to surviving domestic violence — I found myself broken, exhausted, and unsure of my future. It was in that brokenness that I truly reconnected with God. He became my source of strength, my guide, and my reason to persevere. This deep, personal faith has shaped my values, my actions, and the way I seek to uplift others. I lead with compassion, humility, and a servant’s heart because I know what it feels like to be unseen and unheard. I understand that leadership isn’t just about directing people — it’s about walking alongside them, encouraging them, and pointing them toward hope when life feels heavy. My faith continually reminds me that my purpose is bigger than myself and that leadership means using my gifts to bless and build others up. One of the most meaningful ways I have led through faith has been by sharing my testimony with others, especially new believers. When I tell my story — the struggles I faced, the seasons of doubt, the moments where I thought I had no way forward — I can connect with people in a way that’s deeply personal and authentic. I’ve seen God use my story to encourage others who are going through their hardships, reminding them that there is always hope and that their present circumstances don’t define their future. One specific example was during a Bible study at my church. A young woman who had recently joined was struggling with feelings of shame and uncertainty about her place in God’s plan. As she shared her story, I could see so much of myself in her — the fear, the self-doubt, the exhaustion. I felt God prompting me to share openly about my journey: dropping out of high school to support my family, becoming a young mother, enduring abuse, and feeling like my life was falling apart — and how God met me in that brokenness. I explained how He gave me the courage to rebuild my life, return to school, and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. By the end of our conversation, she was in tears, but she was also smiling, saying she felt renewed and encouraged. That moment reaffirmed for me that leadership through faith is not about titles or positions — it’s about showing up for people when they need hope. This experience has shaped my vision for the future. As I pursue my nursing degree, I see my career as another avenue for ministry. I want to be a light in a field where patients often feel vulnerable and afraid, using both my skills and my faith to bring comfort, dignity, and hope. Whether I’m mentoring a fellow student, encouraging a patient, or speaking with someone about my journey, I will continue to lead with the love of Christ at the center of everything I do.

I decided to pursue higher education in healthcare because I have seen firsthand the difference a compassionate, skilled provider can make in a person’s life. From a young age, I watched my own family members struggle with health issues and witnessed both the best and worst sides of the healthcare system. I learned that technical skill is essential, but so is empathy, and too often, the latter is missing. That realization, along with my own life experiences, inspired me to enter the nursing field so I can be part of the change I want to see in patient care. My journey here has been shaped by perseverance. I am a 20-year-old biracial woman, a first-generation college student, and a single mother. I dropped out of high school in my junior year to help support my family financially, and for a time, I believed my dream of becoming a nurse was no longer possible. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level and began my prerequisites for an associate degree in nursing. Today, I work full-time as a CNA/CMA in a geriatric nursing home, gaining hands-on experience and developing the skills, patience, and compassion I will carry into my future career. Working as a CNA has reaffirmed my calling. Every day, I am reminded that healthcare is not just about treating conditions — it’s about treating people. I have learned to connect with patients on a personal level, to listen to their stories, and to provide comfort in moments of fear or frustration. I believe that as a nurse, I can be a beacon of light in moments that feel dark, offering both professional care and human kindness. My ultimate goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse. I want to be there during one of the most important and vulnerable times in a person’s life — helping mothers bring new life into the world with dignity, respect, and compassion. In the long term, I hope to mentor other nurses, advocate for patient-centered care, and volunteer internationally in underserved communities to promote safe birthing practices and maternal health. Higher education is the bridge between where I am now and the career I envision. However, the financial cost of tuition, books, and childcare can be overwhelming as a single mother working full-time. The Beacon of Light Scholarship would help alleviate that burden, allowing me to focus on excelling academically and gaining the clinical experience I need to serve my future patients well. To me, nursing is more than a profession — it is a calling to serve, to comfort, and to advocate. It is a way to bring hope where there is fear, and light where there is uncertainty. By pursuing my degree in nursing, I am not only building a better future for my son and myself, but I am also preparing to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. With the support of this scholarship, I can continue my journey toward becoming the kind of healthcare provider that every patient deserves — one who heals with both skill and heart.

Like a rose growing through concrete, I was never supposed to make it this far. The odds were stacked against me — teenage motherhood, leaving high school, unstable housing, and the daily pressure to survive — yet my roots found a way to take hold. I learned to push upward toward the light, even when life felt cold and unwelcoming. Every thorn I’ve grown has been forged by resilience, and every petal is a reflection of the hope I carry for my future. I am a 20-year-old biracial woman, first-generation college student, and single mother to my one-and-a-half-year-old son. My journey to this point has been anything but easy, but every challenge I have faced has fueled my passion, deepened my resilience, and strengthened my drive to succeed. I became a mother at a young age, in the middle of an unhealthy relationship marked by instability and abuse. For a time, my world revolved around survival — keeping a roof over our heads, finding childcare, and making sure my son had what he needed. I had dropped out of high school in my junior year to help my mother financially, and at times I believed my dreams of higher education had slipped away for good. Yet somewhere inside me, a quiet determination remained: I would not allow my circumstances to define my future. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level. That moment was more than just an academic milestone — it was proof to myself that I could rewrite my story. Soon after, I enrolled in prerequisite courses toward an associate degree in nursing. I currently work full-time as a CNA/CMA in a geriatric nursing home, gaining hands-on experience in patient care. These experiences have confirmed my calling: to become a labor and delivery nurse. For me, nursing is not just a career; it is a way to create impact every single day. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens without judgment, advocates fiercely for patients, and ensures that mothers — especially young and underserved mothers — feel supported, respected, and safe. My long-term vision is to not only work in labor and delivery but also to mentor new nurses and one day volunteer internationally, bringing maternal care and safe birthing practices to communities with limited resources. The Concrete Rose Scholarship would help me continue building the foundation I need to make this vision a reality. As a single mother working full-time while attending college, every financial resource makes a tangible difference. Tuition, textbooks, and childcare costs can be overwhelming, but with support, I can focus on excelling in my studies and clinical training without sacrificing the stability my son depends on. Education is the key that will allow me to break generational cycles and create a life of security and purpose for my family. It will also give me the skills and knowledge to pour back into my community and beyond. Like a rose that defied the concrete, I will continue to grow upward, not just for my own sake, but for every life I will touch as a nurse.

I am a 20-year-old single mother, first-generation college student, and certified CNA/CMA working full-time in a geriatric nursing home. My life has been shaped by challenges most would consider overwhelming, but those challenges have also fueled my ambition, strengthened my drive, and solidified my commitment to making a difference through nursing. I grew up in a home where stability was rare and resources were limited. My parents were both high school dropouts, and at times we experienced homelessness. I often went without basic utilities, slept in a car during the winter, and ate ramen for weeks at a time. By my junior year of high school, my mother asked me to drop out to help financially. I did, but I never lost the dream of finishing my education. That dream stayed alive through every hardship — from family division to surviving domestic violence — because I wanted to create a better future for myself and my son. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level, proving to myself that the door to education was never truly closed. Today, I am taking my prerequisites for an associate degree in nursing, with plans to apply to the nursing program in Spring 2026. Education has already transformed my life — it has given me the ability to plan for a stable career, the confidence to dream bigger, and the opportunity to show my son that no matter where you start, you can still succeed. My career goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse. I believe that helping to bring life into the world is one of the most beautiful and profound callings in healthcare. My time as a CNA has shown me the importance of compassion, patience, and treating every patient with dignity. I want to carry these values into labor and delivery, ensuring that every mother feels heard, respected, and cared for during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. My long-term vision includes mentoring new nurses, advocating for patient-centered care, and eventually volunteering my skills in underserved communities — both in the U.S. and internationally — to teach safe birthing practices and support maternal health. I know firsthand the power of education to change a life. Without it, I would still be trapped in the cycle I was born into. With it, I can break that cycle, not just for myself but for my son. I can give him a role model who shows that perseverance, faith, and hard work lead to transformation. I want my career to be a living example of how one person can create ripples of change. Whether it’s comforting a nervous mother, guiding a new nurse, or teaching life-saving skills in a rural clinic, my work will be driven by the belief that every life matters. Through nursing, I will honor the opportunities education has given me by using my skills to bring hope, healing, and compassion to others, just as I once needed them myself.

I’ve always believed that beauty is more than skin deep—it’s a reflection of confidence, identity, and the freedom to embrace who you are. As a biracial woman with a deep love for makeup, hair, and self-care, I’ve seen firsthand how the beauty industry can be both a source of empowerment and a space where representation is still evolving. My fascination with cosmetology and aesthetics comes from a place of wanting to help women—especially women of color—feel not only beautiful, but truly seen. Growing up, I often noticed how limited the options were for people who looked like me—makeup shades that didn’t match, hair care products that didn’t cater to our unique textures, and a noticeable lack of representation in the industry. It made me realize how important it is to have diverse voices and skilled professionals who understand the unique beauty needs of all people. What inspired me to choose this career path is the belief that everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin and that beauty should be inclusive. My goal is to become a cosmetic nurse who specializes in working with diverse skin tones and features. I want to create a welcoming space where women of all backgrounds can come to enhance their natural beauty, knowing they’re in the hands of someone who understands and celebrates their uniqueness. As a single mother and a first-generation college student, I’ve faced my share of obstacles. Balancing work, school, and parenting while navigating my mental health challenges has been a journey of resilience. But it’s also strengthened my resolve to make a difference. I want to show my son and others that you can overcome adversity and turn your passions into a career that uplifts and inspires. The Brown Skin Agenda Aesthetics and Cosmetology Scholarship is an opportunity to further my education and contribute to a more inclusive beauty industry. With the knowledge and skills I gain, I hope to be part of a new wave of professionals who understand the unique needs of clients of color and who can offer safe, effective, and confidence-boosting treatments. In the end, I chose this career path because I want to be a part of the change I wish to see. I want to help women see that it’s okay to enhance their features, embrace their natural beauty, and feel proud of who they are. This scholarship would be a vital step toward turning that passion into a reality.

For me, beauty has never been about vanity—it’s about transformation, confidence, and the courage to feel good in your skin. That’s why my dream is to become a cosmetic nurse, blending the precision of healthcare with the artistry of aesthetics. While my journey into this field hasn’t been traditional, it has been deeply personal, shaped by challenges that taught me the true meaning of resilience, self-worth, and empowerment. I grew up in a low-income household, raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her children. My parents are both high school dropouts, and at times, we lived without electricity or running water. There were periods of homelessness when we slept in a car during winter nights and ate whatever we could afford. In my junior year of high school, I was encouraged to drop out to help my family financially—a decision I made out of necessity, not lack of ambition. Life’s hardships didn’t stop there. I survived a domestic violence relationship, and leaving it was one of the hardest yet most defining moments of my life. I left with my young son, Kylo, determined to build a stable future for him—a future free from fear, instability, and the limitations of my past. That chapter reconnected me to my faith in God, reminded me of my worth, and inspired me to chase dreams I once thought were out of reach. I earned my GED at a college-ready level and now work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatric nursing home. My role is more than a job—it’s a calling. I care for my patients with the same compassion, dignity, and respect I would want for my own family. My supervisors have recognized my work ethic through multiple raises, but my greatest reward is knowing I’ve brought comfort to someone on their hardest days. My passion for beauty has always been a part of who I am. I’ve loved makeup, hair, and self-care for as long as I can remember, and I’ve seen firsthand how even small changes in appearance can transform how someone feels about themselves. Cosmetic nursing is the perfect path for me because it combines my medical skills with my love for aesthetics, allowing me to help people feel confident, renewed, and empowered. I hope to one day open my cosmetic practice, offering services that help people look and feel their best while fostering a safe, uplifting environment. This scholarship would remove some of the financial barriers I face as a single mother balancing work, school, and parenting. Tuition, books, and necessary supplies add up quickly, and this support would allow me to focus more on excelling academically and perfecting my craft. I believe beauty is more than skin deep—it’s about how you see yourself and the confidence you carry into the world. My journey has been one of transformation, and through cosmetic nursing, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own. With this scholarship, I can take the next step toward turning that vision into a reality.

Living with severe anxiety and seasonal depression has been one of the defining challenges of my life. There was a time when panic attacks would overwhelm me, lasting hours or even days before I could find calm. These experiences were not just difficult—they shaped the way I view resilience, empathy, and the importance of mental health awareness. My name is Sierra Vernon, and I am a 20-year-old first-generation college student, a single mother, and an aspiring nurse. Growing up in a low-income household with parents who were high school dropouts, I faced many obstacles. We endured times without electricity or water and periods of homelessness, often surviving on very little. These experiences were tough, but they also made me more determined to build a better future for myself and my son, Kylo. Anxiety and depression have been constant companions on this journey. My anxiety used to be so intense that calming down felt impossible at times. My depression tends to ebb and flow with the seasons, growing heavier in the winter months. Yet, through faith and support, I’ve learned to navigate these challenges and transform them into sources of strength. These experiences have profoundly shaped my beliefs about resilience and empathy. They’ve taught me the importance of understanding others’ struggles and offering compassion. This is why I chose to become a nurse. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatric nursing home, I’ve seen firsthand how empathy and patience can make a world of difference. My battles with mental health have made me a more compassionate caregiver, able to connect deeply with those I serve. I’m currently working on my prerequisites to apply to a nursing program in Spring 2026. My career aspirations include specializing in labor and delivery or cosmetic nursing, fields where I can make a meaningful impact. I want to show my son and others that even with mental health challenges, you can achieve your dreams through perseverance and faith. This scholarship would be an incredible support. As a single mother working full-time, the financial burden of tuition and supplies can be overwhelming. Receiving this support would allow me to focus more on my studies and my patients, and less on the financial stress. In the end, my journey has taught me that challenges can be transformed into strengths. I believe in the power of “I can and I will,” and I am committed to using my experiences to inspire and help others. This scholarship would be a vital step on that path.

If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be a full-time college student, a single mom, and working in healthcare—all at the same time—I might have laughed in disbelief. My life has been anything but easy, but every challenge I’ve faced has shaped me into the resilient, compassionate, and ambitious person I am today. I grew up in a low-income household, raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for her children. Both of my parents are high school dropouts, and I became a first-generation college student by earning my GED at a college-ready level in 2025. But getting there wasn’t simple. At times, we lived without electricity or water. There were periods of homelessness when we slept in a car in the winter. We often survived on the bare minimum, but even in those moments, I learned the value of persistence and faith. During my junior year of high school, I was encouraged to drop out to help support my family financially. I entered the workforce at a young age and eventually found my passion in healthcare. I now work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatric nursing home. My job is more than a paycheck—it’s a daily reminder of why I chose nursing. My strongest quality is my compassion for others, and I take pride in connecting with my patients on a personal level, treating them with dignity and kindness. I’ve received multiple raises based on my work ethic, but the true reward is knowing I’ve made someone’s day a little brighter. My personal life has had its own battles. I survived a domestic violence relationship and left with my young son, Kylo, determined to give him the stability I didn’t have growing up. It was a turning point in my life—one that reconnected me to my faith in God and renewed my belief that I was meant for more. Now, every decision I make is rooted in creating a better future for my son and showing him that no matter where you start, you can rise above your circumstances. I am currently working on my prerequisite courses for nursing school, which I plan to apply to in Spring 2026. My dream is to become either a labor and delivery nurse or a cosmetic nurse, and eventually own my cosmetic practice. Labor and delivery inspire me because bringing life into the world is a beautiful, life-changing moment to witness. Cosmetic nursing speaks to me because helping people feel confident and renewed is just as powerful in its way. This scholarship would be life-changing. Balancing full-time work, school, and motherhood is challenging enough without the added stress of tuition, books, and supplies. Receiving this support would allow me to focus more on my studies and my patients, and less on how I’m going to afford the next semester. My story is one of challenges, but also one of perseverance. I’ve learned that even in the hardest seasons, you can find the strength to keep moving forward. This scholarship would not only help me reach my goals—it would help me prove to my son, and to others like me, that with ambition, faith, and determination, there is no dream too big to achieve.

Some people are born into opportunity. I was born into survival. From a young age, I learned what it meant to go without—without electricity or running water, without enough food, without the safety and stability most children take for granted. I also learned what it meant to fight for something better. Today, I am a 20-year-old first-generation college student, a single mother to my son, Kylo, and a future nurse determined to turn every hardship I have faced into hope for others. I was raised in a low-income household by a single mother who worked tirelessly to keep our family afloat. Both of my parents are high school dropouts, and by my junior year, the financial strain became so heavy that I was encouraged to leave school and work. We experienced homelessness, sleeping in a car during winter nights, and surviving weeks on instant noodles. There were times when the weight of our circumstances could have crushed my dreams, but instead, it shaped my determination. Against the odds, I earned my GED at a college-ready level. That accomplishment wasn’t just a test score; it was proof that I could rewrite the story I was born into. I now work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a skilled nursing facility specializing in geriatric care. In this role, I’ve learned that true care is more than clinical skill—it’s empathy, patience, and treating every patient as if they were a member of my own family. My supervisors have recognized my work ethic through multiple raises, but my greatest reward is knowing I’ve made someone feel seen, respected, and loved. My journey has not been without pain. I survived a domestic violence relationship, and leaving it was one of the hardest yet most important decisions I have ever made. In the aftermath, I reconnected with God in a way that transformed my life. My faith fuels everything I do, reminding me that nursing is not just a profession—it’s a calling. I am currently completing my prerequisite courses to apply to the nursing program in Spring 2026. My ultimate goal is to specialize in either labor and delivery or cosmetic nursing. Labor and delivery would allow me to witness and support one of life’s most beautiful moments: welcoming new life into the world. Cosmetic nursing would allow me to help people feel confident, renewed, and empowered. Both paths align with my belief that care should heal both body and spirit. This scholarship would help remove the financial barriers that stand between me and my degree. As a single mother working full-time, the costs of tuition, books, and supplies can feel overwhelming. Your support would not only help me continue my education but also ensure I can balance school, work, and raising my son without compromising the quality of my efforts. Kalia’s story deeply moves me. Like her, I believe in giving my all in every area of life—whether in the classroom, the workplace, or my community. If chosen, I will honor her legacy by continuing to work hard, serve others wholeheartedly, and inspire those around me to believe that no dream is too far to reach.

Why I Am Worth the Dreams I Aspire to Achieve I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because my journey has been defined by resilience, faith, and unwavering determination. As a 20-year-old first-generation college student, single mother, and aspiring nurse, I have faced and overcome challenges that could have easily derailed my future. Instead, these experiences have shaped me into a woman who knows her value and refuses to settle for less than what she deserves. Growing up in a home marked by financial hardship, instability, and trauma, I learned early on that my circumstances did not define my potential. I endured periods of homelessness, emotional abuse, and the heartbreak of an abusive relationship. Yet, through it all, I held onto my faith in God and the belief that I am created with purpose and worth. That belief gave me the strength to leave harmful situations and rebuild my life with intention. I earned my GED at a college-ready level in 2025 while balancing full-time work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide and caring for my son. This speaks to my ambition and work ethic — qualities that fuel my pursuit of a nursing degree with a focus on labor and delivery. I am passionate about providing compassionate care to women during one of life’s most vulnerable and sacred moments, ensuring they feel seen, respected, and empowered. Beyond my academic and professional goals, I am deeply committed to personal growth and community impact. My involvement with my nondenominational church allows me to serve others and grow spiritually, further strengthening my sense of purpose. I believe that my worth is not only in what I achieve but also in how I lift others up along the way. I am worth these dreams because I embody the values of perseverance, compassion, and leadership. I am unapologetic in my desire to succeed and in my belief that my voice and story matter. I want to inspire other women, especially single mothers and those facing adversity, to embrace their worth and pursue their dreams without apology or fear. The Woman’s Worth Scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my education but also affirm the value of my journey and the importance of investing in women like me — women who are ready to lead, serve, and make lasting change. I am worth these dreams because I refuse to let my past define my future. I am worth these dreams because I am ready to rise, to grow, and to serve with all my heart. And I am worth these dreams because the world needs the strength, compassion, and leadership of women who know their worth and are ready to claim their place.

Faith in Action: How My Church Involvement Fuels My Community Service My faith has always been the foundation of who I am and how I serve others. As a 20-year-old single mother, first-generation college student, and aspiring nurse, my involvement with my local church — The Church Without Walls — has profoundly shaped my commitment to community service and compassionate care. At church, I volunteer regularly to help with Bible study preparation, meal making, and assisting during Sunday services. These experiences are more than just volunteer hours — they are opportunities to live out my faith in tangible ways. Preparing meals and supporting church events allows me to meet the practical needs of my community, while Bible study helps me grow spiritually and develop the patience, empathy, and understanding I bring to my nursing work. My church involvement has taught me the importance of servant leadership. Serving others without expecting anything in return, offering a listening ear, and acting with kindness and respect are principles that guide all aspects of my life. These lessons carry directly into my work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide, where every interaction with a patient is a chance to show dignity and care. Being part of a faith community has also connected me to a broader support system — friends, mentors, and fellow volunteers — who inspire me to keep striving for my goals, even when balancing the demands of school, work, and single motherhood feels overwhelming. This network reminds me that serving others is a collective effort and that my contributions, no matter how small, matter. Through my nursing career, I plan to continue this cycle of service by providing compassionate, patient-centered care to those who need it most. My faith fuels my ambition to be a nurse who not only treats medical conditions but also uplifts spirits and strengthens hope. I want to support families during life’s most vulnerable moments — especially mothers in labor and delivery — and be a source of comfort and strength. The Sherman S. Howard Legacy Foundation Scholarship would enable me to focus more fully on my education and community involvement by easing financial pressures. As a single mother working full-time, every bit of support makes a difference in balancing my responsibilities and pursuing my dreams. My involvement in The Church Without Walls is a testament to my belief that faith and service go hand in hand. Together, they empower me to make a positive impact on my community and live out the values of compassion, resilience, and hope.

Following a Path of Compassionate Healthcare My name is Sierra Vernon, a 20-year-old first-generation college student, single mother, and aspiring nurse. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level, and I currently work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatrics nursing home. My experiences have shaped my passion for healthcare and strengthened my ambition to serve others in meaningful ways. Though Christina Taylese Singh’s career as an occupational therapist was cut tragically short, her dedication to improving lives and empowering patients deeply resonates with me. Like Christina, I am committed to pursuing a career that not only provides medical care but also fosters healing, dignity, and hope. I plan to enter the nursing field, with a focus on labor and delivery nursing. Bringing new life into the world is one of the most profound experiences a person can have, and I want to support mothers during this vulnerable time with compassionate, skilled care. My role will be to ensure that every mother feels respected, empowered, and safe throughout her birth journey. My ambition to become a nurse is deeply personal. I grew up in a challenging environment marked by instability, periods of homelessness, and hardship. I survived domestic violence and rebuilt my life for the sake of my son, Kylo. My faith in God and my determination to create a better future fuel my every step forward. Working as a CNA and CMA, I have witnessed firsthand how critical empathy and attention are to patient outcomes. I’ve also seen how healthcare professionals’ attitudes impact patient experience — sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. I want to be the nurse who lifts patients up with kindness and care, who listens deeply, and who advocates for their needs. Beyond labor and delivery, I am also drawn to cosmetic nursing as a way to help people feel confident and renewed. Both fields, in their own way, offer opportunities to improve not only physical health but also emotional well-being. The path ahead is challenging, but I am focused and intentional. I plan to complete my nursing prerequisites and apply to the nursing program in spring 2026. With every step, I am building the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to thrive in nursing school and beyond. Receiving the Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship would be an incredible support. As a single mother working full-time, balancing education, work, and parenting is demanding both financially and emotionally. This scholarship would relieve some of the financial burdens, allowing me to focus more on my studies and clinical experiences. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of a passionate healthcare professional like Christina. My ambition is not just to succeed personally but to carry forward her legacy of compassionate care, making a positive difference in the lives of my patients and community.

Creating Change Through Compassionate Nursing My name is Sierra Vernon, and I am a 20-year-old first-generation college student, single mother, and aspiring nurse. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level, and I now work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatrics nursing home. Every day, I witness the difference genuine compassion can make in a patient’s life. My path to medicine has been shaped by hardship and resilience. I grew up in a home marked by instability, financial hardship, and periods of homelessness. At seventeen, I entered an abusive relationship that lasted for years. When I finally found the courage to leave, I walked away with my son, reconnected with my faith in God, and rebuilt my life from the ground up. These experiences have not made me bitter — they have given me a deep empathy for others and a determination to make my career in healthcare a force for good. I plan to become a labor and delivery nurse, a field that allows me to combine skill with compassion in one of the most important moments of a person’s life. Too often, women — particularly in rural or underserved communities — face barriers to receiving respectful, high-quality maternity care. These barriers can be the result of financial strain, lack of access to providers, or even discrimination. My goal is to help remove those barriers, ensuring that every woman, regardless of her background, receives the care and dignity she deserves. The impact I want to make extends beyond the hospital room. I envision developing outreach programs that provide prenatal education, emotional support for survivors of domestic violence, and access to postpartum resources. I also want to advocate for policies that improve healthcare access for rural populations and low-income families. My own experiences with instability, abuse, and financial hardship allow me to understand the urgency of these issues on a personal level. Pursuing higher education is essential to achieving this vision. Earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing will equip me with the clinical skills, leadership abilities, and professional credibility to influence change at both the individual and systemic levels. However, as a single mother working full-time, the financial challenge is significant. I am responsible for supporting my son, covering childcare, housing, transportation, and daily living expenses, while also paying for tuition, books, and supplies. Scholarships like the Katrina Celestine Aquino Memorial Scholarship make it possible for me to continue my education without compromising my ability to provide for my son. Katrina’s life and work remind me that making a difference in the world means serving with both skill and heart. Just as she believed justice should be accessible to all, I believe healthcare should be accessible, compassionate, and respectful for all. My ambition is not only to succeed personally, but to create a ripple effect that uplifts my patients, inspires my son, and strengthens my community. Through my nursing career, I hope to leave a legacy of care that empowers others, just as Katrina left a legacy of justice that continues to inspire.

Serving Women in Rural Communities Through Nursing My name is Sierra Vernon, and I am a 20-year-old first-generation college student, single mother, and aspiring nurse. In 2025, I earned my GED at a college-ready level, and I now work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide in a geriatrics nursing home. Every day, I see the difference compassion, patience, and a listening ear can make in someone’s life — especially for those who may not have regular access to quality care. My path to nursing has been shaped by challenges that tested my resilience. I grew up in a home marked by instability and financial hardship, experienced periods of homelessness, and survived domestic violence. Leaving that abusive relationship was the turning point that allowed me to rebuild my life, reconnect with my faith in God, and create a safe, loving home for my son. My experiences have taught me the value of empathy, perseverance, and action — qualities I will carry into my nursing career. Living in a rural area, I understand the unique healthcare challenges women here face. Many have to travel long distances for specialized care, wait weeks for appointments, and often go without services like mental health counseling, prenatal support, or preventive screenings. For women impacted by poverty, abuse, or limited resources, these barriers can be life-threatening. My goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse, where I can support women during one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives. In rural areas, access to skilled, compassionate maternity care can be the difference between a safe birth and a dangerous one. I want to be part of closing that gap — ensuring that women, no matter where they live, have access to respectful, high-quality care. Beyond the hospital, I envision working with community organizations and clinics to expand outreach programs in rural areas. These could include mobile health clinics, prenatal education classes, and trauma-informed support groups for women who have experienced abuse or loss. My own survival story allows me to connect with women who feel unseen or unheard and to assure them that their lives and health matter. Higher education will give me the skills to turn this vision into reality. With my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I plan to advocate for policies that improve rural healthcare access, particularly in maternal health. I believe every woman should have the right to safe, compassionate, and competent care — regardless of geography, income, or circumstance. The Deena Collins Memorial Scholarship would help me move closer to this goal by easing the financial burden of tuition, books, and supplies. As a single mother providing for my son while working full-time, every bit of support allows me to focus more on my education and community impact. Through nursing, I want to honor the spirit of strong, resilient women like Deena Collins by making a lasting difference in rural communities — one patient, one conversation, and one act of compassion at a time.

From Survivor to Advocate: My Nursing Mission Domestic violence is not just a statistic to me, it is part of my lived experience. I entered a relationship as a teenager that quickly became mentally abusive. Over time, the manipulation escalated to stalking, infidelity, and substance abuse. When I became pregnant, I later learned that it had been intentional on his part to keep me from leaving. The final turning point came one night when, in front of our son, he became violent and then engaged in suicidal behavior. It was the most terrifying night of my life. Police intervened, and I walked away determined to rebuild my life. Leaving that relationship was the beginning of my transformation. I reconnected with my faith in God, surrounded myself with a strong support system, and rediscovered the dreams I thought I had lost. I became a CNA/CMA, working in a geriatrics nursing home where I saw firsthand the importance of compassion, communication, and coordinated care. My experiences have given me a deep empathy for others, especially women navigating crises similar to mine. Substance abuse was also a central part of my story. My former partner’s drug use, including methamphetamines and marijuana, fueled instability, paranoia, and further abuse. I saw how addiction not only destroys the individual but also ripples through families and communities. In healthcare, substance abuse often overlaps with domestic violence, creating unique barriers to care for women. These barriers can be even greater for African-American women, who may face systemic bias, lack of culturally competent care, and mistrust of medical institutions. My goal as a nurse is to help bridge those gaps. I plan to work in labor and delivery, where I can support women during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. My vision is to provide trauma-informed care, care that recognizes the signs of domestic violence and substance abuse, understands their impact on health, and responds with sensitivity and resources. I believe nurses play a critical role in identifying women at risk, connecting them with support services, and coordinating care across disciplines to ensure their safety and recovery. To improve outcomes for African-American women, I will focus on three key areas: Culturally competent communication — listening without judgment, respecting cultural values, and building trust between patients and providers. Care coordination — working closely with social workers, advocates, and community organizations to connect women with safe housing, counseling, and substance abuse treatment programs. Patient education and empowerment — ensuring women understand their options, their rights, and the resources available to them, so they can make informed decisions about their health and future. Higher education will give me the medical knowledge and leadership skills to put this vision into action. I plan to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continue advocating for better training in trauma-informed care and domestic violence response within healthcare systems. My hope is to eventually develop or contribute to programs that train nurses and other healthcare providers to recognize and respond to the unique needs of African-American women facing domestic violence and substance abuse. I survived domestic violence, but many women do not. Some leave only to return because they lack resources, safety, or support. As a nurse, I will work to be the lifeline I once needed, someone who sees beyond the immediate injury, who hears the unspoken fear, and who provides a path toward safety and healing. My past has given me purpose. Through nursing, I will turn my survival into service, ensuring that more women, especially African-American women, not only survive but also thrive beyond domestic violence and substance abuse.

How My Life Experiences Shaped My Calling to Nursing My decision to become a nurse is deeply rooted in the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. I did not grow up with stability or security. My early life was marked by financial hardship, periods of homelessness, and a lack of consistent support. As a first-generation college student, I’ve had to build my path from the ground up without a roadmap to follow. At fifteen, I experienced a family fracture that left me feeling unseen and unheard. By my junior year of high school, I had to drop out to help my mother pay bills. At seventeen, I entered an abusive relationship that would test every part of my strength. When I became a mother to my son, Kylo, my world changed. My love for him gave me purpose, but I was still living in a cycle of fear, manipulation, and instability. The turning point came the night I finally found the courage to leave. That decision changed everything. I reconnected with my faith in God, found peace in walking with Him daily, and rebuilt a support system I didn’t realize I had. I began rediscovering the dreams I thought I had lost and setting new ones with intention and hope. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Aide has been more than just a job — it has been the foundation for my future career. In my role at a geriatrics nursing home, I have cared for residents in their most vulnerable moments. I have seen the difference a smile, a listening ear, or an extra minute of patience can make in a person’s day. I have also seen the impact when compassion is missing, and that is something I refuse to allow in my own nursing practice. These experiences have shaped my philosophy: nursing is not only about skill, but also about human connection. I am pursuing labor and delivery nursing because I believe bringing life into the world is one of the most beautiful and sacred moments a person can experience. I want to support mothers physically and emotionally through that process, ensuring they feel safe, respected, and empowered. I also have a secondary interest in cosmetic nursing, which I see as another way to help people feel confident, refreshed, and renewed. Every hardship I have faced has fueled my ambition and drive. I know what it is like to feel hopeless, and I also know the transformative power of having someone believe in you. My goal is to be that person for my patients, for my son, and for others who need to see that it is possible to rise above any circumstance. Nursing is not just a career choice for me — it is a calling, a way to live out my faith, honor my family’s legacy, and build a life of purpose. I will continue pursuing my education with determination, knowing that every step brings me closer to the day I can wear my nurse’s badge with pride and gratitude.

Ambition, Intentionality, and My Nursing Goals My journey toward becoming a nurse is rooted in both personal passion and lived experience. I earned my GED at a college-ready level in 2025, and I currently work full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant/Certified Medication Aide in a geriatrics nursing home. Every day, I am reminded of the difference compassionate care can make. I have witnessed how a nurse’s attitude can either lift a patient’s spirit or leave them feeling unseen. For me, nursing is not just a profession — it is a calling to treat every person with dignity, empathy, and respect. My inspiration to pursue my degree comes from multiple sources: my son, my faith, and my family’s history. I am a first-generation college student, raised in a home marked by instability, periods of homelessness, and hardship. Despite these challenges — or perhaps because of them — I developed a deep empathy for others. Surviving an abusive relationship became a turning point in my life. Once I found the courage to leave, I reconnected with my faith in God and began rebuilding my life from the ground up. That faith, along with my son’s future, motivates me to keep going even when the road is difficult. I have chosen labor and delivery nursing as my primary career goal. Bringing new life into the world is a beautiful and profound experience, and I want to be there to support mothers through one of the most vulnerable and important moments of their lives. I want my patients to feel safe, respected, and empowered, regardless of their background or circumstances. Alongside this goal, I have a secondary interest in cosmetic nursing. I believe that helping people feel confident in their own skin is another form of healing — one that can renew self-esteem and improve quality of life. My plan is intentional and structured. In the next year, I will complete my nursing prerequisites and apply to the nursing program in the spring of 2026. I will continue gaining hands-on experience through my work as a CNA/CMA, and I will seek mentorship from experienced nurses to guide me through the next stages of my education. Once I earn my degree, I plan to work in labor and delivery while completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My long-term vision is to either advance in the hospital setting or open my own cosmetic nursing business in the future. Receiving the Deshana K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship would bring me closer to these goals by easing the financial strain of tuition, books, and supplies. As a single mother, I provide for my son’s needs while working full-time and paying for childcare, housing, and daily expenses. This scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical training without the constant weight of financial stress. Nursing is more than a career for me — it is my way of living out my faith, honoring my family’s legacy, and setting an example for my son. I want him to grow up knowing that no matter where you start in life, you can create a future worth fighting for.

My inspiration to continue my education comes from two places: my son and my desire to break the cycle I grew up in. Both of my parents were high school dropouts who never attended college. While they did the best they could, I’ve always known I wanted something different — a future with stability, opportunity, and the ability to provide my child with more than I ever had. Becoming a single mother has been the most challenging and most motivating experience of my life. I’ve survived domestic violence, rebuilt my life from the ground up, and learned to be both the provider and protector for my son. In the process, I discovered a strength in myself I didn’t know I had. That strength is what pushes me to keep going, even when life gets overwhelming. Returning to school to earn my GED and pursue college has not been easy, but every class I take feels like a step toward a better life for us. I am currently working on my prerequisites for the nursing program, with plans to apply in the spring of 2026. Nursing appeals to me because it combines compassion, critical thinking, and the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives. I want my son to grow up seeing his mother not just talk about dreams, but to follow through with them. This scholarship would play a vital role in helping me reach my goals. As a single mother balancing school, work, and parenting, financial obstacles are often the greatest barrier. Receiving the Linda Fontenot Memorial Scholarship would help cover the costs of my education, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on how to make ends meet. It would also bring me one step closer to achieving the stability I’ve been working so hard to create. I know the road ahead will still have challenges, but I also know that every bit of progress counts. My son is my daily reminder of why I cannot give up. By earning my nursing degree, I will be able to provide him with security, inspire him to chase his own goals, and honor the belief that no matter where you come from, you can create a future worth fighting for.