The journey to becoming a nurse is more than a professional goal for me, it is a calling shaped by hardship, compassion, and a desire to be a vessel of healing for others. In learning about the life and legacy of Margaret A. Briller, I see a reflection of the values I strive to embody: unwavering dedication to others, resilience in the face of adversity, and a heart for service. Receiving this scholarship would not only relieve the financial pressure that has weighed heavily on me but would also give me the stability I need to continue pursuing my purpose in nursing. My path through nursing school has not been easy. Financial struggle is something I face almost daily. There have been many days when I simply had no money. No gas money, no funds for food, and nothing in my account but overdraft fees. Most of the time, my bank account is in the negatives. I work part-time to help cover my basic expenses, but it often isn’t enough to cover bills, school-related costs, and living expenses. Juggling work, nursing classes, and clinicals leaves me physically and mentally drained, but I push forward because I believe in the impact I will one day make as a nurse. Just two months ago, I faced one of the most difficult periods of my life. I became homeless. I didn’t have enough money to afford a hotel, and the friends I had been staying with asked me to leave. At that time, I was enrolled in my Critical Care class; one of the most demanding courses in the nursing program. Balancing intense academic pressure while having nowhere stable to stay was emotionally overwhelming. I remember crying silently some nights, unsure of how I would make it through, but determined not to quit. Eventually, I found shelter in a homeless women’s facility, The Union Gospel. The staff there showed me compassion and made accommodations for me after learning I was a nursing student working hard to change my life. That place became a temporary refuge, but more importantly, it became a classroom. I met women battling unimaginable challenges: poverty, illness, trauma, addiction, and I listened to some of their stories. I saw their pain, their strength, and their will to survive. It made me realize that I could never be the kind of nurse who looks down on others. I don’t want to be someone who thinks they are better than the very people I vowed to help. This experience taught me humility, gratitude, and the value of every human life. It also deepened my desire to serve those who are often unseen. I want to care for patients not just with knowledge and skill, but with compassion and understanding that comes from lived experience. My time in the shelter reminded me that nursing isn’t just about diagnosing and treating, but rather it’s about truly seeing people and offering them hope and dignity. The financial challenges I’ve endured have also drawn me closer to my faith. When I had nothing else to rely on, I learned to trust in God to provide. Time and time again, He opened doors when I had no idea how I would get through the week. That faith continues to sustain me through this journey and reminds me that every challenge has a purpose. If I am awarded the Margaret A. Briller Scholarship, I will be able to focus more fully on my education and clinical training, without constantly worrying about how I’ll afford the next class, meal or even a safe place to sleep. This scholarship would provide critical relief and give me a real opportunity to succeed. It would allow me to continue my studies with dignity and determination, knowing that someone believes in my potential. My long-term goal is to work in underserved communities, offering quality care to those who are often overlooked or mistreated by the healthcare system. I plan to become a nurse practitioner and open a clinic that provides accessible, affordable care to people who have nowhere else to turn. Like Margaret A. Briller, I want my life and career to reflect a deep commitment to improving the lives of others. In conclusion, every struggle I’ve faced: homelessness, financial hardship, and long nights working part-time while studying, has prepared me to be a nurse who leads with empathy, grace, and purpose. The Margaret A. Briller Scholarship would be a critical step in helping me achieve that goal and in honoring her legacy of care and compassion. I am grateful for your consideration and for the chance to keep going, one step closer to becoming the nurse I know I am meant to be. Thank you.

Two years ago, my father nearly died the day after Father’s Day, and that moment changed everything for me...not just personally, but professionally. I had just started nursing school, and suddenly I was living the kind of situation I had only begun to study. My father was admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and the flu, but things quickly spiraled. He began having idiopathic seizures, his consciousness deteriorated, and ultimately, he was rushed to the ICU with severe GI bleeding and multi-organ failure. I’ll never forget the moment the doctor came to us and said, “I hope you all are a praying family.” That was the moment I realized just how fragile life is and how critical the role of nurses and healthcare professionals can be. Over the following weeks, as my dad remained in a coma, I stayed by his side day and night, praying, learning, and helping however I could. The ICU nurses recognized I was in nursing school and knew I aspired to become one of them. They went out of their way to teach me about the machines, his condition, and what to expect. I absorbed everything. Watching him go from a lifeless body in a hospital bed to eventually walking again and enrolling in phlebotomy school two years later was nothing short of a miracle—and a turning point in my life. It taught me more than textbooks ever could: how to care, how to advocate, how to connect families with the right resources, and how to never give up on a patient’s potential to heal. My ultimate goal is to become an ICU nurse. I want to be that calm, knowledgeable presence for families when they are facing the worst days of their lives, because I know what that feels like. I also work part-time as a pharmacy technician at a hospital, where I’ve gained valuable experience with medication handling, patient interaction, and navigating the hospital environment. This stepping stone of a job has further prepared me because I was able to learn about medications, their function, and purpose. That role, paired with my personal experience, has helped strengthen my confidence, clinical awareness, and communication skills. Every step I’ve taken so far, whether through my job, my father’s health crisis, or nursing school, has pushed me closer to becoming not just a nurse, but a deeply compassionate and competent one. My journey has been challenging, but it has prepared me in the most human way possible. Thank you.

Two years ago, my father nearly died the day after Father’s Day, and that moment changed everything for me...not just personally, but professionally. I had just started nursing school, and suddenly I was living the kind of situation I had only begun to study. My father was admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and the flu, but things quickly spiraled. He began having idiopathic seizures, his consciousness deteriorated, and ultimately, he was rushed to the ICU with severe GI bleeding and multi-organ failure. I’ll never forget the moment the doctor came to us and said, “I hope you all are a praying family.” That was the moment I realized just how fragile life is and how critical the role of nurses and healthcare professionals can be. Over the following weeks, as my dad remained in a coma, I stayed by his side day and night, praying, learning, and helping however I could. The ICU nurses recognized I was in nursing school and knew I aspired to become one of them. They went out of their way to teach me about the machines, his condition, and what to expect. I absorbed everything. Watching him go from a lifeless body in a hospital bed to eventually walking again and enrolling in phlebotomy school two years later was nothing short of a miracle—and a turning point in my life. It taught me more than textbooks ever could: how to care, how to advocate, how to connect families with the right resources, and how to never give up on a patient’s potential to heal. My ultimate goal is to become an ICU nurse. I want to be that calm, knowledgeable presence for families when they are facing the worst days of their lives, because I know what that feels like. I also work part-time as a pharmacy technician at a hospital, where I’ve gained valuable experience with medication handling, patient interaction, and navigating the hospital environment. This stepping stone of a job has further prepared me because I was able to learn about medications, their function, and purpose. That role, paired with my personal experience, has helped strengthen my confidence, clinical awareness, and communication skills. Every step I’ve taken so far, whether through my job, my father’s health crisis, or nursing school, has pushed me closer to becoming not just a nurse, but a deeply compassionate and competent one. My journey has been challenging, but it has prepared me in the most human way possible. Thank you.

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.” ~ Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese? Life is not easy, it's oftentimes difficult, unpredictable and incomprehensible. Throughout my life experiences, I have come to realize that everything happens for a reason. I have learned to not allow my adversities paralyze me, but rather fuel my determination to achieve my life goals. Change is hard but it is necessary for growth. It is safer to search in the maze of life rather than remaining in a "cheese-less" situation. Here's how I became interested in pursing nursing. Growing up I watched my mother climb the latter in the medical field. Within 23 years, she went from a sale woman at Dillard's, to an LVN, to a CNA, to a RN, and now a FNP. She cared for her husband who underwent two back surgeries so early in their marriage. In her FNP schooling, she worked full-time while becoming a full-time caregiver for her mother, my grandmother. As the oldest daughter, I helped my mother as much as I could to provide optimal care for my grandmother with dementia. We had no other family willing to step in and help us. I saw the skills and sacrifices my mother did for her mom. Turning her every 2 hours by herself throughout the nights. Taking her to her doctor appointments. Providing wound care to her stage 3 pressure ulcers under her heels. Managing her medications and trying to get her to consume some type of nutrients for her frail body. She sadly passed away in 2019. I watched my mother be a great, strong, and resilient woman over my life. I watched her act as a nurse, daughter, mother, and wife all at once. She taught me a lot during that time. Nursing is not just a "fun" job, but it's a field that requires compassion, patience, and humility. I wanted to become just like my mother, or better. I had become so depressed and hopeless pursuing Pre-med for over 6 years. All I knew was that I had a heart to care for others and to promote healing to those in need like my mom, but I wanted to go the extra mile. One night I prayed a small prayer to God for guidance. I desperately needed help finding my purpose. No academic advisor was willing to help, so why not ask the one who created me Himself. A leap of faith. The very next morning a strong epiphany came over me. I felt lead to change my degree from Pre-Med to Nursing. Although the thought made me nervous because I feared the unknown, I also felt deep security to do so. I still mourned over the change. This "cheese" I had grown accustomed to for nearly 6 years, was changed by one prayer overnight. I felt like a failure, truth be told. I started to think “Why me?”, but I soon learned that the question should be “Why not me?”. If change was easy then everyone would be able to do it. Eventually I submitted to my newer and brighter path in becoming a registered nurse. I'm glad I didn't let fear hold me back, because now I will be obtaining my BSN this December of 2025. I'm even more grateful to have my mother be a role model throughout my life and nursing school. I want to be a great nurse just like my mom. "Movement in new direction helps find new cheese", and pursing nursing school is the best cheese I ever found. Delicious!

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.” ~ Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese? Life is not easy, it's oftentimes difficult, unpredictable and incomprehensible. Throughout my life experiences, I have come to realize that everything happens for a reason. I have learned to not allow my adversities paralyze me, but rather fuel my determination to achieve my life goals. Change is hard but it is necessary for growth. It is safer to search in the maze of life rather than remaining in a "cheese-less" situation. Here is how nursing found me. Growing up I watched my mother climb the latter in the medical field. Within 23 years, she went from a sale woman at Dillard's, to an LVN, to a CNA, to a RN, and now a FNP. She cared for her husband who underwent two back surgeries so early in their marriage. In her FNP schooling, she worked full-time while becoming a full-time caregiver for her mother, my grandmother. As the oldest daughter, I helped my mother as much as I could to provide optimal care for my grandmother with dementia. We had no other family willing to step in and help us. I saw the skills and sacrifices my mother did for her mom. Turning her every 2 hours by herself throughout the nights. Taking her to her doctor appointments. Providing wound care to her stage 3 pressure ulcers under her heels. Managing her medications and trying to get her to consume some type of nutrients for her frail body. She sadly passed away in 2019. I watched my mother be a great, strong, and resilient woman over my life. I watched her act as a nurse, daughter, mother, and wife all at once. She taught me a lot during that time. Nursing is not just a "fun" job, but it's a field that requires compassion, patience, and humility. I wanted to become just like my mother, or better. I had become so depressed and hopeless pursuing Pre-med for over 6 years. All I knew was that I had a heart to care for others and to promote healing to those in need like my mom, but I wanted to go the extra mile. One night I prayed a small prayer to God for guidance. I desperately needed help finding my purpose. No academic advisor was willing to help, so why not ask the one who created me Himself. A leap of faith. The very next morning a strong epiphany came over me. I felt lead to change my degree from Pre-Med to Nursing. Although the thought made me nervous because I feared the unknown, I also felt deep security to do so. I still mourned over the change. This "cheese" I had grown accustomed to for nearly 6 years, was changed by one prayer overnight. I felt like a failure, truth be told. I started to think “Why me?”, but I soon learned that the question should be “Why not me?”. If change was easy then everyone would be able to do it. Eventually I submitted to my newer and brighter path in becoming a registered nurse. I'm glad I didn't let fear hold me back, because now I will be obtaining my BSN this December of 2025. I'm even more grateful to have my mother be a role model to me throughout my life and nursing school. When you stop being afraid you feel good. "Movement in new direction helps find new cheese", and finding this scholarship was a leap of faith and trust in hopes to help me.

If you want to be a boss then you have to pay the cost. A good, humble leader is characterized by a focus on serving others, a willingness to listen and learn, and the ability to empower those around them. True leadership comes from inspiring and influencing others, not just from holding a leadership position or title. Sometimes we can get prideful and self-reliant thinking it's leadership when it's not. And sometimes we need to be humbled, a price that many people would not want to pay if they knew that's what it takes to be a true leader. My name is Stacie Biddle and after 8 long years, I am finally in my last 3 classes of nursing school. I was suppose to graduate this September, but life threw me a major curve ball that has pushed my graduation to December. I had to learn that delay is not denial and that all things will workout for the good of those who believes in Jesus Christ. Oh boy did I need him this summer. I was academically afflicted by a power-hungry professor who did not know how to control her emotions. I was heartbroken that I failed the class at no fault of my own, therefore, I petitioned the dean relentlessly for two whole weeks to prove my innocence but was ignored only to be overruled last minute. It was very hard turning the other cheek after I was wronged. Her offense negatively impacted my finances in numerous of ways I cannot list. While fighting desperately for my grade, I was also battling a dysfunctional family dynamic. I live with both my parents, a sister, and a dog named Hershey. In 2023 my father almost died the day after Father's Day. It was a very traumatic experience for us all. I saw that it was still negatively affecting my dad mentally. I saw my mom trying to uplift her husband the best she could but was drowning her own self. I tried to help alleviate their burdens by taking on burdens that were not mine to carry, which in turned hurt me. I wanted to save them but I needed saving too. During that time, I had to learn boundaries and most importantly, humility. Humility is not a skill that nursing school teaches anyone. It is an acquired skill that hurts during the learning process but brings wisdom and enlightenment to those who embrace the furnacing of character development. My family and I were not on the same accord, so I ended up staying at a homeless woman shelter for a couples of nights. All while fighting for my grade, battling poverty, and clinging to my sanity. Staying at the shelter removed me from the chaos of my life while also humbling me. I realized at that moment that nothing was in my control and truth be told, that was the hurtful part about it. I had no choice but to turn to God and surrender because I was tired of fighting. Just like butterflies rest during the storm to preserve its wings, that's what God was doing for me. Currently, two months later, I took this unexpected break from school to reground myself and to reestablish a better family dynamic, but with God this time. My father will be attending school this August and we are all ecstatic for him. I will be reattending class this July. I learned that my character development was inspiration for my family to grow too. In the mist, I learned that humility is a powerful fruit to have as a leader.

I would have never thought that pursing a bachelors degree in nursing would be the hardest thing I ever chased after in my life, and that's including a couple of failed relationships (haha). On a more serious note, the mountains and valleys of this journey is not for the faint of hearts. Inside the classroom is one lesson, but beyond those walls lies the realities of life that had seem to amplify the closer I got to the finish line. My name is Stacie Biddle and after 8 long years, I am finally in my last 3 classes of nursing school. I was suppose to graduate this September, but life threw me a major curve ball that has pushed my graduation to December. Although my sister and I will not be able to walk the stage together, I am still grateful that I will be finishing this year. I had to learn that delay is not denial and that all things will workout for the good of those who believes in Jesus Christ. Oh boy did I need him this summer. I was academically afflicted by a power-hungry professor who did not know how to control her emotions. I was heartbroken that I failed the class at no fault of my own, therefore, I petitioned the dean relentlessly for two whole weeks to prove my innocence but was ignored only to be overruled. While fighting desperately for my grade, I was also battling a dysfunctional family dynamic. I live with both my parents, a sister, and a dog named Hershey. In 2023 my father almost died the day after Father's Day. It was a very traumatic experience for us all. I saw that it was still negatively affecting my dad mentally. I saw my mom trying to uplift her husband the best she could but was drowning her own self. I tried to help alleviate their burdens by taking on burdens that were not mine to carry, which in turned hurt me. I wanted to save them but I needed saving too. During that time, I had to learn boundaries and most importantly, humility. Humility is not a skill that nursing school teaches anyone. It is an acquired skill that hurts during the learning process but brings wisdom and enlightenment to those who embrace the furnacing of character development. My family and I were not on the same accord, so I ended up staying at a homeless woman shelter for a couples of nights. All while fighting for my grade, battling poverty, and clinging to my sanity. Staying at the shelter removed me from the chaos of my life while also humbling me. I realized at that moment that nothing was in my control and truth be told, that was the hurtful part about it. I had no choice but to turn to God and surrender because I was tired of fighting. Just like butterflies rest during the storm to preserve its wings, that's what God was doing for me. Currently, two months later, I took this unexpected break from school to reground myself and to reestablish a better family dynamic, but with God this time. My father will be attending school this August and we are all ecstatic for him. I will be reattending class this July. I learned that my character development was inspiration for my family to grow too. In the mist, I learned that humility is a powerful fruit to have. My passion for nursing has taught me how to be a virtues person. I learned that it is my character that will get me far.

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.” ~ Spencer Johnson, Who Moved My Cheese? Life is not easy, it's oftentimes difficult, unpredictable and incomprehensible. Throughout my life experiences, I have come to realize that everything happens for a reason. I have learned to not allow my adversities paralyze me, but rather fuel my determination to achieve my life goals. Change can be hard but it is necessary for growth. It is safer to search in the maze (life) than to remain in a cheeseless situation. Here is how nursing found me. In fall 2021, I moved onto UTA’s campus to further my education as a full-time Pre-Med student and part-time pharmacy technician while also working on my personal healing. It was a time period set aside for me to self-reflect and evaluate what it was that I really wanted out of life and understanding my worth. To know your calling but not the process of getting there was chipping away at me each passing day. I had become so depressed pursuing Pre-med that I prayed a small prayer one faithful night for guidance. It was the very next morning in the Spring time of 2022, I had an epiphany as clear as day to change my degree from Pre-Med to Nursing. I thought the idea was insane and terrifying. That Pre-Med path I had chosen, the "cheese" I had grown accustomed to for nearly five years, was changed by one prayer overnight. I started to think “Why me?”, but I soon learned that the question should be “Why not me?”. If change was easy then everyone would be able to do it. Eventually I submitted to my newer and brighter path in becoming a Registered Nurse. My entire 2022 was dedicated towards my prerequisites for nursing school. I knew from then on that this was my true path, or so I thought. In August of 2022, I went through another trial in my life that almost tried to discourage me from pursuing nursing. Taking Anatomy and Physiology II is not the Goliath of this story but rather the instructor set in my path to shake up my faith. With dignity, I fought the good fight even though I wanted to throw in the towel. It devastated me that a C was all I had to show for it, even though I struggled, prayed and kept trying. My only thoughts from there was that I was not good enough for this path. My very last prerequisite, I received a C. Far from competitive is what I was told by a few schools but no one knew the battles behind it. That class awakened another character developmental process within me. I knew what I am capable of, I just had to believe in myself that I was chosen for this path and to keep up my faith. So, I retook Anatomy and Physiology right after taking it that summertime. I retained so much more knowledge the second time around and surpassed my previous grade with an A. Now, it's 2024 and I am a senior in nursing school who will be finishing a Bachelor's degree in Nursing next year in September. I am proud of myself for not allowing fear to hold me back from this beautiful journey. When you stop being afraid you feel good. I am thankful that I found my niche sooner and have the resilience to preserve. As Spencer Johnson would say, "Movement in new direction helps find new cheese", and pursing nursing is the best cheese I've ever discovered. Delicious!

My name is Stacie Biddle and I am finally a senior in nursing school. I pursed this career path because I too have a strong and compelling spirit to extend compassion and generosity to everyone I encounter. I can relate with Erich and Frieda's heart postures in their acts of selfless love and kindness. I too embody these characteristics, which is why I pursed this 7 year long journey of nursing. I can honestly proclaim that I indeed have embarked on a road far less traveled. Experiences that I have seen first handed and endured during my life. I would have it no other way. I was a caregiver at a very young age. I remember helping my mom the best I could with my dad because he hurt his back so early in life. It was at this point where my grandmother moved from Fort Worth to Texarkana to help raise my little sister and I while my mom was caring for my dad and going to nursing school. After a few years, my grandmother moved back to Fort Worth only to become ill soon after. She was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Therefore, my family and I returned the favor by moving in with her and becoming her primary caregivers for the next five years. Dementia is a disease that takes more than it will ever give. It was challenging to care for her because I didn't understand what dementia was. All I could see was the changes within her. In that period, I learned how to show a deeper level of patients, grace, kindness, selflessness, and most importantly, unconditional love. I loved her so much. She was always there for everyone, and she taught me what real love looks like. It was hard to watch my grandmother slowly decline throughout the years. It was even harder to know I could do nothing about it other than make her comfortable. In 2019, family flooded our home and emotions ran high when she slipped into a coma in her bed. In her final days on hospice, I whispered in her ear that being her caregiver has been an honorable experience and I hope I made her proud. Although there were many trying times when trying to balance school, work and personal life, it was nothing but faith, prayers, and compassion that helped strengthen me to be the absolute best granddaughter/caregiver to my grandmother. To this day, I thank her for the virtues she instilled into me, before her sickness. I have chosen to dedicate my life in showing such tender love and generosity to all I encounter, no matter the location. I am not rich, but my spirit is wealthy. My heart is a lyre that plays beautiful music whenever I move in love towards others. This burning passion of care exudes through me and has overflown into my career path. I am thankful I am in a career where I can be myself, showing compassion and love to all.

My name is Stacie Biddle and I am an African American nursing student entering into my senior year. Since grade school, I have always felt this calling onto my life to help people no matter their background, race, religion, gender or ethnicity. My God-given virtues of compassion, patience, love and kindness further guided me onto this path that has catapulted me into my purpose. In this marathon I refer to as 'life', I have always been fascinated with the healthcare field, so much so that I started off as a pharmacy technician as a stepping stone. Public health goes beyond merely responding to health crises such as epidemics, pandemics, and endemics. Nonprofit organizations and public government health agencies run programs aimed to protect social health, promote well-being and prevent diseases. The ethics of nursing is established upon four pillars: Beneficence (the duty to do good), non-maleficence (the duty to do no harm), Autonomy (respect for the patient's right to self-determination), and Justice (to treat ALL people equally and equitably). I have emphasized the word "all" because it has been used within limits in the healthcare field As a nursing student in clinicals, I am now exposed to one-on-one patient care. Participating on the frontline, rather than behind the scenes, has shifted my perspective on the healthcare industry, regarding the integrity of patient care. It has become evident to me that not every nurse embodies the characteristics needed to execute the four pillars of nursing. Delayed treatments, lack of advocacy and urgency, dismissal of patient's complaints, and insufficient vigilance and diligence were noted in certain populations during my clinical rotations. Although my status may say 'student', I operate in my role as a nurse. Meaning, I vow to protect, promote, and prevent illness and injuries by facilitating healing and alleviating suffering through my compassionate presence for ALL. This burning passion of care infused with fierceness has been my driving factor to bring about change in the healthcare industry. I am my patient's voice when they have none to advocate for themselves. I am their eyes to see the changes before it worsens. I am their ears to hear their complaints to make the best healing choices and to listen to their worries. I am their shoulder to lean on when life's burdens come crashing in like a tsunami. I am their chapel to serve as a glimmer of light in their darkest hours. I am their nursing student/pharmacy technician, who uses each milestone in life to bring change no matter my position or status. My hopes once I become a registered nurse is to join the nursing ethical committee as a chief nursing officer. I want to have a say on behalf of many to better the treatment and care for all. Having a rounded experience within the hospital setting and being a female minority who also have been in the hands of nursing care brings about a higher level of perspective that can leave a tremendous impact on the social disparities of care. If I am awarded this scholarship, consider it as an investment, not just in me but for millions of others wanting to be treated with dignity and respect in their most vulnerable time. Thank you for your time and consideration and I hope this entry finds you well. Sincerely, Stacie Biddle