I entered nursing through love and obligation. After my father was struck by a car, he spent a decade in special needs. I assisted in taking care of him with my grandmother, and when her health deteriorated, I became her caregiver as well. From these early experiences, I learned to be compassionate, patient, and an advocate, which would shape my personal life and career. I dropped out of school in the ninth grade, not by preference but by force. In 1999, I worked as a CNA for 10 years while birthing and raising three children. I returned to obtain my GED and became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in 2009. Each step was challenging, but I’m not giving up. My love for healthcare and passion for helping people have always driven me to overcome every barrier. I desire to show my children that one person can make a change and that education will afford opportunities. For many years, I have seen the best and worst of our healthcare system. But seeing it as a patient changed me. When I had life-threatening medical problems, I had to recover in a nursing home. All of that time was a humbling, life-altering perspective. I knew firsthand what it is to be in a state of vulnerability, fear, and dependence on others to care for them. It made me see what patients want, and it has nothing to do with propping their bodies up but more with kindness, paying attention, and some dignity. I returned to college for my ADN (Associate degree in nursing). I have three terms left, and I will return to get my BSN to become ADON/DON. I am passionate about geriatric care and special needs because I’ve frequently seen our elderly and special needs patients are pushed to the back burner of healthcare, often rushed through treatment as an afterthought or as something on a to-do list instead of our mothers, fathers, grandparents, or veterans. I want to change that. I don’t just want to be a good nurse — I want to push the envelope and be a leader in enforcing the standard of care I know every patient deserves. Returning to school as an adult learner, mom, and working nurse is hard. I’ve had to simultaneously deal with family obligations, financial pressures, and demanding coursework. This scholarship would greatly alleviate that, allowing me to concentrate more fully on training and leadership skills. It would be a way to manifest my vision in the world. For me, nursing is more than a profession; it is a calling with a foundation based on experience, caring, and a lifelong commitment to improving other people's lives. As a caregiver and patient, I have lived on both sides of the bedrail, and that dual perspective informs everything I do. With your help, I can keep climbing and become a Nurse Leader who advocates and empowers.

Advocating for Special Needs Through Nursing and Education I stumbled into nursing due to my love, duty, and personal experiences caring for people with special needs. When my father was involved in a life-altering accident, he and my life was forever changed. He needed special care for a decade, and along with my grandmother, I was one of his caregivers. I learned patience, flexibility, and the value of advocacy. When my grandmother became ill, I filled a role I knew well: taking care of her with dignity. Whilst caring for my dad, who also passed soon after she did, those early experiences were more than obligations-they informed my values, ignited my passion, and sealed my lifelong commitment to healthcare, especially to individuals with special needs and geriatrics. More than treatment, special needs patients need to be understood, empathized with, and seen by caregivers aware of their unique challenges. As someone who has existed on either side of the healthcare system, caregiver and patient, I know how breaches in the care system affect disabled people. From limited resources to a lack of individualized care, I've witnessed how special needs and those without a voice patients fall through the cracks. Education is the way that I can change that. Becoming a nurse was difficult, but I’ve always been determined. I had to drop out of school in the 9th grade, but I wanted to work in healthcare. I was a CNA for ten years while I raised three kids, one of whom was a special needs preemie. Struggling to make progress, I returned to school, received my GED, and, in 2009, became an LPN. My short-term goal is to become an ASN RN, ultimately continuing to my BSN, and I want to be the ADON/DON. Each academic accomplishment I attain enhances my ability to advocate for those with special needs so that they are given the dignity, care, and personalized support they deserve. My encounter as a patient clinched the nursing and patient advocacy deal. I spent some time in a nursing home recovering after life-threatening medical complications, and I was able to understand firsthand the vulnerability, fear, and dependence that many special needs individuals have to traverse. That time profoundly affected me — it made me aware that healthcare is not just about physical healing. I have much to offer due to my understanding of the deeper emotional needs of those who depend on us for care. Special populations, special needs, and elders are seen as routine cases rather than as individuals with unique lives that require tailored care. But my schooling equips me to challenge that norm. As I finish getting my ADN and continue to my BSN, I aim to be a nursing leader who advocates for policy changes to keep the standard of care high and ensure that special needs patients never get pushed aside or overlooked. I face difficulties managing my studies, work, and now grandchildren, but my determination is strengthened with each obstacle. I feel that this scholarship would relieve much financial stress for me so that I could devote all my time to developing my leadership and making a difference in healthcare. With your help, I can get one step closer to the top; more than just a skilled nurse, I can be a fighter and a voice for the special needs community, which deserves care, respect, and dignity. The picture I chose is of my special needs patients and my daughter. I received permission to use it. A picture is worth a thousand words. Two of my patients are no longer here.

Breaking the Cycle Through Education For ten years, I lived in silence and fear. I was trapped in a cycle of domestic violence that I didn’t know how to escape. I was a high school dropout, isolated from my family and the world. My abuser controlled everything—my movements, my money, my mind. I didn’t believe I had choices, let alone a future. That cycle nearly ended my life when he shot me in the head. But I survived. And I chose to live not just in body but in purpose. Now, I am building a life of independence, and education is the foundation of that life. Domestic violence steals more than safety—it robs people of their sense of worth, freedom, and possibility. It kept me from finishing school, earning income, or making decisions for myself. I wanted to leave, but I didn’t believe I could survive independently with no diploma, job, or support system. That’s what kept me stuck—until the violence almost took my life. My recovery wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, mental, and spiritual. I knew I needed more than escape—I needed **education** to create something better for myself and my children. After I left that relationship, I earned my GED and started rebuilding from the ground up. In 2009, I went from a Certified Nursing Assistant to a Licensed Practical Nurse, all while raising three children. I worked hard because I wanted more than survival—I wanted to thrive. Today, I’m back in school working toward my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to become a Registered Nurse and eventually a leader in healthcare. Education gave me power I didn’t know I had. It gave me choices. It gave me a career. But most of all, it gave me **a voice**—the ability to speak for myself, stand up for others, and protect those who are most vulnerable. That’s why I want to specialize in geriatric nursing and become a Director of Nursing. I want to lead, advocate, and make sure no one—elderly, abused, or overlooked—is ever treated as if they don’t matter. For survivors of domestic violence, education isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifeline. It gives women (and men) the financial independence, confidence, and skills needed to break free from abusive environments and build safe, self-sufficient lives. I believe one of the most powerful ways to combat domestic violence is to invest in education for survivors. When people know their worth and have the tools to support themselves, they no longer depend on those who hurt them. Returning to school hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced financial challenges, trauma recovery, and the demands of parenting and work. But I keep going because I know what’s on the other side: freedom, stability, and the ability to help others rise as I have. Receiving this scholarship would lift a huge burden and allow me to focus on completing my degree and growing into the nurse and leader I’m meant to be. I survived violence, but I’m not defined by it. I am defined by my resilience, my determination, and my choice to rise through education. I want to be a voice for those still trapped and an example of how a better life is possible. Even after the worst abuse of power, we can heal and overcome. The way education reduces intimate partner violence is by way of empowerment. Education builds self-esteem; it offers encouragement no other means can. I know firsthand what educational growth affords. My education broke a cycle that counseling, support groups, and other channels could not do alone.

I entered nursing through love and obligation. After my father was struck by a car, he spent a decade in special needs. I assisted in taking care of him with my grandmother, and when her health deteriorated, I became her caregiver as well. From these early experiences, I learned to be compassionate, patient, and an advocate, which would shape my personal life and career. I dropped out of school in the ninth grade, not by preference but by force. Beginning in 1999, I worked as a CNA for 10 years while birthing and raising three children. I returned to obtain my GED and became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in 2009. Each step that I took was challenging, but I’m not one to give up. So, my love for healthcare and passion for helping people have always driven me to overcome every barrier. I desire to show my children that one person can make a change and that education will afford opportunities. For many years, I have seen the best and worst of our healthcare system. But seeing it as a patient changed me. When I had life-threatening medical problems, I had to recover in a nursing home. All of that time was a humbling, life-altering perspective. I knew firsthand what it is to be in a state of vulnerability, fear, and dependence on others to care for them. It made me see what patients want, and it has nothing to do with propping their bodies up but more with kindness, paying attention, and some dignity. I returned to college for my ADN (Associate degree in nursing). I have three terms left, and I will return to get my BSN to become ADON/DON. I am passionate about geriatric care because I’ve seen how frequently our elderly are pushed to the back burner of healthcare, often rushed through treatment as an afterthought or as something on a to-do list instead of our mothers, fathers, grandparents, or veterans. I want to change that. I don’t just want to be a good nurse — I want to push the envelope and be a leader in enforcing the standard of care I know every patient deserves. Returning to school as an adult learner, mom, and working nurse is hard. I’ve had to balance family obligations, financial pressures, and demanding coursework simultaneously. This scholarship would greatly alleviate that, allowing me to concentrate more fully on training and leadership skills. It would be a way to manifest my vision in the world. For me, nursing is more than a profession; it is a calling with a foundation based on experience, caring, and a lifelong commitment to improving other people's lives. As a caregiver and patient, I have lived on both sides of the bed rail, and that dual perspective informs everything I do. With your help, I can keep climbing and become a Nurse Leader who advocates and empowers.

I entered nursing through love and obligation. After my father was struck by a car, he spent a decade in special needs. I assisted in taking care of him with my grandmother, and when her health deteriorated, I became her caregiver as well. From these early experiences, I learned to be compassionate, patient, and an advocate, which would shape my personal life and career. I dropped out of school in the ninth grade, not by preference but by force. Beginning in 1999, I worked as a CNA for 10 years while birthing and raising three children. I returned to obtain my GED and became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in 2009. Each step that I took was challenging, but I’m not one to give up. So, my love for healthcare and passion for helping people have always driven me to overcome every barrier. I desire to show my children that one person can make a change and that education will afford opportunities. For many years, I have seen the best and worst of our healthcare system. But seeing it as a patient changed me. When I had life-threatening medical problems, I had to recover in a nursing home. All of that time was a humbling, life-altering perspective. I knew firsthand what it is to be in a state of vulnerability, fear, and dependence on others to care for them. It made me see what patients want, and it has nothing to do with propping their bodies up but more with kindness, paying attention, and some dignity. I returned to college for my ADN (Associate degree in nursing). I have three terms left, and I will return to get my BSN to become ADON/DON. I am passionate about geriatric care because I’ve seen how frequently our elderly are pushed to the back burner of healthcare, often rushed through treatment as an afterthought or as something on a to-do list instead of our mothers, fathers, grandparents, or veterans. I want to change that. I don’t just want to be a good nurse — I want to push the envelope and be a leader in enforcing the standard of care I know every patient deserves. Returning to school as an adult learner, mom, and working nurse is hard. I’ve had to balance family obligations, financial pressures, and demanding coursework simultaneously. This scholarship would greatly alleviate that, allowing me to concentrate more fully on training and leadership skills. It would be a way to manifest my vision in the world. For me, nursing is more than a profession; it is a calling with a foundation based on experience, caring, and a lifelong commitment to improving other people's lives. As a caregiver and patient, I have lived on both sides of the bed rail, and that dual perspective informs everything I do. With your help, I can keep climbing and become a Nurse Leader who advocates and empowers. I was able to locate this scholarship on bold.org. I have been able to cover the college expenses until the fifth term. I can cover the costs further based on grants and loans. I need assistance for a ten-week period. I appreciate your consideration.

It was transformative to grow up with a father who experienced so much suffering due to his traumatic brain injury. While walking to work one day, my dad was struck by a drunk driver and spent six months in a coma. Practically everyone wrote him off as a rehab case, but that one special nurse who rode with him did not. She assisted him as he relearned to do basic things like walk, talk, and even take care of himself. Despite my father passing away a few years after that. His fight and that nurse inspired me to be a nurse. My commitment to nursing was solidified during my time as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in skilled long-term care. I was just nineteen in 1999 when I mastered the diseases, their effects on the patients, and the ideal therapies. However, I also witnessed many of my colleagues burning out and getting worn out, incapable of giving the type of care our residents deserved. This realization fueled my desire to be an advocate for my patients, to provide the care and attention that's so often lacking in their treatment. It was this commitment that led me to become a licensed nurse, as I wanted to be the change I wished to see in the field. Despite the poor decision to exit school in 1997 (9th grade), in March of 2008, I received my GED and scored a 12.9 grade level on compliance tests. Later, I earned my practical nursing (PN) certificate and  graduated from that program in August 2009 with a GPA of 3.7. I am where I am at 45, wanting to be an RN with this burning need not just to be a staff nurse but to teach and give something back to the nursing field. Ultimately, my goal is to become an ADON and then a DON. I possess the same fervor for the care of my patients as I did when I started my nursing career in June of "99." As a mother of three adults attending college and a grandmother of six, I want to model how knowledge changes lives. I just want them to see that learning changes the world, not just their individual lives, but it can change the lives of others around them. That means my patients are those who need the best care possible. It falls upon us to respect the lives of our elderly, who might be our own or the fathers and mothers of a community, so very often. New nursing graduates often have difficulty transitioning from the classroom to the bedside because of limited avenues of support and mentorship. I want to change that pattern by offering my colleagues a mentor - a caring, supportive resource that teaches them how to be better professionals. Ultimately, I want my father's legacy to be present in my life story. I want to tell a lasting story of perseverance and success in medicine. I not only want to do good and leave a path of knowledge for other up-and-coming nursing students to follow, but I want a scholarship so this opportunity is available to all, and not others who do not offer it on their own. I began my prerequisites in June 2024 and have accomplished the President's List for the past three terms. I work full-time supervising LPNs on weekends from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. I then transition from nights to days, attending school on campus and online. I am almost halfway done, and now I am facing financial difficulties due to the rising cost.