Lead By Example Lead by example. I would convince a peer to attend college by attending myself. Its one thing to talk the talk, but when you walk the walk, you allow others to be inspired through you. Faith with out work is dead. Convincing a peer to attend college would include me being enthusiastic about attending and sharing with peers information and resources related to admissions. "Excuses are tools of the incompetent and weak, which construct monuments of nothing and those who specialize in them are seldom good at anything but excuses". Naturally a peer may have a logical excuse for why they can't attend college, and I will have a logical response as to why they can. "Finances, paying for college is expensive". I would share with peers information about financial aide and about scholarship platforms like BOLD.org that help with college cost. "It takes too long to get a degree", it takes even longer to accomplish nothing. Plus, studies show those with higher education have higher earning potential. I would also mention trade and vocational programs that allow for entry in to the workforce a lot quicker than traditional college. "I don't have the time to go to school". If a peer told me they didn't have the time to go to school, I would remind them of the hours they spend scrolling through social media, and suggest they trade their social media screen time with online courses. If there is a will there is a way. All it takes is the faith of a mustard seed. Being supportive and transparent about the benefits of higher education can be infectious. Sharing with friends, family, and coworkers your educational goals, are ways to pollinate them with the seed of pursuing higher education. Being awarded financial aide can be exhilarating. Sharing with peers ways to finance college, can influence them to attend. Life is a gamble so why not bet on your self. Investing in education is liberating. Winning a scholarship is like winning the educational lotto, you can't win if you don't apply and you won't win if you're not enrolled!

Walk By Faith & Not By Sight Faith with out work is dead. I have diligently pursued higher education. I started as a nurse's assistant fresh out of high school. Through perseverance, I elevated a few years later receiving my LPN. I have a calling on my life to serve others. I worked diligently through out the pandemic providing skilled nursing services to under staffed geriatric long term care facilities. My faith is what carries me through trying times. The pandemic tested the resilience of nursing staff nation wide. Stepping into a covid unit, armed with personal protective equipment and my faith as a shield, before a vaccine was available and the fate of our health unknown. I could have walked away. The calling on my life inspired me to persevere. I began studying for an Associates Degree in Nursing the fall of 2021. With limited seats available in the cohort, I prayed and claimed my spot. Walk by faith and not by sight. I showed up to orientation for school with out a confirmation email from the program director. I knew that this was my season and I was addiment in being placed in the cohort. My faith has never failed me. I was able to complete all necessary requirements for entry by the deadline. I successfully completed the first semester with a 3.5 GPA while working limited hours and balancing mother hood. Climbing Jacob's ladder, everyday reaching higher and higher. The value of education is priceless, although I am incurring student loan debt. Upon completing my RN I will be able to flourish and continue being a beacon of light for those in need. The culture of nursing is evolving. As a nurse I am spiritual healer to those who lack companionship. Holding a dying woman's hands while she transitions, or facilitating a zoom call to a family member who has not seen their loved one in over a year. As a nurse we are the foot soldiers of healthcare. We keep the balance between the medical and civilian world. Christmas of 2020 I showed up to work. After receiving report, I soon discovered I was the only staff member on a 36 bed unit with 21 covid positive patients. My heart sank. I felt like Shadrach Meshack and Abednego, from the book of Daniel, thrown into the fiery furnace. I immediately tapped into the supernatural authority granted to me from God. "Just another day the Lord has kept me, send me , I will go" , I told myself repeatedly. I stayed on duty that night with tears in my eyes, I checked on every patient every 15 mins for 8 hours, praying to God that we all made it through the night. At about 4:30 am I found an elderly woman clinging to life with a critically low blood sugar. Nursing knowledge kicked in and I was able to revive the patient and facilitate getting her sent to the hospital where she could receive acute care. No patient died that night, and I did not catch covid. Nursing is all I know. I wake up everyday and accept the assignment given to me. When I am filled with frustration due to staffing shortages, I remind myself that I am a missionary, called by God to help those in need. I take care of the people, and in return the universe takes care of me.

Compassion and dignity. I take pride in caring for the elders in my community. Working as a nurse in a long-term care facility, during the pandemic, allowed me to comfort many during uncertain times. At times, the elders could not leave their rooms or see their families. Providing them with comfort and companionship became priority. Mrs. Mary (names changed for HIPPA reasons) loved telling stories about her alleged romance with Mohammed Ali. She told that story every morning. I would listen attentively as if it was my first time hearing it. Peter, who was transferred from an unsafe home situation into long-term care, had thoughts of suicide. I would listen to his complaints and provide him encouragement. Many elders didn't know how to use technology to communicate with family. I was honored to be their nurse as well as their I.T personnel. Running Skype and Zoom meetings for loved ones to see their segregated elders. Singing songs as the "masked singer", was my way of lightening the load. Many elders became withdrawn. A simple melody would brighten their day. Showing up when others quit and walked away. Even though we may have worked short staffed, I took pride in my commitment to serve a delicate population. The pandemic taught me resilience. It also encouraged me to advance my career. Studying to become a Registered Nurse will give me the skills to make clinical decisions on behalf of the elders I serve. I boldly accept the calling on my life, as I continue to serve and elevate my education. Winning this scholarship is a fraction of the reward I receive just by showing up to comfort encourage and serve the elders.