
Hobbies and interests
Babysitting And Childcare
Soccer
Tennis
National Honor Society (NHS)
DECA
Nutrition and Health
Valerie Medeiros
1x
Finalist
Valerie Medeiros
1x
FinalistBio
I’m a high school student graduating a year early and working toward a future in nursing. I’m passionate about science and enjoy learning how the body works, but what motivates me most is using that knowledge to help people in meaningful, practical ways.
I earned my CNA certificate while still in high school because I wanted hands on experience and real responsibility, not just an interest in healthcare from a distance.
Becoming a CNA has taught me professionalism, attention to detail, and the importance of staying calm, respectful, and focused when others are depending on you. My goal is to continue my education, strengthen my clinical skills, and become the kind of nurse patients and families can truly trust.
Education
Prairie Grove High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
Career
Dream career field:
- Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Nursing
Sports
Tennis
Varsity2025 – 20261 year
Basketball
Junior Varsity2023 – 20252 years
Soccer
Varsity2024 – 20262 years
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Marybelle Huggins Memorial Nursing Scholarship
I’m pursuing nursing because I already know what it feels like to care for someone when it actually counts. I’m 16 years old, I’ve got my CNA certificate, and I didn’t do it just to put something impressive on paper. I did it because I wanted to be useful in a real setting, around real patients, where every detail matters. Getting my CNA taught me that healthcare isn’t just helping people in a general way. It’s doing the small things correctly, even when you’re tired, even when it’s busy, and even when nobody’s watching. It’s paying attention, staying respectful, and understanding that you’re walking into someone else’s hardest day like it’s normal, so you’ve got to bring calm, patience, and professionalism every single time.
I’ve also had the opportunity to assist in surgery rooms at a private practice, and that experience changed how I see medicine. Watching a surgical team work showed me how much trust patients place in the people caring for them. When someone’s under anesthesia, they’re completely vulnerable, and everything depends on the team being prepared, focused, and locked in. There’s no room for ego or distractions. What stood out to me most was how serious the environment is, but also how organized it becomes when everyone knows their role. It made me realize that I’m drawn to the mix of intensity and purpose in healthcare. I like the idea that your knowledge, your hands, and your choices can directly affect an outcome. I also learned that even in a room full of skilled professionals, the best teams communicate clearly and treat each other with respect, because patient safety depends on it.
My family is a big part of why I’m motivated. I’ve been raised around work ethic, responsibility, and the idea that you do what you say you’re going to do. I’ve watched my family handle busy schedules, long days, and real life pressure, and it taught me how to stay steady and keep my priorities straight. That matters in nursing. People don’t need a nurse who panics or checks out. They need someone who stays present, thinks clearly, and cares enough to do things the right way. I’ve learned that being dependable is a form of love, and I want to build a life where my career reflects that.
What I love about nursing is that it’s both human and challenging. It’s not just compassion. It’s competence. It’s knowing how to assess a patient, noticing when something isn’t right, speaking up, and being part of a team that protects the patient. It’s building skills and continuing to learn, because the learning never stops. I want to be the kind of nurse who can comfort someone, but also explain what’s happening in a way that makes sense. I want to be someone families trust, not because I’m trying to sound confident, but because I do the work and I stay prepared.
I know I’m young, but I don’t see that as a weakness. I see it as proof that I’m serious early. I’ve already chosen to step into healthcare, earn my CNA, and learn what the environment really feels like. The experiences I’ve had so far didn’t scare me away. They made me more sure. Nursing is where I can combine the person I am with the professional I want to become. Steady, capable, respectful, and focused on doing right by people when they need it most.