Seeing my maternal grandmother slowly decline due to dementia was an impactful event that I witnessed at a young age. My mother, a private duty RN, has dedicated her time and career to aiding the elderly and I admire her for that. Since my grandmother's death, my mother has been immensely involved in the Alzheimer’s Association and shifted her career focus from bedside nursing to private nursing care to families struggling to adjust and properly care for their parents or loved ones suffering with dementia. She has always inspired me and especially instilled in me a great compassion for our older generation. My journey into the field of nursing began with these early experiences. Watching my grandmother's struggle with dementia was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to the challenges faced by elderly individuals and their families. This personal experience was the catalyst for my decision to focus my studies on healthcare, particularly within the elderly population. Although I was unsure where exactly in healthcare I would find myself, I always knew I wanted to help others the way I watched my mom help her patients every day. At St. John's College, I am majoring in Nursing. My coursework will provide me with a strong foundation in the medical sciences, but it is my personal experiences that have truly shaped my passion for elderly care. My mother’s dedication to her patients and her involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association have been constant sources of inspiration. Her work has shown me the importance of providing compassionate and specialized care to those who need it most. Ever since I can remember, she always brought me with her to see patients, keep them company, and help her with small tasks. I was always so eager to be able to join her and see a small glimpse in what she did to greatly help and comfort those with memory issues. The decision to focus on dementia, breast cancer, and stroke in the elderly population has significantly impacted my personal and professional goals. Personally, it has deepened my empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by elderly individuals and their families. It is said that a large majority of individuals will either be affected, a caregiver, or have a loved one affected by dementia. Families deal with such hardships when caring for loved ones suffering from these horrible diseases, and it truly takes a village. Professionally, it has driven me to seek out opportunities to learn more about these conditions and how to best support those affected by them. During my time at Mizzou, I had taken courses that specifically address the care of elderly patients and specifically a capstone class and health professions class that had sections focusing on dementia. I have also sought out volunteer opportunities that allow me to work directly with this population. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to this field and have provided me with valuable skills and insights that I will carry with me into my nursing career. One of the most impactful experiences I have had was volunteering at a local nursing home. There, I had the opportunity to interact with residents who were dealing with a variety of health issues, including dementia, breast cancer, and stroke. I was able to see firsthand the challenges they faced and the importance of providing compassionate and individualized care. This experience solidified my desire to work with the elderly and to specialize in the care of those with these conditions. My personal experience with my grandmother’s dementia has also influenced my interest in research. I am particularly interested in exploring ways to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals with dementia. I believe that through research, we can develop better treatments and support systems that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of these individuals and their families. With certain diagnosis still without a cure, research is such an important part in being able to learn more about disease progression with hopes to find working treatments in the future. In addition to my academic and volunteer experiences, my mother’s work has been a constant source of inspiration. Her dedication to her patients and her involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association have shown me the importance of advocacy and community involvement. I have seen how her work has positively impacted the lives of her patients and their families, and I aspire to make a similar impact in my own career. As a rising BSN student, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I am committed to continuing my education and to pursuing a career in nursing that focuses on the care of elderly individuals with dementia or other neurological diseases, especially those with no found cures. I believe that my personal experiences, combined with my academic and volunteer experiences, have prepared me well for this path. The Rosetta Richardson's Trailblazer Elderly Care Scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to continue my studies and to achieve my goals. It would also be a meaningful recognition of my commitment to this field and my dedication to improving the lives of elderly individuals and their families. In conclusion, my personal experiences with my grandmother’s dementia and my mother’s work have inspired me to focus my studies on healthcare especially within the elderly population. After becoming diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in undergrad, I had an even greater desire to aid in these debilitating diseases, and even doing some direct volunteer work with Parkinson’s through my specialist. I knew I wanted to become a nurse and acquire my BSN to be able to make the impact I strived to provide. These experiences have shaped my personal and professional goals and have driven me to seek out opportunities to learn and grow in this field. I am committed to making a positive impact in the lives of elderly individuals and their families, and I believe that the Rosetta Richardson's Trailblazer Elderly Care Scholarship would help me to achieve this goal.