The first time I truly understood the power of nursing was not in a classroom or hospital it was during one of the hardest seasons of my life as a single mother raising a child with special needs while trying to hold my family together emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I watched healthcare professionals care for people during their most vulnerable moments, and I realized that nursing is more than a profession. It is compassion in action. That realization changed the direction of my life and awakened a calling within me to serve others through healthcare. Today, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing because I want to become the kind of nurse who not only treats patients but also advocates for them. As a Haitian-American woman, community leader, and future nurse, I understand the importance of representation, cultural understanding, and trust in healthcare. Many individuals in underserved communities, especially within the Haitian community, struggle to access healthcare due to language barriers, fear, lack of education, or limited resources. I want to help bridge those gaps by providing compassionate, patient centered care while educating families and empowering them to take control of their health. My long-term career goals extend beyond bedside nursing. After completing nursing school, I plan to continue my education and pursue a degree in healthcare law so I can advocate for patients on a larger scale. I want to fight for healthcare equity, improve patient rights, and help create policies that protect vulnerable populations. I believe nurses are some of the strongest voices in healthcare because they witness firsthand the realities patients face every day. My goal is to use both my nursing education and future legal education to make lasting changes in healthcare systems and communities. Throughout my journey, I have already accomplished several milestones that reflect my dedication and perseverance. Despite the challenges of balancing school, motherhood, financial hardships, and personal struggles, I have remained committed to my education and community involvement. I currently serve as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), where I organize community events and advocate for students and families. I am also deeply involved in outreach efforts through my community and church, using my voice as a singer and songwriter to inspire healing, hope, and faith in others. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills, compassion, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds qualities that are essential in nursing. In addition to my educational journey, I have gained valuable healthcare related experience through volunteering and community engagement. Working closely with families, students, and underserved individuals has taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication. I have also experienced personal health related challenges within my family that gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional impact healthcare can have on patients and caregivers. Those experiences strengthened my desire to become a nurse who provides comfort, dignity, and advocacy during difficult moments. Receiving this scholarship would have a life changing impact on both my education and my future career goals. As a single mother working hard to provide stability for my child while pursuing a demanding nursing degree, financial assistance would help relieve the burden of tuition, books, transportation, and other educational expenses. More importantly, this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my studies, clinical training, and community service without the constant stress of financial hardship. It would bring me one step closer to becoming a nurse who can advocate for underserved populations, uplift the Haitian community, and inspire others who may feel that their circumstances limit their dreams. Thank you

The first time I truly understood the power of nursing was not in a classroom or hospital it was during one of the hardest seasons of my life as a single mother raising a child with special needs while trying to hold my family together emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I watched healthcare professionals care for people during their most vulnerable moments, and I realized that nursing is more than a profession. It is compassion in action. That realization changed the direction of my life and awakened a calling within me to serve others through healthcare. Today, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing because I want to become the kind of nurse who not only treats patients but also advocates for them. As a Haitian-American woman, community leader, and future nurse, I understand the importance of representation, cultural understanding, and trust in healthcare. Many individuals in underserved communities, especially within the Haitian community, struggle to access healthcare due to language barriers, fear, lack of education, or limited resources. I want to help bridge those gaps by providing compassionate, patient centered care while educating families and empowering them to take control of their health. My long-term career goals extend beyond bedside nursing. After completing nursing school, I plan to continue my education and pursue a degree in healthcare law so I can advocate for patients on a larger scale. I want to fight for healthcare equity, improve patient rights, and help create policies that protect vulnerable populations. I believe nurses are some of the strongest voices in healthcare because they witness firsthand the realities patients face every day. My goal is to use both my nursing education and future legal education to make lasting changes in healthcare systems and communities. Throughout my journey, I have already accomplished several milestones that reflect my dedication and perseverance. Despite the challenges of balancing school, motherhood, financial hardships, and personal struggles, I have remained committed to my education and community involvement. I currently serve as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), where I organize community events and advocate for students and families. I am also deeply involved in outreach efforts through my community and church, using my voice as a singer and songwriter to inspire healing, hope, and faith in others. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills, compassion, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds qualities that are essential in nursing. In addition to my educational journey, I have gained valuable healthcare related experience through volunteering and community engagement. Working closely with families, students, and underserved individuals has taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication. I have also experienced personal health related challenges within my family that gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional impact healthcare can have on patients and caregivers. Those experiences strengthened my desire to become a nurse who provides comfort, dignity, and advocacy during difficult moments. Receiving this scholarship would have a life changing impact on both my education and my future career goals. As a single mother working hard to provide stability for my child while pursuing a demanding nursing degree, financial assistance would help relieve the burden of tuition, books, transportation, and other educational expenses. More importantly, this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my studies, clinical training, and community service without the constant stress of financial hardship. It would bring me one step closer to becoming a nurse who can advocate for underserved populations, uplift the Haitian community, and inspire others who may feel that their circumstances limit their dreams. Thank you

The first time I truly understood the power of nursing was not in a classroom or hospital, it was during one of the hardest seasons of my life as a single mother raising a child with special needs while trying to hold my family together emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I watched healthcare professionals care for people during their most vulnerable moments, and I realized that nursing is more than a profession. It is compassion in action. That realization changed the direction of my life and awakened a calling within me to serve others through healthcare. Today, I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing because I want to become the kind of nurse who not only treats patients but also advocates for them. As a Haitian-American woman, community leader, and future nurse, I understand the importance of representation, cultural understanding, and trust in healthcare. Many individuals in underserved communities, especially within the Haitian community, struggle to access healthcare due to language barriers, fear, lack of education, or limited resources. I want to help bridge those gaps by providing compassionate, patient centered care while educating families and empowering them to take control of their health. My long-term career goals extend beyond bedside nursing. After completing nursing school, I plan to continue my education and pursue a degree in healthcare law so I can advocate for patients on a larger scale. I want to fight for healthcare equity, improve patient rights, and help create policies that protect vulnerable populations. I believe nurses are some of the strongest voices in healthcare because they witness firsthand the realities patients face every day. My goal is to use both my nursing education and future legal education to make lasting changes in healthcare systems and communities. Throughout my journey, I have already accomplished several milestones that reflect my dedication and perseverance. Despite the challenges of balancing school, motherhood, financial hardships, and personal struggles, I have remained committed to my education and community involvement. I currently serve as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), where I organize community events and advocate for students and families. I am also deeply involved in outreach efforts through my community and church, using my voice as a singer and songwriter to inspire healing, hope, and faith in others. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills, compassion, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds qualities that are essential in nursing. In addition to my educational journey, I have gained valuable healthcare related experience through volunteering and community engagement. Working closely with families, students, and underserved individuals has taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication. I have also experienced personal health related challenges within my family that gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional impact healthcare can have on patients and caregivers. Those experiences strengthened my desire to become a nurse who provides comfort, dignity, and advocacy during difficult moments. Nursing interests me because it combines science, service, advocacy, and human connection. It is a career that allows me to care for the whole person emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I know the road to becoming a nurse is demanding, but every challenge I have faced has prepared me to serve others with resilience and compassion. My experiences have not only shaped my goals but also confirmed that nursing is where I am meant to be.

The night my child stopped breathing, everything in my life changed. As a single mother to a special needs child, I have experienced fear in its purest form, but I have also experienced the power of compassionate, skilled nursing care. In that moment of crisis, it was not just the medical intervention that stayed with me, but the calm voice, the steady hands, and the reassurance of the nurse who reminded me that we were not alone. That experience awakened something in me. Nursing was never my original dream, but it has become my calling. Pursuing a degree in nursing is deeply personal. My journey as a single mother has required resilience, advocacy, and faith, qualities that align closely with the role of a nurse. Navigating healthcare systems for my child has shown me the gaps that exist, especially for families who feel unheard or overwhelmed. I want to be the nurse who listens, who advocates, and who sees each patient not just as a diagnosis, but as a person with a story. Nursing, for me, is more than a profession; it is a purpose rooted in empathy and service. Beyond my personal experiences, my involvement in my church and community choir has strengthened my desire to serve others holistically. Music has allowed me to connect, uplift, and bring healing to people in ways that words sometimes cannot. As a nurse, I hope to bring that same spirit of compassion into clinical spaces, especially within underserved communities, including the Haitian community, where language barriers and cultural differences can impact the quality of care. I want to be a bridge between healthcare and the community, ensuring that patients feel seen, respected, and understood. As a future nurse, I plan to contribute to my community by advocating for vulnerable populations, educating families, and promoting preventative care. I want to be actively involved in community outreach programs, health education initiatives, and support groups for parents of children with special needs. My goal is not only to treat illness, but to empower individuals with knowledge and resources that can improve their quality of life. Nursing has transformed from something I once considered into something I now feel called to do. My experiences as a single mother, caregiver, and community member have prepared me to serve with compassion, strength, and purpose. Through nursing, I hope to be a light in moments of darkness for others, just as a nurse once was for me.

The Power of Human Touch My Name is Wilda-Cassandra Tany to me, the phrase “human touch” means more than physical contact. It represents connection, compassion, and presence. The human touch is the invisible bond that reminds someone they are seen, heard, and valued. It is the way one person can comfort another simply through kindness, a smile, or the warmth of their hand. It is the physical expression of love and empathy that transcends words. The human touch has the power to calm fear, ease pain, and awaken hope. In patient care, the human touch carries a power that medicine alone can never provide. Technology, medication, and procedures are all vital, but healing requires more than science. It requires humanity. A gentle hand on a patient’s shoulder, a nurse holding a trembling hand before surgery, or sitting quietly beside someone who has just received difficult news, these are moments that speak louder than any diagnosis or chart. The human touch reassures patients that they are not alone, that they are worthy of dignity and compassion, even in their most vulnerable moments. I have experienced the meaning of the human touch in my own life. As a survivor of domestic violence and a single mother to a child on the autism spectrum, I have walked through seasons of pain, uncertainty, and fear. There were moments when I did not have the right words, but a simple gesture from a kind nurse, a friend, or a teacher reminded me that grace still existed. I remember sitting in an emergency room once, feeling completely overwhelmed, when a nurse took my hand and quietly said, “You are safe now.” That single moment stayed with me. It reminded me that healing is not only physical—it is emotional, spiritual, and deeply human. That experience planted a seed in my heart to become a nurse, to offer the same compassion that once gave me strength. Through my studies and my work in the community, I have learned that the human touch begins long before a hand is extended. It begins with empathy the ability to truly feel what someone else is going through. In every interaction, I want my patients to know that I see them as people, not conditions. Whether I am taking vital signs, educating families, or simply offering a listening ear, I want to create an environment where they feel safe and understood. Nursing gives me the opportunity to combine skill with sincerity, to serve both body and soul. As the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Colbert Museum Magnet Elementary School, I practice the human touch in another way by serving families with compassion. Organizing school dances, community events, and outreach programs has shown me that connection can heal communities just as it heals individuals. When families come together, laughter returns, and hope begins to rise again. Service, whether in a school or a hospital, is an act of human touch, it reminds people that they matter. In my nursing career, I plan to keep the human touch at the center of my practice. I will approach each patient with patience and prayer, treating every encounter as sacred. I will ensure that care is not only clinically excellent but also emotionally supportive and spiritually grounded. Even when I am busy or tired, I will remember that a moment of compassion can stay with a person for a lifetime. The human touch transforms ordinary care into extraordinary healing. It is the light that enters a dark hospital room, the comfort that softens fear, and the connection that reminds both patient and caregiver of our shared humanity. My goal as a nurse is to embody that light, to be a vessel of compassion and faith, to bring warmth to cold places, and to help others feel God’s love through the work of my hands. For me, the human touch is the essence of nursing. It is where medicine meets mercy, where science meets soul, and where healing truly begins.

My name is Wilda-Cassandra Tany, and I am a nursing student, a mother, a survivor, and a woman of faith. Every chapter of my life has shaped my desire to serve others with compassion and purpose. As a single mother raising a child on the autism spectrum, I have learned the value of patience, advocacy, and understanding. My personal experiences have not only strengthened me but have also inspired me to give back to my community with the same grace that carried me through my own trials. One of the most meaningful ways I have made a positive impact in my community has been through my role as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Colbert Museum Magnet Elementary School. I work closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to create opportunities for families to come together and for children to thrive. From organizing the Enchanted Family Dance to coordinating our Fall Festival and community outreach programs, I strive to build a sense of unity and joy for families who often face the same challenges I do as a parent. Seeing the smiles of children and hearing the laughter of parents who can momentarily forget their struggles reminds me why service matters. My journey as a survivor of domestic violence also fuels my passion for servitude. I understand what it means to feel unseen, unheard, broken, betrayed. The Man I thought loved me poisoned me to kill my unborn child. Raped me and verbally abused me every chance he got. Today, I use my story to empower women through faith-based events like the “It Happened to Me” Women’s Conference, where I speak about hope, healing, and purpose. Serving in ministry has shown me that even the pain we once hid can become a source of light for someone else. I believe that true leadership begins with humility and a heart willing to serve. Beyond my roles in school and ministry, I volunteer with community organizations that provide resources to families in need, helping with food drives, clothing donations, and youth mentoring. I have learned that service is not always about grand gestures; sometimes it’s about showing up, listening, and offering love without judgment. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to the healing and growth of our community. My faith has always guided my service. I believe God calls us to be the hands and feet of His work on Earth, and nursing allows me to live out that calling in both spiritual and practical ways. Whether I am serving in a classroom, a church, or a hospital, my goal is to make every person I encounter feel valued and cared for. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and strengthen my ability to serve others through nursing. My heart for service was born out of adversity, but it continues to grow through gratitude and purpose. I am committed to using my life and my career to uplift others, to lead with compassion, and to serve with excellence in everything I do.

My name is Wilda-Cassandra Tany, and I am a nursing student, a mother, a survivor, and a woman of faith. Every chapter of my life has shaped my desire to serve others with compassion and purpose. As a single mother raising a child on the autism spectrum, I have learned the value of patience, advocacy, and understanding. My personal experiences have not only strengthened me but have also inspired me to give back to my community with the same grace that carried me through my own trials. One of the most meaningful ways I have made a positive impact in my community has been through my role as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Colbert Museum Magnet Elementary School. I work closely with parents, teachers, and administrators to create opportunities for families to come together and for children to thrive. From organizing the Enchanted Family Dance to coordinating our Fall Festival and community outreach programs, I strive to build a sense of unity and joy for families who often face the same challenges I do as a parent. Seeing the smiles of children and hearing the laughter of parents who can momentarily forget their struggles reminds me why service matters. My journey as a survivor of domestic violence also fuels my passion for servitude. I understand what it means to feel unseen, unheard, and broken. Today, I use my story to empower women through faith-based events like the “It Happened to Me” Women’s Conference, where I speak about hope, healing, and purpose. Serving in ministry has shown me that even the pain we once hid can become a source of light for someone else. I believe that true leadership begins with humility and a heart willing to serve. Beyond my roles in school and ministry, I volunteer with community organizations that provide resources to families in need, helping with food drives, clothing donations, and youth mentoring. I have learned that service is not always about grand gestures; sometimes it’s about showing up, listening, and offering love without judgment. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to the healing and growth of our community. My faith has always guided my service. I believe God calls us to be the hands and feet of His work on Earth, and nursing allows me to live out that calling in both spiritual and practical ways. Whether I am serving in a classroom, a church, or a hospital, my goal is to make every person I encounter feel valued and cared for. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and strengthen my ability to serve others through nursing. My heart for service was born out of adversity, but it continues to grow through gratitude and purpose. I am committed to using my life and my career to uplift others, to lead with compassion, and to serve with excellence in everything I do.

Wilda-Cassandra Tany My Calling to Care The first time I realized the power of compassion in healing was not in a hospital, but in my own home. As a single mother raising a beautiful child on the autism spectrum, I learned that care is more than medication or procedures; it is patience, understanding, and love in its purest form. There were days when exhaustion met uncertainty, and nights when tears fell quietly after long hours of studying and caregiving. Yet every morning, God reminded me that my purpose was bigger than my pain. Surviving domestic violence taught me what true strength and grace look like. There was a moment when I stood in front of a mirror and chose not to see the woman who had been broken, but the woman who had survived. That was the moment I felt called to nursing. I wanted to be the kind of nurse who does more than treat illness. I wanted to comfort, to pray silently with patients, to offer hope to those who feel unseen. Nursing, to me, is not only a profession but a ministry of compassion and service. Balancing nursing school with motherhood has been a journey that has tested and strengthened me in ways I never imagined. There have been times when I studied by my child’s bedside or stayed up after midnight to finish assignments once he was asleep. The financial strain and emotional challenges have been real, but they have also been reminders of how far faith and determination can carry me. I hold firmly to the promise that if God brought me to it, He will bring me through it. Every class I complete and every clinical experience I gain is another step toward walking fully in my purpose. Becoming a nurse represents more than achieving a personal dream. It means being a voice for the voiceless, an advocate for those in pain, and a source of peace in the midst of chaos. I have learned through my own experiences that healing begins with being seen and heard, and I want to bring that level of care to every patient I meet. I want others to know that broken beginnings can lead to beautiful destinations, and that faith can turn suffering into strength. This scholarship would mean more than financial relief. It would represent an investment in my future and in every life I will touch as a nurse. It would allow me to focus more on learning, growing, and preparing to serve with excellence. Nursing is my calling, my passion, and my purpose. It is the way I can turn my trials into testimony and my faith into action. Through compassion, skill, and prayer, I hope to make a difference in the lives of others, just as faith and care have made a difference in mine.