Going to college means more to me than simply earning a degree. It represents opportunity, growth, and the chance to build a meaningful future for myself while giving back to others. College is providing me with the education and experiences I need to pursue a career where I can make a difference in people’s lives and positively impact my community. It is also helping me grow into a more independent, responsible, and confident person. I am currently attending Shawnee Community College located in Ullin, IL and have been accepted into the LPN program beginning in June 2026. After completing the program, I plan to continue into the ADN program and become a registered nurse working in a hospital setting. After becoming an RN and gaining experience for a year or two, I also hope to continue my education and pursue a BSN degree, depending on where my career path leads me. My long-term goal is to work in pediatrics or labor and delivery because I am passionate about caring for children and supporting families during some of the most meaningful and emotional moments in their lives. I chose nursing because I have always wanted a career where I can help people during their most vulnerable moments. I want to provide comfort, calmness, and reassurance to patients and families when they need it most. What inspires me most about nursing is not only the medical knowledge, but the human connection—being able to listen, support, and help patients feel respected and cared for. I believe compassion and kindness can have a lasting impact on someone who is scared, overwhelmed, or in pain. I am also a first-generation college student, and my parents have always encouraged me to work hard, stay focused, and pursue my education. Their support and sacrifices have motivated me to keep pushing forward, even when challenges arise. Coming from a small rural town like Anna, IL has also shaped my goals. Growing up in a close-knit community has shown me the strength of small towns, but also the challenges people face in accessing healthcare and resources. Many families must travel long distances for care or struggle to find available services, which has strengthened my desire to help improve access to healthcare in rural communities. Throughout my journey, I have learned the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and hard work. For the past two years, I have worked at my local Burger King while balancing school and personal responsibilities. Working in a fast-paced environment has taught me how to manage my time, stay calm under pressure, and work effectively with others. In addition, volunteering at Giant City Stables in Makanda, IL has been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. Through therapeutic horseback riding activities with children and adults with special needs, I have learned patience, empathy, and the importance of encouragement. Watching individuals grow in confidence and achieve goals they once thought were impossible has shown me the true impact of compassion and support. As a Latina who speaks Spanish, I also understand the importance of communication in healthcare. Helping others feel understood and comfortable has shown me how powerful compassionate care can be. Through my education and future nursing career, I hope to support programs and services that help underserved and rural communities receive the care, education, and resources they need. Ultimately, my goal is not only to achieve personal success, but to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of others.

I have decided to pursue a career in nursing because I have always felt a deep responsibility to care for others during some of the most vulnerable and uncertain moments of their lives. To me, nursing is not just about treating illness—it is about providing comfort, dignity, and reassurance when people need it most. I am currently living in Anna, Illinois, and attending Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois, where I am pursuing my nursing education. I will begin the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in June 2026, followed by continuing into my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), with the long-term goal of becoming a registered nurse. My inspiration to become a nurse comes from my natural compassion for others and the experiences that have shaped how I view care. I currently work at Burger King in Anna, Illinois, where I have learned how to remain calm, efficient, and respectful in a fast-paced environment. During busy rushes, I have to think quickly, communicate clearly, and work closely with my team to keep everything running smoothly. Although it is a very different setting from healthcare, it has taught me how important it is to maintain composure under pressure and still treat every interaction with patience and respect. These are qualities I know will matter deeply in nursing, where every second and every decision can affect someone’s comfort and well-being. In addition, I have worked and volunteered with children and adults with special needs at Giant City Stables in Makanda, Illinois. This experience has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life. I have seen how consistency, encouragement, and patience can completely change someone’s confidence and ability. I have watched individuals who were once hesitant become excited and engaged, forming trust not only with the horses but with the people supporting them. One of the most unforgettable moments I have witnessed is nonverbal children beginning to speak their first words. In those moments, I realized how powerful care truly is when it is given with patience and heart. These experiences have shown me that nursing is not only about medical treatment, but also about creating comfort in every possible way. Something as simple as a calm presence, a supportive voice, or a sense of safety in a hospital room can have a lasting impact on a patient’s healing. I want to be the kind of nurse who understands that comfort is just as important as clinical care—someone who helps patients feel human, seen, and supported, even in difficult or frightening moments. My goal is to work in a hospital setting where I can care for patients and support families during times of uncertainty. I hope to become a nurse who not only provides skilled care but also brings emotional reassurance, making each patient feel safe and respected. I also want to continue growing in patient advocacy and communication so I can make a meaningful difference in every life I touch. In honor of this scholarship, I will continue striving to become a nurse who leads with empathy, resilience, and compassion, ensuring that every patient I care for feels comforted and valued. I found out about this scholarship on Bold.org.

Everyone has something about themselves that makes them stand out, even if it feels awkward at first. For me, my “awkward” thing has always been my height. I am 4’10”, and growing up I often felt self-conscious about it. People would constantly point out how small I was, especially as others around me continued to grow. For a long time, I saw it as something that made me different in a way I did not like, and it sometimes made me feel overlooked or underestimated. I also grew up hearing comments that made me more aware of my height than I wanted to be. Even simple situations, like standing in a group or trying to be noticed in a crowd, made me feel like I had to work harder just to be seen. Over time, those experiences shaped how I viewed myself, and I struggled with confidence because of something I could not change. However, as I got older, I started to realize that what made me feel “different” was also shaping my personality in positive ways. Being smaller taught me how to be more aware of others, how to listen more closely, and how to carry myself with confidence even when I did not feel the most visible in the room. Instead of letting my height define me in a negative way, I learned to focus on what I could control—my attitude, my work ethic, and how I treat others. One place where I see this every day is at my job at Burger King in Anna, Illinois. Working in a fast-paced environment has actually shown me that my height can be an advantage. I am able to move quickly and easily in tight spaces, stay active during busy rushes, and adapt to different tasks throughout my shift. My team members also support me when I need help reaching things, which has taught me the value of teamwork and communication. Instead of seeing my size as a limitation, I have learned how to work with it and succeed in my role. Through these experiences, I have also learned that being “different” is something everyone experiences in some way. No matter what people are teased for—appearance, personality, or anything else—it does not determine their worth or potential. Those differences often shape who we become in meaningful ways. Now, instead of seeing my height as something embarrassing, I see it as part of what makes me unique. It has helped me grow into someone who is more empathetic, self-aware, and confident. I have learned that confidence does not come from fitting in, but from accepting who you are and using your experiences to grow. In honor of this scholarship and the life of Charles B. Brazelton, I will continue to embrace what makes me different and use it as a strength. My “awkward” thing is not something I try to hide anymore—it is something that has helped shape who I am today.

I was inspired to pursue nursing because I have always felt a strong desire to care for others in meaningful and hands-on ways. Over time, that interest grew into a clear goal: to become a registered nurse and dedicate my career to helping patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I currently live in Anna, Illinois, and attend Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois, where I am pursuing nursing. I will begin the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in June 2026, followed by continuing into my Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), with the long-term goal of becoming a registered nurse. I also work at Burger King in Anna, Illinois, which has taught me responsibility, teamwork, and how to stay calm and respectful in fast-paced, high-stress environments. Working in customer service has strengthened my communication skills, patience, and ability to handle difficult situations professionally. These experiences have helped prepare me for the demands of nursing, where teamwork, organization, and compassion are essential every day. In addition, I have worked and volunteered with children and adults with special needs at Giant City Stables in Makanda, Illinois. This experience has helped me grow as a person and become more comfortable supporting individuals who require different levels of care. It has also given me the opportunity to work with both children and adults in a setting where patience, consistency, and encouragement are essential. One of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been seeing the impact of therapeutic horseback riding. Horses have a way of helping people heal in ways that are difficult to explain. It is incredible to witness the connection that forms between riders and horses, and how excited participants become as they show progress each week. I have even seen nonverbal children say their first words and noticed real improvements in confidence, communication, and movement over time. Moments like these have shown me how powerful compassionate care can be. This experience has also influenced my career interests and made me consider working in pediatrics because I enjoy supporting children as they grow and develop. At the same time, it has taught me to remain open-minded, because I may discover another area of nursing that I am equally passionate about in the future. What inspires me most about nursing is the ability to combine science with human connection. I want to be the kind of nurse who not only provides high-quality medical care but also takes time to truly see my patients as people. I hope to work in a hospital setting as an RN, where I can support patients and families through difficult diagnoses, recovery, and uncertainty. I also hope to continue growing in patient advocacy and communication so that every patient feels heard, respected, and cared for. The life and career of Cindy J. Visser deeply reflect the kind of nurse I aspire to become. Her dedication to her patients through medical-surgical care, urgent care, hospice, and home health shows a lifelong commitment to serving others in every stage of life. Her empathy, professionalism, and intentional care are values I hope to carry into my own nursing career. I am especially inspired by her ability to bring compassion into every area of her life and her community. If given this scholarship, I will continue working toward becoming a nurse who leads with empathy, serves with integrity, and treats every patient with dignity and respect. I hope to honor Cindy J. Visser’s legacy by becoming a nurse who makes a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others through compassionate and intentional care.