My name is Zyon Chavez and my educational goals are to obtain my BSN and get licensed to become a pediatric nurse. All my life I’ve encountered many different obstacles. One obstacle that changed me forever was when I lost both of my parents 9 months apart. On August 15, 2021, my dad passed away from the effects of COVID-19. Before my dad passed, I was in Racine, Wisconsin taking care of my mom who was fighting cancer. With both my parents being sick I had a very hard time, but because my old school, Norcross High School, already started the school year, I had to get back to Georgia. After coming to the realization that eventually I have to go back to school, I left for Georgia and stayed with an old friend and her family to finish my junior year. When I got back to school I started back working out, playing basketball, and getting caught up on all my missing assignments. The teachers helped me a lot with getting caught up and my teammates and loved ones were there for me as much as they could. Also, I ended up getting a job to better support myself. While living at my old friend’s house everything was good at first, but then things got very uncomfortable, so I went to my other friend’s house in McDonough for winter break. While still there, I got a call from my brother saying that my old friend and her family want me out of their house. This news was scary for me because now I had nowhere to go. Gratefully, the friend I was staying with for the break let me in and said I could stay there for however long I need, but I had to change schools. I’ve been in the district I was in for 7th-11th grade so a new school was very nerve-racking for me but I had to do it. I finally got enrolled in my new school, Dutchtown High School, and this new school felt like a fresh start. I felt like a whole new person because here nobody knew me or my situation. To feel even better I got a new job at LA Fitness and fell in love with it. After the year ended, I excelled very well in school and ended off with all As and Bs. When school got out my mom was still sick, so I left back up north to spend time with her. After being there for my mom for a month, I had to go back to Georgia to keep my job. On June 12, 2022, the day I landed back in Georgia, I got the call that my mom passed away. My heart shattered once again and I was lost. I didn’t want to do anything and all I wished for was my parents. Eventually, I got back on my feet and learned that I have to finish high school, go to college, and become successful not just for myself but for my parents. After this traumatic challenge in my life, I learned a very valuable lesson. I learned that the world doesn’t stop moving for any losses or obstacles you encounter and that’s okay. You can still grieve without failing yourself and those you lost and for that lesson, I will forever live by the quote “Everything happens for a reason” and still miss and love my parents forever but go hard for them no matter what.

My name is Zyon Chavez, I am originally from Orlando, Florida but I reside in Georgia now. I am 18 years old and I am full of wisdom and strength. All my life I’ve encountered many different obstacles. One obstacle that changed me forever was when I lost both of my parents 9 months apart. On August 15, 2021, my dad passed away from COVID-19. Before my dad passed, I was in Racine, Wisconsin taking care of my mom who was fighting cancer causing me to miss school. After coming to the realization that eventually I have to go back to school, I left for Georgia and stayed with an old friend to finish my junior year. When I got back to school I started back working out, playing basketball, and getting caught up on all my missing assignments. The teachers helped me a lot with getting caught up and my teammates and loved ones were there for me as much as they could. Also, I ended up getting a job to better support myself. While living at my old friend’s house everything was good at first, but then things got very uncomfortable, so I went to my other friend’s house in McDonough for winter break and ended up moving in. The only bad thing was that I had to change schools. I’ve been in the district I was in for 7th-11th grade so a new school was very nerve-racking for me but I had to do it. I finally got enrolled in my new school, Dutchtown High School, and this new school felt like a fresh start. After the year ended, I excelled very well in school and ended off with all As and Bs. On June 12, 2022, I got the call that my mom passed away. My heart shattered once again and I was lost. Eventually, I got back on my feet and learned that I have to finish high school, go to college, and become successful not just for myself but for my parents. After this traumatic change in my life, I learned that the world doesn’t stop moving for any losses you encounter and that’s okay. You can still grieve without failing yourself. Fast forward, I am fully committed to Clark Atlanta University majoring in Biology. The reason I chose biology as my major is that my intended career is to become a pediatric nurse. Becoming a pediatric nurse has always been my goal ever since I could remember. I want to use my career to impact the world positively by helping others medically, bringing joy to others' lives with my bubbly personality, and setting an example to anyone who has been through rough times and letting them know to keep pushing and that anyone can do anything they put their mind to no matter their situation. I have a huge heart and I feel as if that is what you need when working in the medical field and especially with kids.