For DonorsFor Applicants

Breanna Coleman Memorial Nursing Scholarship

$5,000
1 winner$5,000
Open
Application Deadline
Jan 24, 2025
Winners Announced
Feb 24, 2025
Education Level
High School
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Background:
First-generation student
Field of Study:
Nursing
Experience:
Volunteering and extracurricular experience

Breanna Coleman was one of five people lost in a car accident late in the night on June 25th, 2023. 

Breanna was only 18 years old and had just graduated from Gateway High School, completed her Dual Enrollment requirements, and was set to begin the nursing program at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, in the Fall. Bre had her whole life ahead of her, and she just wanted to use her career to help people. 

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Breanna Coleman by supporting students who share her passion for nursing and helping others.

Any high school senior who will be a first-generation college student pursuing a four-year degree in nursing may apply for this scholarship if they have volunteering and extracurricular involvement.

To apply, tell us what inspired you to study nursing and how you currently give back to your community, and/or how you will give back in the future.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Nursing
Published October 14, 2024
Essay Topic

What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing? How do you currently give back or plan to give back to your community?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Amanda-Lee Phillips
SUNY College at BrockportDEPEW, NY
I've had a burning passion for caring for others, especially my grandparents, since I was a little girl. I thought to myself that my grandparents were elderly and in constant need of assistance around the house. If I can take care of them, why must others enter their home and take care of them? Then it hit me—I could take care of them without my family needing to employ any assistance, and I was determined to do so. At this point, I decided to dedicate my studies to my grandparents and seek a healthcare career. As time went on, my grandparents' illnesses worsened; my grandfather passed away in March 2014, and my grandma in December 2022. I was heartbroken by this, as I wanted to take care of them both as a child. I began to lose hope, but then I realized that I could start pursuing a job in healthcare for them both instead of giving up. I, therefore, decided to enroll in Erie 1 Boces' Health Careers program in September 2022 to officially begin my career and earn a nursing assistant certification upon high school graduation. To complete my nursing education and possibly earn my bachelor's degree, I intend to attend SUNY College at Brockport, as it will provide me with the knowledge I need. As I work with children in a pediatric hospital, I sincerely aspire to become a skilled and effective registered nurse. I want to provide joy to everyone in my area and ensure that all of my patients receive quality treatment while I'm here. I want everyone to perceive and remember me as a humorous, kind, and caring person in addition to being a nurse. My goal is to have a good influence on not just the patients but on the staff, family, and members of the community. As claimed, I believe I will successfully continue the education of the beloved Breanna. In addition, I want to manage my department and devote my life to serving and caring for people. Furthermore, I have a strong desire to elevate hospital standards and enhance patient care by providing advanced technology to nursing staff. I want my patients to remember me as a nurse who is more than simply a nurse. the nurse who tends to patients as though they were her own children. The nurse that put a smile on everyone's face and assured them that everything would sort itself out. The nurse who genuinely feels passionate about patient care.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jan 24, 2025. Winners will be announced on Feb 24, 2025.