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Carmen Santamaria-Osorio

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Bio

Hello! My name is Carmen Santamaria-Osorio. I am a creative sophomore at Everett Community College in Washington State with a love for art, writing, reading, and all things fantasy. My goal is to study for my RN at the EvCC nursing program before transferring to the University of Washington to become a registered nurse. I want to follow in my mother's footsteps. I love helping people, and as a nurse, I will be able to not only brighten someone's day with a compliment or help with something small, but I can save lives. I was inspired to be a nurse after having watched my mother, who worked on the medical front lines during the infamous year 2020, go to work nearly every night for 12 hours, try to catch up on sleep during the day, and repeat through the darkest part of the pandemic. She saved lives and made a difference, and I hope to do the same. My hobbies include escaping to fantasy worlds of magic and adventure through books, writing my own stories to get lost in, and drawing different characters and creatures that may turn up in my work. I am currently working on a book that will be the first in a series, with a spin-off in the works as well. I love art and creative writing, as they have gotten me through dark times. The same is also true for music and piano, which I have played since I was nine years old. Music and creativity have always been a huge part of my life, and I continue to explore new genres and turn the wild and colorful contents of my imagination into a reality.

Education

Everett Community College

Associate's degree program
2023 - Present

Kamiak High School

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      To become a life flight nurse.

    • CNA, Caregiver. I take care of elderly folks with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

      Mukilteo Memory Care
      2023 – Present1 year
    • This was an internship at the Evergreen Goodwill Youth Aerospace Program

      Evergreen Goodwill
      2022 – 20231 year

    Sports

    Soccer

    Club
    2019 – 20201 year

    Soccer

    Intramural
    2011 – Present13 years

    Awards

    • 3rd Place NCYSA GU13 in 2017

    Arts

    • Harbour Pointe Middle School Spring Musical 2019

      Acting
      Newsies
      2019 – 2019

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Mukilteo Memory Care — Setting up and participating in fun brain exercises and activities for the residents.
      2022 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    @Carle100 National Scholarship Month Scholarship
    @frankadvice National Scholarship Month TikTok Scholarship
    Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship
    I have always loved helping people, and in May of 2022, I started volunteering at my local Memory Care Center. My job is to work with the activities director to prepare, participate, and invite residents to join in various activities from gardening to exercise to arts and crafts. Helping people gives me a sense of purpose. Every person in that home has a story, and they love sharing their stories with people willing to listen. I feel like what I do is really making a difference for those people. As they near the end of their lives, it is my job to ensure they are comfortable and having fun. I plan on entering the medical field after high school. My mother is a nurse, as was my grandmother before her, and they tell me tales from the hospital and what I should expect, as well as what would be expected of me. They save lives. They make sure people go home to their families. They ensure their patients' kids have parents to raise them. When my mom steps into the hospital, she is not just fighting for her patients' lives; she's fighting for their friends and families, as well. She sees the terrible things that happen to people of all ages. Her eyes are opened to the darkest parts of humanity. Yet she carries on because people are relying on her. She is a hero, and like how a kid aspires to be like Superman or Wonder Woman, I aspire to be like my mom. Brave, strong, kind, and resilient. All of which can describe any comic book superhero. All of which describe my mom. My experience as a volunteer at the Memory Care Center not only builds a strong resume for nursing school but also prepares me for that possible future in healthcare. Even if my job is entertaining residents, it is a job that requires patience, kindness, and a gentle touch, which is also necessary for nursing. You cannot just patch up a wound or put a broken limb in a cast; you have to help the patients want to get better. I have learned in my time as a humble activity volunteer that a smile and a kind heart go a long way, and I want to transfer that to my work as a nurse. Being a nurse does not just mean saving lives. You have to show the patients that their lives are worth saving, and that is what my mother does. That is what I want to do.
    Amelia Michelle Sanford LGBTQIA+ Memorial Scholarship
    Winner
    As an LGBTQIA+ student who was also raised in the Mormon Church, I can say that I have had my share of heartache. I have had family tell me that being queer is a disease and I am just confused, I've been told to stop talking about it with my friends, who also happen to be my safe space, otherwise, I wouldn't be allowed to talk to them again, and I constantly fear the rest of my family finding out. One of my greatest fears is reaching the end of my life only to find the God I had been told to worship, that I had been told had unconditional love, actually had a condition against being queer. I have played soccer my whole life, and in it, I have found people who relate to me, people I can confide in. Soccer has always been a way for me to escape the world and focus on winning. When I play, there is no fear of the future. No fear of who I am. I can be who I want without complaint. Soccer has always been so freeing for me in that way. It has taught me to be strong and to have courage, which has translated to all aspects of my life. Now, as I prepare to walk into the real world after high school, I look back at my struggles and fears, at everything I have learned about myself on the field with a soccer ball under my cleat. I have come to find beauty in my queerness. I have never before believed so strongly that God and Jesus Christ love me no matter what. I can be who I want, and as I continue playing the Beautiful Game, I will find freedom in knowing there will always be a place for me and people like me. In the future, I hope to share my story with other queer youth who might be going through something similar or who just need a safe space. I hope to be that safe space for them. In a world where people continuously shout their opinions, trying to hurt others who walk outside their vision of right and wrong, I hope to provide a sanctuary where queer youth can come to find some peace and quiet, especially if they have experienced any sort of religious trauma. I want to assure them that they are not alone, they are not confused or a mistake, and that they are loved.