I am a first generation college student. Growing up in a single parent household, I have always been simply encouraged to go to college by my mom and my grandmother. From my perspective, I have always wanted to further my education, but the process is simply difficult to me. All of the things regarding college, such as housing, the initial application process, and even applying for some scholarships is or can be discouraging, but if I am granted this scholarship it will just simply make things easier. Coming from an single parent household, the additional funding to further my education is not there. With the help of this scholarship, I could further my education without having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans.

My name is Chryston Calvin. I am a high school senior and a I will be a first generation college student. In the grand scheme of things, I plan to be a CRNA and a real estate agent. Personally, I have had my mind set on two careers, and I plan to make it happen. Since 2021, I have aspired to be a CRNA. In late 2019, my grandfather, Houston Miller, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I was 12 years old and heartbroken. I wasn’t given the honor of growing up in the stereotypical two parent household, meaning my grandfather took the initiative to ensure that I wouldn’t go without. My mother was in my life, but she was in college and I primarily lived with my grandma. Throughout his cancer journey, he went through numerous surgeries and chemotherapy appointments. As the process progressed, it simply deteriorated him physically and mentally. In July 2022, he peacefully passed away. Throughout this whole process, the appointments, the ER visits, and even his hospice placement, there was always a nurse. As imagined, I saw a fair share of CNA’s, LPN’s, and RN’s. Each of these individuals inspired me in their own way. I knew from an early age that being a nurse was my passion. Seeing these strong individuals work to ensure that their patients were comfortable physically and medically was inspiring in itself. Currently I am in an EMT program offered concurrently through my high school. In this program we have clinical rotations, which is allowing me to get a hands-on view of what actually goes on in the hospital. Being with a RN in clinical rotation is one of my favorite things to do, simply because I feel as if it gives me reassurance about my future career. It ensured me that being a RN is what I wanted to do. It cost upwards of $100,000 to earn a nursing degree, with just the education alone. That does not include transportation cost, food, and other important factors to everyday life. I have been working since I was 12 years old, so overall this scholarship will help me in many ways. Indeed financially, and maybe even mentally since my cost of nursing school will be lower. Anything would help, and coming from a single-parent household, there isn’t much my mother can offer. Saving lives is something that I am extremely passionate about simply because of my past.