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James Mertilus

1,395

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Bio

I'm currently attending Hodges University. I'm in my first semester in the dental hygiene program. My passion is to become a dental hygienist; in return, I want to brighten smiles and give back to the community. I'm looking for scholarships to help support my education. I appreciate all the considerations.

Education

Hodges University

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Dentistry
  • Minors:
    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

Florida SouthWestern State College

Associate's degree program
2012 - 2015
  • Majors:
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Dentistry
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

    • Return Agent

      Advantage Rental car
      2015 – 20183 years
    • Grocery clerk

      Publix
      2013 – 20174 years
    • Dental Assistant

      Mcgregor Dental
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Dental assistant

      Riverdale Dental associates
      2016 – 20215 years

    Sports

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2010 – 20122 years

    Awards

    • Defensive player award

    Research

    • Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences

      Hodges University — Student
      2022 – 2022

    Arts

    • Bethel Bible Fellowship Church

      Music
      yes
      2017 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Church — Planner
      2016 – 2016

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    John J Costonis Scholarship
    Throughout my school career, I faced adversities. Working two jobs; while trying to maintain your GPA or finding ways to pay for college on your own and living expenses is not easy. But, I did not let these obstacles stop me because I believe in fighting to achieve my goals. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister, and I will be the first in my family with a bachelor's degree but getting there was not easy. I graduated high school in 2012 and moved to college the same year. I decided to move because I wanted to focus and not be distracted by unnecessary things. There, I started to have a sense of leadership because I had to find my way of dealing with school and finances. First, I had to find a Job in this new town that I moved to and figure out how I would get to work. I decided to apply to Publix for the grocery stock clerk position. I was very fortunate and still very grateful that I got the job. I walked to work for three years; while being a full-time student. There were days that it rained while I was walking to class and work, but I did not let that stop me because I had a goal to achieve. I used to work two jobs while maintaining my GPA, and one important reason was that I had no choice. My family would love to help, but they all had a tough time dealing with things of their own. I remember days that I would get up at 7 am to go to the math lab, and after that, my Calculus class would start. However, I remain thankful because God has helped me manage my time, and I know God will do more great things for me. I viewed these moments as a learning curve because you may have to go through some life curves to learn and grow. Moreover, I graduated with my arts associate degree and then went to school to be a dental assistant. I have worked as a dental assistant for six years while attending school and figuring out what career path I should take. I got promoted to lead assistant because of my leadership skills and experience. I because a dental assistant because my goal is to become a dental hygienist. Being in the dental field has helped me learn more about dental hygiene and helped ensure that I make the right career choice. I've worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I'm humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the bachelor's degree in dental hygiene program at Hodges University. I'm very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. To conclude, my leadership experience and balancing extracurricular activities help me realize there is always room for improvement in everything you do. Leadership has been a significant part of my life and who I'm. I want to continue my leadership journey of pursuing my education and life goals and improving and growing each day. One important thing to remember is that our decisions determine the results of situations or something we are going through in life.
    Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship
    Throughout my school career, I faced adversities. Working two jobs; while trying to maintain your GPA or finding ways to pay for college on your own and living expenses is not easy. But, I did not let these obstacles stop me because I believe in fighting to achieve my goals. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister, and I will be the first in my family with a bachelor's degree but getting there was not easy. I graduated high school in 2012 and moved to college the same year. I decided to move because I wanted to focus and not be distracted by unnecessary things. There, I started to have a sense of leadership because I had to find my way of dealing with school and finances. First, I had to find a Job in this new town that I moved to and figure out how I would get to work. I decided to apply to Publix for the grocery stock clerk position. I was very fortunate and still very grateful that I got the job. I walked to work for three years; while being a full-time student. There were days that it rained while I was walking to class and work, but I did not let that stop me because I had a goal to achieve. I used to work two jobs while maintaining my GPA, and one important reason was that I had no choice. My family would love to help, but they all had a tough time dealing with things of their own. I remember days that I would get up at 7 am to go to the math lab, and after that, my Calculus class would start. However, I remain thankful because God has helped me manage my time, and I know God will do more great things for me. I viewed these moments as a learning curve because you may have to go through some life curves to learn and grow. Moreover, I graduated with my arts associate degree and then went to school to be a dental assistant. I have worked as a dental assistant for six years while attending school and figuring out what career path I should take. I got promoted to lead assistant because of my leadership skills and experience. I because a dental assistant because my goal is to become a dental hygienist. Being in the dental field has helped me learn more about dental hygiene and helped ensure that I make the right career choice. I've worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I'm humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the bachelor's degree in dental hygiene program at Hodges University. I'm very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. To conclude, my leadership experience and balancing extracurricular activities help me realize there is always room for improvement in everything you do. Leadership has been a significant part of my life and who I'm. I want to continue my leadership journey of pursuing my education and life goals and improving and growing each day. One important thing to remember is that our decisions determine the results of situations or something we are going through in life.
    Do Good Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Growing with Gabby Scholarship
    Throughout my school career, I faced adversities. Working two jobs; while trying to maintain your GPA or finding ways to pay for college on your own and living expenses is not easy. But, I did not let these obstacles stop me because I believe in fighting to achieve my goals. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister, and I will be the first in my family with a bachelor's degree but getting there was not easy. I graduated high school in 2012 and moved to college the same year. I decided to move because I wanted to focus and not be distracted by unnecessary things. There, I started to have a sense of leadership because I had to find my way of dealing with school and finances. First, I had to find a Job in this new town that I moved to and figure out how I would get to work. I decided to apply to Publix for the grocery stock clerk position. I was very fortunate and still very grateful that I got the job. I walked to work for three years; while being a full-time student. There were days that it rained while I was walking to class and work, but I did not let that stop me because I had a goal to achieve. I used to work two jobs while maintaining my GPA, and one important reason was that I had no choice. My family would love to help, but they all had a tough time dealing with things of their own. I remember days that I would get up at 7:00 am to go to the math lab, and after that, my Calculus class would start. However, I remain thankful because God has helped me manage my time, and I know God will do more great things for me. I viewed these moments as a learning curve because you may have to go through some life curves to learn and grow. Moreover, I graduated with my arts associate degree and then went to school to be a dental assistant. I have worked as a dental assistant for six years while attending school and figuring out what career path I should take. I got promoted to lead assistant because of my leadership skills and experience. I because a dental assistant because my goal is to become a dental hygienist. Being in the dental field has helped me learn more about dental hygiene and helped ensure that I make the right career choice. I've worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I'm humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the bachelor's degree in dental hygiene program at Hodges University. I'm very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. To conclude, my leadership experience and balancing extracurricular activities help me realize there is always room for improvement in everything you do. Leadership has been a significant part of my life and who I'm. I want to continue my leadership journey of pursuing my education and life goals and improving and growing each day. One important thing to remember is that our decisions determine the results of situations or something we are going through in life.
    Alcázar Legacy Scholarship
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, I have learned to tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard. I'm determined to make a difference in my life as well as the community, and this scholarship will be a difference maker in helping my dream to come true.
    Learner Higher Education Scholarship
    Getting a higher education is very important, especially in the world that we live in today. College experiences can help truly help someone know themselves through personal growth. My family was poor in Haiti, and when I moved to the United States, it was not like things had gotten better. Therefore, are many reasons why higher education is essential to me. I always see higher education as a way of pursuing my dream, so I will never take it for granted. Why is a high education important to me? College is a way of pursuing dreams and goals; it is not a waste of time or money. Although being in college requires a lot of time and effort, that's how life works when you want to succeed. Many students in other countries would like to go to college to pursue their dreams, but they can't because they don't have the privilege and resources. I'm very thankful for being able to go to school in the United States because where I'm from in Haiti, the resources for young people to continue their education almost do not exist. Therefore, I take my education seriously. On the other hand, college is not for everyone, but it depends on that person's mindset. For example, someone who has everything handed to them will see the importance of going to college. As a result, that person will see going to college for a high education as pointless because they don't know what it feels like when you come from nothing, and the only way up is to get a higher education. I encourage everyone who wants to go to undergraduate school or graduate school to continue pursuing their dreams and not to be reluctant to spend the time and money because it will be well worth it because knowledge is power. Moreover, I'm motivated to achieve my dream, which will help me succeed and live a better life. To me, education is the most potent attribute you can use to change the world. I take pride in following my dream because I invested a lot of time and money, and I know the result will be worth it. In addition, I also understand a higher education can provide me with a horizon that can open doors of opportunities—coming from where I am from, the only way to success is to get a higher education. I have been pursuing my dream of becoming a dental hygienist practitioner, and I will not stop because that is my mindset. In conclusion, higher education is one of the essential things in life. It determines whether you can achieve your dream and have a respective career that is your passion. My passion is to be a licensed dental hygienist practitioner, and I'm willing to pursue the education I need for that dream to become a reality.
    Olivia Woods Memorial Scholarship
    Throughout all time and ages, reading has always been a source of knowledge, happiness, pleasure, and even moral courage. With so much happing in our present world, the need for reading has increased. The book that has transformed my life is the Bible. Growing up in Haiti, my family did not have much. We never knew what the next meal would be, but we were a Christian family. We never lose faith, knowing that God will always provide for us. The confidence that we have gained comes from reading the Bible. I remember the nightly devotions and bible studies which have helped me grow spiritually and as a man who believes in God. When I read the Bible, I find comfort, which helps me overcome hardships. Something about God's words has a source of strength and confidence for anything you are going through. My faith in Christ, which I have learned from reading the holy scripture, has changed my life in many ways. My family moved from Haiti to the United States not because we had the ability to or because we had a connection through people we knew but because we learned from the Bible to put Christ first, and everything else will follow. If you believe without doubting, then everything you ask for you shall receive, Mathew 21:22. I'm beyond grateful that I have been raised in a family that has shared the Bible with me. Moreover, when I hear the word, Bible Immediately thinks about comfort and peace. I find it fascinating that the Bible relates to every season in life, but the scripture remains the same. When going through a new season, comfort and peace are essential. When I moved to college, I was miles away from my family in a new city that looked like nothing back home, and I had no friends. Dealing with these changes was hard. However, turning to Bible gave me comfort and peace. The scripture has made me wiser and sharper when facing challenging situations in life. For instance, reading God's scripture has helped me take an exam and know that I'm going to pass that exam. I would always pray and ask God to give me knowledge on what I'm lacking and to help me stay confident. God has never failed me, and if you believe in him and know his holy scripture, he will not fail you. In conclusion, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever written. It is written by 40 men from all walks of life, kings, fisherman, priests, prophets, and farmers. The Bible has helped me be confident and know my identity in Christ. Reading the scripture has also helped me gain wisdom and trust God more. Today, I can testify that this book has transformed my life.
    Femi Chebaís Scholarship
    I dream of becoming a dental hygienist and giving back to the community. I want to educate and bring smiles to someone's day. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone's face is priceless.
    Pratibha Pandey Merit-Based Scholarship
    Throughout my school career, I faced adversities. Working two jobs; while trying to maintain your GPA or finding ways to pay for college on your own and living expenses is not easy. But, I did not let these obstacles stop me because I believe in fighting to achieve my goals. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister, and I will be the first in my family with a bachelor's degree but getting there was not easy. I graduated high school in 2012 and moved to college the same year. I decided to move because I wanted to focus and not be distracted by unnecessary things. There, I started to have a sense of leadership because I had to find my way of dealing with school and finances. First, I had to find a Job in this new town that I moved to and figure out how I would get to work. I decided to apply to Publix for the grocery stock clerk position. I was very fortunate and still very grateful that I got the job. I walked to work for three years; while being a full-time student. There were days that it rained while I was walking to class and work, but I did not let that stop me because I had a goal to achieve. I used to work two jobs while maintaining my GPA, and one important reason was that I had no choice. My family would love to help, but they all had a tough time dealing with things of their own. I remember days that I would get up at 7 am to go to the math lab, and after that, my Calculus class would start. However, I remain thankful because God has helped me manage my time, and I know God will do more great things for me. I viewed these moments as a learning curve because you may have to go through some life curves to learn and grow. Moreover, I graduated with my arts associate degree and then went to school to be a dental assistant. I have worked as a dental assistant for six years while attending school and figuring out what career path I should take. I got promoted to lead assistant because of my leadership skills and experience. I because a dental assistant because my goal is to become a dental hygienist. Being in the dental field has helped me learn more about dental hygiene and helped ensure that I make the right career choice. I've worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I'm humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the bachelor's degree in dental hygiene program at Hodges University. I'm very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. To conclude, my leadership experience and balancing extracurricular activities help me realize there is always room for improvement in everything you do. Leadership has been a significant part of my life and who I'm. I want to continue my leadership journey of pursuing my education and life goals and improving and growing each day. One important thing to remember is that our decisions determine the results of situations or something we are going through in life.
    Arthur and Elana Panos Scholarship
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, God has help me to be tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. But, God always had ways of providing for us. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream; more importantly, God will never fail me. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard.
    Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, I have learned to tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard.
    Curtis Holloway Memorial Scholarship
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, I have learned to tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard.
    Healthy Living Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Alexis Potts Passion Project Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, I have learned to tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard.
    Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship
    In life, when an unexpected moment happens, like the loss of your mother, it is something that will stick with you forever. However, these situations can either break you or make you. Not having my mother in my life undoubtedly affects me. Consequently, I have learned to tough up and fight to achieve my dream. I'm the youngest of four. I have two brothers and one sister. I grew up not knowing my dad, not because he was a bad person or did not want to be in my life, but because he died when I was two years old. I've never seen a picture of my dad due to the lack of technological development in Haiti during that time. My siblings explained that my mother left for the United States when I was three years old. She left because she wanted to give us a better life. I grew up calling my aunt my mother because I thought she was my mother until I was a little more mature and understood that she was not my biological mother. I'm very thankful for my aunt because she treats me like I was her child. Moreover, living in Haiti was very hard because there was time I did not know what the next meal would be and that was not because I had options; it was because we were poor. Growing up through these tough times helped me to have a focused mindset because I wanted to change and support my family. By God's grace, my mother was able to file for us to come to the United States in 2006 by working two jobs and through sweat and tears. I remember seeing my mother for the first time; it still feels like it was yesterday, but that is just the part of me that misses her so much. Sadly, my mother passed away in April 2015 due to an untreatable illness a couple of days before I graduated college with my AA degree. During the nine years I lived with her, I promised her that I would keep my head on my shoulder and get an education for our family. She was the one who advised me to pursue my dream of becoming a dental hygienist. I have worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Although my mother is not on earth anymore, her legacy of caring and providing for her children will live on. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, losing my mother and father taught me to be tough and fight to have my own in life. I have learned that nothing comes easy. As a result, I'm willing to fight to achieve my goal. We must love and appreciate the people God placed in our life because you never know when they are not going to be here anymore. I will continue to fight to achieve my goals even when life gets hard.
    First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.
    Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship
    My name is James Mertilus. I was born in the countryside of Haiti. The medical field is proliferating, and many of its career offerings are in high demand. I have learned to appreciate and love the medical field for many reasons. For example, providing patient care, educating them, and being able to give them a smile. Growing up, I did not have the opportunity to go to the doctors, so I always had to figure out how to take care of my body. These experiences make me want to be in the medical field to help others and educate them on how to take care of their bodies. My medical field is DENTAL HYGIENE. When I was a kid, I was terrified of the dentist. My first appointment was to have a tooth extracted. I remember feeling like my consciousness was about to leave my body because I was afraid. The dentist numbed me, but I was still feeling the pain, and being extremely nervous did not help. However, the dentist removed half the tooth, and the other half stayed in my mouth because I would not let anyone calm near me, and to be honest, I could not tell if I was in pain or just very nervous. Fast forward, I moved to the United States in 2006 and went to the dentist in 2007. I was 12 years old, a little bit more mature. I remember sitting in the dental chair and looking around but not as nervous as my first visit to the dentist in Haiti. The dentist numbed me, and he extracted the rest of the tooth. I was proud of myself because I overcame my fear. Around that time, I was in middle school and was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only thought I had was to be in the dental field, and I chose to become a dental hygienist. Additionally, my experiences as a patient made me realize how happy I can make a patient because of a great experience. I understand that being a dental hygienist can be challenging, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Not only will I be working in my dream career, but I will also enjoy it because it is my passion. Furthermore, I went to school and became a dental assistant for six years which I’m very thankful for. My years as a dental assistant made me appreciate the medical field even more. I love taking care of the patients and educating them about oral health. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed the journey of working toward my goal of becoming a dental hygienist. I’m humbled to mention that I have been accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Hodges University, and I’m very excited to be a student in my dream profession. Being awarded this scholarship will help me tremendously and help me to continue pursuing my dream. In conclusion, I hope I have articulated how much I love the medical field. I’m eager to graduate from dental hygiene school and become a licensed provider. It is not a secret that smiling has a positive effect on both the mind and body. In the medical field, being able to put a smile on someone’s face is priceless.