Mental Health has become the cornerstone of a person's well-being across the globe. By nurturing our mental well-being, we are enabling ourselves to lead healthier, more productive lives. A healthy mind will lead us being able to navigate through societal constructs, navigate our own emotional responses, and learn to cope with external, as well as internal, stressors affecting our daily lives. By taking charge of our mental acuity, we will be able to be more productive in school, as well as out in the real world once we are finished with our education. As a college sophomore in the demanding field of Nursing, my ability to harness the anxiety, stress, joy, and physical work load is key for my success. Like anyone, I have a mountain of emotions that I sometimes cannot quite put a name to. The variety of anxiety I may feel in a given day ebbs and flows like the tides. Juggling classes, social engagements, extracurricular activities, family, and life can sometimes get overwhelming and make me feel bogged down. The pressure I put on myself to maintain my 3.7 GPA can make me feel bogged down and burnt out. I balance my studies and stressors by making sure I make time for fun and friends. I actively seek out the things that make me happy; going out with friends, participating in my sorority Alpha Lambda Delta activities, and providing myself time to decompress from each week. I work very hard to also remind myself to find the purpose and meaning behind my chosen field. I am working this hard to complete not only college as a first generation student, but to excel and succeed as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. These self-reminders help to hold me accountable for my successes, as well as my failures, in my journey to become a functioning member of society who can make a difference in the world. On the days that seem a little extra daunting, I go home to bask in the unconditional love of my family and furry friends. My dogs, Blue and Zeke, are my very best friends. They know when I am hurting, anxious, happy, sad, angry, or generally overwhelmed. My family helps in whatever ways i need them to, but the dogs? They are the true bastions to my mental health some days. Their faces, their tail wags, their need to sit on top of me to take the pressure away from my brain mean everything to me. They have always been able to cure what ails me. No matter what, as I travel in my journey, my mental health and wellness stay at the fore front for me to acknowledge and navigate through. I take as many self care moments, the occasional trip to my therapist, and anxiety reducing activities to free my mind. In those moments, I rest my over-worked, over-stimulated, and over-taxed brain all while maintaining the mantra that "I can do what I set out to do. I can make a difference in this world. I am stronger than I know. I am smarter than I think. I can do all of the things, and I WILL do them with dignity, grace, and respect for both myself and others."

I am the oldest of three sisters in my family. I have been first for everything. First Born. First to talk. First to walk. First to steal my mother's heart from her chest and walk around with it daily. I am the first big sister in my family. I will also be the first to graduate college. From the time I was old enough to hear and understand the things that my mother would tell me, I have known that I can do anything I set my heart and mind to. My mother tells me every day that I can and will do the big things... all of the big things. I used to think she told me that to dictate what I did with my life. I now know that she meant it as a mantra to inspire me to do the big scary things, to embrace the near impossible, and to push myself beyond what I think I am capable of. It is in this vein, that I am pursuing a nursing degree from Kent State University. My goal is to graduate as an RN, pursuing a specialty in pediatric oncology. Within the Oncology specialty, I hope to provide care and support for not only my patients but for their families as well. My mother is a cancer survivor and I firmly believe that the care and compassion and empathy the nursing staff provided for her has helped to dictate her survival, and thriving beyond her cancer. I want to be the person who is there for those hard discussions- what did the doctor just say? what is the quality of life vs quantity? How long are treatments? You need how many tubes of blood? Of course, my blood pressure is high, you just woke me up from a dead sleep at 3:00 am, what did you expect? All of these are examples of questions I have heard my mother ask. Her nurses have all been wonderful men and women who have been gracious enough to both appreciate and mollify her tough questions and humor. I wish greatly to be the one that my patients can turn to for direction and wisdom throughout their journey with me as their nurse. I plan on becoming a nurse in the next 4 years. I plan on being the first in my family to graduate college and pursue the career of my dreams to help others and use my compassion and empathy and great love to accomplish it all.

Cancer is my not-so-new normal. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is a thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I was privy to those same people helping her through a metastatic recurrence in 2018. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace as she has continually displayed. I have come to realize that I now have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or has cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already was a normal word for me, but now is more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, and I wanted to help raise money through her event. I sold rainbow loom bracelets to my neighbors. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I am entering my Sophomore Year at Kent State University as a member of the Nursing Program with a 3.7 GPA. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I know that all outcomes may not be good... there will be a share of battles lost. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands, laugh and cry with them, & cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will miss them when they leave my care cancer free, even more so when they leave my care having lost their battle. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to securing my dream of helping rid the world of the devastation and widespread panic of hearing the words "You have cancer". This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals. It will allow me to remind all patients and their families that cancer is NOT a guaranteed death sentence anymore. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my not-so-new normal. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is a thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I was privy to those same people helping her through a metastatic recurrence in 2018. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace as she has continually displayed. I have come to realize that I now have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or has cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already was a normal word for me, but now is more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, and I wanted to help raise money through her event. I sold rainbow loom bracelets to my neighbors. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I am entering my Sophomore Year at Kent State University as a member of the Nursing Program with a 3.7 GPA. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I know that all outcomes may not be good... there will be a share of battles lost. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands, laugh and cry with them, & cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will miss them when they leave my care cancer free, even more so when they leave my care having lost their battle. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to securing my dream of helping rid the world of the devastation and widespread panic of hearing the words "You have cancer". This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals. It will allow me to remind all patients and their families that cancer is NOT a guaranteed death sentence anymore. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Mental Health has become the cornerstone of a person's well-being across the globe. By nurturing our mental well-being, we are enabling ourselves to lead healthier, more productive lives. A healthy mind will lead us being able to navigate through societal constructs, navigate our own emotional responses, and learn to cope with external, as well as internal, stressors affecting our daily lives. By taking charge of our mental acuity, we will be able to be more productive in school, as well as out in the real world once we are finished with our education. As a college sophomore in the demanding field of Nursing, my ability to harness the anxiety, stress, joy, and physical work load is key for my success. Like anyone, I have a mountain of emotions that I sometimes cannot quite put a name to. The variety of anxiety I may feel in a given day ebbs and flows like the tides. Juggling classes, social engagements, extracurricular activities, family, and life can sometimes get overwhelming and make me feel bogged down. The pressure I put on myself to maintain my 3.7 GPA can make me feel bogged down and burnt out. I balance my studies and stressors by making sure I make time for fun and friends. I actively seek out the things that make me happy; going out with friends, participating in my sorority Alpha Lambda Delta activities, and providing myself time to decompress from each week. I work very hard to also remind myself to find the purpose and meaning behind my chosen field. I am working this hard to complete not only college as a first generation student, but to excel and succeed as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. These self-reminders help to hold me accountable for my successes, as well as my failures, in my journey to become a functioning member of society who can make a difference in the world. On the days that seem a little extra daunting, I go home to bask in the unconditional love of my family and furry friends. My dogs, Blue and Zeke, are my very best friends. They know when I am hurting, anxious, happy, sad, angry, or generally overwhelmed. My family helps in whatever ways i need them to, but the dogs? They are the true bastions to my mental health some days. Their faces, their tail wags, their need to sit on top of me to take the pressure away from my brain mean everything to me. They have always been able to cure what ails me. No matter what, as I travel in my journey, my mental health and wellness stay at the fore front for me to acknowledge and navigate through. I take as many self care moments, the occasional trip to my therapist, and anxiety reducing activities to free my mind. In those moments, I rest my over-worked, over-stimulated, and over-taxed brain all while maintaining the mantra that "I can do what I set out to do. I can make a difference in this world. I am stronger than I know. I am smarter than I think. I can do all of the things, and I WILL do them with dignity, grace, and respect for both myself and others."

Cancer is my not-so-new normal. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is a thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I was privy to those same people helping her through a metastatic recurrence in 2018. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace as she has continually displayed. I have come to realize that I now have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or has cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already was a normal word for me, but now is more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, and I wanted to help raise money through her event. I sold rainbow loom bracelets to my neighbors. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I am entering my Sophomore Year at Kent State University as a member of the Nursing Program with a 3.7 GPA. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I know that all outcomes may not be good... there will be a share of battles lost. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands, laugh and cry with them, & cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will miss them when they leave my care cancer free, even more so when they leave my care having lost their battle. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. The scholarship will help me get one step closer to securing my dream of helping rid the world of the devastation and widespread panic of hearing the words "You have cancer". This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals. It will allow me to remind all patients and their families that cancer is NOT a guaranteed death sentence anymore. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom is a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, & I continue to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sisters and I have a team of family and close friends. We get to further enrich our lives by meeting local Survivors who are the inspiration on what I want to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

Cancer is my new normal. Too many of my family members and friends have been impacted by Cancer. My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She fought the disease and won. After 25 years of remission, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. She once again fought valiantly and won. My own mother is thyroid cancer survivor. Through her diagnosis in 2012, I witnessed not only her strength, dignity and grace, but the empathy and compassion afforded her by the nursing staff in her doctor's offices, the surgery center in both pre-op and post-op, and in Nuclear Medicine where she did her treatments. I know that she will continue her journey with as much dignity and grace that she has continually displayed. I know that I will also have a lifetime of answering the question "Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with or have cancer?" and I will have to respond with a "yes". Cancer already is a normal word for me, but it is also more than likely to be the future of my health. For as long as I can remember, cancer has been a common term in my household. At about 8 years old, I knew I wanted to help people who were battling cancer. My mom was a chairperson for our local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event, so I wanted to help raise money through her event. My family has always stressed the importance of giving of myself: whether it be time, money, or my physical presence. My sister and I formed a team of family and close friends. I got to further enrich my life by meeting local Survivors who became the inspiration on what I wanted to do with my life in the future. I have completed my first year at Kent State University as a Nursing student. I am securely holding a 3.7 GPA, and accepted into KSU's Nursing Program. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, with a plan to become Phi Beta Kappa. I will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best clinical practitioners. I plan to specialize in Pediatric Oncology. I want to be part of the solution and cure to cancer. I will be one of those supportive people who rally around those battling this horrifying disease. I want my patients to know that I will be there and have their best interests at heart. I will hold their hands. I will laugh and cry with them. I will cheer for them when they ring that bell on the day of that final treatment. I will be there for their families through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their diagnoses & treatments. I will be there to help decipher the big, scary clinical terms brought to them by doctors and surgeons. My empathy and compassion will allow me to be there to lead them all through the roughest parts, and to celebrate the wins when we can. This scholarship will help me to pay for the education needed to accomplish these goals whilst my family members are still picking away at vast medical bills from their own bouts with the disease, as well as continuing to care for me and my little sisters and cultivating their dreams. I will be able to help change the world by pursuing my dream to become a nurse. I will change the lives of my patients by being their strength, and to give them Hope at every turn while in my care.

I began my calling to help others before I was even born. Yes, you read that correctly. My first American Cancer Society Relay For Life was in June of 2004 when my mother was pregnant with me. Since then, it has been my dream to help others and to support local causes that will help fund research to rid the world of cancer. During my brief 18 years on this planet, I have encountered cancer at every turn. My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer well before I was born. My mother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2012. My grandmother, who beat breast cancer, is currently battling colon cancer, as did her mother before her. I am pleased to say that these key women in my life not only are surviving their diseases but THRIVING! Sadly, I cannot say the same for the countless people in my life, and the life of my family, were as fortunate. We have lost a far greater amount of loved ones than those who have beaten the disease. My mother and my grandmother showed me how to execute traveling through times of despair with Love, Hope, Grace, and Dignity. Because of the tremendous leadership and character example set before me by my mother and grandmother, I would like to specialize in Oncology Nursing. While I know that not all of the outcomes will be positive, those positive ones will help make the negative outcomes bearable. I want to be the one to help guide patients and their families and friends through moments of despair and lead them to a road of Hope. I am strong-willed yet empathetic by nature, and I know I can make a positive impact in the lives of cancer patients. I am just as tough and driven as the women who have paved the way for me. They have encouraged me to think outside the box in ways I can help the world. They have encouraged me to be independent, strong, resilient, empathetic, kind, caring, and loving. My greatest gifts have been these two women who have taught me every little thing I need to succeed. These are the gifts I hope to be able to pass on to my patients and their families. Strength. Hope. Determination. Love. Kindness. Laughter. I will be there to lift their spirits when necessary and to be their biggest cheerleader always. I will be there to hold hands, laugh, cry, pray, and sometimes mourn with them all. I will be there, unwavering, strong and determined to help them through it all.

I am the oldest of three sisters in my family. I have been first for everything. First Born. First to talk. First to walk. First to steal my mother's heart from her chest and walk around with it daily. I am the first big sister in my family. I will also be the first to graduate college. From the time I was old enough to hear and understand the things that my mother would tell me, I have known that I can do anything I set my heart and mind to. My mother tells me every day that I can and will do the big things... all of the big things. I used to think she told me that to dictate what I did with my life. I now know that she meant it as a mantra to inspire me to do the big scary things, to embrace the near impossible, and to push myself beyond what I think I am capable of. It is in this vein, that I am pursuing a nursing degree from Kent State University. My goal is to graduate as an RN, pursue a specialty in oncology, or perhaps become a nurse anesthetist. Within the Oncology specialty, I hope to provide care and support for not only my patients but for their families as well. My mother is a cancer survivor and I firmly believe that the care and compassion and empathy the nursing staff provided for her has helped to dictate her survival, and thriving beyond her cancer. I want to be the person who is there for those hard discussions- what did the doctor just say? what is the quality of life vs quantity? How long are treatments? You need how many tubes of blood? Of course, my blood pressure is high, you just woke me up from a dead sleep at 3:00 am, what did you expect? All of these are examples of questions I have heard my mother ask. Her nurses have all been wonderful men and women who have been gracious enough to both appreciate and mollify her tough questions and humor. I wish greatly to be the one that my patients can turn to for direction and wisdom throughout their journey with me as their nurse. I plan on becoming a nurse in the next 4 years. I plan on being the first in my family to graduate college and pursue the career of my dreams to help others and use my compassion and empathy and great love to accomplish it all.