I have chosen to pursue a degree nursing because I have always had a passion for helping others as well as an interest in the human body and how it works. Coming from a diverse school district where the poverty rate is 28.88% and all students receive free lunches, has given me the opportunity to do lots of volunteer work in my community. For example, sorting food for the local food bank, collecting donations for the food bank, clothing drive, and t-shirt fundraisers for families that can't afford holiday gifts for their children. I believe that being able to work in the nursing field will allow me to make a real difference in people's lives and contribute positively to society like I have been doing throughout my high school years. I want to learn more about how to help people maintain good health and recover from illnesses or injuries. I personally have had many health issues. At the age of 8, I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called Alport Syndrome. My brother and mother were also diagnosed at the same time as this is a genetic disease. I have seen the affects it has taken on my mother and brother who had to get hearing aids 5 months after being diagnosed. This has not stopped me from high achieving grades or my athletic ability to play basketball. I am also anemic and recently had a torn meniscus, so I can relate to patient's needs, fears and recovery. In addition, pursuing a degree in nursing will provide me with a rewarding career that offers job security and opportunities for growth and advancement. I believe that the nursing field is constantly evolving and there are always new technologies and treatments being developed, which means that I will have the chance to continue learning and developing my skills throughout my career. By obtaining a degree in nursing, I will be able to pursue a fulfilling career that aligns with my interests and values, while also making a lasting impression on the lives of others. I hope to get involved in my community and volunteering for causes that support and uplift patients with no health care. Weather it's using my nursing skills to help at free clinics for pregnant women who can't afford health care, setting up a clothing drive at the hospital, collecting food for the local food bank, or speaking with young girls about their bodies and how they work, I believe that small actions can lead to big changes. Nurses can create a powerful force for positive change in the world.

Alport Syndrome is a rare form of kidney disease that I had never heard of before 2014 and neither did my mom or brother. However, that's what we were all diagnosed with in the spring of that year. My older brother was not feeling well and had an appointment with his primary care doctor. The doctor noticed how dark his urine was and referred him to see a nephrologist at Children's Hospital. My mom took all 3 kids to the hospital since it was our day off of school. Nathan was 12, Zachary was 10, and I was 8 at the time. The nephrologist listened to my mom's pregnancy issues and suggested we all get tested, but she didn't tell us what the test was for. A few weeks later the results were in, Nathan was clear while Zachary as well as me and my mom were positive for this rare kidney disease which would take our lives in an unknown path. This disease affects the hearing and eyesight in the mother's womb during pregnancy which has plagued my brother. He needed glasses and had to get hearing aids in 5th grade. Without the hearing aids his hearing loss is severe. He visits the neurologist once a year and takes medicine to help keep his blood pressure down. He has been on clinical trials for new medicine in hopes that will be a cure or prolong the life of the current kidneys. We were told that he would need a transplant in his late teens early 20's. Although he just turned 19 and his creatine level is good, it's always in the back of my mind when that could happen. His disease and hearing loss has not stopped him from his love of playing percussion, in fact he won some awards in high school and a performing scholarship to RIT. My mom had difficult pregnancies and with my brother she was preeclamptic, high blood pressure during pregnancy. After the birth she was told to see a neurologist because she also had protein in her urine. She went through so many tests, biopsies, and nothing indicated kidney disease. That's how rare this disease is, her first nephrologist didn't even diagnose it. She has since gone from stage 3 to stage 4 kidney disease. She also takes medicine for her blood pressure, and I have seen how easily she gets tired. For myself I see the nephrologist once a year. I'm not at the point where I need any medication for my blood pressure. My creatine levels are good and although this disease affects boys more than girls I still worry about my hearing, eyesight, going into kidney failure like my mom when I'm older, and possibly passing this onto any children that I want to have. I maintain a healthy diet and good exercise. I am very athletic as I'm a varsity basketball player and have played sports all my life. I am going to Edinboro to study nursing and continue to play basketball. I think having this disease is one reason I'm going into nursing. I can relate to patient's needs and concerns. Since our diagnosis we have been involved with the National Kidney Foundation. We participate in the walk and volunteer for events. Since we were young when we were diagnosed, we have been able to educate kids and other adults on kidney disease and the NKF. We never expected to hear that we have kidney disease however we don't let that define our daily life.

Empowerment means different things to different people. To me, empowerment is about being able to make choices and take control of my own life. It means feeling confident in my abilities and having the courage to speak up for myself and others. Empowerment is also about standing up for what is right and fighting against injustice and discrimination. It is about being able to make a positive impact on the world around me. Empowerment comes from within oneself but can also be supported by others. It is about feeling motivated and inspired to reach for my dreams and goals, no matter how big or small they may be. Empowerment is about embracing my individuality and uniqueness, and not being afraid to express myself authentically. It is about believing in myself and my potential, and not letting anyone else dictate my worth or value. I have been on the varsity basketball team for 4 years and at the end of my senior season, with only 3 games left, our team was filled with drama. There are 7 seniors on the team, 6 of them walked out of practice because of the current coach. I decided to stay for a few reasons. The main reason is I don't quit something that I started and I don't walk away from my teammates or coaches. I was able to speak up for myself and not conform to the other seniors on the team. I was empowered to stand for what I believed was right. Empowerment is a powerful force that can have a significant impact on every aspect of our lives. When we feel empowered, we have a sense of control over our own lives and decisions. This can lead to increased self-confidence and a greater ability to achieve our goals. Personally, empowerment has allowed me to take control of my academic and personal life. It has helped me to make decisions that are best for me, rather than simply going along with what others want. In school, empowerment has allowed me to take ownership of my education. Instead of relying solely on teachers to provide me with knowledge, I have become more proactive in seeking out information and resources. This has not only improved my grades, but also my overall understanding of the subject matter. My calculus teacher was not the best at explaining or teaching the current lesson. I reached out to my pre-calculus teacher, that had retired the previous year, for help. I was getting tutored by her to understand the lesson and keep my grade up in that class. Outside of school, empowerment has enabled me to make choices that align with my values and beliefs. It has allowed me to set boundaries with others and stand up for myself when necessary. This has resulted in healthier relationships and a greater sense of self-worth. Overall, empowerment has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, enabling me to navigate challenges with resilience and pursue my dreams with determination.

I have chosen to pursue a degree in healthcare, nursing specifically, because I have always had a passion for helping others. Coming from a diverse school district, where the poverty rate is 28.88% and all students receive free lunches, has given me the opportunity to do lots of volunteer work in my community. For example, sorting food for the local food bank, collecting donations for the food bank, clothing drive, and t-shirt fundraisers for families that can't afford holiday gifts for their children. I believe that being able to work in the healthcare field will allow me to make a real difference in people's lives and contribute positively to society like I have been doing throughout my high school years. I am also fascinated by the human body and how it works, and I want to learn more about how to help people maintain good health and recover from illnesses or injuries. I personally have had many health issues, being diagnosed in 2014 with a rare kidney disease, anemia, and torn meniscus to name a few, so I can relate to patient's needs and fears. In addition, pursuing a degree in healthcare/nursing will provide me with a rewarding career that offers job security and opportunities for growth and advancement. I believe that the healthcare/nursing field is constantly evolving and there are always new technologies and treatments being developed, which means that I will have the chance to continue learning and developing my skills throughout my career. By obtaining a degree in nursing, I will be able to pursue a fulfilling career that aligns with my interests and values, while also making a lasting impression on the lives of others. As a woman in the world, I hope to make a positive impact by being a role model for other girls and young women. I have done that in my community by coaching kindergarten girl's basketball, being a role model on the court at an elite level while being in the top 10 of my graduating class. I believe that showing them what is possible through hard work, determination, and a positive attitude can inspire them to reach their own goals and dreams. By being a strong, confident woman who is not afraid to stand up for what is right and speak out against injustice, I hope to empower other women to do the same. Furthermore, I hope to get involved in my community and volunteering for causes that support and uplift women. I can use my nursing skills to help at free clinics for women who can't afford health care. Whether it's mentoring young girls, supporting women-owned businesses, or advocating for policies that benefit women, I believe that small actions can lead to big changes. By coming together and supporting each other, women can create a powerful force for positive change in the world.

Basketball has had a huge impact on my life. Since kindergarten I have always been involved with the sport. Third grade is when I wanted to continue playing more basketball. My parents looked into a local sports venue and they had tryouts for an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) girls basketball team. The team was for 4th grade however they allowed me to tryout at 3rd grade and I made the team. Our school district created a Metro team around the same time. Our team was very good and we won lots of championships. In 6th grade I had to try out for a different AAU team because the previous one closed down. My Metro school teammates wanted me to stay with them and play the AAU circuit. I wanted to branch out and play with different players and coaches so I could learn to grow in the sport. I didn't want to stay in my comfort zone. They and the coaches (who were 2 dads of players on the team) didn't see it that way and I was shunned from their metro team in 8th grade. Another coach put together a B team, with players who didn't make the team and I was asked to be a part of this team. I immediately said yes because I just wanted to play basketball. This team had inexperienced players that I was able to help become better. We ended up winning the championship. Most of the players from the other team went on to play at the high school level, which I did as well. We are a very successful team, best of friends, and I found out it was their parents who didn't want me on that team back in 8th grade, not the players. I grew with my new AAU team and stayed with them and the coach till our Junior year in high school. I learned so much from this coach and the players. We had 5 constant players for that entire time and other players came and went. These AAU tournaments gave me the opportunity to travel to other states and play with other players around the world, such as Australia. It allowed me to have a group of teammates that I would also see as opponents throughout my high school career. Basketball taught me to be patient with different coaching styles, as I have had multiple different coaches during my high school seasons. It also taught me I can overcome health issues such as being anemic, having mono, and a torn meniscus causing me to miss most of my 11th grade AAU season. I worked hard to come back for my senior high school season to hit my goal since freshman year, to break 1,000 points. Basketball has taught me so much that I will take into my nursing profession. Patience, teamwork, hard work, being resilient, staying true to who I am, working with many diverse people, and just like no game is the same, no day as a nurse will be the same. I am proud to list these high school accomplishments (some have not been named for SR year yet): Varsity starter, letter winner - FR, SO, JR, SR * All-Section, 1st team - SO, JR, SR * Pittsburgh Post Gazette All-Section Team - JR * Pittsburgh Post Gazette WPIAL Fab 5 - JR * TribLive Terrific 10 - JR * Mon Valley Independent Super 6, 1st team - SO, JR * Led team in scoring, rebounds, blocks - SO, JR * Pittsburgh Union Progress All Star, 2nd team - JR * 1,000+ career points

I am proud to have been in the McKeesport school district from kindergarten to now a senior. Being in a diverse school environment has taught me there are many people with different backgrounds that I will encounter in my future as a nurse. There are many needs in our district, from basic clothing and food to holiday gifts. I am proud to have helped fill those needs with volunteer opportunities both with school and basketball. When my siblings and I would outgrow school clothes we would donate them to the school nurse for those that may not have the funds for the proper clothing. There was one teacher in 4th grade, Mrs. Filotei, who started a holiday fund for families in need in the McKeesport area. Every year I would help shop and wrap the gifts with my mom. This has continued to be an annual event and I have also helped to raise funds. For the past 2 years, our basketball team has raised over $1500 from t-shirts sold during lunches and the profits went to this organization. I realize not everyone could celebrate the holidays like I do. It’s a blessing to help local families and fellow students have a special holiday because everyone deserves to have that experience. This same teacher would also send students home with snacks for the weekend. We would send in packs of food such as crackers and granola bars to help those students. Being a varsity girls basketball player for the past 4 years and captain this year, I have learned how to balance school and being an elite athlete. In addition to bringing a good work ethic to all practices I have learned how to become a good leader for the team. I have embraced the young girls in this community who attend the games and let them know the importance of school while they pursue their dreams. In the face of tough games, I encourage my teammates on the court when we are behind. When I am on the bench I’m pulling my weight by cheering the players that are in the game. I learned to adapt to other coaching styles during my sophomore year when there was a change in coaching staff. In the face of adversity, which we had plenty of this year with the head coach resigning before playoffs, I stuck by my team because of the commitment I have made for this team and school while adjusting to another coaching staff. In addition to being a 1,000-point player I’m also in the top 10 of my graduating class. I plan to get my BSN and further my education to become a nurse anesthetist. I want to help people get involved with the National Kidney Foundation. This is a special one for me since my brother, mom, and myself were diagnosed with a rare kidney disease back in 2014. I want to continue my volunteer work with my local church, wherever that might be. I want to volunteer my nursing abilities to those that don't have access to health care. With my leadership from playing basketball I know how to work well with a team and how to lead. I have learned that helping people across the board is something that I will take with me as a nurse. No matter what background someone has they are human beings with feelings like me.