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Kenzie vonRentzell

2,485

Bold Points

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Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I loved helping others when I was younger, and that still carries with me today. I want to be a nurse because I can make a meaningful impact on every patient. After college, I hope to join a Christian healthcare mission in a third-world country. I want to make a difference by being a foster parent once I am financially stable. I am also passionate about giving back to others. In my free time, I assemble school kits, Christmas boxes, hygiene kits, and crochet scarves, for the nonprofit organization Orphan Grain Train.

Education

Osmond High School

High School
2009 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    • Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Nurse

    • Babysitter

      2019 – 2019
    • Lawn Care Worker

      2018 – 2018
    • Dietary Aide/CNA

      Randolph Colonial Manor
      2020 – Present4 years

    Sports

    Bowling

    Varsity
    2021 – 2021

    Bowling

    Junior Varsity
    2018 – 2018

    Research

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

      Norfolk AHEC — Job Shadowing
      2021 – Present

    Arts

    • Fine Arts

      Speech
      2018 – 2022
    • Jazz Band

      Music
      2018 – Present
    • Marching Band

      Music
      2019 – 2021
    • Play Production

      Theatre
      2018 – Present
    • Band

      Music
      2019 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Immanuel Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School — Group Leader/Kitchen Assistance/Game Leader
      2018 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Lied Randolph Public Library Summer Reading Program — Group Leader
      2016 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      Orphan Grain Train — Volunteer in free time
      2016 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Dylan's Journey Memorial Scholarship
    Winner
    You often associate a person's outward appearance with their health. If they look similar to others, we tend to assume they are fine. I learned that this often isn't the case. The first time I heard I might have NF was after an eye appointment. I was confused and wondered, "why me?" When I was officially diagnosed with NF type 1 in eighth grade, it was an enormous shock to my family and me. Certain aspects of life started to come together after my diagnosis, like my numerous cafe au lait spots, lisch nodules in both eyes, my speech delay as a young child, and the bullying because of my height. It was even harder to hear that my children have a 50/50 chance of inheriting NF. I don't want to take the risk of passing on NF, so I've decided to foster children and teens instead. Since then, I have developed hypothyroidism and neurofibromas. I manage my hypothyroidism by taking medication. It is always a bit alarming at first when I discover another neurofibroma on my body. My mom reminds me that it's normal for me and to monitor them. I will likely develop hypertension due to my family history and NF. I still don't know what the future holds for me with having NF, but I take one day at a time because that's all I can do. I wasn't going to let having NF stop me from pursuing my dreams. I was in 5th grade when I knew I wanted to be a nurse. After listening to a missionary nurse in church one Sunday, I knew that was my calling. I find the human body fascinating and how everything depends on each other. A few years after my diagnosis, anatomy and genetics became more real to me. I found it unreal how one slight change can have a tremendous impact on a person. I want to make a difference in others' lives. In the Fall of 2022, I am attending Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I am going to major in nursing. While I live there, I plan on participating in the symphonic band, choir, and worship band. After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I want to join a missionary outlook program in a third-world country. It can be hard to find people with NF due to it being rare. I sometimes feel I will never find someone with NF. When I discovered this scholarship, I felt relief knowing that I'm not alone. I would feel honored to receive this scholarship in Dylan's honor as someone with NF.