Religion
Christian
Church
Lutheran
Hobbies and interests
Piano
Volunteering
Band
Baking
Mental Health
Advocacy And Activism
Music
Speech and Debate
Acting And Theater
Sustainability
Choir
Reading
History
Biography
Health
I read books multiple times per month
Kenzie vonRentzell
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WinnerKenzie vonRentzell
2,485
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WinnerBio
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 SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Nurse
Babysitter
2019 – 2019Lawn Care Worker
2018 – 2018Dietary Aide/CNA
Randolph Colonial Manor2020 – Present4 years
Sports
Bowling
Varsity2021 – 2021
Bowling
Junior Varsity2018 – 2018
Research
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Norfolk AHEC — Job Shadowing2021 – Present
Arts
Fine Arts
Speech2018 – 2022Jazz Band
Music2018 – PresentMarching Band
Music2019 – 2021Play Production
Theatre2018 – PresentBand
Music2019 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
Immanuel Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School — Group Leader/Kitchen Assistance/Game Leader2018 – PresentVolunteering
Lied Randolph Public Library Summer Reading Program — Group Leader2016 – 2019Volunteering
Orphan Grain Train — Volunteer in free time2016 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Dylan's Journey Memorial Scholarship
WinnerYou 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.