Turning Witness Into Action by Jordyn

Turning Witness Into Action by Jordyn - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

A moment where I discovered new strength in myself was unfortunately after witnessing my great-grandmother's ongoing battle with Alzheimer's disease, which led me to have the desire to give back to the community and become a nurse. Also, it shaped my perspective on the evolving landscape of healthcare.
According to the 2021 Alzheimer's Association study, the neurological disorder affects approximately 5.8 million people over the age of 65 in the United States. The most common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are memory loss and behavioral problems. My great-grandmother, Odessa, the matriarch of our family, started facing severe health issues, which required ongoing professional medical care. Her health issues ultimately forced her to transition her residence to a nursing home. While visiting her at the nursing home, I noticed gaps in the care system and the need for compassionate healthcare professionals. Witnessing the demand for a better quality of life for nursing home residents motivated me to support those in need in the community.
My great-grandmother's journey encouraged me to establish a community program geared towards visiting residents in local nursing homes called Bridging the Gap. Twenty-five volunteers donated their time weekly to connect with residents through bonding activities. Bridging the Gap enabled me to see the connection between compassionate care and nursing. Outside the technical demands, nursing prioritizes human connection, provides emotional support, and advocates for the vulnerable. When people are facing difficulties of illness, aging, and disabilities, nursing gives them a glimpse of hope.
As an aspiring nurse, I truly understood the importance of compassion through my volunteer experience at "Night to Shine," a prom event for teenagers with disabilities. Volunteering at this event made me commit to providing support, empathy, and understanding to all individuals. During Night to Shine, attendees participate in red carpet entrances, karaoke, dancing, and much more. This incredible opportunity demonstrated the importance of diversity and inclusivity and continually serving the community.
Through my commitment to serving others, I organized a collection drive for hygiene products to support local teen shelters—the Stomp Out Homelessness initiative aimed to build awareness of youth homelessness. The homeless shelters consisted of many people lacking access to primary health resources and necessities. Through this initiative, I recognized poverty's negative impact on health care and focused my studies on specific courses to enhance my knowledge.

In the near future, I hope to create my own innovative approaches to benefit the healthcare system. I have grown so much as a person due to those experiences. Becoming more of a selfless and compassionate individual. I want to have a substantial impact on society and always be motivated to help someone in need.