Releasing Untapped Potential by Pursing Education by Makenna

Releasing Untapped Potential by Pursing Education by Makenna - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

I was raised believing that taking advantage of any opportunity to learn is one of the best things you can do for yourself. This belief is primarily due to my parents. When I was born, my mama was in nursing school and my dad was working in construction. They were both very hard working and wanted to provide the best for me, any future children they might have, along with themselves. Motivated by this, my dad, who had not cared much for school while a teenager, decided to go to college when I was three years old. So I grew up while my dad was in school—hanging out with my dad on campus, reading a book while he studied; helping watch my three little sisters while my mama slept after working another night shift; watching both of my parents sacrifice in order to reach their goal. And eventually, they did. I was 12 years old when I watched my dad walk at graduation with his doctorate.
My parents' example has greatly influenced my attitude towards my education. Seeing the great lengths that my parents went to to put my dad through school while raising four young children has shown me that education is of the highest importance. By virtue of this, I have always thrown myself into my schooling. I tested into math classes two years ahead of my grade level, took honors and AP courses, trying to achieve as much as possible with every opportunity I have been given. Through a lot of hard work and considerable support from my parents, I have been able to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself. I nearly had a finished associate's degree at the time of graduation, graduated with a 4.0 and got accepted into my dream university. So now, I get to work on my new goal: a career in nursing.
I am now Pre-Nursing. I have created an ambitious schedule that will allow me to finish my generals and my nursing prerequisites in under a year. If all goes as planned, I will apply for the nursing program next summer. I am excited for this challenge because I know if I push myself, I will be able to accomplish this; with careful planning and dedication, anything is possible. I cannot wait for the day when I get to walk through the halls of a hospital and care for my patients, knowing that it was my hard work, along with all the support I've received along the way, that got me to this point. My new goal is to make my parents proud and to pass on their legacy of conviction and cultivation of education.