Senior year: goals, aspirations, and everything in between by Julianna

Senior year: goals, aspirations, and everything in between by Julianna - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

For many, senior year is a time full of “lasts.” Many are excited, while others are sad. Everyone’s experience is unique. Some of your peers will be going off to college, while others choose a different route. For me, my senior year is in preparation for a successful nursing career.
From a young age, nursing has been a passion of mine. After losing my aunt in 2022, seeing the impact nurses have on not only patients, but their families stuck with me. I wanted to be a light in times of darkness. Eager to gain medical knowledge, I attended UNLV’s nurse camp, where I was introduced to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It became evident that becoming a NICU Nurse was my dream. Becoming a NICU nurse that families can trust and rely on is the most fulfilling job anyone can have, and I am eager to accomplish this desire in the near future.
Nursing school is very competitive, meaning every grade counts. I started taking dual enrollment classes my junior year of high school, and will be taking a few of my nursing prerequisites my senior year.
Although I know these classes will be challenging, I am determined to get an excelling grade in each class. Doing so will not only better my high school academic career, but it will allow me to apply to nursing school sooner. It may not be easy, but reminding myself why I am doing it gives me the motivation to persevere and continue along.
Aside from academics, I want my senior year to be full of positive memories, friends, and really take in every moment. When I was a freshman I thought high school would never end, and here I am, graduating in less than a year. It has really showed me to never take any experience for granted, because before you know it, it will be over.