Senior 24

The calm winds vibrate throughout the air, another soft autumn air creeps on my hands as I get into position. My palms feel tense and the pounding in my chest is deafening until a sole voice rips from my throat. Sounds echo that I soon recognize as my voice, “Two outs! Only one more! We got this!” As the softball team captain, I often found myself encouraging my teammates on the team. My words were the inspiration that the team needed to persevere in wins and losses. Words have shown importance in most of my life, both by the opportunities gained and lost. They were the deciding factor throughout my academic career as the senior class Vice President as advocating for my grade level was another experience and lifelong memory gained. Words continued to guide me into the 20/20 leadership program and Harvester’s where the mission extends from the classroom into community service and life skills.   

Words continued to connect sounds to actions as I discovered new ways to help those around me in the different community service events. Each moment blossomed a new joy in my chest, a riveting happiness of being able to create change. Changing. The community and those we would help find safety in each Giving the Basics donation that was given. The crates of Harvester’s food were pushed into cars of neighbors and classmates who would appreciate the food, repeated with each food drive. The flowing of water that signified fresh rivers freshly cleaned of infectious trash and endless plastic debris, each garbage bag full was another victory for the Indian Creek. These were moments of action that stemmed from words, sounds, and ideas. 

My ideas originated in my childhood through career aspirations. Medicine piqued my interest as my eyes were attracted to the subject and my ears perked at the new knowledge. Yet, the fascination snowballed with each passing year as nursing resounded in my chest. A profession where I could help others, just as I had done and enjoyed through community service. Whispers of memories resurfaced, my parents as they peered into my eyes for help at each doctor’s appointment. Lacking the English needed to understand, they were left to fend for themselves when I could only translate so much. I felt helpless as I watched them struggle to understand so little when if there was only one more bit of help they would have succeeded. 

Now I look back to the past and recall each issue where leadership was missing. I want to be able to help those who struggle with similar issues, I wish to become a nurse who can translate for their patients. Being bilingual is not a hindrance and neither is being a Spanish speaker, as every patient has the right to proper treatment. I want to create programs that provide these services inside the hospital for immigrants or non-English speakers. Whether that would start as being a bilingual nurse who translates and offers help to Hispanic patients or as a large-scale plan, that is the change I want to pursue in my profession and community. It only takes one leader to create a powerful change that benefits others and overcomes adversity.