Below is the essay written by the winner of the 2003 Frank O'Neill Memorial Scholarship, Christine Creddle. Congratulations Christine!

‘What shall I do with the rest of my life?’ Lately, I found myself reflecting on this challenging question. A confusing array of choices presents themselves—medicine, business, art, education, computer science, engineering, or the trades. I faintly felt like a young lady who said: “What I consider to be successful . . . is maintaining the comfort level that you grew up with…” Or like others, who may dream of improving their financial status in life. I am through with dreaming! I plan to attend a four-year university and I want to become a registered nurse. Upon graduation, I also plan to team up with my friend who plans on becoming a physician and set up a clinic in our neighborhood. In addition, after I have reached a comfortable financial lot in life, I will arrange a scholarship fund to help students who are in financial need.

Years and years ago, families used to be networks of togetherness and love. The family went on outings together, ate meals together, laughed, played together, and just generally bonded. These things are part of my family customs and traditions, hence the very foundation of my life. My immediate family consists of my married parents and my three siblings. In addition, most of my relatives live in my neighborhood as our support system. I remember when I was growing up how persistent my family was to instill in me the necessity for a college education and the importance to give back to my community. They saw the potential in me. Later on, my teachers and classmates learned to acknowledge my potential and they also motivated me to achieve my goals in life.

When I was deciding on what I would do to fulfill the statewide high school community service requirement, I wanted to do something that would have a long-lasting and positive impact on children. So with the help of my local museum, I created a mini exhibit with discussion topics in arts and crafts to brighten the lives of long-term hospitalized children at my local hospital. The goal of the project was to help sick children express themselves through arts and crafts. They had an opportunity to watch movies, listen to historical audiotapes, and widen their cultural knowledge while recovering in their hospital beds. They also had an opportunity to talk about their personal problems and feelings. It was an experience that has certainly changed my life. I have become very patient, more caring and more appreciative of my life. I still remember the smiles on the kids’ faces and this picture will remain engraved in my mind forever.

How I became interested in nursing is rather unusual. While I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I went with a friend to the hospital to visit a girl recovering from an appendix operation. It was a beautiful place, with a view overlooking the beach. I told the girl that if I should ever have to be operated on I would like to come to this hospital and have the same bed she was on. Well, that was on a Sunday. And the following Saturday I was there as a patient. And guess what, I had the same bed, I was operated on by the same doctor for the same thing- removal of my appendix. It was while there recovering that the thought first came to me that being a nurse would be an interesting profession for me. Thus, I decided to become a nurse.

I am very focused and determined to succeed. To this extent, I am always willing to assume new challenges and I am not afraid of hard work. Whether it is for extra help with class work or guidance with a problem I have a willing spirit to help others to the best of my ability. I am a mature young lady with tremendous potentials to do well in whatever I put my mind to do.