Stacey Reeves

I am from Mexican Springs, NM where I lived my whole life. I am twenty four years old and have one daughter who is five years old. I graduated from Wingate High School in 2004. Currently I am in the nursing program at University New Mexico - Gallup. I just started my fourth semester. When I become a nurse I plan to work at Gallup Indian Medical Center or Rehoboth Christian Hospital and help out my community. I would like to start working with the Intensive Care Unit or Med-Surg department to gain full experience. Then move on to explore the wide opportunities that nursing offers, such as pediatrics. Thank you for your scholarship. I very much appreciate your help in accomplishing my goal of becoming a nurse.

Tomselyn Tso

I am an enrolled member of the Dine’ Tribe. My parents are Mary Agnes Tso and Tom Larry Tso. I was born in Gallup, NM and raised in Window Rock, AZ. I am a full-time nursing student at the University of New Mexico – Gallup. My goal in regards to my education and career is to become a certified midwife and work within the community where I was raised. I would like to thank ANA for the financial assistance you have awarded me. This award will greatly assist me in taking another step forward to reaching my goal. Thank you and the award is very much appreciated.

Stephanie Padilla

I graduated from the University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus in May 2011 with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. I was born and raised in Gallup. My maternal Grandparents are of Navajo decent and originated from the Shiprock, New Mexico area. I chose to go to Nursing School to help care for people in my community, my family, and myself. It had always been a dream of mine to become a Nurse and my thinking is that it originated from seeing my family take care of one another. There is no greater joy than taking care and helping people who cannot do it for themselves. I hope to one day continue my education to become a Nurse Midwife and deliver babies, after gaining some experience as an RN. I would like to thank Americans of Native Americans for awarding me with this scholarship; it is a blessing to my family and me with all the expenses of Nursing School, and testing fees. Thank you so very much.

Gail Martinez

I am from the Navajo Tribe and am from Ramah, New Mexico and I have two kids. I am currently in my third semester at the UNM-Gallup Nursing Program, concentrating on attaining my RN degree. Then I will work in my community and have further plans of pursuing my BSN. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for this award.

Devon Wauneka

Greetings! I am a full-time nursing student at the University of New Mexico - Gallup. I want to write this letter to thank you for your award. I can assure you this will definitely help me in my studies. I will better be able to concentrate on the tasks at hand and have less worry with livelihood finances. I will be using my degree to further help those on the Navajo Nation by being an example and fulfilling their health care needs. It is very important for me to do this, especially with the education that I am gaining. Thank you for contributing to that endeavor.

Ramona Allen

I am currently in my 4th semester of Nursing at UNM-Gallup. I am a proud single parent of two daughters whom I am trying to teach about the importance of education. I chose nursing as a profession when I was growing up. My grandma is a retired Public Health Nurse. She showed a lot of compassion in helping her Navajo people which is something I would like one day to do. My grandpa was also a paraplegic and accompanying him to all his medical appointments drew me even closer to nursing. When I become a nurse, I would like to work in Labor and Delivery for a couple years then return to school for my Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees and become a Certified Nurse Midwife and help my Native people. Thank you for the financial support with this scholarship. It is greatly appreciated!

Krista Begay

I am in my last semester of the nursing program at UNM-Gallup and should be graduating in the fall of 2011. So far, my time in the program has been challenging, but I have learned ways to adapt. Everyone has their reasons why nursing school would benefit them. My particular reason would be to help people in meaningful ways that can help better themselves in health. Upon completion of the nursing program, some of my goals are to continue with education and give back to my community. To the readers or future recipients, remember “when you give up, that’s when you would have succeeded.”

Leelannee Jim

I am 20 years old in the UNM-Gallup nursing program. Originally from Twin Lakes, New Mexico, I now reside in Gamerco, New Mexico. I graduated from Gallup High School in 2008 and went to college in Fall of 2008. The subjects I enjoy the most are math and science, because they have everything to do with nursing. My parents support me in my education and are proud to have their first child about to graduate from college.
As a little girl, I always knew I wanted to help others who couldn’t help themselves. The only way I knew to achieve my goal was to become a member of the healthcare team. I chose to become a nurse because they have more interaction with their patients. As a nurse, I will be able to educate and care for my patients competently and adequately. Nursing is an art that takes time to make a masterpiece and I want to develop my skills to get to that level.
My aspirations in nursing school are to gain the necessary knowledge to perform competently in clinical practice for the safety of my patients and their families. The knowledge that I will have gained in nursing school does not stop there. I will add to this knowledge further throughout my nursing career by continuing my education with my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. However, before I get to accomplish these goals I want to pass my semester with at least a 3.0 grade point average and pass my NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse.

Vanessa Begay