Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

As I read over the previous winners essays, they share many similarities. Most have lived their lives and raised their families and are now looking for a new adventure. I, on the other hand, am 24, married, with a two year old little girl and just starting to make my way in the world. I've come to the realization that if I want to provide for my family and for our future, I need to have a college education.
I currently work as an aide at school and love my job, but with decreasing student enrollment and increasing expenditures, my job is on the line each year at contract time. This seems to be a trend that’s not likely to change. So, I need to change. There's a saying- "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity". I know I'm prepared for college, now I just need the opportunity and a little luck! Hopefully, NIACC can provide those for me. Thank you for your consideration!

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

My name is Crystal Hinders of Charles City. Upon graduation from high school I began working for my family's business while also attending NIACC. When I decided to leave school I was newly engaged and major changes were taking place in the business. I rationalized that my plate was too full to continue everything and reasoned my way out of school, telling myself I would return someday.

I have been working in the family business for 10 years. I am grateful for the experiences that I have been granted, but I honestly never intended to stay for so long and have always wished to continue my education.

I had a premature baby in 2006. She was with us for 8 months during which time we were continually in and out of hospitals. I found that I really enjoyed the hospital environment and that I could picture myself working in healthcare. Of course, losing our daughter was a horrible tragedy that put our lives on hold.

It is going on two years now and since then I have had another baby, a little boy that has brought me, my husband, and our oldest son so much joy. Our family is complete now and at this point in my life my mind keeps returning to my dream of continuing my education. I believe that my experiences with my daughter and in business have given me a foundation to become an excellent healthcare provider. Thank you for this opportunity.

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Sometimes life throws you a curve. I smile when I think how ideally I had my life planned out, only to find myself a single mom with a two year-old. I felt fortunate to be hired as a teacher’s aide when my son began kindergarten. There were some lean and lonely times, but with God’s grace, a good deal of creativity and resourcefulness, and a lot of self-discipline, I was able to support our household throughout my son’s growing up years.

During this time, I learned the value of honor, compassion, wisdom, and the marvelous benefit of humor. I experienced the rewards of responsibility and am still amazed at how many things I had to learn the hard way. The years flew by, and my son will soon graduate from high school. Without a doubt, the financial sacrifices have been worth this time with him.

As I step into a new season of my life, it’s with a deep desire to enter a career in counseling/social services where I can help others. To provide guidance, hope, and encouragement, promote healing and restoration, and to show how some losses and disappointments can be forerunners of opportunity and blessing. Most of all, to help others see the value in themselves and learn how to develop what they need to successfully live life to the fullest. Yes, sometimes life does throw curves. So, take a breath and…batter up!

Thank you! Being selected as a recipient of NIACC’s Extreme Makeover would not only be an incredible honor, but would help make this dream of hope and a future all possible!

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On December 22, 2007 my life as a nurse was changed forever. I'd been with a pediatric homecare client; though my shift had ended the evening before, I stayed knowing it would only be hours before her last breath.
I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to lessen the pain of her passing--for this beautiful child and her family.

After being an LPN for 12 years, I've often said that I would get my RN once our 2 children were in school, and this sorrowful event reinforced my plan. My goal is to become a pediatric hospice nurse--a specialty I can enter only as an RN.

A wonderful friend said that maybe this is my new path in life--and why I was chosen to be this baby's nurse.

My husband and I recently have been spending many nights talking about how returning to school would affect our lives. We kept coming back to the same problem: "How would we afford college and pay bills?" Then I saw this ad in the Garner Leader for the Extreme Makeover at NIACC; I knew I had to write this essay. How I would appreciate the chance for a brighter future...that only this scholarship would allow; one in which I can serve both children and their families when their need is most critical.

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Extreme Makeover! My life needs an educational makeover! I am a single mother with 3 children. Their father doesn't play a role in their life.
I am going to school to better my children's life. We have struggled since I was divorced 4 years ago. The look on my kids faces when I say we cannot afford something is not an expression that I will ever get used to. I want to give them their own home, where they can have a dog and their own rooms. Our landlord doesn't allow pets. My experience comes in trucking, my father owned his own truck, my husband owned his and I have always done trucking positions. I have come to a level in my career, that many of the management positions I qualify for need college on the resume. Management is where I see myself belonging and I feel with my Business Management degree my potential is limitless! I have survived a lot of hardship and no longer wish to rely on friends and family to pull us through. I have succeeded in any downfall I have encountered and now is the time to succeed in my career. I have been seeking employment and have received offers for jobs, but they do not pay enough to cover my daycare costs. I will be very committed to college because my children’s livelihood is weighing on it. I will put my experience along with a degree and soar in the job world.

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