Raised in North Carolina and later relocating to Washington, D.C., Carmen learned to navigate city life while building community through school activities and organizations such as the College Success Foundation, Students Success Squad, and the National Honor Society. At H.D. Woodson Sr High, she maintains a cumulative GPA above 3.5 while taking general nursing classes via the Collegiate Academy at Trinity University. Through community service projects, reading club, and track, Carmen discovered a passion for caring for others. Now a Certified Nursing Assistant, she brings compassion, patience, and practical pediatric care experience to every clinical setting. Driven by resilience and a deep commitment to service, Carmen is pursuing a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner to provide comfort and advocacy for vulnerable young patients. As a newly inducted member of the National Technical Honor Society, Carmen plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at George Mason University or Coppin State University.

Thank you so much for accepting me for the scholarship. I truly appreciate the opportunity and support. I am a graduate of H.D. Woodson High School, where I earned a 3.9 GPA and am a member of the National Honor Society. I consistently made the Principal’s Honor Roll every term since 10th grade and earned my scuba diving certification. I am currently a student at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), majoring in Cybersecurity with a 3.7 GPA. This spring, I am taking Computer Science I (Java) with lab, Ethics in Cybersecurity and Cyberlaw, Foundation Writing II, and Intermediate Algebra. At UDC, I am involved in the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), which advocates for student interests, and the HBCU CUE program, which provides support and enrichment for students pursuing computing-related degrees. My goal is to become a cybersecurity analyst with an interest in working in military cyber warfare. This scholarship will help cover textbooks and other school materials I need to succeed. Thank you again for your support and this opportunity. Sincerely, Korey Arnold