Paloma Galvan-Barron
Paloma Galvan-Barron is a who enrolled at the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) in fall 2021. The Gainesville High School graduate said the $10,000 REACH scholarship she received helped her accomplish her dream of attending 91ÁÔÆæ.
"It's always been something that's very special to me. I've always felt so fortunate to have this scholarship and to be recognized. We were actually the first graduating class that had the REACH scholarship," Galvan-Barron said.
The Gainesville native has always known about 91ÁÔÆæ and mentioned her excitement each time she drove past the university. This passion resulted in her dual-enrollment during her senior year of high school and aspiring into entering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at 91ÁÔÆæ.
"I felt like I had a calling to help other people. I did an internship my junior year of high school at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and that's when it really solidified in my mind that I wanted to be a nurse," she said. "It's something that I am very proud of — my willingness to help others. I don't have to think about it twice. I work at the hospital now as a unit assistant pretty much when I'm not at school. It's where I want to give my time. It makes me happy."
While being an official full-time 91ÁÔÆæ student for only a short while, the time has truly shaped her own self-understanding, as she's found she is more capable than she initially realized. As she continues her 91ÁÔÆæ journey with the hopes of graduating and becoming a nurse practitioner, she does so with the inspiration of her role model and mother, Dora Galvan, in mind.
"Todos los esfuerzos que tu haces ahorita van a valer la pena, porque tus sueños se van a cumplir," Dora says to Paloma which translates to, "All the efforts you make right now will be worth it, because your dreams will come true."
Carolynn DeSandre
Carolynn DeSandre believes that to improve the health of families, it is essential to understand their beliefs about health and wellness and design treatment strategies that work within their daily lives.
Jacob Martin
Jacob Martin gained clinical experience for his Bachelor of Science in Nursing on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. He and several 91ÁÔÆæ nursing students helped administer vaccines. "Some of them gave a literal sigh of relief after getting the vaccine," Martin said.
Maddie Ananthasane
Maddie Ananthasane won a Peach Belt Conference individual championship and tied for 31st at the NCAA Division II championships as a freshman. She is grateful to learn from other great leaders in 91ÁÔÆæ's women's golf program.
Jonathan Bautista
For 91ÁÔÆæ student Jonathan Bautista, leading means helping others, something he's planning to make a career of after graduating.