My name is Roxana Bonilla, and I am truly honored and beyond grateful to be a recipient of the Billi Odegaard Nursing Scholarship. To me, this scholarship means more than financial support. It is also a reminder that others believe in me and in my ability to accomplish a dream I have carried with me since I was young.

I was born and raised in El Salvador and came to the United States when I was 14. My mother made the difficult decision to migrate to the United States in hopes of creating a better life for our family. Growing up, I helped care for my grandmother, who is visually impaired, while also taking on responsibilities at home with my siblings. These experiences taught me the importance of patience, compassion, and caring for others.

My desire to become a nurse was also deeply shaped by my family’s experiences with healthcare. My mother raised seven children and, later in life, became very ill, leading to many hospital visits for our family. Watching nurses care for her left a lasting impression on me. When my baby sister passed away, I witnessed both the fragility of life and how important it is to care not only for the patient, but also for the family during some of their most vulnerable moments. These experiences shaped my desire to become a nurse who provides compassionate care, support, and advocacy.

Learning English as a second language was challenging, but I promised myself it would not prevent me from reaching my goals. Being bilingual now gives me the opportunity to help bridge communication gaps between patients and healthcare providers and turn something that was once a challenge into a way to make a positive impact on others.

After high school, I became a medical assistant as a first step toward working in healthcare. Although financial challenges made returning to school difficult, I never gave up on my dream. My goal is to become the best nurse I can be and provide the same compassion, support, and advocacy that I witnessed from the healthcare professionals who cared for my family. I am proud to have been accepted into the Clackamas Community College Nursing Program, and this is a very exciting chapter in my life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue my education through the Billi Odegaard Nursing Scholarship, and I hope to honor Billi’s legacy by working hard, serving others, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of my future patients and their families.

Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, and making memories with the people I love.