Ralston High School junior Kendra knows exactly why she wants to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, even if she’s still figuring out the details of how to get there.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” she says. Watching her family members struggle to access mental health care has shaped her ambitions and her sense of purpose. “Seeing where my dad is and not being able to always get the help he needs is a big motivator for me,” Kendra shares.
For Kendra, helping others isn’t something she’s learning to do, it’s already woven into who she is. “I’ve always been there for others and try to support my friends and family through their own issues. It’s something I already do now,” she explains. The idea of turning that natural trait into a career feels like a logical next step.
A Father’s Influence and a Family’s Support
College has always been part of the conversation in Kendra’s household. Her father has been her biggest influence, consistently guiding her toward opportunities and pushing her to reach higher. “My dad has always guided me towards the direction he’d like to see me go,” Kendra says. “He wants to see me do better than himself.”
That motivation runs deep. “I really want the world to know that my dad is my biggest inspiration,” she says. “We’ve both gone through so much and I want him to know that I love him and am grateful for him. He’s my motivation and why I’m always pushing myself to be better.”
Despite her clear sense of purpose, the idea of leaving home for college brings mixed emotions. “I’m nervous because I won’t always be here with my family, but in order for me to do great things, I would like to go to college.”
She’s currently considering the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Lincoln, both of which she’s visited on field trips.
Taking the Practical Path to Her Goals
Kendra isn’t waiting until senior year to prepare for her future. She’s currently working toward her Certified Nursing Assistant certification, viewing hands-on experience as an essential first step toward her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
“I’m still exploring exactly what I want to do,” she says. “Getting my CNA right now will help me get practical experience first, which I think will be really beneficial.”
That practical approach is impressive, especially considering everything else on Kendra’s plate. She’s juggling several advanced placement, honors, and other challenging courses while maintaining a 4.56 GPA. But for Kendra, academic achievement is only part of the picture.
She participates in show choir, National Honor Society, the medical academy, Health Occupations Students of America, and College Possible. She’s also deeply involved in Ramclusivity, a program that particularly resonates with her values.
“We try to encourage as many students as possible to come to this camp where we educate people about world issues,” Kendra explains. “We do activities that make people more aware of current events and issues happening in the world. We provide a safe space for people to learn about and address those things.”
Looking at her commitments, a clear pattern emerges. “A lot of my interests revolve around helping people, which connects with what I want to do in the future,” she says. “ I love being involved and it makes me feel like I’m making a difference in some way.”
Finding Direction With College Possible
Kendra first heard about College Possible from someone in her school’s counseling office. After discussing it with her father, she realized the program could provide the guidance she needed to navigate this unfamiliar process.
“There’s still a lot I don’t know, and I find it helpful to have that guidance,” she says, noting how the program supports students through college and into the workforce.
The impact of joining the program was immediate. During her first one-on-one meeting with Edgar, her advising specialist, Kendra developed something she didn’t have before: a concrete plan. “I didn’t really have a starting point at first. He helped me make a list of colleges to look into and explore and how to learn more about them,” she says.
As she continues through the program, attending both group sessions and individual meetings, Kendra is learning more about the college process and feeling increasingly prepared for the journey ahead. When asked what College Possible means to her, she sums it up simply: “Guidance for those who don’t really have an idea of where they want to go.”
The Challenge of Balance
Despite her impressive achievements, Kendra is candid about the challenges of maintaining balance. “I have really high highs and low lows,” she admits. “I sometimes don’t realize how well I’m actually doing overall.”
That self-awareness shapes the advice she offers to students beginning their own college journey: “Take it slow. Don’t rush yourself into something too fast. You may think you need to do everything and end up putting too much on your plate.”
It’s a lesson she’s learning to apply to her own life. “I just have to remember to take it day by day and always ask for help when I need it.”
When she eventually walks across the stage with her college degree, it will represent more than a personal achievement. “It will mean so much, letting my family know that their support has been everything to me,” Kendra says. “Proving to myself that all the hard work is worth it.”
For now, Kendra continues taking things one day at a time, balancing her coursework, extracurriculars, and getting ready for her CNA while keeping her eyes fixed on a future dedicated to helping others—just as she’s been doing all along.
