My Authentic Experience

Authenticity is defined as being genuine in nature. Catawba’s core values of scholarship, character, culture, and service can only be achieved if one is authentic with themselves. My most authentic experiences came from my three years of service with the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (JFRD). Those three years exposed me to the real world and helped me discover who I am and who I want to be in the future.

From a young age, I always had an interest in fire fighting. I started my service with no idea of the opportunities and challenges I would face. My experiences are those that many individuals will never get to experience in a lifetime and, for that fact, they helped shape me as a human being. I went on many different types of calls, from lift assists or chest pain to the more urgent such as an extrication, cardiac arrest, or structural fire. The incident in which my authentic self came out was my first cardiac arrest call, where I was tasked with giving initial CPR to the patient. As we arrived on scene, emotions flared, there was screaming and crying as they urged us to hurry. As we entered the

I knew from the first call I went on that I wanted to do something similar to this for the rest of my life. My involvement with JFRD changed my whole outlook on my life and made me decide that pediatric nursing and firefighting would fulfill a lifelong passion of mine. I have come to value the lives of each and every person I come into contact with and see them as an individual with a unique story. My greatest motivation to serve others as a future firefighter and nurse was meeting my mentor, Captain Mark Stewart. Captain Stewart taught me to be the person I am today. He tragically passed away last June and, ever since, I have felt the need to give back in his honor. Giving back to the community by becoming a firefighter and a nurse is my calling and the best way for me to be