SXU Nursing Student Awarded Pasquinelli Scholarship
Saint Xavier University (SXU) nursing student Allyssa Burgos has been awarded the Mary Ann (Roche) Pasquinelli '57 scholarship. Qualifying students must be nursing majors and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship, which is administered by the OSF HealthCare Foundation and OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center in partnership with SXU, is intended to help remove financial barriers for dedicated nursing students wishing to serve their community on the South Side of Chicago. The scholarship is also designed to support students who would like to begin their nursing careers at OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park.
"I am truly honored and grateful to receive this award. This scholarship emphasizes academic commitment, dedication to service, and a strong passion for nursing. I believe the committee truly resonated with the personal stories [from my essay] about my upbringing and what a hard worker I am. I work hard to excel in my courses and juggle all of my activities but also to grow as a person who genuinely wants to serve others. This award is a symbol for the effort, resilience, and heart I bring to my education and future profession," said Burgos.
Burgos has felt a deep pull toward helping others for as long as she can remember, and she believes nursing is her calling.
"What draws me to nursing is the idea that I am partaking in something bigger than myself. I have had the utmost respect for this occupation and have dreamed about being in health care since I was a little girl. I'm a believer in the power of caring for others and would appreciate the chance to restore someone's hope and remind them they are not alone. In a world that feels rushed and divided, kindness still holds incredible strength, and this scholarship has given me a newfound motivation to achieve my personal goals of becoming a better student and person to become the best nurse I can be," said Burgos.
Burgos chose to pursue her nursing education at SXU because of its renowned nursing program, faith-filled environment, and closeness to home. She appreciates the smaller class sizes and opportunity to build meaningful connections with her peers and classmates, many of whom she believes will be friends for life.
"SXU felt like a place where I could thrive and be supported. My time has been preparing me well for the future, providing me with a strong academic foundation and a program that challenges me and pushes me to think critically. I am looking forward to working in the simulation lab and preparing for real-life situations," said Burgos.
Burgos balances her nursing studies with a spot on the SXU women's volleyball team.
"Being a part of a team has taught me the importance of working with others, hard work and accountability, which are qualities that are important as a future nurse. I've also strengthened my time management skills and learned how to stay committed during challenging moments," said Burgos.
Burgos plans to become a nurse practitioner and hopes to be able to show up for her patients when they need it the most.
"The idea that I could make a difference in someone's life, even in the smallest way, makes all the work that I have been doing worth it. Through both skilled medical care and simple human presence, I want to give my patients the reassurance that someone genuinely cares about them."