A Message from our 2022-23 Hendersonville Branch Scholarship Award Winner Heather Anderson 

Dear Ms. Bernard:

Hello, my name is Heather Anderson. I received the AAUW Hendersonville Scholarship Endowment Fund for the Fall and Spring semesters at Blue Ridge Community College. I am beyond grateful and appreciate the opportunity this scholarship is awarding me.

I am the first in my family to attend college. My father, a disabled veteran, had a massive stroke when I was finishing up my 8th-grade year, and I assisted my Mother with his care. I was dual enrolled in high school and planned to join the military, however I became a single mother at 16 so my plans were diverted. I still finished my high school degree, however I had to put my college plans on hold as I had to work more than one job to support my son.

(Picture left) Joen Goodman and Heather Anderson

I never gave up my goal or dream to obtain my nursing degree, however I did have several obstacles along my path. I worked at a local pharmacy as a cashier and learned from the pharmacist so that I could advance, take the National Pharmacy Technician exam and become a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Tech, which I did. I also took courses part-time to become a Home Health Aide and eventually a Certified Nurse Assistant where I was able to work in home health. Due to having both my Pharmacy Tech as well as CNA, I was able to work at the hospital where I had plenty of hours and benefits. I eventually went back to home health due to a better schedule being a single parent.

(Picture right)  Our scholarship recipient Heather Anderson accepting her honors award

Throughout the years I have had 2 more children, all of my children are over a decade apart. My son I mentioned in the beginning is now grown and served in the Marine Corps. He is also currently attending Blue Ridge as well, following me into healthcare. My daughter is entering high school where she plans to dual enroll with her goal of becoming an educator. My youngest is only 3, he attends a learning center and says he wants to be big when he grows up, ha ha.

Over the years I have mainly been in health care and I feel that is my calling, my passion. I have taken care of my grandparents until they passed, my mother during her cancer treatments until she passed recently and a few of my uncles. As I previously mentioned my Father, and I continue to be his primary caregiver, moving him closer to me so that I can better provide his care. I decided to get myself back into school and finally obtain my degree in Nursing. I found that Blue Ridge offers the RIBN program which will allow me to receive my Bachelor’s degree rather than just my Associate’s, so I made sure to complete all of my coursework as well as all requirements so that I could apply. I was accepted into the program and currently starting my first semester.

“This scholarship is meaningful to me because not only does it provide me with funding, it also shows me that people in our community care about one another and our community overall.”

This scholarship is truly a blessing to me as well as my family. Having the funding allows me to purchase necessary tools such as uniforms, books, a stethoscope, as well as any other tools that will help me during my academic journey. This scholarship is meaningful to me because not only does it provide me with funding, it also shows me that people in our community care about one another and our community overall. This scholarship also gives me the opportunity to teach and show my children that we may have obstacles along our paths, however, we can overcome them and still achieve what we set out to do. One thing I have always told my children is, the only limits we have are what we allow in our own minds. Another thing I’ve always told them is that if we aren’t learning, we aren’t living. Every day is full of new opportunities and ways to learn. I plan to do my very best within my program so that I can maintain my 3.9 or possibly raise my GPA even higher. Most importantly, I plan to learn as much as I possibly can so that I can become the best nurse possible for my patients and our community. Again I am truly grateful for this opportunity and appreciate it very much.

Sincerely,

Heather Anderson