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Alert1 is pleased to congratulate Anna Holland for winning our 2024-2025 Alert1 Students for Seniors Scholarship.
Anna will be attending Missouri University of Science and Engineering as a double major in Biochemical Engineering and Spanish.
We asked our candidates to answer a few questions about how their current activities and future plans would benefit America’s seniors. Read on for Anna’s winning answers!
Share a time when you helped a senior citizen keep his/her independence.
"This winter, I volunteered at the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, an organization that provides support to over 12,000 low-income residents each December. My role as a volunteer shopper involved guiding clients through their shopping experience, where they could select food, winter coats, children’s clothing, educational toys, books, and personal care items. I was paired with Robert and Lisa, an older couple who were shopping for their family. Having recently fallen on hard times, they needed assistance providing for their two grandsons, who lived with them.
As we moved through the aisles, they shared stories about their grandsons, lighting up with excitement when they chose Nerf guns as gifts. Robert and Lisa hoped these toys would bring joy and normalcy to their grandsons during the holiday season. By guiding them through the process, I not only helped them navigate the space but also provided a listening ear and compassionate support. The experience empowered them to maintain their independence and continue as the strong, loving caregivers their grandsons relied on. Partnering with this organization reminded me how small actions can help preserve dignity and independence for seniors facing challenging circumstances."
Share a time when you helped a senior in his/her pursuit of happiness.
"This past summer, I volunteered in the internal medicine unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center, performing patient rounds focused on fall prevention and patient satisfaction. As a volunteer, I held a unique role, offering patients companionship and connection, which many cherished as the highlight of their day. Among all the interactions, one left a profound impact on me.
On my third day, a nurse asked if I felt comfortable feeding a quadriplegic patient his breakfast. Without hesitation, I agreed and met Patient 18, an older man who was kind and spirited. Over our daily breakfasts, we quickly connected, discussing everything from high school memories to college sports. I quickly memorized his favorite meal: cream of wheat, boiled eggs, butter, cinnamon, yogurt, a muffin, and high-calorie drinks. Our time together became the best part of my day, and I always looked forward to seeing him.
After a week of bonding over breakfast, he told me how he came to be a quadriplegic. It was a tragic story, as his debilitation was the result of a simple fall that changed his whole life. Despite this, he exuded warmth and optimism. I realized that our conversations and shared moments brought him genuine happiness, even in the face of adversity. For that hour each day, we laughed, reminisced, and built a bond that brought joy to us both. When my volunteering period ended, I made sure to thank him for the impact he had on me, knowing our time together had been mutually meaningful. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of connection to bring happiness and fulfillment, even in the most challenging circumstances.
How will you help seniors in your chosen career?
"I plan to double major in Biochemical Engineering and Spanish at Missouri University of Science and Technology, with the intent to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Cardiothoracic surgery is a field heavily geared toward serving older adults, as heart disease is most prevalent in those over age 65. Through this work, I hope to extend not only the lifespan but also ensure that patients can lead more active and fulfilling lives after surgery.
I would especially like to help the seniors who are often excluded from their healthcare due to a language barrier. Seniors with a language barrier are less likely to understand their care, leading them to making uninformed decisions. By studying Spanish, I hope to serve a more diverse range of patients, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and involved in decisions concerning their health. Combining medical expertise with linguistic skills, I aspire to provide not just treatment but also a sense of dignity and respect to all my patients. My future career is rooted in the belief that seniors deserve care that supports both their physical health and emotional well-being.
Alongside whatever career path that I end up in, I also want to continue to volunteer to spend time with older adults. I enjoy hearing all their stories and what they have accomplished in their lives. I think it is important that people can share what they are passionate about and teach others the lessons that they learned along the way."
Alert1 thanks everyone who participated in this year’s scholarship competition and we encourage students to apply again next year.
Well done, Anna!
