As I pondered my choice of college, my thoughts inevitably drifted to the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT). It wasn't just the college's reputation or the fact that it was close to home and affordable that drew me in, but a deeply personal connection that spanned generations.

My grandmother, Janie Craven, walked the halls of what was then known as Red River Vocational Technical School in 1980. She graduated from its Practical Nursing program armed with knowledge and a heart full of compassion. Her dedication to her patients was legendary, spanning over 35 years of service in the nursing profession.

I can still vividly recall those afternoons of my childhood when I'd find myself in awe of her comforting compassion for the patients of Prescott Manor Nursing Home. From passing medicines to charting, every task she performed was executed with precision and care. But it was in the empathetic moments between tasks that her true essence as a loving nurse shone through.

Her residents weren't just patients; they were family. I watched in awe as she tended to their needs, not just physically but emotionally, too. Her voice, filled with warmth and kindness, echoed through the halls as she sang to them, bringing solace and moments of joy to their lives.

It was in those tender moments that I realized my own calling. The desire to make a difference, to touch lives in profound ways, took root within me. My grandmother's legacy became my guiding light, illuminating my path to UAHT.

As I contemplate my journey ahead, I carry with me the hope that I can honor her memory. To have walked the same halls, learned the same lessons, and ultimately, to have followed in her footsteps brings me great pride. With the education I’ve attained from the world-class instructors at UAHT, I know I can carry on her legacy and make her proud.

-Aspen Easter, UAHT LPN Graduate 2024