2024 All-Star College Scholarship Recipient
Krista Polly
2024 All-Star Scholarship Recipient
Where are you from, what school will you be attending, and what you’re majoring in?
Hello, my name is Krista Polly. I was born in Kentucky, but I grew up in West Virginia before moving to Utah and then Texas due to my uncle’s service in the Air Force. I am attending East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. I am majoring in Nursing with aspirations of becoming a Nurse Practitioner in the future.
How did you find out about the All-Star Scholarship?
I have been with my aunt and uncle for 5 years now, as you can imagine that is not much time to save for college. So, we knew we had to find some help with the cost. We all teamed up and began looking for opportunities that would fit my circumstances. I was excited when we came across the UMPS CARE All-Star Scholarship, and the organization as a whole, it seemed like the opportunity was created for young adults like me. It was not just the scholarship money that piqued my interest, but also the personal investment UMPS CARE puts into their recipients. I knew if I was fortunate enough to be selected, UMPS CARE would be an organization I would like to build a relationship with that extends beyond my college graduation.
What does this scholarship mean to you and your education?
I’m not sure words can describe how much this scholarship means to me. My aunt and uncle are transitioning out of the Air Force and at the same time I am starting college. This blessing from UMPS CARE will allow me to advance my education without having to take out large student loans. I feel so fortunate because the All-Star Scholarship will let me to start my career without being suffocated by debt and in turn will allow me to get a solid start in my adult life. UMPS CARE, taking that financial burden off my shoulders, will allow me to focus on my course work without the extra stress.
Tell us about your family and your adoption. How old were you when you were adopted?
I grew up with my biological mother in West Virginia. Before I was old enough to really know my father, he left us and went to Kentucky. My biological parents are drug addicts which lead to my siblings & I being removed from their custody by CPS when I was less than a year old. I was placed into the custody of my Aunt Sara and Uncle Frank, they were stationed in Toledo, Ohio at the time (Go Mud Hens). They had me for about a year when the state felt my mother was rehabilitated and I went back to West Virginia to live with her. I can best describe the years that followed as traumatic and tumultuous. I lived for the weekend escapes to my Nana’s and summer vacations which I spent with my Aunt Sara & Uncle Frank, wherever they were stationed at the time. When I was 13, my mother and step-father had another incident with drugs and the state took us out of her care & placed us in foster care. I immediately called my aunt and uncle and asked if I can live with them. They ecstatically agreed but CPS did not make it easy or quick. Thanks to many lawyers and a very kind judge eventually I was on a plane to Utah with my new permanent parents to finally start my new life. I have always had a close connection with my aunt and uncle since the first time I lived with them. Since my permanent placement, I have learned what a home truly is and it is allowed me to really focus on bettering myself and becoming the woman I want to be.
How has being adopted given you a different perspective on life than your peers?
Since I was little, my siblings and I have had to rely on each other to survive. At times, being the youngest of three, it put a strain on my relationship with my brother and sister. They took on the parenting role for me which was not fair to any of us. Once I went to live with my Aunt Sara and Uncle Frank, I was able to feel secure and see how a family dynamic should operate. I didn’t have to worry about my basic needs being met, like food to eat or the water and electric being on. I finally had a “home” that was safe and secure and, most important, full of love and understanding. Most of my friends have never had to live through the challenges I have. Although those were some very dark days in my life, those experiences have made me resilient, strong, and assertive. Most importantly, my experience has made me grateful for everything I have. I know there will be purpose to the pain I have lived through and I know God will to turn the messiness of my childhood into His message.
What are some things about you most people don’t know?
I am proud to be a:
Certified EKG Technician
Certified Phlebotomy Technician
Certified Medical Assistant
Certified Patient Care Technician
What do you hope to accomplish during school?
The biggest thing I want to accomplish in school is developing into a well-rounded and successful woman who is ready to take on the challenges life will throw at me. I want to adapt to being independent and surround myself with good friends with the same goals in life. I have many nurses in my family, so finishing nursing school with my bachelor’s degree is a huge goal of mine. I want to become the first of my biological parents and siblings to graduate with a degree and make my loved ones & everyone who has invested in my success proud.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
Over the next 10 years, I want to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in nursing and begin work as a traveling nurse. My goal is to gain experience in many areas of nursing so I know what specialty area I would like to pursue when going back to school to become a nurse practitioner. During that time, I want to establish myself financially and be independent. I also want to pay forward the investment that
UMPS CARE will have poured into me.
