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Scholarship America is proud to celebrate our 2026 class of Dream Award Scholars. Each of these students has overcome obstacles and begun their college journey thanks to their grit, drive and determination—and the Dream Award provides them essential financial support so they can complete their education with less debt and less stress.
These renewable scholarships stay with students through the remainder of their college careers, ensuring that they can stay on track and finish their degrees. Since its founding in 2014, the Dream Award has helped nearly 200 talented, determined learners, and we’re excited to welcome the 2026 Dream Award cohort.
Today we’re introducing Kyerin Simonds, a Maryland native who moved with her family to Utah in 2020 and who is now attending Weber State University’s nursing program with a goal to become a nurse practitioner. “As a young adult trying to stay on my own two feet and working full-time while attending a rigorous nursing program, this scholarship allows me to afford housing, start long-term savings and investments for my future, and not stress about work and needing more hours so I can afford tuition, housing, and necessities,” Kyerin says. “This scholarship also grants me the opportunity to spend more time outside of work to pursue [my interest in] martial arts and social activities.”
Here’s our conversation with Kyerin; visit our blog to meet more of the 2026 Dream Award Scholars!
I have always been fascinated with anatomy, human sciences, and the medical field. I would always check out some kind of science or anatomy book from the library as a young child, and would dive into my mother’s anatomy books. My mother also homeschooled my five younger siblings and me full-time, teaching six grades simultaneously. She taught us science and anatomy from a very young age, and I think I was the only one who paid attention.
As I got older, I was first very interested in midwifery. But I felt I could do more. So, I set my goals higher and decided nursing school would be a great fit. I still felt I could achieve more. So I raised my standards for myself and decided that I could succeed in my desired career and fields of study as a nurse practitioner.
At 14, I applied to my local community college and started taking the required prerequisites for their nursing program. When I was 18, I had finished the prerequisites and was ready to apply to their nursing program. Unfortunately, I had not yet graduated high school yet, and simultaneously, my family was preparing to move to Utah, and I had to adjust my plans.
Even though many trials and challenges arose and life took me down many unexpected paths that taught me valuable lessons, I never gave up on my goal. In fact, as time went on, my desire to succeed only grew. I worked hard, saved money, and sacrificed to accomplish what I promised myself I would do. A dream is just a dream without discipline. And I choose to make my dreams a reality, no matter how hard I have to work.
As a devoted student, I am currently working full-time and attending the nursing program’s summer semester. I try to find time to go to my Taekwondo classes and participate in the Taekwondo demonstrations at various events across Salt Lake County. If I am lucky enough to end up with a couple of spare hours, I enjoy trying new recipes and perfecting my own for my cookbook. I also enjoy spending that time with my friends and family.
After graduating from the DNP program with my Nurse Practitioner degree, I want to practice emergency medicine and travel internationally and domestically to provide emergency medical care and provide medical access to populations with restricted access and post-disaster.
Long-term, I want to start my own practice that provides access to rural communities and provides the care people deserve and need.
I know it is hard, and there will always be opposition in achieving this, but always tell yourself, “I do it anyways,” and prove to yourself what you are capable of.
As someone who has been working for so long towards accomplishing this goal, I am abundantly grateful for the immense support this scholarship has given me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to succeed at a higher capacity.
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