Zylie Cullins

I am a student at Saint Stephens High School in Hickory, North Carolina, and I have wanted to become a surgeon for as long as I can remember. The thought of helping people through some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives has always felt meaningful to me. I know this path will take years of learning, hard work, and dedication, but I am ready to keep moving toward it. As a student, I try to approach my goals with extreme determination and a strong work ethic, knowing that each step forward will help prepare me for the responsibilities of caring for others.

After high school, I plan to attend Catawba Valley Community College to earn my RN, then continue my education at a medical school. I believe beginning as an RN will teach me compassion and hands-on patient care, and help me better understand what patients and their families need. I hope to bring skill, steadiness, and kindness to those I care for, especially when they are facing uncertain or difficult times.

Being a member of the Honor Society means being part of a community that values effort, learning, and service. To me, it is a reminder to keep growing and to use what I learn in ways that can benefit others. I hope to give back to my community through a career in medicine, supporting people when they need help most and working toward the kind of surgeon I have dreamed of becoming.