The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Abbigail Martin, a 2026 recipient of one of the six Arlene H Smith Scholarship awards and the Dorothy Sherer Flohr Scholarship award.
Abbigail, the daughter of Heather Martin and William T. Martin, is a 2023 graduate of Colonel Crawford High School. She is attending North Central State College and in the Registered Nursing Program.
What is your favorite aspect of college life and why?
"My favorite aspect of college life has been finding new lifelong friends. Navigating a tough nursing program is so much better when you have a dedicated support system by your side, sharing the journey and helping each other succeed."
What new interests or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"Since starting college, it has opened my eyes to how interesting the human body truly is. My nursing coursework has sparked a real passion for learning about both human physiology and the complex ways different medications interact with our systems. I am excited for what I will be learning in my last two semesters of nursing school."
How has the college experience changed/improved you?
"Going through a demanding nursing program has taught me to embrace growth and become genuinely comfortable with the uncomfortable. It has made me a much more resilient person and deepened my empathy for what future patients go through. This journey has also pushed me deeper into my faith with God and brought about an attitude of gratitude. I could not have gotten through any of this without God. It has also changed how I see my life, made me more grateful for my body and how it functions, and motivated me to become the best version of myself by being more active, eating healthy, and making conscious efforts to support my body as I age."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"My biggest advice is to never compare yourself to anyone else because everyone is on their own path, and there is no such thing as being behind. Give yourself grace, trust God, and if you are entering nursing school, practice getting comfortable with the uncomfortable while finding a solid group of friends who will always lift you up. This is also a chance to have a fresh start, and you decide how you want it to be. Enjoy the experience and be proud of all of the work you have done!"
What is one item on your bucket list and why?
"A major item on my bucket list is to take a trip through Europe and ride the trains through Germany and Ireland to connect with my heritage and find distant family members. As a huge fan, I also have to visit Lake Como in Italy to see where they filmed Anakin and Padme's Naboo wedding scene from Star Wars."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Abbigail!
To learn more about scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
