DAVENPORT, Iowa — Three years ago she was a senior at Easton Valley High School. When we surprised Hannah Bormann with a SOAR scholarship, she told us about her dream of becoming a nurse because of her own fight with cancer. And she hasn't wavered on her goals.
A lot has happened in the last three years.
"I started the nursing program at Kirkwood," says Hannah.
Hannah Bormann just graduated.
"This is what I planned to do, since my sophomore year of high school."
A career she says stems from her experience being in and out of hospital.
During her sophomore year of high school doctors found a spot on her brain. After several tests, doctors found a cancerous tumor, forcing Hannah to undergo two surgeries her sophomore year.
"My health is going great now. I have no health issues as of today."
At the time, her greatest concern was missing class because of her health.
"I didn't want to miss school or sports," she said at the time.
This hard working and determined young woman, didn't let a tumor stop her from chasing her dreams.
"I always wanted to be a nurse. I have now just received a job at the university."
Hannah's plan is move closer to Iowa City, and with about four years left of schooling, she says, "I really want to transition into the children's hospital but I think this is a really good place for me to start."
Currently living at home in Preston, she's studying, like many other students, taking her classes online.
"It was very difficult to go from hands on, to everything over a camera."
An opportunity, she says, wouldn't have happened without a little help.
"The soar scholarship allowed me to finish college with a lot less stress and debt."
Her message to this year's winners.
"There was a lot of times, that I didn't think I was smart enough. You just have to study hard and keep pushing through."