ASPSF Student of the Month: Candice Denise Washington of Miller County
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is proud to honor Candice Denise Washington of Miller County as the November 2025 Student of the Month for her resilience, perseverance, and purpose as she works toward her lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.
Candice Denise Washington is a dedicated mother, student, and health care professional from Texarkana, Arkansas. She is currently completing the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) Program at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana and will graduate as a registered nurse in December 2025.
Candice began her academic journey at Texarkana College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2016. Before pursuing nursing, she attended cosmetology school and studied behavioral science. Now, as she prepares to advance her nursing career, she reflects on the path that brought her here.
“I wanted a better life for my kids than what I had,” Candice said. “I wanted to show them that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.”
A mother of two — Rashaad (18) and Jeremany (7) — Candice draws daily motivation from her children.
“My son talks about going to college now, and my daughter loves to play ‘nurse’ at home,” she said. “Seeing how hard I’ve worked inspires them to dream big too.”
Candice currently works as a licensed vocational nurse and patient access navigator at Christus Freestanding Emergency Room. Her role allows her to provide direct patient care while continuing her education.
“It’s challenging but rewarding,” she said. “Every day reminds me why I chose nursing.”
Her ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she hopes to make a meaningful impact on the lives of newborns and their families. Long term, she plans to continue her education to become a nurse practitioner.
The journey to this point has not been easy. Balancing school, work, and motherhood as a single parent has tested her strength and faith.
“There were times when I wanted to give up,” she said. “But God kept me, and I kept pushing.”
Candice credits ASPSF with helping her stay on track.
“This scholarship helped me cover gas for commuting to school and clinicals, school supplies, and utilities at home,” she said. “That financial support made it possible to focus on my studies without constantly stressing about bills.”
Beyond the financial assistance, Candice says ASPSF provided something even more valuable: community.
“The encouragement, workshops, and check-ins reminded me that I’m not alone — there are people who truly care and want me to succeed,” she said.
As she prepares to graduate, Candice is filled with gratitude and pride.
“To everyone who has supported me, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “You didn’t just help me financially; you gave me hope. This journey wasn’t easy, but it has been worth it. My program manager, Mrs. [Sandra] Warren, helped me believe in myself again, and now I’m months away from achieving my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.”
For more information about ASPSF or to support single parents in Arkansas, visit www.aspsf.org.
