2023 RN Scholarship Recipient

Brandy McLendon

Brandy McLendon is a recent recipient of the Mildred Engel Nursing Scholarship by the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.

“I applied for the scholarship because it was very helpful for me financially. A true blessing,” she said. “It means the world to me to receive this award. Where I come from, help isn’t always available. It takes a hardship off of me. Not having to work extra hours to pay for school reduces my stress and anxiety levels.”

McLendon currently attends ETI Technical College in Niles and works part time as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Heritage Manor. In the future, she is interested in working in an emergency room.

McLendon is a single mother of three girls, ages 11, 14, and 16. She has two siblings: an older sister and younger brother. Both of her parents are deceased.

Her mother was a minister and licensed social worker with a master’s degree, and McLendon says she gets her compassion for others from her. Her father retired from Ohio State University, and he is the reason for her hard work ethic.

“I believe losing my parents at such a young age made me more determined to make a better life for my children and I, she said. “Although most of my time is dedicated to school, work, home (not in that order) I know it’ll pay off and my girls get to see how hard work pays off.”