By Steve Dallape

We’ve all had bad days: our hair won’t cooperate, we get stuck in traffic, maybe we bomb a test. But how many of us have ever been trapped under a tree that was felled by a sudden storm? Senior Nevada Giden has, and she has come out on the other side of that experience better than ever, finding out along the way how strong and resilient she is.

Nevada grew up in Mounds, and has attended Meridian schools her whole life. She even remembers pre-kindergarten vividly and fondly, and still talks to some of her teachers from back then. Currently, her favorite subjects include Science and English, and she also enjoys learning Office 360 with Ms. Bremer.

After high school, Nevada intends to study nursing at John A. Logan College in Carterville. Her interest in nursing was sparked by her mother, who is a Certified Nursing Assistant. Nevada would sometimes visit her mom while she was at work at a nursing home, helping out when she could and talking with the nurses there about their jobs. “I like connecting with people,” she said, “that’s the part I liked the most.” But when Nevada shared that she wanted to follow in her mother’s career footsteps, her mom told her, “You’ve got to do better than me.” And so, Nevada set her sights on a career as a Registered Nurse.

Nevada plans to begin her professional career in a hospital setting. But she ultimately would like to become a travel nurse, an RN who fills short-term roles in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities, helping to fill gaps where there are nursing shortages. For now, she works about 30 hours a week at Walmart in Anna, staffing the apparel, jewelry and fabric departments.

So, Nevada has a full, busy life of school, work, family and friends. She has ambitious plans for her future, and is well on her way to achieving those goals. But things may have turned out very differently for her, because of the aforementioned tree.

In July of 2019, when she was 15, Nevada was hanging out at a local park, when a sudden storm blew up. A large tree was toppled by the strong winds, and Nevada was pinned beneath it, sustaining severe injuries to her leg, spine and skull. She was hospitalized for a week, and then bedridden for some time after that. In addition to the physical pain she endured, she also suffered emotionally because of the experience. But Nevada didn’t even think of giving up or giving in to the pain. “I really found out how strong I am, mentally and physically,” she said. “I came a long way.” And if she can come back from that experience, better and stronger, she no doubt has what it takes to conquer whatever her future may hold.