Braydon Cretella

UConn School of Nursing

I was born in Bridgeport, CT, and have lived in Oxford, CT, for the majority of my life. I graduated from Oxford High School in 2022, and I am currently a sophomore in the nursing program at UConn.

I have yet to have much exposure to volunteering in clinical settings, but I have been a diligent volunteer since high school. I co-founded the Make a Difference Club at Oxford High School, an organization that focuses on community outreach. I organized various projects, such as creating birthday cards for senior citizens, organizing food at soup kitchens, and sorting books in a local library. Since graduating from high school, I have volunteered at Bridgeport Rescue Mission. I have served food to the underserved, assisted in a food drive, and helped clean the facility.

I sought involvement in UST/AS because my passion for community service is closely intertwined with my drive to work in nursing. I want to be able to make a difference in the community by applying the skills I am learning to help underserved populations in any way I can. Healthcare is a highly complex system that is costly and inaccessible to many people worldwide. Although I am beginning to learn the art and science of nursing, I want to contribute what I can to the community by helping others.