Honoring Life, Inspiring the Future: Jessica Receives Scholarship
Honoring Life: Meet Jessica, one 2025 Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship Recipient
At Next Step, we believe that every life is sacred—and that when we invest in the next generation, we’re building a future rooted in compassion, courage, and conviction. That’s why we’re honored to share the story of Jessica, the recipient of this year’s Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship.
This annual scholarship was established to celebrate the life of Joshua Michael Liu, a child whose brief time on earth left a lasting legacy. It is awarded to a high school student who exemplifies a deep commitment to cherishing and valuing human life—and Jessica embodies this calling with grace and determination.
A Calling Born in the Delivery Room
Jessica discovered her life’s purpose during her Tri-Valley Regional Occupational internship in the labor and delivery unit at Stanford ValleyCare Hospital. There, she saw life begin with her own eyes—mothers laboring in pain and joyfully cradling their newborns moments later. She witnessed firsthand the strength of women and the miracle of each baby’s first breath.
One experience, in particular, solidified her future. A young woman had gone into premature labor, losing over half of her blood volume. The situation was dire. As Jessica ran back and forth assisting the medical team, she silently prayed—hoping for the safety of both mother and child. When the baby finally cried, she said, “it was as if the entire universe exhaled.” In that moment, Jessica knew: her purpose is to be there when life begins, to protect it, and to nurture it.
Healing Through Faith and Community
Jessica’s commitment to life is deeply rooted in her Catholic faith and church community. Through programs at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church and her involvement with local Portuguese youth groups, she has seen the importance of nurturing confidence, identity, and faith in children. These experiences deepened her understanding that life is sacred not just at birth—but in every stage.
Her journey has not been without hardship. Jessica shares that she once felt lost and disconnected from her faith after enduring emotionally harmful relationships. But through prayer, therapy, and the loving support of her community, she began to heal. As she rebuilt her relationship with God, she found a new kind of strength—and a renewed sense of purpose: to stand up for others, especially mothers and children who are vulnerable and in need of care.
Looking Ahead: A Life of Purpose
Jessica is now pursuing her dream of becoming a neonatal nurse, where she can live out her calling every day. Her goal is to offer compassionate care to both mothers and their newborns and ensure that every child has the best possible start in life.
“Choosing to become a neonatal nurse is my way of honoring the sanctity of life,” she says. “In a world where life can be so easily taken for granted, I want to be someone who constantly reminds others of its value.”
Your Impact Across Generations
Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder that your support—whether through time, prayer, or financial giving—makes a real difference.
It raises up students who are ready to lead with compassion.
It equips young people to stand for life with courage.
And it honors lives like Joshua’s, whose memory continues to inspire.
We invite you—whether you’re a parent, a student, a grandparent, or simply someone who believes in the value of every life—to join us. Together, we can support and raise up a generation that cherishes life and lives it with purpose.
💙 Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for helping make stories like Jessica’s possible.