| Student's First and Last Name | Tate Williams |
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| Student's Phone Number | (503) 451-4160 |
| Student's Email | Email hidden; Javascript is required. |
| Select the scholarships you are applying for. |
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| Please write an essay delineating the reasons why you believe you qualify for a Service Above Self scholarship. | Our community, in general, is safe with excellent schools and supportive families and I am grateful to have grown up here. Because of this, my family has always emphasized the importance of giving back, right here where we live and in our surrounding areas. I have been fortunate to be a part of the service organization National League of Young Men for the past four years. Through this organization, I volunteered over 250 hours during high school and twice earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Although I have volunteered with several organizations, the two I spent the most time with are Hunger Fighters and Special Olympics Oregon. Just like people all over Oregon, some families in Lake Oswego struggle with putting food on the table. Sadly this is often forgotten about or dismissed. Hunger Fighters provides a place for people in Lake Oswego and surrounding areas to receive groceries and critical items such as toilet paper and cleaning items. I began volunteering there by filling delivery orders and taking inventory when the food pantry was closed due to the pandemic. But last summer, in particular, I helped weekly when the food pantry was open, helping people shop. I saw people from all walks of life, old and young, native Oregonians and non-English speaking immigrants, and everyone in between. I realized how something I took for granted all my life, having food in the refrigerator, is not always the case even in our own community. I’m proud to say that I also helped fill Hunger Fighters’ shelves the past three years by working with other student government students at Lakeridge for our annual food drive – and each year we beat our record collecting more food than the year before. The other organization that has meant a lot to me is Special Olympics Oregon. As an athlete myself, sports has taught me several lessons, where I have made lasting friendships, and been a place for me to be myself while being part of a team. Special Olympics offers everyone, no matter the ability, the opportunity to play sports and compete. The gift of sport and competition can be life changing and seeing a participant’s smile when they complete a swim race makes me want to continue giving back. Many of my most fulfilling moments have been when I am helping others. Service has been an incredibly important part of my high school years and my childhood and I know that wherever I end up, it will continue to be a priority in my life and who I am. |
| Please answer the following three questions in the box below. | I will be attending St.Olaf College (MN) in the fall. |
| Have you already in hand, or do you expect to receive a full tuition scholarship or grant which you intend to use to fund your education? | No |
| Entry Date | April 30, 2025 |